Famed Darlinghurst Italian restaurant stays put after sale of building
A two-storey Sydney building housing a dining institution has been sold for approximately $4 million, however the popular Italian restaurant will not be affected.
Bill and Toni’s on Stanley Street in Darlinghurst is one of the city’s most famous restaurants and is known to attract celebrity clientele.
Fortunately for them Bill and Toni’s owners have a long-term lease.
“We are the tenants here and we have a long lease. The sale doesn’t mean anything at all to us. We aren’t going anywhere,” Restaurant General Manager Claude Tropea said.
The restaurant has been on site for obver 50 years and boasts a downstairs café and upstairs restaurant. The menu has also been the same since 1965.
Everyone from Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe to Home And Away stars like Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor and sports stars including Tim Cahill and Tim Tszyu have frequented the venue.
The restaurant is thriving post Covid.
“The last couple of months have been good. And now we are starting to see the Christmas party bookings and office party bookings come in,” Tropea said.
“There is a lot more activity heading into the end of the year than last year. We just hope Covid stays away.”
The current owners of Bill and Toni’s have a seven-year lease with options to extend. They are currently only two years in.
Irit Jackson, 20th September 2022
