Sydney Restaurant Owner's Hilarious Clapbacks to Negative Reviews Win Hearts
A long-standing Sydney restaurant owner has captured the public's imagination by taking a bold and humorous stand against unfair online reviews. Bar Italia, a beloved institution in the inner west suburb of Leichhardt, has been serving classic Italian dishes for over seventy-five years. However, like many establishments, it faces the modern challenge of disgruntled customers voicing complaints on platforms like Google Reviews.
Breaking the Mold with Witty Retorts
While many restaurateurs opt for apologetic replies or ignore negative feedback altogether, Bar Italia's co-owner Con Damoura has deliberately chosen a different path. In an interview with Daily Mail, Con explained his approach, which has garnered a legion of admirers. He has built a reputation for clapping back at scathing online reviews when he deems the criticism unjustified, creating highly entertaining reading material for followers.
'It's all changed these days,' Con remarked. 'People just dine in, and whether they like it or not, they go online and say whatever they want - it's crazy. You do get legitimate reviews, and we will always review them. But the ones that just want to slam your business and write stupid things - I figured the only way to get back at them is to also just write something stupid, and hilarious, in return! It's just giving them a little bit of their own medicine.'
Examples of Sassy and Savvy Responses
Con's replies are both sharp and clever, often turning criticism on its head. For instance, in response to a lengthy one-star review, he began: 'Firstly, thank you for breaking your "I never write reviews" streak - we're honoured to be the exception.' When the customer complained about being charged for takeaway containers, Con retorted: 'We charge what they cost us. We don't believe in pretending packaging grows on olive trees.'
The review even anticipated a cheeky reply, noting this was typical for other low-rated reviews. To this, Con responded: 'Regarding replying to reviews: you're absolutely right - we do reply. When someone praises us, we say thank you. When someone criticises us, we explain. Silence is easy; conversation takes effort.' He concluded with a firm stance: 'Finally, after 76 years, thousands of regulars, generations of families, and yes - the occasional one-star review - we'll keep doing what we do: Serve food we're proud of, treat people fairly, and stay unapologetically ourselves.' His parting shot? 'Wishing you all the best - even if it's somewhere else.'
Addressing Common Criticisms with Humour
Another diner left a one-star review detailing how they were asked to leave after one and a half hours, despite this being the allocated time for bookings on busy nights. Bar Italia's reply commenced: 'What a Netflix-worthy drama you've written. Just a few corrections before Hollywood picks up the script... Let's set the record straight, since your review has more fiction then a Tarantino script.'
Several negative reviews have targeted Bar Italia's long-standing cash-only policy, with the restaurant famously displaying a sign: 'No soy, light or skim milk. Cash only.' Con addressed this, explaining: 'A couple of the one-star reviewers talk about us being "cash only" - obviously they're trying to say we're dodging tax. But we have our own ATM [in the store] and we're online, so people can order deliveries or from the QR code.'
When one review specifically criticised the quality of the ATM inside Bar Italia, the response was equally witty: 'Thanks for the one-star review - we've printed it out, framed it, and hung it... Right next to the ATM machine, actually! We're a family-run institution, not a tech startup or a bank branch. Our ATM might not win awards for innovation, but it does let customers access cash to pay for real food, made by real people, in a place with actual soul. Come back anytime - we'll save you a seat and maybe even show you how to use an ATM.'
Winning Over a New Generation of Fans
The sassy and authentic responses have not only defended the restaurant's reputation but also attracted a fresh wave of customers. Con noted: 'Every restaurant, every business, gets slammed online by disgruntled people. But us being authentic and being such an iconic business, we had to say something back. Now, I get people coming in to Bar Italia just to meet me and say, "It's hilarious what you're writing in reply to these one-star reviews". So we're getting even busier because of that!'
This newfound popularity extends to celebrities as well, drawn by the restaurant's refreshingly frank approach. Recently, Australian actress Toni Colette visited for takeaway gelato, happily posing for a photo with Con. She is far from the only star to frequent the Italian joint, with politicians, sports figures, and Hollywood actors regularly enjoying signature dishes like pasta, schnitzel, tiramisu, and gelato alongside local patrons.
Staying True to an Old-School Ethos
Con believes that Bar Italia's enduring appeal lies in its unapologetically old-school ethos. 'I'm in my 60s. When I used to go to a restaurant, if you didn't like something, you would either tell them then and there, or not go back. The internet has changed that. We're still old school at Bar Italia. So we're giving it back [online] our way, to the same people who are attacking us - but we're doing it in a funny way.'
This commitment to authenticity, combined with a dash of humour, has transformed potential negativity into a powerful marketing tool, proving that sometimes, the best defence is a good offence served with a side of wit.
