In 2018, Watt’s True Food and Yoga eatery went into liquidation owing more than $2.4 million to creditors and shareholders. In 2023, his Newmarket restaurant Inca closed its doors after just three years in business, owing $1.1m. Staff were furious that they had not been paid everything they were owed, while Watt went on to open a new business.
Cāntīng opened in November 2024, offering what Watt described as “old world Chinese cuisine meets modern Asian innovation”.
Today, Watt said making the decision to close was “incredibly difficult” but he had exhausted all practical options to improve the restaurant’s performance and sustainability.
“I’m devastated to be at this point; however, the reality is the business is no…