Sydney Fish Market has well and truly settled into its new surroundings, Winsor Dobbin reports.
Just across Blackwattle Bay from its old Pyrmont location, after 18 months Sydney Fish Market seems very much at home at its shiny new Glebe premises, which are just a short stroll from Wentworth Park light rail stop.
It’s a lot slicker, a lot cleaner and a lot bigger, stretching across several floors and is promoted as the world’s third-largest fish market by species range, and the biggest in the southern hemisphere.
The new $800 million harbourside building – designed by 3XN Architects – features sweeping timber sails inspired by fishing nets and a large outdoor promenade. There are some of the old favourites, a few newcomers, and a whole lot of places to eat.
If you are really keen, you can book an organised tour, but we opted to stroll around at leisure, taking in the myriad live shellfish, and bewildering choice of fish.
Get there earlier to observe fishmongers prep for the day ahead and as fresh fish are unloaded from trucks. Over 2,700 crates (52 tonnes) of seafood are sold each day. Arrive between 5.30 and 7am to watch the action at the daily wholesale seafood auction, where Sydney restaurants buy their fresh fish.
In addition to the many fishmongers there is a new extended deli section, where you can buy specialty olive oils from Olivetta, artisan charcuterie and cheeses from Blackwattle Deli, and premium nuts and dried fruits from Green Valley Goes Nuts.
You can also pick up a bouquet at Mayfarm Flowers, a bottle or two from Fisherman’s Fine Wines, or perhaps buy some new kitchenware at The General Store.
There’s plenty of places to stop for a coffee and a pastry before the competitive business of sourcing the best fish to take home. You won’t want to miss the live giant lobsters and crabs on display. Make sure to check out the oysters and sea urchins.
The old favourites remain front and centre: Claudio’s, Musemeci, Christie’s, Nicholas and Peter’s.
There are plenty of places to grab a bite; from sushi and sashimi to fish and chips, maybe a crab and prawn bisque. We opted, completely at random, for lunch at Japanese-accented Ichie, which proved a good choice. The service was brisk and the Hokkaido crab with rosti very tasty.
If you are driving, you can park for free on weekdays when you enter after 3pm and exit by 5pm.
The kids might enjoy an afternoon trip, perhaps for a bubble tea from Gotcha Fresh Tea, or a yoghurt from the recently opened Yo-Chi outlet.
Restaurants are open until 10pm, making Sydney Fish Market a day and night destination.
Sydney Fish Market boasts that it is open every day of the year (except Christmas Day). Even on public holidays.
The public can view the early morning auction from the spectator deck from 5:30am to 8:30am, free. For a more in-depth experience, you can book the Behind-the-Scenes Tour Monday to Friday. Book online.
The verdict: Not as atmospheric as its predecessor, but much more user friendly.
https://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/ * Sydney Fish Market will host the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition regional finals on October 12.