Celebrity chef Matt Moran has lost the contract for the Sydney Opera House’s coveted harbourside dining venues Opera Bar and House Canteen to Applejack.
Following a highly competitive tender process, the Sydney Opera House today announced a new 10-year agreement with Applejack for the popular harbourside dining venues. The contract has been described by the Sydney Morning Herald as “one of the golden geese of Sydney hospitality”.
Applejack operates a broad range of award-winning bars, pubs and cafes, including the Taphouse and Forrester’s and restaurants including Bopp & Tone and RAFI. Its proposal included showcasing Sydney’s cultural food scene at Opera Bar and a relaxed all-day café at House Canteen. Overall, Sydney Opera House said the proposal demonstrated exceptional value.
Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer Jade McKellar said: “We’re thrilled to have appointed Applejack to run the Opera House’s popular harbourside venues, Opera Bar and House Canteen, for the next 10 years.
“We were delighted by the exceptional standard of the submissions received, with Applejack’s detailing a compelling, vibrant vision for this community space that thousands of locals and visitors enjoy every year. There’s nothing quite like the Opera House, and I’m looking forward to working with Applejack to make the most of this tremendous opportunity.”
She also thanked Solotel, Matt Moran and General Manager John Gallas for their outstanding contribution over more than two decades.
“The Solotel team has been instrumental to the success of these iconic Sydney venues, creating unforgettable experiences for locals and tourists over decades and contributing to the vitality of Sydney’s hospitality scene,” McKellar said.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered together over this long-standing partnership. We thank them for their significant contribution and acknowledge their lasting legacy.”
Applejack Co-founders Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts (above) said: “This is a dream come true for our entire team. To be entrusted as custodians of venues at the Sydney Opera House – the world’s most iconic cultural stage – is both humbling and inspiring.
“We can’t wait to share the exciting new concepts we’ve developed for both locals and visitors while honouring this extraordinary location. Our gratitude goes to Solotel for their excellent stewardship, and we’re looking forward to building on that foundation with genuine innovation and care.”
The appointment follows a comprehensive tender process that began in September 2024 in line with NSW Government procurement policy. The new contract commences from mid-September at Opera Bar, with House Canteen changing hands in mid-November. Solotel will continue to run both venues until that time. Refurbishments are planned to take place in 2026, with one of the venues open throughout.
Stoush over contract
The previous tender for the Opera Bar was the subject of a decade-long legal battle between Hugos restaurateur David Evans and the Sydney Opera House Trust, which was finally resolved in November 2024.
Evans accused an architect of leaking his plans and said the Sydney Opera House Trust gave Solotel an unfair advantage by allowing it to make a second submission after the deadline.
Both the architect and the Opera House Trust denied the accusations, with a judge ordering Evans and the Trust into mediation in 2018.
A spokesperson told the SMH: “The settlement and terms of settlement are confidential and the parties are unable to make any public comment about the matter.”