Surry Hills Favourite Longrain Is Set to Close Its Doors After 20 Years

Since 1999, Longrain has been serving up interesting, modern takes on Thai fare. But now, the Commonwealth Street digs is about to close its doors, with owner Sam Christie announcing this morning that the team will not renew the lease on the site when it ends on Sunday, June 30.

When the restaurant first opened, the food it was serving, under then-chef Martin Boetz, was trailblazing for the area — an area better known for its bustling Oxford Street nightclubs than fine-diners. That has since changed, with Surry Hills now a hub of wine bars and restaurants, offering everything from modern Burmese to lively Indian and Sri Lankan hoppers.

Commonwealth Street alone is now filled with places to eat, too, with Chin Chin — another modern Thai restaurant — and Poly, by the Ester crew, both opening in the past two years. Christie has not yet commented on whether this had any weight on his decision to close Longrain.

Nikki To.

Longrain has outposts in both Melbourne and Tokyo, and the Surry Hills closure doesn't mean the end for Sydney, either. Christie has revealed that he's currently looking at other locations around the city to reopen the restaurant. "Leaving Surry Hills gives us an opportunity to explore other sites for Longrain Sydney," said Christie in a statement.

If you haven't visited the restaurant yet, or want to go back once more — for one more betel leaf — you still have time. Christie has announced that it'll be service as usual until the restaurant closes on June 30. "We really look forward to welcoming everyone back into the warehouse to dine and enjoy this beautiful space for the last time," said Christie.

Find Longrain at 85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills until June 30. It will be service as usual until then, with dinner running every night of the week as well as lunch on Fridays. 

Top image: Nikki To.