Popular Sydney restaurant to shut its doors

A popular Sydney restaurant has announced it will shut its doors in just two weeks.

Warike in Surry Hills — which opened during Sydney’s COVID-19 lockdown and is known for its Peruvian-Japanese style and specialised dishes including oysters, kingfish and ceviche — has announced it will close on September 14.

“We’re immensely proud of our team and all our incredible accomplishments, earning many recognitions, incredible reviews, notable publications and being recognised as one of the best restaurants in NSW by the prestigious Good Food Guide and one of the best restaurants in Surry Hills by Time Out Sydney,” it said.

“However, the proudest achievement of all is to have been a safe space for our team to come together, learn, grow and feel motivated to look after each other and do their best.”

The restaurant thanked “regulars, guests and neighbours” for their ongoing support, and invited the public to its final service on September 14.

“Drop on in and indulge in your favourite dishes, crafted with love by our exceptional team,” it said.

Many people were heartbroken to hear of the restaurant’s closure.

“Warike was on my list of restaurants and destinations to visit in Sydney. I’m gutted this won’t happen anymore,” one person said.

“OMG this was the best Peruvian restaurant we’ve had. Such sad news,” another added.

“Our food has always been truly delicious every visit. Wish you and the team all the best,” another customer said.

Warike was the sister eatery of Lima Nikkei which closed in January 2024.

Co-owner and chef at both restaurants, Hector Chunga, brought inspiration from his time working in restaurants in Japan and Peru, where he grew up, to the menus.