Latest restaurant closures: Bar Brose and stalwart Starfish Avalon

The announcement Bar Brose is closing its doors after just 18 months didn't surprise Sydney restaurant watchers.

Despite its much-hyped launch and good early reviews, Brose operated on a competitive and fickle strip in Darlinghurst and lost a key asset, chef Analiese Gregory, to Hobart's Franklin restaurant in June.

Given Sydney's electric restaurant opening pace in recent years, there were always going to be some restaurant casualties along the way, particularly in the over-catered inner suburbs.

What's more alarming is a looming contraction of stalwart venues in the city's outer reaches.

Starfish Avalon, a 12-year staple and guidebook regular in the affluent northern beaches suburb, is closing on September 29.

"It's hard to keep up with the rising costs, you just can't keep putting the prices up," Starfish's owner-chef Phillip Martin says.

"The wagyu I use has doubled in price."

He says finding staff has become more difficult, and trade more seasonal.