A 2021 census found that New South Wales had among its population, a whopping 301,892 who identified as being of Italian descent. It’s no wonder then that Sydney has so many quality Italian eateries, serving cuisine staples including pasta, pasta and seafood.
From an Italian restaurant in Haberfield, a suburb known for its Italian communities, to cosy Italian wine bars and restaurants in the CBD and along the beach in Cronulla, we’ve rounded up some of the most authentic among them.
I Maccheroni, Woollahra
Set in a townhouse off Oxford Street, I Maccheroni is a two-floor Italian restaurant that feels like dining in a tastefully decorated friend’s home. The chef and owner Marcello Fariolis has trained at Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as worked at Sydney hotspots Otto, 10 William Street and Fratelli Paradiso. Food comes out with a flourish – waiters will toss spaghetti in a cheese bowl or drizzle balsamic on figs and burrata at the table.
Harry’s By Giuls, Darlinghurst
You’ll find Italian tapas, homemade fresh pasta and pizza and desserts on the menu at Harry’s By Giuls on Stanely Street in Darlinghurst. Almost everything on the menu is produced in-house and fresh every day. Highlights include arancini balls, vodka pasta and pizza with fig and prosciutto. The restaurant is by Guilia Treuner, the same owner as Surry Hills’ Tuscan eatery Giuls.
Lola’s Italian and Bar, Bondi
Marco Ambrosino, formerly of Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William Street, and business partner Manny Spinola are behind the re-launch of Lola’s, now called Lola’s Italian and Bar. While the menu here used to be Mediterranean, it’s now solely Italian, with an edit of all the cuisine classics, including Semolina Spaghetti with vongole and ‘nduja, King Prawn Risotto and Vitello Tonnato Octopus ‘alla amatriciana’.
Bella Brutta, Newtown
Bella Brutta on Newtown’s King Street is such an institution that it sells merch, like caps and a long-sleeve tee. Here, you’ll find meat, seafood and veggie pizzas; antipasti, like kingfish tartare and pickled mussels; and classic Italian desserts, cannoli, tiramisu and sorbetto.
La Disfida, Haberfield
Haberfield has a big Italian population and no shortage of Italian restaurants. One of the best is La Disfida, named after a battle provoked by a French knight who, after drinking too much wine, made disparaging comments about Italians. On the menu are stuzzichini (Italian version of appetisers); including polenta chips with gorgonzola sauce, pastas, like gnocchi della nonna and a chef’s weekly specials; salads; and dolci (dessert).
Giro Osteria, Cronulla
It’s a BYO situation at Giro Osteria, a small Italian restaurant on Cronulla’s beach. Bring a wine bottle to pair with antipasto and appetisers, like pickled veggies, stracciatella and yellowfin tuna carpaccio, and pastas in sauces cacio e pepe and alla vodka. Watch your meal being prepared in an open kitchen.
Alberto’s Lounge, CBD
To give you an idea of the quality at Alberto’s Lounge near Hyde Park, the ricotta and gelato served are made daily. The restaurant also has its own pasta machine. Chefs here aim to present flavours from all of Italy’s regions. The hospitality group behind popular Sydney venues Hubert, Frankie’s and The Baxter Inn, is also behind Alberto’s.
10 William, Paddington
10 William is a wine bar and Italian restaurant set across an intimate, two-storey space. The menu is limited, but all cooked and presented beautifully. Start with melt-in-your-mouth focaccia, olives and salumi, before tucking into mains including pretzel and whipped bottarga, zucchini alla scapece and spaghetti al granchio.
Ragazzi Wine and Pasta, CBD
For a cosy Italian in the CBD, look no further than Ragazzi Wine and Pasta in Angel Place. Chef Scott McComas-Williams makes pastas for a daily-changing menu by hand, paying respect to traditional shapes and sauces. Expect dishes like burrata, corn and smoked almonds; spaghetti cacio e pepe; and gigli pasta with kangaroo sausage. Finish with panna cotta, cheeses or gelati.
Fabbrica, CBD and Balmain
Fabrrica, which translates to ‘factory’ in Italian, is a café, deli, restaurant and wine bar, all wrapped into one. Located on King Street in the CBD and Beattie Street in Balmain, the venue serves handmade pasta, sliced-to-order deli meats and natural wines. On the pasta front, think mafaldine with prawns, casareccce with eggplant and tomato and tonnarelli with sea urchin, chilli and garlic.
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