Popular Manly Wharf restaurants Saké and El Camino Cantina to close
Two popular waterfront restaurants at Sydney’s Manly Wharf will close permanently on Monday, 30 June.
The closure of Saké and El Camino Cantina is not performance-related but is part of a commercial decision by Hunter St. Hospitality, the group behind the venues and other well-known names such as Rockpool Bar & Grill and The Bavarian.
“It was a commercial decision – [Manly Wharf owner Artemus Group] made a wonderful offer. We had 15 years left on the lease,” Hunter St. Hospitality chief executive officer Frank Tucker told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Tucker, who took the helm last year, said the group is pivoting away from chain expansion to focus on developing “unique venues”. He confirmed plans to open three new Japanese restaurants within the next 12 months, although they are not expected to operate under the Saké brand.
The move follows the earlier closure of The Bavarian at the same wharf. That site was taken over by Artemus Group, which repurposed it into Felons Seafood, a new venue led by chef Luke Bourke, a Rockpool alumnus.
Artemus Group is known for its redevelopment of Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves. It purchased the Manly Wharf precinct for A$110 million last year and has since invested heavily in its revitalisation. Artemus has already acquired venues including Manly Wharf Bar and Hugos Manly, with the latter reportedly secured for A$20 million.
While rumours suggest a large function venue may be added next, no formal announcements have been made. Merivale’s Queen Chow remains one of the few independent operators on the site.
The departure of Saké and El Camino Cantina has drawn disappointment from local patrons, highlighting the changing dynamics of Sydney’s harbourside hospitality scene.
Jonathan Jackson, 23rd June 2025
