Italian Restaurant Near Hurstville — Big Johns Sans Souci

Hurstville is one of Sydney's busiest and most diverse centres — and for locals wanting a quality Italian dinner away from the noise of the shopping strip, Big Johns Italian Seafood Restaurant in Sans Souci is just ten minutes away at 502 Rocky Point Road, Sans Souci NSW 2219.

Founded in 1985 and operating for over 40 years, Big Johns is one of the St George area's most iconic Italian seafood restaurants. The 200-seat Sans Souci flagship is open for dinner seven nights a week and serves one of the most comprehensive Italian menus in Sydney's south — spanning fresh seafood, authentic pizza, handmade pasta, premium steaks, veal scallopini and specialty chicken dishes.

Why locals make the short trip

Big Johns has the kind of menu depth that genuinely suits a table where everyone wants something different. Seafood lovers head straight for the famous Big Johns Seafood Platter — king prawns, calamari rings, local black mussels, balmain bugs, chargrilled baby octopus, local rock oysters and a whole snapper, available for 2 at $198 or 4 at $298. It's one of the most celebrated seafood spreads in Sydney's south and the reason many Hurstville locals make Big Johns a regular Friday night destination.

For those who prefer pasta, the range is exceptional. The Marinara at $48 — balmain bugs, prawns, local mussels, calamari and baby octopus in red sauce — is the standout, but the full pasta section covers all the classics from Carbonara and Boscaiola through to the Trio of Pasta at $50, which brings spaghetti bolognese, penne pomodoro and fettuccine boscaiola to the table in a single serve. All pastas are available in spaghetti, fettuccini, penne, gnocchi or tortellini, with gluten free options available for an additional $7.

Pizza lovers have 25 varieties to choose from across 12 traditional and 13 gourmet options, all in Small, Medium, Large and Family sizes. The Big Johns Special — mild salami, mushroom, capsicum, cabanossi, pepperoni and mozzarella — and the King Seafood Special — tiger prawns, scallops and local black mussels with fresh basil and garlic — are perennial crowd favourites.

After dinner

The specialty dessert menu designed by new owner Terry Antoniou has quickly become a reason in itself to visit. The Pistachio Tiramisu at $22, the Big Johns Pizza Bowls at $26 — fluffy pizza dough shaped into a bowl, filled with gelato and premium toppings — and the range of specialty dessert pizzas are unlike anything else in the area and worth planning your evening around.

Great for groups

With 200 seats, Big Johns comfortably handles everything from casual weeknight dinners to large group celebrations. Private dining is available — contact sales@bigjohnspizza.com.au to discuss group and event bookings.

Getting there from Hurstville

Big Johns is approximately 10 minutes from Hurstville via the Princes Highway and Rocky Point Road. Street parking is available on Rocky Point Road and surrounding streets.

Open 7 nights: Monday–Wednesday 4:30pm–midnight, Thursday and Sunday 4:30pm–1:00am, Friday–Saturday 4:30pm–3:00am. A 10% surcharge applies on Sundays and 15% on public holidays. Cakeage $3 per person.

Book online at bigjohnspizza.com.au/reservations-1 or call 02 9529 8094.