The new Sydney Fish Market has officially opened its doors

The long-anticipated Sydney Fish Market officially opened this morning after five years of construction and extensive delays.

The new $836 million Fish Market, located at Blackwattle Bay, was officially opened by Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, who hailed it “the biggest and best fish market in the world.”

He added,: “Today, an age-old tradition meets striking contemporary architecture in the modern city of Sydney, and underneath all the incredible design, the beating heart of this building will be a working fish market.”

“Whether you’re coming here for caviar or crabsticks… this place will have something for everyone”.

The New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, stated: “This is going to be a tourism destination for locals and international visitors alike, rivalling and being up there with the likes of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, on the must-see list when it comes to going to Sydney.”

Expected to attract over six million visitors each year, the landmark destination will house over 40 retailers beneath its striking 20,000 square-metre roof.

While seafood remains firmly at its heart, the reimagined market expands far beyond the fishmongers, introducing a diverse lineup of new restaurants, immersive experiences and behind-the-scenes tours that transform the precinct into a must-visit waterfront attraction.

You can still get your Claudio’s fix at the new Sydney Fish Market. (Images: Isabelle James).

Returning favourites and new additions

The new Sydney Fish Market will continue to house legacy seafood sellers, including Peter’s Fish Market, Nicholas Seafood, Christie’s Seafoods, Claudio’s Seafood, GetFish Seafood and Musumeci Seafood.

Their move to the new market was crucial in maintaining the spirit of the old Fish Market, with the six seafood retailers signing leases to move to the new building at below-market rates.

Other beloved original retailers making a return to the new Sydney Fish Market include Blackwattle Deli, Fruit Ezy, Boatshed Cafe and Fish Market Cafe.

In addition to the original vendors, more than 20 new businesses will operate at the new site, including the gelateria Cow & The Moon, a specialty olive oil concept store, Olivetta, and German bakery Lüneburger.

With the new Fish Market embracing the idea that there’s “something for everyone,” a range of non-seafood stores aims to attract visitors who aren’t seafood fans, helping cement its status as the ultimate foodie destination.

However, CEO Daniel Jarosch confirms that the markets are only 75% open, with the rest of the retailers moving in within the “coming days and weeks”.

“Not all businesses will be up and running straight away, with about a dozen retailers to open in the days and weeks to come.”

What will happen to the old Fish Market?

The old Sydney Fish Market officially closed its doors on Sunday, with retailers packing up and moving over to the new site to begin trading again the very next day.

The old site, which is visible across the water from the new Fish Market, looks particularly tired next to its modern successor. Now no longer operating, the old 3.6-hectare site is set to be transformed into around 1400 homes, with towers up to 35 storeys and purpose-built student accommodation run by student housing provider Scape by The Living Company.

This forms part of the broader Blackwattle Bay urban renewal plan, which aims to transform the area into a vibrant, multi-use precinct, to be redeveloped by property giant Mirvac in partnership with Infrastructure NSW.

The exact date for the old market’s demolition has not been confirmed, but it is expected to take place sometime next year.

Opening hours

The new Sydney Fish Market will stay open later than ever before, letting visitors enjoy dinner, drinks and live music by the water. The official opening times are as follows; however, individual retail trading hours apply.

How to get there

• Light rail: Hop off at Wentworth Park stop (400m away), Glebe stop (450m) or the Bank Street stop (700m)
• Driving: Access via Bridge Road, Pyrmont. There’s multi-level underground parking with 400 spaces and short-stay drop-off zones.
• On foot/bike: Join the Bays Foreshore Walk, connecting Woolloomooloo, Darling Harbour, Glebe and Wentworth Park.

It will likely be about a year before Sydneysiders and tourists can catch a ferry to the Fish Market, as a new wharf is still in the design phase. The $30 million project isn’t expected to be operational until 2027.

For more, go here.