our Story
Risteski Group is the continuation of a family tradition in hospitality that began decades ago in Newcastle.
Shaped by generations who valued care, quality, and genuine service, we carry those same principles into everything we do today.
With deep roots and years of experience, Garry and Mel have built a group that blends heritage with fresh ideas, always guided by a strong attention to detail. We are proud of where we come from and driven by a clear mission – to bring Newcastle dining experiences that are unique, memorable, and immersive. Every guest should feel not only welcomed, but part of something special from the very moment they arrive until long after they have left.
Our mission
At Risteski Group, we believe dining should do more than feed you – it should move you.
We create experiences that shake the soul of hospitality: unexpected, flawlessly crafted, and unforgettable. Every venue begins with a spark of inspiration and is refined through relentless focus on every detail – from the ingredients we source to the way the space makes you feel the moment you step inside.
We welcome guests like old friends, serve them like family, and make sure they remember their experience long after they leave. This is more than service – it’s connection.
Every Risteski Group Venue Delivers:
- Warmth & connection – We treat every customer as if they have walked into our family kitchen.
- Quality without compromise – Freshness, care, and consistency are non-negotiable.
- Experience-led dining – People remember how you make them feel, so we craft each space with purpose.
- A flavour of the world – Drawing inspiration from global travels but always interpreted for our community.
Our philosophy is simple: bold ideas, obsessive execution, and hospitality without compromise.
We don’t just open restaurants – we create worlds that surprise, seduce, and stay with you.
Our family taught us that hospitality is personal and we live by it.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
GARRY
RISTESKI
For Garry Risteski, hospitality is more than a profession – it’s in his blood. From childhood days at his grandfather’s fruit market, he learned that great service is built on warmth, care, and community. Those lessons came to life in his father’s fish and chip shop, where Garry worked side by side with him, mastering the trade and falling in love with the craft of creating food that brings people joy.
Fish and chips became more than a family business – they became Garry’s passion. His dedication to perfecting the simple things with care and detail continues to guide him today. But Garry has never been one to rest on his laurels. For him, hospitality is about always asking what’s next – how to refine, how to improve, how to make every venue and every guest experience better than the last. Because if you’re not striving to improve, what’s the point!
Together with Mel, Garry carries that heritage and mindset forward through Risteski Group: combining experience, creativity, and genuine hospitality to deliver dining experiences that feel unique, immersive and unforgettable!
MELISSA
RISTESKI
Melissa is the engine room of Risteski Group – the one who makes sure big ideas don’t just stay on paper but actually come to life. She runs the numbers, builds the systems that let the group grow without losing its edge. With her sharp eye for detail and no-nonsense approach, Melissa makes things happen.
But she’s not just about the spreadsheets. Melissa has a knack for spotting what Newcastle diners will love before anyone else. Blanca’s coastal vibe and St. Lucia’s Latin flair? Both sparked from her vision. Garry might thrive on the day-to-day buzz of creativity, but Melissa brings the balance – grounding the energy, adding her own spark, and keeping the whole show moving forward.
Together, Garry and Melissa are the perfect mix of heritage and hustle, passion, and precision. They honour where they have come from, but they are always pushing for what’s next – raising the bar for hospitality in Newcastle and having a damn good time doing it.