Whether you are looking for a place for a special occasion or just want to have some good old-fashioned Italian food, Sydney has a number of excellent Italian restaurants to choose from. These include Da Orazio, Il Baretto, Paski Sopra, Lucio, Sagra and Ragazzi Wine and Pasta. But which one is the best?
Da Orazio
If you’re looking for a place to grab a drink and an Italian meal, look no further than Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta in Bondi. Whether you’re a pizza connoisseur or a pork enthusiast, this restaurant is sure to have something to satisfy your tastes.
Da Orazio serves a wide range of pizzas including the classic Margherita, as well as the more contemporary, more charred versions. They’re made from a pillow-soft dough that’s been pre-fermented for 48 hours.
The menu features plenty of seafood, as well as meat and pasta dishes. It’s also worth a visit for its house-baked bread, which is served complimentary. There are also a number of delicious wine options. Luckily, the staff are also knowledgeable about the wines on offer, so you’re bound to find something that fits your taste.
Da Orazio has a bright, open interior that’s a good fit for the beachside location. It has plenty of seating, including a bar that’s perfect for a quick drink. However, if you’re craving a romantic dinner, the restaurant’s candlelit nooks are a great choice.
Il Baretto
If you’re looking for the best Italian restaurants in Sydney, Il Baretto is one of the best. This Italian eatery is located on Bourke Street and offers a casual atmosphere. It’s also BYO.
For 20 years, Il Baretto has been serving up classic Italian dishes. The restaurant’s menu includes a variety of signature dishes, such as gnocchi. There’s also a pappardelle with duck ragu and spaghetti alle vongole. Aside from its pastas, the restaurant serves pizza and gelato.
Besides the Italian food, Il Baretto also offers a variety of aperitifs and wines from around the world. You can order these on the bar’s menu or by adding items to your cart.
Alternatively, you can order online or via Uber Eats. Once you’ve added your selection to the cart, you’ll be able to select your delivery time. Depending on where you are, the restaurant may call you when your table is ready.
Il Baretto’s pastas are handmade. You can choose from a selection of basic pastas, or you can indulge in pappardelle with beef cheek and ragu, lasagne or a porcini mushroom risotto.
Il Pontile
The latest addition to Sydney’s dining scene, Il Pontile is a waterside restaurant offering elevated seafood Italian fare. The new venue, owned by fourth-generation Italian restaurateur Mario Percuoco, is on Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf. It’s a sleek, modern Italian restaurant that offers alfresco and indoor dining options.
Il Pontile’s menu is a salute to the best regional Italian cuisines, with dishes like handmade burrata, pistachio-crusted tuna and seafood-filled ravioli. They also offer a wine list that spans Italy, Australia and beyond.
Wines from around the world are displayed in a glass cellar that spills onto the restaurant’s outdoor terrace. Some bottles hit the four-figure mark for special occasions. And Il Pontile has a dog-friendly policy.
While it’s not a newcomer, Il Pontile has received some much-deserved praise. A team of Italian and Australian importers has created a wine list that covers the spectrum.
This is one of the most unique places to dine in the city. It’s located in a heritage-laden building in Hinchcliff House, which also hosts subterranean bar Apollonia.
In addition to its extensive wine list, Il Pontile is also known for its elegant interior design. Bang Architects led the renovation, resulting in a space that reflects the true Italian sophistication.
Lucio
Lucio Italian Restaurants in Sydney are known for their famous salt-baked snapper, tagliolini alla granseola, and homemade pasta. Among the menu’s highlights is an Il Bel Pranzetto for just $59, a traditional Italian lunch.
This popular pizzeria also offers a mozzarella bar and an aperitivo. It is located on Palmer Street in Darlinghurst. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal in a welcoming atmosphere.
This restaurant has received a number of awards and honours. Lucio’s Pizza has received the prestigious title of being the best pizza in Australia. The restaurant has been featured in the AVPN (Association of Verace Pizza Napoletana), which is the international governing body for true artisan pizza.
Lucio’s is a family run Italian restaurant. Open five days a week, the restaurant serves Northern Italian cuisine. A menu featuring the classics is offered, along with more modern dishes. In addition to Italian food, Lucio Pizzeria Darlinghurst also serves authentic Neapolitan pizza.
The restaurant’s courtyard features an abstract statue and Chinese elms. Outdoor heaters keep guests warm at night. Located near Park Regis City Centre, Lucio’s is easy to access.
Marta
Marta’s Italian Restaurants in Sydney are a great place to visit. Located in Rushcutters Bay, Marta is an underrated gem in the local food scene.
The restaurant features a Roman-style menu with a strong focus on cucina romana, or Roman cuisine. Chef Enrico Tomelleri brings a playful and inventive approach to his dishes.
The wine list is also impressive, with over 400 Italian varietals. Owner Flavio Carnevale is a real chef who has spent a lot of time in Rome. Using his knowledge of the region, he has adapted the food at Marta, bringing an authentic feel to the dining experience.
As well as the pizza, Marta serves a variety of pasta dishes, including polpette and suppli. These are veal meatballs tossed with tomato and pecorino. Another dish, agnello porchettato, is a focaccia stuffed with lamb porchetta.
Guests can order takeaway at Marta. The kitchen is open from 7am-3pm. Customers can review their orders and then get delivery. Alternatively, they can order from the app, with a wide selection of items available to be delivered to their door.
Paski Sopra
If you’re looking for a great Italian restaurant in Sydney, you may be interested to learn about Paski Sopra. This small two-storey wine bar and restaurant offers a selection of seafood and pasta, as well as fresh carpaccio. Its intimate design features bentwood chairs and a large wall mural of the Last Supper.
The menu is based on small plates, with Italian and local wines. The bar area on the ground floor has a small selection of pantry items, as well as a bottle display. Guests can also choose a table on the terrace.
There’s an emphasis on wine, so it’s perfect for catching up with friends or having a quiet dinner. In addition to a long list of wines, the wine bar also has a bespoke cocktail menu.
For more than 20 years, Fratelli Paradiso has been a fixture in Sydney. Owned by three Italians, the restaurant has a chalkboard menu and ample outdoor seating. It serves organic, local and artisanal wines, including boutique vermentino.
Another favourite is Ragazzi Wine and Pasta, a European-style wine bar. The 40-seater has a lengthy bottle list, plus an ever-changing pasta menu.
Ragazzi Wine and Pasta
Ragazzi Wine and Pasta is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Sydney. The Potts Point venue has been a local favourite for years. It serves house-made pasta, interesting Italian vinos and has ample outdoor seating.
Owners Matt Swieboda, Nathanial Hatwell and three other Italians created the restaurant. They are also behind Love, Tilly Devine, another Italian eatery that is a must-visit in Sydney.
Ragazzi offers six pastas including rigatoni, fettuccine, cavatelli, tagliatelle, spaghetti and ravioli. Their menu is simple. If you are in the mood for some serious noodling, they have more than 20 aperitifs. You can even get a bonus food credit for pre-purchase foodollars.
The wine list is superb. There is a wide selection of artisanal Italian wines by the glass. This venue is great for Instagram photos.
The staff are friendly and helpful. It’s great for a quick lunch or a romantic dinner. However, the popularity of the place means that the restaurant will have to be booked in advance.
The menu at this Sydney restaurant is full of intelligent flavours. Chef Scott Williams learned his techniques in Spain. He also creates some of his own recipes.
Sagra
A guide to the best Italian restaurants in Sydney. Whether you’re after a casual Italian brunch, a romantic dinner, or a spot to grab a bite before a show, you can’t go past these spots.
One of the most recognizable Italian restaurants in Sydney, Pendolino is a classic dining experience. It remains an institution that consistently provides impeccable service. With a menu full of traditional favourites, Pendolino stands up to comparisons with its modern rivals.
Located in the Strand Arcade, Pendolino’s menu includes a variety of dishes to suit any occasion. The menu changes frequently, so there’s always something new to try.
Located in the heart of Sydney’s Little Italy, Lucio Pizzeria is not only one of the most popular pizza eateries in the city, it has also won a number of awards. But it’s not the cheapest option in town.
Bastardo is a deli-style Italian eatery. Owned by the team behind Porteno and Wyno x Bodega, it has a strong Argentinian and Sicilian heritage. This is reflected in the wide range of fresh pasta and seafood dishes on offer.
