Since 1999, Quay has stood as a beacon of Australia’s restaurant industry: as much an icon to food lovers as the world-famous landmarks outside its windows. Today it has been announced that the fine-dining fixture will be closing in the new year, with the last service on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026.

Quay, under the stewardship of chef Peter Gilmore since 2001, helped establish Sydney’s reputation on the global food scene. It ranked on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list a total of nine times – three of those as the Best Restaurant in Australasia – and has become one of the most awarded Australian restaurants ever. During his tenure, Gilmore has become one of the country’s foremost advocates for Australian produce, including in his tenure as a National Judge for the delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards; and created cultural icons such as signature dessert the Snow Egg.

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Starting life as Bilson’s in 1988 with chef Tony Bilson and restaurateur Leon Fink, the fabled dining room has set the backdrop to countless anniversaries, proposals, celebrations and never-forgotten meals.

“I am immensely proud of all we have achieved at Quay over the last 24 years — being recognised as the most awarded restaurant in Australia and maintaining that consistency and creativity through those years. I am especially proud and grateful for the hundreds of young chefs and front-of-house professionals who have contributed their passion and skill to Quay’s story, and for the mentorship we’ve been able to provide them,” Gilmore says to delicious. 

“To all the artisans, farmers, producers and providores we’ve worked so closely with over the years — it has taken a lot of love and passion from so many people. I will always be so incredibly grateful to all our customers, and I hope the special memories we’ve created will stay with them for many years to come.”

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To mark 37 years of pushing the culinary bar ever higher, Quay will transition to the signature Quay Experience menu on New Year’s Day – January 1, 2026 – until its last service on February 14.

After February, the space inside the Overseas Passenger Terminal is passing onto Australian Venue Co., one of the largest hospitality groups in the nation, although there is no news yet as to what AVC has planned for the site.

To learn more and reserve your table one last time, visit finkgroup.com.au/awards/quay