There are just five days left to dine at Petermen, Josh and Julie Niland’s St Leonards dining room that opened in early 2023. “The past 12 months have been extremely challenging for independent businesses within the hospitality industry,” Josh said in a statement. “Sadly, Julie and I have had to make the decision to close Petermen.”

Petermen is not a casual, à la carte alternative to the pair’s lauded Saint Peter. The fin-to-scale MO is the same, but the menu was designed to be more approachable. The 60-seat dining room is breezily refined, with a fit-out Julie designed herself, and Ken Done pieces covering the walls. Just last month it was announced meat had joined the menu, with Petermen becoming the spot for the flashiest surf’n’turf in Sydney.

“We wish to thank the local community for all their support,” Josh continued. “We are incredibly grateful to our team, who will continue with us at Saint Peter and Fish Butchery.” That means head chef Tom Foster, who’s been steering the Petermen ship with all his experience from London’s The Ledbury and Sydney’s recently closed Cirrus, will be sticking around.

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The news comes just weeks after the couple announced a new project hitting Hamilton Island in early 2025; and soon after they moved Saint Peter up the road, relocating it from its teeny 35-seat spot on Oxford Street into the massive Grand National, a heritage pub with 14 hotel rooms. Saint Peter’s new space is big and spectacular – managing to up the ante even more on a near-faultless fine diner – and a no-brainer on this year’s best new restaurants list.

“A big thanks to our suppliers, incredible guests, and everyone who has assisted in making Petermen a special restaurant to dine in.”

Petermen’s final service will be Sunday December 15, 2024.