A Sydney cafe has shut its doors just six weeks after opening, with the owner blaming queer people in the community for its closure.
Bueno Eatery, which opened in March in St Peters, was launched by Mark Da Costa — the former owner of Waterloo cafe Hale & Hearty.
Da Costa previously courted controversy in 2020 after making a series of homophobic, transphobic, and sexist remarks, alongside public support for US President Donald Trump. He branded Hale & Hearty a "Donald Trump safe zone" and promoted pancakes "with a side of racism".
The venue closed soon after, with Da Costa blaming the “left-wing fake vegan community” and telling critics to "go f–k yourself".
In a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Da Costa claimed he had changed.
"Those comments made by me were childish to say the least and opinions I do not hold today," he said. "I don't participate in political matters any more and will only concern myself with providing the locals and Sydney an eatery where they can feel like the food adds value to their own personal health goals."
However, that message quickly unravelled. In a social media post announcing the closure of Bueno Eatery, Da Costa appeared wearing a Trump T-shirt and red hat, flipping the bird to the camera.
“We closed. Yeah, we can't survive in an area where people can't figure out if they are male, female, dogs or cats,” the post read.
It continued: “Unfortunately the owner's views [Mark Da Costa] are simple. You got a dick you're a male, you got a muffin you’re a female."
The post went on to describe St Peters as the wrong location for the business, adding: “He she they them is some weird behaviour we are happy to avoid" and "Queers are confused and angry gays are happy and normal".
The cafe’s Instagram bio was briefly updated to read "f–k you all" before the page was deleted.
Before shutting down his social media, Da Costa — a former Australian Idol contestant — told news.com.au he planned to release a song about the closure.
“What a shit hole. Releasing a song about it in June … so that you can be offended by it. F–kin snowflakes. The lot of them,” he wrote, also calling the reporter "a bitch".
There was no clear way for Gay Sydney News to reach Da Costa for comment as the cafe's Instagram page is now shut down.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: [email protected]
