A once-iconic Sydney restaurant, co-owned in its later years by a Greek Australian family, is set to disappear as the former Grotta Capri site in Kensington is approved for redevelopment into high-rise apartments.
Opened in 1955 by Rosa and Giovanni Battista and inspired by Italy’s Grotta Azzurra, Grotta Capri was known for its cave-like interior, seafood platters, and role as a community hub for celebrations and milestones.
In the late 1990s, the restaurant was taken over by Greek-born Foti Fotaras and his son George, who remember its romantic atmosphere and Mediterranean charm.
“It was just an amazing place… something we’ll never forget,” George Fotaras told ABC News.
The venue featured hand-crafted cement stalactites, water features running beneath the floor, and a 6,000-litre tank, creating a unique dining experience that became a set for films like Muriel’s Wedding and Underbelly.
Although closed since 2010, the restaurant’s shell-covered façade stood as a nostalgic landmark—until now. Randwick City Council has approved plans for four apartment towers, marking the end of a beloved piece of Sydney’s post-war hospitality history.
Source: ABC News
