Guillaume Brahimi to close doors at Bennelong as Opera House seeks bistro-style cafe and restaurant

Guillaume Brahimi will be closing the doors to his top-tier restaurant Bennelong at the iconic Sydney Opera House at the end of year.

The shift comes as Brahimi’s lease expires at the end of the year and he did not submit a tender by Tuesday night due to apparent conflicting directions.

The French-born chef has owned and run the Bennelong site for 12 years and planned to submit a tender, until he saw the Opera House Trust was looking for a “welcoming food and beverage venue” to be open seven days a week.

Although Brahimi operates bistros in Perth and Melbourne, his Bennelong restaurant is a fine dining venue.

Guillaume at Bennelong serves contemporary Australian cuisine with a classical French influence.

“That’s not what I do,” Brahimi said to The Australian Financial Review.

“It’s an iconic spot, the Opera House deserves a fine dining restaurant.

“We worked hard for 12 years to create a special experience, Bennelong for me, is a fine dining venue,” says Brahimi.

Brahimi secured the contract to run the Bennelong restaurant in 2001 and gave it a major overhaul.

Sydney Opera House commercial director David Watson says the trust is required to conduct a public tender for their expiring food and beverage contracts in line with the NSW Government procurement policy.

Watson says it’s also an opportunity to ensure greater diversity, more price points and dining experiences that are open more often to cater to the 8.2 million visitors annually.

Brahimi said his future plans would be announced in the coming months.

Brahimi lives by the Sydney Habour with his wife and children.