Sydney’s New Fish Market Finally Opens January 19 2026
After years of delays, legal battles, voluntary administration and Christmas prawn marathons, the $836 million Blackwattle Bay icon is officially opening on Monday, January 19 2026. And yes, it’s going to be massive.
Sydney’s long-awaited new fish market is ready to throw open its doors after a construction saga that could rival the light rail drama. The new three-storey waterfront precinct replaces the original Pyrmont site (est. 1966) with something far bigger, brighter and better connected.
Importantly, Christmas seafood will still be sold at the original Pyrmont market this year, before operations officially shift to Blackwattle Bay in January.
Cross the Anzac Bridge and you can’t miss it. A 200-metre-wide wave-style roof now arches over Blackwattle Bay, instantly cementing itself as Sydney’s newest architectural flex. Premier Chris Minns calls it “a game-changer for the city,” and with more than six million locals and tourists expected to visit annually, this isn’t just a facelift. It’s a full reset.
The roof isn’t just for show either. It’s fitted with 400 solar panels and lights up with colour at night, anchoring the precinct’s sustainability credentials alongside its headline-grabbing design.
But beyond the architectural theatrics and foodie hype, this is also a wellness story. Fresh, sustainably sourced seafood is one of the most nutrient-dense, omega-3-rich foods on the planet, and this new precinct puts it front and centre. With sashimi bars, olive oil boutiques and late-night waterfront dining, Sydney Fish Market 2.0 is shaping up as a destination where culture, clean eating and lifestyle collide.
A sunset oyster run now counts as self-care.
Where Is The New Sydney Fish Market Located?
The new Sydney Fish Market sits on the edge of Blackwattle Bay on Bridge Road in Glebe, directly across the water from the original Pyrmont site.
The sprawling waterfront precinct covers more than 6,000 square metres and forms part of a broader redevelopment that will include 1.5 acres of public space, new pedestrian and cycling links, and a 15-kilometre waterfront promenade stretching from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo.
Three bronze sculptures along the promenade honour the Gadigal people, who have fished, swum and gathered on this land for thousands of years.
Why the Wait? A Quick History of the Delays
Plans to move the Sydney Fish Market were first floated in 2016, with approval granted in 2020 for a new site on Bridge Road. But since then, it’s been a rocky swim:
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Legal disputes and planning objections from locals slowed progress.
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COVID-era supply chain chaos pushed back critical build stages.
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Environmental design tweaks were needed to meet new standards for Blackwattle Bay.
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Fit-outs lagged as dozens of retailers needed extra time to get operational.
CEO Daniel Jarosch says the January date ensures they can “open with a bang” giving retailers time to finish interiors, train staff, and prep for the crowds. Construction is expected to be complete by mid-November 2025, with a summer shakedown to follow.
Longer Hours, Bigger Buzz
Trading will run until 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday's and Saturday's (compared to the previous 4pm close), turning the markets into a sunset seafood destination. Picture golden hour on the harbour, Anzac Bridge in the background, gelato in hand, sashimi plate in the other.
The precinct will be highly connected, with two nearby light rail stops, new pedestrian and cycling paths, and a public ferry wharf currently under construction, set to link Blackwattle Bay directly with Barangaroo. A future Pyrmont metro station will further lock it in as one of the city’s most accessible food destinations.
Photo credit: Sydney Fish Market / NSW Government
Ice Machines the Size of Shipping Containers, Sashimi Like You’ve Never Seen
Inside, the scale borders on the theatrical. On the ground level, seafood will be wheeled in by the boatload, kept fresh by a custom ice machine the size of a shipping container, capable of churning out the equivalent of 6,000 bags a day.
Public walkways of glass let visitors peer down into the working wet market and a classroom-style auction room, where buyers bid on the morning catch through an app. Upstairs? Think cathedral of seafood: all your old favourites plus Luke Nguyen’s Lua, Dirty Red’s Touch Wood café, and newcomers slinging gelato, flowers, and wine like it’s the Riviera.
Photo credit: Steve Markham / AAP - This image shows the classroom-style auction room inside the new Sydney Fish Market, the space where buyers will bid on the morning catch via an app, visible through public viewing windows.
All the Retailers You’ll Find
The three levels will feature more than 40 food, drink, and specialty retailers, blending heritage names with fresh newcomers:
Seafood & Fresh Food
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Christie’s Seafood
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Claudio’s Seafood
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Nicholas Seafood
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Musumeci Seafood
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Peter’s Fish Market (now with takoyaki and aburi bars)
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Fish Market Café
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Get Fish
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Get Sashimi (including sushi train & Japanese diner)
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Nanjing Dumplings
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Lua (Luke Nguyen’s Southeast Asian restaurant)
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Tam Jiak by Ho Jiak (Junda Khoo’s Malaysian concept)
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Hamsi (Turkish charcoal & mezze by Somer Sivrioglu / Efendy team)
- Tin Tin Harbour - yum cha with seafood focus
Dining & Cafés
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Cow & The Moon (gelateria)
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Gotcha Fresh Tea
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La Dea Pizza
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Luneburger (German bakery)
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Mani (modern Asian fusion)
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Ichie
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Squid Ink Bar & Grill
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Sergio (high teas, cakes & pastries)
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Sushi Oe
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The Japanese Collective (ramen, donburi, seafood BBQ, sake bar)
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Touch Wood (from Glebe’s Dirty Red)
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TJ’s Po Boys (Southern-style lobster rolls)
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Top Juice
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Boatshed Café
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Little Red Wine Bar
Specialty & Deli
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Blackwattle Deli
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Fisherman’s Fine Wines
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Olivetta (specialty olive oils)
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Boatshed Gifts
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Green Valley Goes Nuts
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Scoop
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Mayfarm Flowers
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Leyrd
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Net & Tackle Sales
The BioHax Take
This isn’t just a market relocation, it’s a culinary and cultural reset. Sydney has been waiting almost a decade for a food precinct that can rival global icons like Tsukiji in Tokyo or Barcelona’s La Boqueria. With extended hours, serious culinary firepower, and a roofline that demands a drone shot, this is poised to become one of the city’s most magnetic wellness-adjacent destinations.
And for the gut health crew? You’re looking at some of the freshest omega-3 sources in the country, sashimi bars on tap, and olive oil boutiques that’ll make your liver sing.
How To Get There
Public transport is strongly recommended.
If you’re catching the L1 Dulwich Hill Light Rail, note that the original “Fish Market” stop will be renamed Bank Street on opening day. Don’t get off there.
Instead, hop off at Wentworth Park, which is closer to the new precinct.
Transport for NSW has added 150 extra weekly services on the L1 line to manage opening crowds.
Bus routes 389 and 501 (heading to Pyrmont and Ultimo) also stop nearby, with a walking distance of around 400 metres.
Cycling is another easy option, with new bike paths connecting the precinct to surrounding suburbs.
Is There Parking?
Parking is limited, and heavy traffic is expected during the opening weeks. Leave the car at home if you can.
Can You Catch A Ferry?
Not yet.
A new public ferry wharf linking Blackwattle Bay to Barangaroo is currently under construction, with services expected to begin in 2027.
Until then, light rail and buses remain your best bet.
What’s Happening To The Old Fish Market?
The original Pyrmont site will be redeveloped as part of the wider Blackwattle Bay transformation.
Plans include:
• 1,500 new homes by 2028
• A new waterfront park
• Public open space
• Completion of the 15km foreshore walk
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new Sydney Fish Market open?
January 19 2026.
Will the old markets still run this Christmas?
Yes. Their final 36-hour seafood marathon kicks off December 23 2025 at the Pyrmont site.
Where is the new site located?
Bridge Road, Blackwattle Bay, Glebe, directly across the bay from the old Pyrmont market.
What are the opening hours?
Sunday to Thursday: 7am to 10pm
Friday and Saturday: 7am to Midnight
Is it free to enter?
Yes. You only pay for what you eat and buy.
How do I get there by public transport?
Take the L1 Dulwich Hill Light Rail and get off at Wentworth Park. The old Fish Market stop will be renamed Bank Street on opening day.
Is there parking at the new Sydney Fish Market?
Parking is limited and heavy traffic is expected during the opening weeks. Public transport is recommended.
Can I catch a ferry to the new Fish Market?
Not yet. A new ferry wharf linking Blackwattle Bay to Barangaroo is under construction and expected to open in 2027.
How many restaurants and stores are there?
More than 40 food, drink and specialty retailers across three levels.
What kind of food will be available?
Fresh seafood, sashimi, lobster rolls, yum cha, Turkish charcoal grill, Southeast Asian cuisine, gelato, bakeries, wine bars and more.
What’s happening to the old Fish Market site?
It will be redeveloped into a new waterfront precinct with 1,500 homes, a park, public spaces and a foreshore walk.
Is the new Fish Market family friendly?
Yes. There are cafés, casual dining spots, wide walkways and plenty of space for kids and groups.
Related Reads
→ Gut Friendly Eats & Organic Finds
→ Healthy Recipes
→ Wellness Events: Farmers Markets
→ mRNA Livestock Vaccine in Australia Raises Biosecurity & Choice Fears
→ Moderna’s RNA Food Sprays: What You’re Not Being Told
