Introduction
When it comes to Italian food, Sydney has so many options that it can be overwhelming. The city is full of some of the best Italian restaurants in the world, and you'll find yourself asking: where do I start? You can't go wrong with any one of these places, but here are some recommendations if you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine (and maybe a lovely glass or two of wine).
Da Orazio Pizza and Porchetta
Da Orazio Pizza and Porchetta is a family-run Italian restaurant in Bondi that serves pizza, pasta and other classic Italian dishes. The menu features a range of delicious options including pizzas, fresh seafood, homemade pastas and their signature porchetta. Da Orazio's has been awarded Best Pizza in Sydney by TripAdvisor every year since 2013.
The restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch or dinner making it an ideal spot to visit any time of day.
Recco Italian Restaurant
Recco Italian Restaurant, located at Westfield Sydney in Pitt Street Mall, is a popular choice for many Sydneysiders. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and the service is friendly and efficient. The food is delicious, with great flavours of Italy throughout each dish—it's hard to go wrong here!
The menu at Recco offers some traditional favorites such as tagliatelle bolognese (pasta with meat sauce), spaghetti carbonara (with bacon lardons and egg), or pizza margherita (tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese). There are also more modern options such as sugo di carne (beef ragù) on focaccia bread or salmon carpaccio served with orange segments. These can be ordered individually or as part of an entree which comes with salad, soup or bruschetta served on the side—a perfect choice if you're dining alone!
There are plenty of specials that change regularly so make sure you ask your server about what's available when you visit! Several seafood dishes feature prominently throughout this section including grilled barramundi fillet topped with caramelised onion mash; pan seared barramundi fillet served atop fettuccine pasta tossed in extra virgin olive oil infused garlic butter; classic linguine “alla vongole” style pasta cooked in delicious white wine sauce served shellfish clams tossed through creamy tomato sauce poured over hot linguine noodles; grilled tiger prawns marinated overnight then skewered onto skewers before cooking them quickly over hot charcoal fire seasoned generously with Mediterranean herbs spices & sea salt mix from Sicily region of Italy; Grilled calamari steak pieces marinated overnight then skewered onto skewers before cooking them quickly over hot charcoal fire seasoned generously using Mediterranean spices & sea salt mix from Sicily region of Italy
Quay
Quay is one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney. It's located on the Quay, which is a short walk from Circular Quay and provides beautiful views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The restaurant offers a delicious menu with lots of pasta options (like penne carbonara), pizza (like margherita) and risotto dishes. The price range here will suit most budgets, with entrees around $20-$30 and mains $40-$50+. The service here is excellent; it's quick and friendly while still being attentive enough to make sure you're having a great time at your table! If you love Italian food then this place should definitely be on your list when visiting Sydney!
Porteno
If you’re looking for a restaurant that will suit all occasions, Porteno is your place. They serve up some seriously delicious dishes in a variety of sizes that can be shared with friends or family. Porteno also offers an extensive cocktail menu, as well as wine and beer from around the world. This place is great for business dinners, special occasions, or just an evening with your significant other! You can visit them at Level 1/182 Oxford St Darlinghurst NSW 2010 or call them at (02) 9380 9733
La Rosa Il Cibo E La Passione
La Rosa Il Cibo E La Passione is one of Sydney's best Italian restaurants. There are many things to love about this establishment, but you'll need to make a reservation to get in. The extensive menu offers something for everyone, including vegetarians and vegans. The wine list is extensive, so it's best to bring along someone who knows a thing or two about wine and pairings.
The intimate atmosphere makes this the perfect place for a date night or small gathering with friends. Located in the CBD, it may be inconvenient for some—but if you're willing to put up with the crowds of people on weekends and evenings (and those long wait times), then you'll be well rewarded by the delicious food and ambiance here at La Rosa Il Cibo E La Passione!
Lucio's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
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Location: Castle Hill
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Price range: $$$ - $$$$
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Menu: Italian, Pizza
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Cuisine type: Mediterranean.
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Cuisine style: Contemporary.
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Décor: Modern.
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Service: Friendly and helpful staff. The waiters were friendly and attentive, but not pushy or intrusive in any way. They were also knowledgeable about their menu items, which is always a huge bonus for me! I really appreciated that they took the time to explain what each dish was as well as how it should be eaten (e.g., don't cut your pizza into pieces before you eat it). My mum and I ordered two pizzas between us—the "Lucio's Special" (beef salami) and "The Primavera" (mushrooms, artichokes, olives and capers)—and they both arrived piping hot with perfectly melted cheese all over them! We also ordered some garlic bread ($10) because we couldn't resist its crispy crust filled with zesty garlic butter. The only downside about Lucio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria was that it wasn’t BYO alcohol :(
The Boathouse Palm Beach
The Boathouse Palm Beach is a great place to eat. The restaurant has a wide range of Italian dishes, including seafood and pasta. The view from the restaurant is amazing and it’s right on the beach. The service is excellent, they have a good selection of wines and the food is very fresh. If you want to try some authentic Italian cuisine in Sydney then this is one place that you must visit!
Otto Ristorante
Otto Ristorante is the place to go if you want the best Italian food in Sydney. With two restaurants, one located in Darlinghurst and the other at Bondi Junction, this is a great option for those who live on either side of the city. They also have a lunch menu which is easy on the wallet and super-tasty—and if you're feeling extra fancy, check out their private dining rooms that can be hired for large groups!
This fine dining Italian restaurant is perfect for any occasion; whether you're celebrating an anniversary or just want to treat yourself after a hard day at work, their menu has something that will fit your needs perfectly! Their signature dish is gnocchi with truffle cream sauce (which sounds delicious), but there are plenty more options available depending on what kind of mood you're in that day - seafood lovers should try seafood linguine with white wine & parsley sauce!
Balla Manfredi
Balla Manfredi is located on the corner of Elizabeth and Macquarie Streets, opposite the State Library of NSW. It's a traditional Italian restaurant with a menu that includes all your favourite pasta dishes, plus some more adventurous ones to keep you coming back. The speciality here is their risotto selection but also don't miss out on their pizzas!
The dining experience is always relaxed at Balla Manfredi; come as a group or by yourself and be sure to make use of their great location in Sydney's CBD.
Popolo Delightful Italian Cuisine
Popolo Delightful Italian Cuisine is located at Westfield, Warringah Mall, 718 Pacific Hwy. This restaurant is a hidden gem and can be easily missed if you don't know what you are looking for. The menu offers authentic Italian cuisine prepared by an experienced chef with over 20 years of experience.
The prices are mid range with most dishes around $25-$35 per person. They also have a lunch menu that offers smaller portions at lower prices.
Popolo Delightful Italian Cuisine is open Monday through Saturday 11am until 9pm and Sunday 11am until 5pm. They do not take bookings so it's best to arrive before 6:15pm to avoid waiting times during peak hours (7:30-8:30 pm).
My favourite dish here would have to be their lasagna which comes in two sizes - small ($20) or large ($28). The pasta sheets are delicate but strong enough not break apart when cut even after being cooked for hours together with meat slices and cheese sauce made from scratch daily without any preservatives added into them like most restaurants tend do these days when trying replicate authentic homemade tastes!
In Sydney, it can be hard to narrow down the best places to eat. Here are our top 10 picks for Italian cuisine.
In Sydney, it can be hard to narrow down the best places to eat. Here are our top 10 picks for Italian cuisine.
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Bonta Pasta Bar
If you're looking for a light lunch and some pasta, Bonta Pasta Bar is your spot. This little restaurant is located in Glebe, one of Sydney's most vibrant neighborhoods. They serve fresh pasta made every morning right on site. You can also get pizza by the slice or choose from their selection of sandwiches and salads (the Caesar salad dressing is delicious). If you want something sweet after lunch or dinner, try their tiramisu — it's not too heavy but leaves you satisfied!
Conclusion
Sydney has many great places to eat, and the Italian cuisine is one of them. There are many restaurants that serve traditional dishes like lasagna and pizza, or others that have their own unique style of cooking such as Recco Italian Restaurant. Whatever you're looking for, there's bound to be an option here in Sydney!
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