Vacanza Pizzeria Surry Hills — Restaurant in Sydney

Came for dinner as I have seen nothing but good all over the internet.. boy what a disappointment. Had a 7:30pm booking for dinner but was running 15 minutes late due to a struggle to find parking, so we gave them a call at 7:35pm only to have the EXTREMELY rude host tell us we will only have about 30 minutes left of our booking (as they have 60 minute turnovers for tables). Fair enough, we said we will cancel for the night but then got told if we come in at 8:15pm we can have a table for the rest of the night.

We order pizza and drinks, which sadly the pizza was below average. It was undercooked - sauce was sloppy and sliding, sausage and dough was undercook and overall very dry and tasteless.

Although the food was terrible, we didn’t have an issue, not until the waiter approached the table next us at 8:45 yelling to them “cmon guys you’re 1 hour over your booking I’ve got a line of people wrap it up and move along I’ve got girls crying who are waiting to sit and eat”. He then proceeds to our table telling us “you guys need to wrap it up ASAP you’ve been here for a while and your time is coming to an end”.

Firstly, if you have 60 minute turnovers, rather than coming way after the hour and telling tables they’ve overstayed their time, the host should be managing his floor to ensure tables are aware they’ve got 10-15 minutes until they need to finalise their dinner.

Further, we were told on the phone that we had the whole night, so when the RUDE and ARROGANT host (who was in a hat, glasses and a yellow button up short sleeve shirt with hair up to his neck) told us that we have to make a move, we begun to tell him that we were told we had no time limit for our booking. This led to a response from the unprofessional host who pointed his finger at us saying “I was on the phone with you and I told you ILL SEE WHAT I CAN DO. I have a line of people waiting to be seated and I told you guys I can squeeze you in at 8:15.” He then walked away from us with no means to reconcile the situation.

I eat out at different restaurant in Sydney on a weekly basis and have never EVER experienced such horrendous service. I’m not a fussy eater and am always willing to try new things but when paying $100 for 2 pizzas and a salad I expect a bit of respect from the staff.

Although I didn’t enjoy the food I would have been willing to give it another go in the future but after dealing with such an egotistical employee, I will never go back myself nor...

I recently dined at Vacanza and had a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual night out. Our waiter, Dimitri, was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. He recommended a few great pizza options, and we ended up trying the margherita and the quattro formaggi, both of which were delicious. The ingredients were fresh, and the crust had the perfect balance of crunch and softness. Dimitri made sure our drinks were always full and offered excellent service throughout the meal. I highly recommend Vacanza for anyone craving authentic pizza! I recently dined at Vacanza and had a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual night out. Our waiter, Dimitri, was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. He recommended a few great pizza options, and we ended up trying the margherita and the quattro formaggi, both of which were delicious. The ingredients were fresh, and the crust had the perfect balance of crunch and softness. Dimitri made sure our drinks were always full and offered excellent service throughout the meal. I highly recommend Vacanza for anyone craving authentic pizza! I recently dined at Vacanza and had a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual night out. Our waiter, Dimitri, was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. He recommended a few great pizza options, and we ended up trying the margherita and the quattro formaggi, both of which were delicious. The ingredients were fresh, and the crust had the perfect balance of crunch and softness. Dimitri made sure our drinks were always full and offered excellent service throughout the meal. I highly recommend Vacanza for anyone craving authentic pizza! I recently dined at Vacanza and had a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual night out. Our waiter, Dimitri, was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. He recommended a few great pizza options, and we ended up trying the margherita and the quattro formaggi, both of which were delicious. The ingredients were fresh, and the crust had the perfect balance of crunch and softness. Dimitri made sure our drinks were always full and offered excellent service throughout the meal. I highly recommend Vacanza for anyone craving...

I must confess, this establishment ranks as one of the most peculiar dining experiences I've ever had, and here's why:

Upon entering, we were tempted to make a swift exit due solely to the restaurant's regrettable design choices. The back tables are cramped, unstable, and dated, but most problematic of all is the abysmal lighting—or lack thereof. Navigating the menu was a challenge that required the aid of my smartphone's flashlight. A dim, ineffective bulb served as the space's only light source.

However, our experience took a 180-degree turn when we requested to be reseated near the window, where natural light flowed freely. Our moods lifted instantly, and we eagerly awaited what turned out to be a pizza of unparalleled quality. I'd even venture to say it rivals the renowned Filicudi restaurant in Sydney.

The pizza was a gastronomic delight—each bite crisp yet tender, flavorful without being greasy. The impeccable balance of ingredients resulted in a culinary experience that left me fully satisfied but not overwhelmed.

As for the service, it was nothing short of extraordinary. The open-kitchen concept allows for a dynamic interaction with the pizza chefs, who engage with patrons while skillfully crafting their creations.

Despite the unsettling interior design, which I sincerely hope they address, I am eager to return. However, next time, I'll ensure my seat capitalizes on either the outdoor ambiance or the natural light filtering through...