Rossini Restaurants Alfred Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000

Welcome to Rossini Restaurants, an Italian establishment located in Sydney, Australia. Situated on Alfred Street, our restaurant offers breathtaking panoramic views of the harbor, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience.

Our story begins in 1955, when John Liberiou arrived in Australia with the intention of working temporarily in a country town cafe near the Snowy Mountains. However, his plans changed as he fell in love with the beauty of Australia and decided to make it his home.

In 1958, John took a bold step and purchased the cafe where he was employed. Alongside his cousin, he became a pioneer in the industry by importing an espresso machine directly from Italy. This custom-made machine, which cost twice the price of a brand new Holden motor car, was a risk at the time as tea was the more popular beverage. However, John had a vision that the demand for great coffee would grow, and he was right. People from far and wide flocked to experience his genuine 'espresso'.

By the 1960s, John moved to Sydney and acquired the "American Coffee Lounge" on the concourse in Wynyard Railway Station. This coffee lounge was designed in the style of a Viennese Coffee House and was one of the first cafes in the area to introduce air-conditioning, a novel and expensive indulgence at the time. The cafe boasted several grinders, a custom-made 4-group espresso machine with two separate boilers, and an impressive selection of 9 different varieties of roasted beans from around the world. Selling over 240 kgs of coffee per week, the cafe required two skilled baristas to meet the demand. Even by today's standards, it is rare to find such a vast choice of beans in one place.

Throughout his career, John has owned and operated some of Sydney's most iconic restaurants, ranging from 70 seats to 850 seats, located in the CBD, Double Bay, and The Rocks. After 58 years in the hospitality industry, John initially planned to retire, but he soon realized how much he missed the industry and his customers. He decided to come out of retirement and hopes to share his new journey with you.

Since 1958, Rossini Restaurants has been committed to using only the best Australian ingredients, prioritizing local, organic, and sustainable produce wherever possible. Our menu showcases the finest flavors of Italy, expertly crafted to satisfy even the most discerning palates.

We invite you to join us at Rossini Restaurants, where you can indulge in delectable Italian cuisine while enjoying the stunning harbor views that have become synonymous with our establishment. Experience the legacy of John Liberiou and his passion for exceptional food and coffee.