We already know Fitzroy is the place to go for some of Melbourne’s best nightlife, restaurants and bars, but now we’ve got another massive reason to hit the northside—we’re talking three storeys massive. Hotel Fitzroy is opening up this Wednesday with the first instalment in the culinary complex, Cappo Sociale.
The coveted 127 Brunswick Street building—formerly the Old Colonial Inn—is being brought back to life post-COVID by the Ichi Group, combining the best of Italian and Japanese cuisines over three levels of foodie heaven. We’re talking Hotel Fitzroy public bar with outdoor dining on the ground floor (coming later this year), local favourite Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya Japanese restaurant also on the ground floor, Cappo Sociale Italian restaurant and terrace on level one, and to top it off, a rooftop bar with city views opening alongside Cappo Sociale.
Owners Paul Adamo and Vince Sofo have done a few laps around Melbourne’s hospitality scene, as owners of Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya and former owners of The Espy, Chevron Nightclub, Ichi Ichi Ku and more—they certainly know a thing or two about what Melburnians want from a night out. Adamo says they wanted to bring the “hotel and pub soul back and rebrand the entire building” for a new era.
They wanted to “hit the ground running in 2021,” says Sofo, “with a brand new offering, fit-out and experience” in the historic Brunswick Street building.
Only two months into the year, the first instalment in the Hotel Fitzroy development is already opening its doors. Cappo Sociale has taken over level one of the building with a 150-seat dining room, lounge, bar, private dining room and open-air terrace.
The kitchen is headed by Executive Chef Maurizio Esposito—with experience in Michelin restaurants and various venues across Australia and overseas behind him, he’s created a menu with “everyone’s favourite homemade Italian classics with a modern twist”. He’ll be backed by Sous Chef Alberto Vitassovich from Liguria, Italy who has six years experience in Michelin restaurants, as well as pizzaiolo and baker Ivan Rizzo from Venice—the resident expert in baking and proofing 72-hour maturation pizza dough. They’re a real dream team.
We’ve had a sneaky preview of the menu and it’s full of super tempting offerings from homemade pastas and traditional pizzas, to a Salumi bar and indulgent dessert list. We’re particularly keen to try the Summer In Italy Pizza topped with fiore di latte, marinated king prawns and fresh basil. That lemon verbena and berry pannacotta looks pretty damn tasty too.
The restaurant is opening this Wednesday 24 February at 5pm and will be open for bookings daily from 5pm to late. Book your seat at Fitzroy’s newest go-to here.
Stretch your night out with our guide to the best bars in Fitzroy.