Mark Wahlberg’s famed burger chain quietly closes its restaurant in Sydney: ‘Very sad to see it go’
Mark Wahlberg’s four Wahlburgers restaurants in Australia have shut up shop, including the brand’s flagship venue, just steps from Sydney’s Opera House.
The American-style burger chain, famous for its beef burgers, loaded tater tots and thick shakes, has quietly shut its doors at Circular Quay, Manly, Byron Bay, and Warriewood as part of a business restructuring.
Diners were met with a note on the door of the shuttered Circular Quay restaurant.
‘After four remarkable years, Wahlburgers will officially close its doors from Monday, July 20,’ it read.
‘We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created here, and (are) deeply grateful for the loyalty and support of our wonderful guests and neighbours.’
The burger chain has remained tight-lipped about the closures but confirmed its two remaining restaurants in Bringelly, about 55km from Sydney’s CBD, and Surfers Paradise remain open.
Customers have weighed in on the closures, with one sharing: ‘We liked the burgers and are sad to see it go.’
‘Very sad. I shall miss the one at Circular Quay. Their salmon and salad was very nice and the atmosphere in the restaurant was very pleasant,’ another recalled.
Diners were met with a note on the door of the shuttered Wahlburgers at Circular Quay
The American-style burger chain has quietly shut its doors in Manly (pictured)
‘The Circular Quay store had the best thick shake,’ one said.
‘We went there once. Very average food and service was slow even though we were the only ones in there,’ another revealed.
‘Most of the places along the front in Manly are thoroughly average at best. Wahlburgers wasn’t great, but it definitely wasn’t the worst on that strip,’ one added.
‘Decent burgers but parking at Surfers is a nightmare so I rarely go,’ one said.
Many blamed rising rents, food costs, utility costs and insurance premiums for the restaurant closures across Australia.
‘All adds up for an uphill battle in hospitality,’ one said.
Meanwhile, some confessed they had no idea Wahlburgers existed in Australia.
‘I quietly didn’t know they existed,’ one said, laughing.
‘Didn’t even know we had them here,’ another shared.
The US burger chain is owned by actor Mark Wahlberg and his two brothers, Paul and Donnie
The burger chain is famous for its beef burgers, loaded tater tots and thick shakes
Mark Wahlberg standing in front of one of his Wahlburgers restaurants
The news comes four years after Wahlburgers launched in Australia, opening its first location at Sydney’s Circular Quay, featuring sweeping views of the Harbour Bridge.
Just a few doors down from United Cinemas Opera Quays, the venue features seating indoors and outdoors that can accommodate up to 250 diners.
‘I am thrilled to announce Opera Quays at Circular Quay as the location of our first Wahlburgers in Australia. After personally seeing the location, I believe we’ve chosen one of the most iconic venues in the world,’ Mark Wahlberg said in October 2021.
The US burger chain, owned by Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg and his two brothers, Paul and Donnie, had invested $50 million in opening 20 restaurants across Australia and New Zealand over five years, with plans to employ 500 workers.
But less than five years later, Wahlburgers has closed four of its six Australian stores.
Its Auckland location, which launched in March 2023, remains open, while the Queenstown restaurant quietly shut up shop in May 2025.
Wahlburgers is a casual dining restaurant and bar founded by the Wahlberg brothers.
The chain currently has around 30 locations globally.
Sam Mustaca, chief executive of United Cinemas Australia and New Zealand, continues to oversee the Wahlburgers partnership Down Under.
