Oncore by Clare Smyth to close after four years

Clare Smyth’s acclaimed Sydney restaurant, Oncore by Clare Smyth, will close its doors at Crown Sydney early next year, following four years of service.

About Clare

Clare grew up on a farm in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. After working at a local restaurant in her school holidays, she moved to England aged 16 to pursue a career as a chef. 

She subsequently trained and worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in the world. She did an apprenticeship at Grayshott Hall in Surrey, then secured a role at Michelin House in London.

Before joining Gordon Ramsay at his eponymous restaurant in 2002, she worked at the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock and staged at The French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York.

She was named head chef at the Royal Hospital Road restaurant in 2007, making her the first female chef in the UK to run a three Michelin star restaurant. 

After leaving Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Clare headed to work for Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV restaurant in Monaco, before returning to the UK to open up her first solo restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth.

Read more: 3 Michelin Star Chefs London: Clare Smyth, chef-patron, Core

the Statement

The closure was announced in a joint statement on Instagram by the restaurant and the chef, confirming that the final service will take place on February 28, 2025.

Opened in 2021, Oncore marked Clare’s first international venture, bringing the ethos of her London flagship Core by Clare Smyth to Australia.

Located on Level 26 of the Crown Sydney resort, the restaurant quickly earned a reputation for precision, creativity and technical excellence, reflecting the same philosophy that has made Core one of London’s most celebrated dining destinations.

In the statement, the team said they were “immensely proud” of their achievements and thanked both staff and guests for their support.

The post read: “After four incredible years, we announce that Oncore by Clare Smyth will close its doors at Crown Sydney. We’re immensely proud of our team’s dedication and the exceptional standard of service they’ve delivered. Being honoured with three Good Food Guide hats consecutively is a testament to them and their remarkable talent.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Oncore by Clare Smyth (@oncorebyclaresmyth)

“Together with Clare Smyth, we have created a dining experience that sets a benchmark for excellence, and we are delighted to have shared that with so many wonderful guests.”

Celebrating excellence in Sydney’s fine dining scene

Since opening, Oncore has been widely recognised as one of Australia’s top fine dining destinations, regularly appearing among Sydney’s most awarded restaurants.

Its tasting menu highlighted produce from across Australia, including seafood from New South Wales, Tasmanian truffles, and Wagyu beef from Queensland, interpreted through Clare’s elegant and ingredient-led approach.

The restaurant’s name, Oncore, paid tribute to Core in London - itself the first UK restaurant led by a female chef to earn three Michelin stars - while symbolising a new chapter for Clare and her team on the other side of the world.

Clare’s move into the Australian market was seen as a significant milestone in Crown Sydney’s ambition to attract globally recognised chefs. Oncore joined a line-up that included Nobu Matsuhisa, Guillaume Brahimi and Alan Stuart, positioning the complex as a culinary hub for international dining.

Final service and legacy

Reservations for Oncore’s farewell services are open until late February, with the final opportunity for guests to experience the restaurant’s menu overlooking Sydney Harbour.

While no plans have yet been announced for what will replace Oncore at Crown Sydney, the restaurant leaves a legacy as one of the city’s most refined and internationally respected dining rooms.