-
Bar Coluzzi
One of Sydney's legendary cafés, Coluzzi's been here since 1957 and still attracts an odd-ball mix of older Italian gentlemen, judges, shady Kings Cross 'characters', Darlinghurst gay guys, bohemians and suits. Chose from the tasty selection of bagels, foccacia and pastries available at the counter and grab a table on the street.
-
Bar Quattro
As you sit admiring Hyde Park, you wouldn't think that less than a decade ago this pleasant sandstone café was one of Sydney's most notorious public toilets. The goings on are much more genteel these days - generally involving chatting, drinking coffee and choosing items off a traditional Italian menu. It's a lovely spot and the seafood pasta is delicious.
-
Bar Reggio
While most of East Sydney's celebrated Italian restaurants have closed or gone upmarket, Bar Reggio has kept its old-school atmosphere. Try for a seat in the courtyard lined with travel brochure murals and dig in to a traditional pizza, pasta or grill. For a cheap, satisfying lunch try a half or full foccacia.
-
Bathers' Pavilion
Perhaps it's the beachside setting that lends an appealing casualness to this finest of dining experiences. The menu is highly seasonal, focussing on produce from small local providers, with plenty of seafood. There's a full alternative menu for vegetarians, including a complete eight-course degustation. A two-course option is available for weekday lunches (around A$75 ).
-
Bill & Toni's
Folks come to Bill & Toni's because it's a traditional destination for basic Italian cuisine, and, in our opinion, a national treasure. The service is lightning-fast, you still get your orange cordial for free and the cafe downstairs brews some of the best coffee in town.
-
Bistrode
A celebration of all things meaty and fishy, the Bistrode menu will be challenging for some. The lily sure isn't gilded in the descriptions - it's more likely dipped in offal or served in the warm pig's head salad with pickled egg dressing. The food is exceptional - hearty yet intricate with plenty of unusual twists.
-
Bodega
The coolest progeny of the current tapas frenzy, Bodega has a casual vibe, impossibly handsome staff and a very funky matador mural. The dishes vary widely in size and price, with a substantial serve of ocean trout at the upper end. Wash them down with a tipple from the wide range of Hispanic wine, sherry, port and beer.
-
Bondi Icebergs
Poised above the famous swimming pool, Icebergs' views sweep across the Bondi Beach arc to the sea. Jacketed, bow-tied waiters deliver fresh seafood and steaks cooked with élan. The wine list is superb, and the bar, overlooking the Campbell Pde lights, is never a boring place for a beer. Bow down and feign humility before the mighty Pacific Ocean (don't spill your beer).
-
Buon Ricordo
Remember the good old days, when local restaurateurs knew you well enough to select your meal for you? Well, Buon Ricordo is very 'good old days'. Let bearded chef Armando Percuoco decide whether you want the zuppa di pesce or the tagliata con rucola . The best Italian in Sydney? Reservations essential.
-
Café Jolly
Jolly by name and nature you won't find any surly prima donnas here. The food is classic Italian - pasta, risotto and grills. The substantial weekend fry-up breakfasts are Jolly Special, once again by name and nature.
-
Advertisement
-
Cafe Sopra
Gastronomes in the know pour into this place, tucked away above one of the city's best gourmet providores. The menu's very seasonal, using the best of the fresh and imported produce on offer downstairs. On Fridays the huge fritto misto di pesce (seafood) platter is a highlight.
-
Concrete
This slick, minimalist joint boasts tasty offerings like buttermilk pancakes with grilled pineapple for breakfast, while lunch means eggplant and roasted almond ravioli or Mediterranean lamb skewers. Enjoy it all at a shady outdoor table. The location is a bit off the tourist path, just a few blocks from Darling Harbour.
-
Dolcetta
Perhaps it's because they double as a providore that this friendly little neighbourhood eatery can offer beautiful meals at such reasonable prices. Where else in Sydney can you find fresh, zingy blue swimmer crab pasta with garlic and lemon zest for around A$13 ? Try the truffled scrambled eggs for breakfast.
-
Grappa
Oddly located above a carpark, this spacious eatery looks better on the inside - its open kitchen, snazzy bar and elegant decor will impress your picky date. Tasty mains include snapper in rock salt, buffalo bocconcini and tuna carpaccio, or go for pure excess with the 1/2 roast duck or 450g T-bone steak. An award-winning wine list only adds to the appeal.
-
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Maurice Terzini's sleek celebrity magnet absolutely sizzles at its supreme cliff-top locale. His food is to Italian what Mod Oz is to meat-and-two-veg; the upmarket menu is laced with unusual delights. Reservations definitely required. Attached to the restaurant is a sleek cocktail bar with hanging chairs, colourful sofas and an elegant list of tipples and that killer view.
-
Il Baretto
Packed to the rafters and dishing up some of the most heavenly gourmet sandwiches and pasta in Sydney, this tiny and chaotic restaurant offers fabulous food in local surroundings. You'll be waiting for sure, so head to the pub across the road; they'll come and get you. Try the spaghetti alle vongole or homemade gnocchi - 'yum!' is what you'll be thinking.
-
Limoncello Ristorante
Start with the antipasto or homemade tagliani with scampi, and proceed to main dishes like the grilled lamb fillet, stuffed calzone or one of 24 traditional and gourmet pizza choices. Flavours will take you straight to southern Italy, especially if you sit in the airy covered patio out the back or snag an outdoor seat up front.
-
Lo Studio
The sexy Deco curves of the Paramount Pictures office add glamour to this newcomer to the Surry Hills scene. The modern Italian menu covers a wide base of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes and is unafraid to be adventurous.
-
Marque
Marque's crisp, immaculate décor provides a level-headed platform for adventurous cooking. It's one of those places where culinary experimentation at first seems ridiculous, but you walk away smiling. Try the milk-fed veal loin with Meyer lemon, liquorice, pumpkin and coffee.
-
North Bondi Italian Food
Expansive windows float your eyes beyond the terrace to the sighing North Bondi swell. You won't hear any sighs inside (it's all hard surfaces and conversations) but the pasta, seafood, soups and salads engage your other senses. Try the generous wild boar papardelle . Wines by the glass.
-
Advertisement
-
Osteria dei Poeti
Fostering 'benign benevolence' through stomach satisfaction, the talkative 'Tavern of Poets' serves unpretentious, home-style Italian that's poetic enough to be beyond most domestic kitchens. If the occasional poetry readings are overly florid, head for the deck outside.
-
Otto
Forget the glamorous waterfront location and A-list crowd - what Otto will be remembered for is single-handedly dragging Sydney's Italian cooking into the new century. Dishes like strozzapreti con gamberi (artisan pasta with fresh Yamba prawns, tomato, chilli and black olives) define culinary perfection. Bookings essential.
-
Pompei's
While the pizza here is good, it's the northern Italian dishes whipped up by ex-pat George Pompei that are really special. Try the delicious handmade ravioli stuffed with spinach, ricotta and nutmeg, but be sure to leave room for the flavoursome sorbets and gelati.
-
Sel et Poivre
This casual bistro is perfect for homesick French expats; most of the staff speak French, the music is French, and the menu is available in French. Dishes like garlic snails, duck pâté and steak tartare are for the hard-core, so for something more mainstream order the delicious baguette sandwiches, roasted lamb loin or goat's cheese and walnut salad.
-
Spanish Tapas
Those in search of tapas need look no further, as this fancy joint offers those little Spanish dishes that range from good to great. Sample the mussels in tomato, tuna croquettes, garlic mushrooms or spinach and onion omelettes. The low lights, music and convivial diners add to the festive atmosphere.
