You’ll be wearing the Bellucci grin at this new Italian hotspot in Australia Square, with a head chef from Fratelli Paradiso fame.
Lovers of the land of carbs rejoice, for a new contemporary Italian experience has just opened in the heart of Sydney CBD. Bellucci is the trendy new kid on the block, occupying the space just above the city slickers favourite hang-out Ryan’s Bar in Australia Square. It joins a range of new eateries opening up in the centre over the last year.
Former Fratelli Paradiso chef Teofilo Nobrega works as the Head Chef and produces a delicious yet a tad more affordable menu than his previous workplace, with a great selection of share plates, pastas and pizzas for you to feast on. Match your meal with a bottle from the Italian-only wine list or a classic cocktail and you are set for a good night at the open-air restaurant.
At Bellucci Cucina, they encourage you to go out of our comfort zone and out of the comfort zone is where they really shine. You’ll want to try their signature dish, the Cavatellia Alla Norcina, a big bowl of cavatelli (pasta shaped like little hot dog buns) with a sausage ragu and sprinkled with kale and pecorino.
It might be surprising to see kale in the list of ingredients but don’t be turned off, as this is a tasty, comforting little dish which is so damn easy to eat. You’ll be scraping the bowl to get the last mouthful.
Some of their dishes have a bit of Australiana injected into them. We absolutely loved their take on a wagyu steak, smothered in a parmesan cream and horseradish. The steak, sliced thinly and cooked medium rare, just melts in your mouth and is drizzled with a delightful parmesan cream. This is a true Italian, Australia fusion dish.
And of course, there’s pizza. Bellucci do a Napoli-style pizza and offer favourites like margarita and capriccioca, but also offer some of their own creations. Their signature pizza is aptly named V.I.P (Very Important Pizza.) It’s a simple pizza, but does the job, with big chunks of juicy, roast tomatoes, creamy buffalo mozzarella and dressed with rocket.
Last but not least, the “dolce”. We highly recommend the to-die-for pana cotta, which marries savoury and sweet together for an incredible dessert. The balsamic roasted figs and fig oil are a revelation, especially if you aren’t a fan of rich desserts. It is a light, creamy and just the way to finish off a fabulous Italian feast.
Bellucci Cucina is a great CBD spot, perfect for a business lunch or a satisfying late-week dinner and drinks. They even do an Italianio breakfast, where you can have a breakfast cannoli, caprese bruschetta or a Bellucci Benedict, served on a wood fired tomato pizzetta. Service is fantastic, with the staff being educated and passionate about the cuisine and happy to share with you their picks for best dishes. There has been a void for quite some time in Sydney CBD for an all-day affordable yet contemporary Italian spot and Bellucci is just what the doctor ordered.
Bellucci Cucina
Shop Podium 1, Upper Plaza (Level 5) Australia Square, 264-278 George Street Sydney
See website here
Mon-Wed 7am-5pm, Thurs – Fri, 7am – late, closed weekends
