Palm Beach venue Cranky Fins to close

Palm Beach has lost one of its hottest venues on the eve of its busiest season, with Cranky Fins pulling the pin at the affluent beachside suburb. A global A-list is expected to converge on Palm Beach over Christmas, but they'll have to mix their own chilli margaritas after confirmation the restaurant has served its last fish taco.

"The option to renew our lease came up but due to a neighbour complaining to the authorities about us we decided not to proceed," owner Andy Ruwald​ told Good Food. The restaurateur, who struck gold with the Bucket List at Bondi, says he tired of "trying to operate under increasing restrictions". "Running a restaurant is supposed to be fun but it became unenjoyable," he says. Cranky Fins operated on the site where Beach Road previously traded.