Sydney chef Josh Niland to open Petermen seafood restaurant on lower North Shore

Acclaimed Sydney chef Josh Niland is expanding his seafood restaurant empire, today announcing plans to open Petermen, a new 60-seat restaurant and bar on Sydney's lower North Shore.

The joint venture with wife and restaurateur Julie Niland is scheduled to open at St Leonards in February, joining a growing group of venues including the hatted Saint Peter restaurant, Charcoal Fish in Paddington, and Fish Butchery in Waterloo.

Petermen, so named for the 1400s colloquial term for fishermen, stays on theme by serving a seafood-forward menu.

"Julie and I are excited," says Niland, in a post to Instagram.

"Petermen's mission is to champion the growers and producers that seek to elevate the standard and change the culture of how we consume food.

"Petermen's menu will highlight the very best of Australian seafood and vegetables."

Further details regarding the menu, design and opening times are yet to be determined. However, the website is expected to start taking reservations at the beginning of the new year.

Niland's announcement comes less than six months after the couple revealed their ambitious plans to take over the recently refurbished Grand National Hotel in Paddington.

The Grand National Hotel will become the new home of Nilands' hatted fin-to-tail seafood restaurant Saint Peter, which will close the doors to its Oxford Street location in the second quarter of 2023.