"Letting go of this space is genuinely difficult”: Green Gourmet to close after 27 years to make way for St Leonards high-rise
The restaurant will be open every day until May 24.
Melissa Mantle
May 01, 2025
St Leonards vegan institution Green Gourmet has announced it will close on May 24 due to the building and others surrounding it being scheduled for demolition to make way for the St Leonards Telstra Exchange development at 524-542 Pacific Highway.
The development is part of the NSW Government's Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program, aimed at increasing housing supply near public transport. It will incorporate the existing Telstra Exchange building into its design for a 43-storey mixed-use tower including 272 build-to-rent homes, ten affordable units, 84 serviced apartments, and retail spaces.
Late last week the restaurant shared the news on its Facebook page.
“To have stood the test of time, serving our community … fills us with so much joy.”
The restaurant was in Newtown from 1998, and since 2001 at St Leonards.
Owners expressed gratitude for the “wonderful, loyal customers” who have been the “anchor for our small family business”.
“You didn’t just visit us for meals; you invested in a vision, helping us prove that delicious, vegan Asian plant-based food could be a force for good for the planet, for the animals, and for our own physical, emotional and spiritual health. Letting go of this space is genuinely difficult.”
The announcement ended with the restaurant asking for support in its final days.
“Please consider visiting us a few more times, say hi, and help us make these last days at St Leonards truly memorable.”
The comments on the post were full of disbelief, heartbreak and support from many locals as well as encouragement for the owners to open their restaurant elsewhere.
With retail spaces available in the completed development, might there still be a home for Green Gourmet once it’s built?
Maybe.
In its announcement post, the restaurant teased a “part 2”, in which it will reveal what the future holds for the business.
Bookings can still be made via the website or by calling 9439 6533.
Thumbnail credit: Melissa Mantle (left), DKO (right)