There’s already a lot to look forward to in Sydney’s food scene in 2025. Adding to the list, acclaimed restaurateur Chris Lucas (the man behind Chin Chin, Kisumé and Maison Bâtard, to name a few) has just announced that he’s opening a shiny new outpost of one of his beloved Melbourne venues right here in the Harbour City. Grill Americano Sydney – the second iteration of the grand, New York-style Venetian grill restaurant in Melbourne – is set to open in the heart of the CBD in September 2025.
A love letter to the opulent, white tablecloth restaurants of Venice, Melbourne's Grill Americano opened back in early 2022 to a very welcome reception (described by Time Out Melbourne as “a dazzler”). In her five-star review of the restaurant, Time Out Melbourne food writer Larissa Dubecki describes a “squelchingly expensive fit-out of terrazzo floors and royal blue leather seats, a sweeping white marble bar lit by individual deco-ish lamps and the sultry backdrop of ink-blue walls” and “a soundtrack that will whisk you straight to the Amalfi Coast in the company of Dickie Greenleaf".
The Sydney venue is set to follow a similar theme. Along with his wife and design collaborator Sarah Lucas and acclaimed interior designer Samantha Eades, the Melbourne-based restauranteur will open up Grill Americano Sydney within the glittering walls of Qantas House (currently known as No. 1 Chifley Square). Continuing their tradition of heritage restoration (their fully-formed projects include Chin Chin, within Surry Hills’ historic Griffiths Tea building) the team will bring the grand dining room to life over the next few months, with doors slated to open in September this year.
On the food front, we can expect lavish Italian heavy hitters: “luxe-nonna” style snacks, silky pastas and high-quality steak cooked to perfection on a charcoal grill. Pair that with on-point Martinis and tiramisu served tableside, and you’ve got a recipe for perfection.
You can learn more about the Melbourne venue and keep track of progress here.
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