The doors have closed for the final time at a beloved Honeysuckle dining spot, with the owners making a heartbreaking decision to protect their family's future.
Thermidor Oyster Bar & Brasserie on Honeysuckle Drive served its last meal last week, becoming the latest casualty in a challenging period for Hunter region hospitality venues.
A Dream Ends to Protect a Family
For owners Josh and Jess Gregory, the decision to close was deeply personal. After pouring their heart and soul into the restaurant, they faced a stark reality when scrutinising their finances.
"We weren't willing to keep gambling our family's future on keeping our dream alive," Josh Gregory revealed. He explained that after six months of closely monitoring the books, it became clear the projected summer trade wouldn't sustain the business through the quieter winter months.
"Hospitality looks simple on the outside but it lives and dies on knowing your numbers," he said. The couple made the proactive choice to close before external forces made the decision for them.
An Industry Under Immense Pressure
The closure of Thermidor is not an isolated incident. It forms part of a worrying trend across Newcastle and the Hunter.
Blue Kahunas and Bar Mellow have both announced impending closures, with their final days set for January 25 and this Saturday respectively. Venues like Roxanne in the CBD and Closed at Islington have also recently shut down.
Further afield, the acclaimed Yellow Billy Restaurant at Pokolbin will serve its last meal on January 25.
The strain is being felt by established businesses too. Daniel Kibble, owner of Fratelli Roma in Maitland for 19 years, recently took to social media to explain significant menu price increases. He described 2025 as "a particularly tough year," with "astronomical" costs across gas, electricity, commercial lending rates, and basic ingredients.
"In all areas we have seen continuous price increasing almost relentlessly over the last 3 years since COVID-19," Kibble wrote. "When you compile it all together it really bites hard."
A Call to Support Local Venues
Gus Maher, Chair of the Hunter Culinary Association, confirmed trading conditions remain extremely difficult. He cited rising food costs, staff wages, rents, and utilities, compounded by consumer cost-of-living pressures.
"On behalf of our hospitality industry I have a very simple message: please eat out at our cafes, restaurants and hotels as often and whenever you can," Maher urged.
Josh Gregory echoed the sentiment of an industry at a crossroads, noting that 80 per cent of new restaurants fail within their first year. "If 80 per cent of any other industry failed, within the first year, people would march on the streets," he remarked.
While not blaming any single factor for Thermidor's end, Gregory said he "wouldn't be surprised if we see more closures." Despite the sadness, he expressed profound gratitude: "We are completely humbled by the amount of support we received. Not bad for two Newcastle kids who dared to chase their dream."
New Year's Eve and Final Hurrahs
As some venues prepare to close, others are offering special experiences to see out the year.
Yellow Billy Restaurant is hosting two final 'Kings Table' luncheons on January 18 and 25, celebrating seven years in business which included earning a Good Food Guide chef hat in 2023.
For New Year's Eve, numerous Hunter venues have curated special events. Highlights include:
- Crystalbrook Kingsley in Newcastle offers two celebrations: 'Ms Mary - Party Under the Stars' and a premium dining experience at Roundhouse.
- Rooftop at QT Newcastle promises a bird's-eye view of the fireworks with DJs and canapes.
- Nautica at NCYC has harbour-view dinners and cocktail parties available.
- Themes range from Studio 54 at Peregrin to a Great Gatsby affair at 8 at Trinity, featuring live music from James Morrison.
From fine dining at Restaurant Botanica or Circa 1876 to a bushland BBQ at Full Throttle Ranch with free camping, options cater to diverse tastes and budgets.
Other Local Food News
Amid the closures, some new openings are bringing fresh flavours. Sip Social has launched at Redhead, Gary's Grill Cafe is now open at Belmont, and Galaxy Buffet has started serving at Mayfield Mex Club.
In fast-food news, Guzman y Gomez has introduced a limited-edition BBQ Chicken Double Crunch for $4.80.
On a broader scale, Sydney's iconic Quay Restaurant has announced it will close its doors in February, signalling that the hospitality sector's challenges extend beyond regional areas.
