Best Italian Restaurant Near Rockdale — Big Johns Sans Souci

Rockdale is one of Sydney's most vibrant and multicultural communities — and for locals who appreciate quality food with genuine heritage, Big Johns Italian Seafood Restaurant in Sans Souci is a natural fit. Just eight minutes away at 502 Rocky Point Road, Sans Souci NSW 2219, Big Johns has been serving authentic Italian cuisine to Sydney's south for over 40 years.

Founded in 1985, Big Johns is one of the St George area's most iconic restaurants — famous for generous portions, a 12-page menu, and a dining experience that feels genuinely Italian in the best possible sense. The 200-seat restaurant is open for dinner seven nights a week.

The food

The menu spans everything Italian — fresh seafood, wood-fired style pizzas, handmade pastas, premium steaks and veal scallopini. For Rockdale locals who love their seafood, the entrée selection alone is worth the short drive — Local Sydney Rock Oysters (natural, Kilpatrick or Mornay) at $29 for half dozen, Garlic Prawns sizzling in a hot pot at $26, Chargrilled Octopus at $30, and Salt and Pepper Calamari at $30.50.

The pasta section is equally impressive. The Marinara — balmain bugs, prawns, local mussels, calamari and baby octopus in red sauce at $48 — is a standout. For something more classic, the Carbonara, Boscaiola and Bolognese are all made fresh and priced at $26, available in your choice of spaghetti, fettuccini, penne, gnocchi or tortellini. Gluten free pasta is available for an additional $7.

Pizza lovers will find 12 traditional varieties and 13 gourmet options, all available in Small, Medium, Large and Family sizes. The Marinara pizza — prawns, anchovies, garlic and mozzarella — is a particular favourite for seafood fans, while the All Meats and Supreme are perennial crowd pleasers for groups.

Desserts worth staying for

Under new owner Terry Antoniou, the dessert menu has been reimagined with a range of specialty creations. The Pistachio Tiramisu ($22) has quickly become a signature — lady fingers bathed in pistachio-infused cream, finished with crushed pistachios and rich pistachio crema. The Big Johns Pizza Bowls ($26 each) — fluffy pizza dough shaped into a bowl, filled with gelato and toppings — are a uniquely Big Johns experience that dessert lovers travel specifically for.

Practical details

Big Johns is an 8-minute drive from Rockdale via General Holmes Drive and Rocky Point Road. Street parking is available on arrival.

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.