Originally from Calabria, Procopio has lived in Sydney since 2009. After several trips to Australia as a tourist, he decided to move permanently and build his life here, bringing his family with him.
With more than 30 years’ hospitality experience in Italy and abroad (across cafés, restaurants and function venues), he has now chosen to focus on a simple idea: returning to the foundations of Italian cooking.
“Simplicity, few ingredients, but high-quality products,” he says, and Mr Panino was born from this vision.
The menu features classic Italian panini made with fresh bread baked daily, selected cured meats and quality cheeses. There are no complicated preparations, just careful attention to raw ingredients and authentic flavour.
The aim is not simply to offer a quick lunch, but to create a welcoming, informal space where customers can feel at ease—like the atmosphere of an Italian paninoteche.
The venue has already begun to build a following through initiatives focused on bringing people together, including a recent Italian-themed celebration that attracted strong interest from customers.
To further foster this convivial spirit, Procopio is introducing a weekly aperitivo every Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with live music on selected evenings (bookings recommended).
After years in the hospitality sector, Francesco Procopio believes people are increasingly seeking authenticity and simplicity in food, and that is precisely what he has brought to Barangaroo.
