After World War II, Italian migrants arrived on Australian shores, bringing with them the knowledge and skills of Italian fare. Since then, Australia’s Italian cuisine scene has been world-class, attracting the likes of some of the best Italian cooks in Italy and major cities around the world. Sydney is home to the old-fashion Trattoria’s hiding in laneways, the tastes of the Amalfi coast, right to Sardinia, and the slices of Napoli.
If you’re looking for an Italian feast, here are the best Italian restaurants in Sydney.
a’Mare
Barangaroo
Hailing from Alessandro Pavoni, the Italian mastermind behind one of Sydney’s institutions Ormeggio at the Spit, a’Mare, is taking us back to the days of paramount service and good food. The atmosphere and interior are inspired by the palazzi of old school Italy— Venice, Milan, Rome and Lake Garda. Although the real show stopper here is the food. It’s a relatively extensive menu, but a few standouts include the ‘elephant ear’ which is a 1kg veal cutlet—best shared with friends. The squid ink risotto is a favourite and the casoncelli filled with pumpkin and drowned in burnt butter is every pasta lovers dream. Take a seat outside and enjoy the view or inside to feel the buzz of the restaurant, and still enjoy views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The proportions are quite generous, so you can share or have a dish all to yourself.
Il Pontile
Woolloomooloo
Sitting pretty on Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf is Italian newcomer, Il Pontile Naples native Mario Percuoco. Each dish is a reflection of four generations of Italian fare, spanning from Naples to Sicily. Start with a welcome cocktail at the bar before being led to your table, by the water or inside the newly renovated dining room, with water views, and a fresh uplift. As for the menu, you can’t go past the seafood linguine,—quickly becoming a signature dish of the restaurant. Presented in the bag it was cooked in, this linguine stands out on all occasions from the giant prawns to the squid, mussels, and other seafood they’ve mixed in. The fish fillet of the day is also a crowd-pleaser, as is the burrata served with peaches and hazelnuts to break up the carbs. The glassed-in wine cellar is a showstopper when you walk in.
Bar Totti’s
CBD
This laid back neighbourhood joint serving retro Italian vibes is an extension of Totti’s, the 70s divey pub in Bondi. Although at Bar Totti’s expect nightly DJ’s (until 2 am) and all the antipasti and wood-fired bread you could want. It’s all housemade from the sardines and scallop Crudo to the King prawns with chilli and fennel. For mains, expect schnitzels and market fish or you can always dig into a big bowl of pasta such as the lamb ragu with pappardelle. The wine menu boasts Italian drops, a few French origin bottles, and some local tipples—all expertly picked for a good night. Let’s not forget the cocktails, including a classic negroni, Totti’s margarita, and more.
Ragazzi Wine and Pasta
CBD
Sink into this wine and pasta bar for the night, from the Love, Tilly Devine crew behind Fabbrica and Dear Sainte Eloise. You will find regional Italian pasta dishes, which changes quite regularly depending on the season. They offer everything from linguine to ravioli, and a few pasta shapes you probably haven’t heard of in a while, such as the Fusilli and Capunti, lathered in lamb ragu. A set menu costs $70 per person or you can order a la carte and go wild. Pair any pasta dish with a wine, to complement the night. There is a range of natural wines to experiment with or there is a multitude of Italian tipples to please the palate.
Ormeggio at the Spit
Mosman
Ormeggio at the Spit is an institution, but in 2020, they changed their menu to focus strictly on seafood, and people are loving it. With views over Middle Harbour, especially the luxury vessels bopping in the water, Ormeggio is the perfect Italian restaurant for when you have an occasion or a long weekend lunch. The menu wasn’t the only refresh here. The entire dining room has been transformed into a sun-drenched Meditteranean haven, boasting sheer curtains and vintage Turkish rugs. The menu is fresh and seasonal with starters such as amaebi prawns, daily market best oysters, and yellowfin tuna. The bigger dishes, ranging from handpicked spanner crabs to market fish and Moreton bay bugs, all lying on a bed of pasta of course.
Corso Brio
Barangaroo
Barangaroo’s newest dining experience brings a touch of Italian elegance to the precinct. Corso Brio showcases a modern Italian menu and a world-class wine list. The 120-seat restaurant is open six days a week for lunch and dinner and features an a la carte and set menu as well as a selection of antipasti to share. The menu features dishes such as beef carpaccio, New Zealand scampi, Margra lamb shoulder, and Italian meringue and limoncello sponge. You will also find handmade pasta including venison ragu, risotto, tagliatelle, and more. The formal dining room is an ideal atmosphere to celebrate a milestone.
Fratelli Paradiso
Potts Point
This little slice of Italian restaurant royalty is one of the only of its kind in Sydney to serve from breakfast to dinner. Visit the bakery for espresso and pastries in the morning, or settle in for the evening to enjoy an indulgent bowl of pasta. Ask to snag a coveted street-facing seat to dine alfresco and people watch. You will want to order a serving of the fried calamari, complete with paradise sauce for dipping. The menu is extensive and has a little of everything, but if you’re a lasagne lover, you must try the lasgnetta with beef and veal bolognese, and spinach, bathed in bechamel sauce. The scampi and swordfish are also crowd-favourites. Finish the night with a boozy tiramisu.
Restaurant Leo
CBD
Wander down this CBD laneway, where birdcages dangle from above, to find a modern Italian restaurant, serving serious Italian fare from owner and chef, Federico Zanellato, and ex-Est, Marque and Oscillate Wildly restauranteur Karl Firla. Don’t let the wicker furniture and white tablecloths fool you, this restaurant seems casual, but the food is fine dining quality. Each dish is beautifully presented and well balanced, but the atmosphere is laid back and friendly. It’s the best of both worlds. Expect bucatini with spanner crab, scallops and tuna Crudo, and strozzapreti with a handful of octopus thrown in the mix. The wine is as sophisticated as its waiters, and the cocktails are a great way to start the meal.
10 William St
Paddington
Run by the brothers behind Fratelli Paradiso, 10 William Street is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant mixing Italian finesse with Australian progress. The bar is a popular after-work spot, where you can sip on an ever-evolving list of reds and skin-contact orange wines. If you’re stuck choosing a tipple, just ask a team member, they’re eager to share something new. As for the menu, it’s concise and dependent on the season. You might find a strozzapreti with sardines and saffron, mussels with pancetta, or a quail accompanied by a leafy salad. The ingredients are always Italian, but the style and processes have Australian influence, so expect some game-changing dishes here.
Alberto’s Lounge
CBD
Alberto’s Lounge joins an impressive lineup of Sydney’s greatest, including Frankie’s Pizza, Hubert, and The Baxter Inn—all brought to life by the Swillhouse Group. Expect simple, homestyle Italian fare at Alberto’s Lounge, an Italian restaurant and bar that is as loyal to the Italy of Lygon Street as it is to the alleyways of Rome. They make their gelato and ricotta daily, as well as their extensive range of pasta from rigatoni to linguine. The drinks menu is a hero here, with Italian tipples to pair with any food, and a cocktail list featuring some classics, for when you want to sink into a negroni after a hard days work.
Grana
The Rocks
Head Chef Gianluigi Castaldo’s menu constantly evolves based on produce availability so the dish you loved this week may take on a different form next week, and that’s half the fun. Split into bread and dairy (yes, there is a whole section dedicated to cheese dishes), pasta, seafood, meat, market and after, the menu is the culinary equivalent of a chameleon. Head towards the yellowfin tuna tartare, beetroot mezzelune with brown butter, or the smoked raw beef with charred bread, sour cream and saltbush. If time is on your side and you want to settle in with friends to enjoy a long, lazy Saturday lunch with a few bottles of wine, you can dance between each of the menu sections at a leisurely pace. Fun, vibrant and generous, Grana is the kind of restaurant you could take your parents, your CEO, your date or a gaggle of friends and they’d all feel equally comfortable.
Otto Ristorante
Woolloomooloo
Italian fine dining legend, Otto is best known for its waterfront seating and exceptional Italian fare. It might as well be a fine dining establishment, but the split-level venue is anything but stuffy, You can expect a laid back experience, with sun-drenched alfresco dining perfect for summer days. The menu is heavily rooted in the classics, including beef carpaccio and zucchini flowers stuffed with crab meat and mascarpone. They offer fish of the day, lamb and pork cutlets, although their pasta section is the hero. Dig into spaghetti topped with chunky pieces of Moreton bay bug, or salivate an Aged Acquerello risotto, or enjoy Conchiglie, veal and porcini ragù. As for the drinks, Gossip Girl is a classic gin cocktail or opt-in for the John Meloncamp for a taste of summer vibes.
LuMi Bar and Dining
Darling Harbour
Set atop Wharf 10, LuMi is an impressive venue, with an even better waterfront view. Most would say it’s fine dining but with a Japanese twist. The menu is set out as a tasting menu, beginning with small bites, followed by a traditional Japanese chawanmushi (a savoury egg custard), and a pasta dish, and another meat dish. This changes regularly depending on the season, but will usually follow this order, plus a mind-blowing dessert to finish. A set menu is $255 per person, with additional costs for extras. No meal would be complete without an equally sophisticated wine list of some of Italy’s best drops.
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