Gambaro Seafood Restaurant to look for a new home
After 70 years of service and over a million mud crabs sold, Brisbane’s iconic Gambaro Seafood is set to close its doors and move to a new location.
The restaurant that has hosted everyone from Pavarotti to Ed Sheeran, will serve its final dinner on October 31 at the Caxton St venue.
Over the past seven decades, Gambaro’s has produced one million kilograms of cooked prawns and 800,000 dozen oysters.
It first opened its doors in 1953 and moved to its current home 42 years ago. The new move, will mark the end of a highly successful era for the Gambaro family, which has three generations, including grandfather Giovanbaptista, sons Michael and Domenico, and grandsons John, Donny and Frank, all working in the institution.
John Gambaro said the move was sad.
“For us, it’s not just moving out, we’re leaving one of the homes we grew up in.”
The move comes after the family sold the building and connecting hotel to the NRL in 2022.
“We’re all emotional about it, but it’s the right time and we’re looking beyond and to the future,” Gambaro said.
The family will turn its attention to its latest venture Black Hide Steak and Seafood, at the new Queen’s Wharf development in Brisbane City. Other restaurants include Persone in Brisbane’s CBD and Pipi’s and Awaken at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.
Staff from Gambaro Seafood will be redeployed to the family’s other restaurants, while the family looks for a new venue to house the famous restaurant.
“Wherever it will be, it’ll be on the water,” Gambaro said.
Jonathan Jackson, 10th October 2024
