Iconic Buffet Restaurant Sizzler Returns To Australia With Sydney Airport Venue

Sizzler, the American-style buffet chain that became an iconic fixture of Australian suburban dining in the 1980s and 1990s, is set to return to Sydney after nearly six years since its national closure.

For many Aussie kids, Sizzler was not just a destination, but a goal – nothing was more exciting than having to line up for your food. It was a perfect venue for primary school birthday parties, mostly due to the all-you-can-eat portions of the buffet, and the copious amounts of soft serve icecream and jelly.

Sizzler will reopen later in 2026 at the new NH Collection Hotel at Sydney Airport, marking its first Australian outlet since all locations shut in November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The revival is being led by Minor Hotels, which is partnering on the relaunch of the chain, with plans for further expansion across Australia being considered, including potential standalone restaurants and additional hotel-based venues.

Sizzler first launched in Australia in 1985 and grew to more than 80 restaurants nationwide at its peak, becoming known for its all-you-can-eat salad bar, grilled steaks, and dessert stations. Its signature cheese toast in particular became one of its most recognisable menu items and a key part of its brand identity for many diners.

The chain’s closure in 2020 was attributed to sustained financial pressure, with the impact of the pandemic accelerating the decision to wind down operations after years of declining performance.

The Sydney Airport venue is expected to serve as the brand’s relaunch point, reintroducing core menu items that defined the original Sizzler experience. Industry reporting indicates the comeback is also being positioned as part of a broader nostalgia-driven revival of familiar dining brands in Australia’s hospitality sector.

While details of additional locations and timelines remain subject to development, the Sydney reopening marks the first step in Sizzler’s return to the Australian market after its exit in 2020.