Restaurant Pendolino's Nino Zoccali first signing at Campbell's Stores in Circular Quay

Chef Nino Zoccali, from hatted Sydney CBD diner the Restaurant Pendolino, will lead the charge into the historic Campbell's Stores building at Circular Quay.

Zoccali is the first confirmed signing at the waterfront location, with other venues expected to be unveiled in coming weeks.

"It'll be called The Venetian Republic Dining & Bar, and feature food from all along the Dalmatian coast," the chef says.

Earlier this year Good Food tipped Zoccali as a potential entrant after he was spotted touring the building, where a posse of stalwart Sydney eateries – including Wolfies and Imperial Peking – departed mid-year as the historic building kick-starts a $32 million renovation and restoration.

The Venetian will have views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge and feature a 100-seat dining room and Venetian bollicine and Champagne bar.

The restaurant will serve mostly Venetian and Mediterranean seafood dishes, with influences from the Dalmatian Coast, Montenegro and the former Venetian-reigned Greek Islands, Zoccali says.

"This will all stand, of course, on the shoulders of Australia's best seafood, meat and vegetable produce."

The two-level restaurant will open late 2018.