Pop into Vanto Restaurant, a casual yet authentic Italian eatery during your next CBD shopping trip.
Located in one of the CBD’s most historic buildings, Vanto Restaurant is a hidden gem tucked way in the iconic Queen Victoria Building. Perched on the first floor of the QVB, it’s sprawling balcony tables overlook the railings of the shopping centre, making this dining room a prime location for people watching. The tables are narrow and rustic, giving the restaurant an authentic vibe akin to being on a street corner in Italy.
On the blackboard are the restaurant’s handwritten daily special, featuring a combination of handmade pasta and thick-crusted pizza dishes.
On the menu at Vanto, it’s hard to go past the house-made pizza bread, in which the dough has had an extended fermentation to improve the flavour and texture of every slice. Try this paired with the burrata and 15-month aged prosciutto, a simple yet delicious dish ($25).
For mains, make sure to order a bowl of house-made pasta loaded with decadent Italian cheese. The gnocchi with prawns, zucchini flower and stracciatella cheese with spicy breadcrumb ($29) has some of the most delicious gnocchi in Sydney. The sauce is slightly fishy but the cheese is divine. If that’s your thing, wash it down with a glass of house wine. Prefer something vego? You will find plenty of options such as the cavatelli pasta gratin with porcini mushroom, taleggio cheese, smoked mozzarella and parmesan cheese ($26).
The real winner on the menu has to be the pizzas though, with a perfectly cooked soft chewy dough and topped with things like roasted eggplant, smoked fior di latte cheese, shaved parmesan, basil and evoo ($17/$23). Wash it all down with a Peroni ($8.90) or house Italian wine ($8.50).
With a talented team of chefs in the kitchen, hailing from Naples and some of the best foodie regions in Italy, you’re in safe hands with this experienced team.
Find Vanto Restaurant on Level 1 of the QVB (Town Hall side), open for lunch, dinner or a quiet coffee break while exploring the CBD. The restaurant is open Tues and Wed 11am to 4pm, Thur and Fri 11am to 9pm and Sat 11am to 4pm. Find out more and book your spot here.