About Il Nido – The Nest Restaurant

Il Nido – The Nest Restaurant is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Castle Hill, proudly serving the community for 29 years.

Built on tradition and passion, our menu is inspired by authentic family recipes from Calabria and Sicily. From wood-fired gourmet pizzas to pastas and classic Italian mains, every dish reflects the flavours and warmth of true Italian cooking.

We believe dining is about more than just food—it’s about bringing people together. Whether it’s a casual dinner, a celebration, or a long lunch with friends and family, Il Nido offers a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere for every occasion.

As a fully licensed venue with BYO bottled wine, we cater for group functions and special dietary requirements (with notice), with convenient undercover parking located beneath the restaurant.

Our Story

My love for food began in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother, preparing traditional dishes from Calabria and Sicily.

As a child, I was surrounded by the sights, sounds, and aromas of Italian cooking—fresh pasta being rolled by hand, herbs and garlic filling the air, and the constant rhythm of laughter, conversation, and family life. Like most kids, I’d sneak the occasional freshly baked biscuit… usually followed by a quick slap on the hand—but always worth it.

Food was at the heart of everything we did. With my grandfather and uncle working as pastry chefs, I grew up immersed in a culture where quality, tradition, and pride in every dish mattered.

In 1997, I opened Il Nido during a time when modern Australian cuisine was on the rise. While we embraced those trends early on, my passion—and ultimately our guests’—was always rooted in traditional Italian food. Returning to those roots shaped what Il Nido is today.

We were proud to be among the first to introduce wood-fired gourmet pizza to Castle Hill, and we continue to honour that tradition alongside our pastas and mains.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been seeing generations of families dine with us—welcoming back guests who first visited as children and now return with families of their own.

For me, it has always been about simple things: family, friends, great food, and a good glass of wine.

To all our patrons—past, present, and future—thank you for being part of our story.

David and now his Enrique
Owner, Il Nido – The Nest Restaurant