If you love to eat, you’re probably wondering where to find the best pasta in Sydney. There are so many options available, it can be hard to know where to begin. To help you out, I’ve created a list of some of my favourite spots for a good pasta dish in Sydney.
Acqua e Farina
Acqua e Farina is a family-owned restaurant that serves traditional Italian cuisine in a casual to fine dining setting. Located in the Potts Point suburb of Turramurra, it brings the best of Italy to Sydney’s north shore. The menu features fresh pasta and homemade sauces, and a gluten-free option is also available.
Despite being a small eatery, Acqua e Farina is packed with charm. The interior is a fusion of rustic and modern. It has seating for 12 people. There’s a good choice of pastas and hearty meat mains, and there’s even a wine list.
The menu is a mix of local and Italian produce. Among the more interesting offerings are a kelp mayo-licked crab toast and a prawn-stuffed cappelletti verde.
The signature pizza at Rossi’s is $25. This Italian eatery serves classic Neapolitan pizzas, along with spicy salami and sauteed spinach.
Buon Ricordo is a staple in Paddington. Founded over three decades ago, it’s one of the city’s best fine dining deals. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is the veal braciolette, which is topped with a truffle fried egg.
The kelp mayo-licked crab and kimchi cheese toast aren’t bad either. On the other hand, the roo ragu paccheri and cotoletta milanese aren’t as inventive as some of the more ambitious offerings.
A degustation menu is a must. The food is a mix of modern Italian and local produce, and the cocktails are made with real stirrers. If the name isn’t enough, check out the biodynamic organic wine list.
Lana isn’t a pasta shop, but its $89 tasting menu is worth checking out. While the fanciest offering isn’t available on a regular basis, the raw scallops shaved by citrus are a gastronomic treat.
Ragazzi
Ragazzi is a trendy Italian restaurant in Sydney. Chef Scott McComas-Williams pays tribute to classic pasta shapes. He uses inventive produce, globetrotting condiments, and freshly rolled pasta. His culinary prowess is matched by a wine list that showcases Australian wineries that use Italian grapes.
The restaurant is a small and compact venue. It has 38 seats inside, and ten seats outside. You can expect a crackling atmosphere.
It’s a great place to spend a night or two, and it’s an excellent choice for a casual dinner or lunch. There are a couple of set menus available, and you’ll also find a variety of aperitifs.
The menu includes a few pasta options, including cavatelli, shells of conchiglie, and pillows of ravioli filled with ricotta. There’s also a good selection of Italian and Australian wines, plus experimental gelato.
On top of the regular pasta dishes, the kitchen also serves a few other items. One of these is a trembling honey panna cotta, a dessert that’s sweet enough to eat by itself, but refreshing when served with blood orange granita.
Another pasta dish on the menu is the Gigli, a type of pasta made with ripe Roma tomatoes, crab, and parsley. It’s also topped with crispy fried capers.
There’s also the Bastardo, an Argentine-inspired bastardization of Italian cuisine. There are a number of house specialties, including eggplant parmigiana, Napoli sauce, and chilli oil.
Overall, Ragazzi is a good Italian restaurant in Sydney, especially for a casual meal. A little more balance could help, though.
Also on the radar is the Tiny Little Wine Bar, from the team behind Love Tilly Devine. It looks like it’s been around for years.
Pellegrino 2000
If you’re looking for the best Italian restaurants in Sydney, look no further. With an un-French twist, Pellegrino 2000 is the new kid on the block. It’s a retro-inspired restaurant that features food and drinks inspired by the classic trattorias of Italy.
It’s a collaboration between Dan Pepperell, who owns Potts Point Bistrot 916, and Andy Tyson, who has been an expert sommelier at the Alberto Lounge in the city. Both chefs will serve Italian staples like pappardelle bolognese and handmade tortellini. They’ll also offer Negronis and cocktails in the style of Harry’s Bar in Venice.
Aside from the food, Pellegrino 2000 will feature a wine cellar on the basement level that will hold more than 1,000 bottles. There’ll also be a double-sided espresso bar. This will be the perfect place to sip a negroni while a prawn tortelloni or a tagliatelle is being made.
On the wine menu, there will be old Chianti and prized bottles of Valentini. There will also be an extensive collection of Italian wines, including Barolo and Soldera.
As for the drinks, Pellegrino 2000 will be serving Negronis, Bellinis, and amari. It will also feature a signature drink called a caffe shakerato. It’s a nod to the Italian version of Harry’s Bar in Venice.
The menu will also have a selection of Italian staples that were originally popular in the 1970s, as well as modern takes on traditional Italian dishes. You’ll also find tripe in all forms on the menu.
While the menu changes regularly, you can expect to see dishes like ravioli de gamberi, pappardelle bolognese, fritto misto, and gnocchi of the day. Also on the menu are guanciale and spaghetti alla carbonara.
Totti’s Pasta
Totti’s Pasta in Sydney is a laid-back Italian trattoria. Its casual, informal ambience makes it popular amongst locals. The restaurant has three locations in NSW.
One of them is at Bondi Beach. Another is in the heart of the CBD, and one is at Allianz Stadium. A fifth one is set to open in Victoria. These are all run by Merivale, a company that knows a thing or two about the hospitality industry. They are also known for introducing minimal intervention wine styles to Sydney.
At Totti’s Cafe in the CBD, housemade pastas are the focus, along with a variety of red sauces and organic wines. You can even order a cocktail. The restaurant is open seven days a week.
Totti’s Restaurant in Bondi has a sunny courtyard with olive trees. There’s a side entrance. If you’re looking for an Italian joint with a bit more of a punch, you could try Bar Totti’s.
A third Totti’s is in the CBD. This is an old-school Italian restaurant, with white tablecloths and floral upholstery. Fresh pasta is served daily. Try the hand-rolled gnocchetti with a 12-hour brisket ragu.
Those looking for a more casual version of Totti’s might want to try Bert’s Bistro. Serving seafood-driven cuisine, it’s more casual than the northern beaches’ fine diner.
Totti’s will also be opening a restaurant in Victoria. The brand will feature local seafood and produce, and will feature pastas, antipasti and signature dishes.
As well as serving a full dinner menu, Totti’s will also offer walk-ins. However, bookings are recommended. Whether it’s to share a pasta dish or a glass of wine, you’ll love the laid-back atmosphere at this Italian trattoria.
Two Chaps Pasta
Two Chaps Pasta in Sydney is the best place to go for a delicious meal. It’s open Thursday and Friday nights and serves delicious pastas. They also have an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu. Their breakfast is good, too. The coffee is fantastic and the atmosphere is lively. This cafe isn’t just for people looking for vegetarian food, it’s great for anyone who loves good coffee.
At Two Chaps they make everything in-house, including the bread. The pastry menu includes some Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and the sourdough crumpets are amazing.
A lot of the food is organic and made with local, sustainable produce. They also make their own jams and preserves. And there are some vegan and gluten free options.
If you are vegetarian or looking for a vegan restaurant, Two Chaps is a great choice. Its sourdough bakery is also a popular spot for brunch.
The desserts at Two Chaps are also unique, such as the walnut aillade. You can also order a savoury croissant french toast topped with harissa mushrooms. Another tasty treat is their burn sage butter.
The restaurant has a great wine list. They offer $10 corkage on each bottle. Some of their wine is experimental, with an emphasis on Italian wines. Also, they are one of the few places in Sydney that stays open until 5pm on the weekends.
This isn’t an Italian restaurant, but you can expect the same great produce. There is even a degustation menu that starts at $55. But what makes this place stand out is its fresh pasta.
You can take your pick of their weekly specials, or just come in for a casual meal.
