Picture a lively dining room filled with the clinking of glasses, the murmur of happy conversations, and the unmistakable aroma of rich garlic butter and freshly grilled steaks. The tables are full, the hospitality is warm, and the atmosphere feels effortlessly grand. This is the essence of the golden age of New York dining. Soon, you will not need to book a flight to Manhattan to experience it.
Vito’s, an ambitious new restaurant and bar from hospitality group Sunday Co., is set to open its doors in August 2026. Located inside Sydney’s heritage-listed Burns Philp Building, this venue promises to transport guests back to the iconic Italian-American dining rooms of the mid-twentieth century.
Whether you appreciate historic architecture, luxurious interior design, or meticulously crafted menus, Vito’s offers something genuinely exciting. In this post, we will explore the inspiration behind the venue, take a look at the stunning design by Craig Madgwick, and reveal the culinary delights prepared by award-winning head chef Michael Fox.
A Nod to the Golden Age of New York Dining
There is a distinct magic to the classic Italian-American dining rooms of the past. They were places built on generosity. The portions were large, the flavours were bold, and the staff knew how to make every guest feel like part of the family. Sunday Co. aims to capture that exact spirit with Vito’s.
Established in 2023 by hospitality veterans Brett Sergeant, James Wicks, and Iris Kleimann, Sunday Co. has already made its mark on Sydney with successful venues like Morrison’s Oyster Bar and Grill and Whalebridge. However, Vito’s represents the group’s most ambitious project yet.
The founders share a deep commitment to building timeless institutions. They do not want to create a fleeting trend. Instead, they want to build a restaurant defined by exceptional food and instinctive, generous hospitality. They envisioned a venue that captures the rhythm of a true metropolitan institution, operating from midday until late, seven days a week.
Finding the Perfect Home at 11 Bridge Street
Creating a venue that feels permanent requires the right foundation. The Sunday Co. team understood that a grand concept needed a grand location. They viewed more than twenty different sites across the city before finally selecting 11 Bridge Street.
The heritage-listed Burns Philp Building offered exactly what the project required. It provided the massive scale and distinct architectural character necessary to bring a mid-century Manhattan vision to life. The space boasts stunning 21-foot heritage ceilings and original wrought iron columns, giving the room an immediate sense of history and importance.
The venue is vast, designed to seat 170 guests across a central dining floor. Raised alcoves and grand booths frame the main space, offering varying levels of intimacy. An impressive mezzanine overlooks the bustling dining floor below, allowing guests to take in the energy of the room from above. The sheer scale of the building ensures that Vito’s will feel like a landmark destination from the moment you step inside.
Luxurious Design by Craig Madgwick
A restaurant inspired by the great dining rooms of New York needs an interior that matches its grand ambitions. Sunday Co. partnered with Craig Madgwick of Design Madgwick to transform the historic space into a masterpiece of mid-century design.
The resulting aesthetic perfectly blends nostalgic charm with a sense of lived-in luxury. Madgwick and the team meticulously restored the space, ensuring that the heritage elements of the Burns Philp Building were respected and highlighted. Against this remarkable backdrop, they layered rich textures and elegant materials to evoke the glamour of Manhattan.
Australian Craftsmanship Meets Manhattan Glamour
What truly sets the design apart is the attention to detail. Almost every element in the restaurant has been custom-made by skilled artisans, the majority of whom are based in Australia. This dedication to craft gives the room an authentic, bespoke feel.
Guests will immediately notice the polished marble bars that anchor the space. Stretching across the venue is approximately 80 linear metres of plush, burgundy leather banquette seating. Brass detailing adds a touch of warmth and sophistication, while dramatic custom chandeliers hang from the soaring ceilings, casting a flattering glow over the dining room.
The goal was to create a room that feels both grand and intimate. By investing in high-quality materials and bespoke craftsmanship, the team has ensured that Vito’s possesses a character that will only grow richer as the decades pass. Even the crockery, hand-painted in Southern Italy, contributes to the feeling that this restaurant has been a beloved fixture of the city for generations.
The Menu: Elevated Italian-American Classics
Beautiful design and a historic location are important, but the heart of any great restaurant is its food. At Vito’s, the kitchen is led by head chef Michael Fox. A former Good Food Guide ‘Young Chef of the Year’ and previously chef de cuisine at Carbone in Hong Kong, Fox brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Fox understands the delicate balance required to cook this style of food. Italian-American cuisine is deeply rooted in immigrant communities. It is a style of cooking that has fed neighbourhoods and brought families together for decades. The menu at Vito’s celebrates this heritage at its highest level.
Guests can expect bold, flavoursome, and generous dishes executed with absolute precision. The kitchen team draws from classic recipes, elevating them with premium ingredients and refined techniques without losing their comforting core.
Standout Dishes to Try
The menu is packed with dishes designed to share, savour, and remember. Some of the most anticipated highlights include:
- Orecchiette Crab: A stunning pasta dish featuring sweet crab meat brought together with a vibrant, aromatic green garlic butter.
- Prawn and Scallop Agnolotti: Delicate parcels of pasta filled with fresh seafood, showcasing the kitchen’s technical skill and commitment to quality ingredients.
- Scampi Crudo: A light, elegant starter that lets the natural sweetness of the pristine seafood shine through.
- Black Onyx Porterhouse Steaks: For those seeking a hearty main course, these premium steaks are cooked to perfection over a custom grill, delivering an incredible depth of flavour.
These dishes represent exactly what Vito’s is about: taking familiar, beloved concepts and executing them brilliantly.
Sunday Co.’s Vision for Timeless Hospitality
Ultimately, Vito’s is about more than just a beautiful dining room or a delicious plate of pasta. It is about a specific feeling. The best dining rooms in the world accumulate their charm and character over time. They become part of the fabric of their respective cities.
Sunday Co. has invested heavily in every detail to ensure Vito’s can achieve this status in Sydney. From the meticulously recreated chandeliers to the hiring of top-tier culinary talent, no stone has been left unturned. The team wants you to walk through the doors and feel an immediate sense of permanence.
The commitment to timeless hospitality means anticipating what guests want before they even have to ask. It means creating an environment where celebrations happen naturally, where business lunches turn into lingering dinners, and where every visitor feels valued. Vito’s is designed to be the kind of place you want to return to week after week.
Plan Your Visit
Vito’s is shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions to Sydney’s culinary landscape in years. By combining the generous spirit of mid-century Italian-American dining with a breathtaking heritage location and a truly world-class menu, Sunday Co. is creating a venue that demands attention.
The restaurant will officially open its doors in August 2026 at 11 Bridge Street, Sydney. Operating seven days a week from midday until late, it will offer ample opportunity to experience its unique charm.
If you appreciate restaurants that value craftsmanship, exceptional service, and food with a rich history, Vito’s should be at the top of your list. Keep an eye out for booking announcements as the opening date approaches, and prepare to step into a new era of classic dining.