When you can walk away from a dinner having shared a starter, enjoyed a delicious pasta or main, not been charged an exorbitant rate for corkage and you’ve only had to fork out $30 it’s safe to say you’ll be paying the restaurant a second visit. 

Have a leisurely lunch that lasts into the evening at GellaFrenda. This spot exudes mid-century Mediterranean style. The menu is similarly simple and elegant — and, most importantly, designed to share with many.

It’s been over two decades since the Paradiso brothers opened up Fratelli Paradiso — one of the very best Italian restaurants in Sydney. The Fratelli name has grown substantially since then, even taking up residence in Tokyo. 

The fact Ormeggio at The Spit in Mosman’s D’Albora Marina has a ten metre-long marble cocktail and gelato bar (staples at restaurants in southern Italy) should give you some idea of its authenticity.

The Norton Street stalwart and true icon of Sydney’s Little Italy has been a tried-and-true spot for a feast since 1952. Whether you sit in the nostalgia-laden dining room or in the courtyard out back, the buzzing spot overflows with low-key, good-time vibes.

Longstanding Bondi favourite Da Orazio underwent a big refurb back in 2022, creating a new bar, Orazietto, next door while they were at it. In summer, take a seat on the quiet laneway with a spritz in hand and antipasto platters all round. 

Two months after the much-loved Ron’s Upstairs turned its fairy lights off for the last time in 2022, Fontana opened in its place. Gone are the playful plastic vines and colourful wallpaper, while the red carpet and parquetry flooring from Ron’s remains.

Within the walls of Buon Ricordo, as if in Italy, that constant flow of chatter removes the need for music. The huge painting on the wall also transports you to Europe, with giant unfurling flower petals that resemble radicchio leaves.

Paddington’s Italian eatery Barbetta wears many hats, including a daytime cafe, gourmet smallgoods store and date-night diner. The venue on Elizabeth Street is also a space where you can learn to make perfectly pillowy gnocchi or crispy arancini.

This northern beaches gem has been through a few transformations in its time, but has settled on its current winning combo. Within this revamped beach shack spot, you’ll find fabulous Italian wines and fresh Sardinian dishes clearly made with love.

For more than 20 years, Il Baretto served up its pappardelle with duck ragu and just the right amount of hipster charm on Bourke Street. After shutting up shop during the pandemic, thankfully it reopened in the Paddo Inn not long after.

If you could picture the kind of Italian restaurant you’d like in your neighbourhood, you’d probably picture Matteo. Here you’ll find friendly service, great booze and a thumping big pizza oven that warms up the whole space with doughy and cheesy aromas.

Located in the heart of the CBD, Machiavelli Ristorante opened in 1988, focused on bringing the finest and freshest ingredients to its menu – organic whenever possible. 

The Love Tilly Group has been championing small bars for years now via the tiny Love, Tilly Devine and Redfern’s vermouth and snack bar La Salut. The group has outgrown these settings with one of its most ambitious spaces: the 120-seat Palazzo Salato.

Located in the striking, if controversial, Crown Casino building at Barangaroo, a’Mare is an elegant Italian restaurant offering exceptional Aussie produce paired with classic Italian ingredients. 

The word ‘institution’ gets thrown around a lot when it comes to restaurants in Sydney, but nowhere quite lives up to the moniker than Darlinghurst’s famed Beppi’s. This spot has been serving up some of Sydney’s best Italian food for over 67 years.

Owners and hospo legends Elvis Abrahanowicz, Ben Milgate and Joseph Valore (Bodega X Wyno, Bodega 1904) recently opened Bastardo trattoria within the new ‘Porteño dining precinct’ that now boasts five of the team’s own venues.

In late 2018, an Italian restaurant with olive trees, woodfired breads and next-level pasta opened inside Bondi pub The Royal. Called Totti’s, it was an instant hit in the eastern suburbs. And it remains to be one of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney.

Looking for a cause for celebration? Passeggiata is the place for you. Spearheaded by former 10 William Street chef and ex-Sagra owner Nigel Ward, this ambitious Italian restaurant is decked out in a bright summery yellow facade. 

Paddington’s charming South Dowling Street trattoria Zafferano has a lot of history. It originally opened as a cafe, before relaunching as a spot for afternoon drinks, long weekend lunches and hearty Sicilian dinners. 

Classic southern Italian eats — with a few contemporary flourishes — are given all the love at Sydney’s Olio. Sicilian-born chef Lino Sauro is the hero behind the pass, playing with traditional recipes without going too crazy. 

Dan Pepperell, sommelier Andy Tyson and longtime Rockpool Dining Group chef Michael Clift are behind Pellegrino 2000, a relatively new neighbourhood Italian restaurant inspired by trattorias in Rome and Florence.

Hinchcliff House is a four-storey mega venue that’s overtaken the heritage Hinchcliff Wool Stores, a huge sandstone structure dating back to the 1860s. Five venues sit inside, but we are focusing on the two Italian eateries: Grana and Lana.

Sydney is doing the time warp again. The latest blast from the past is a 70s-inspired enoteca from the folks behind Restaurant Hubert, Frankie’s and Shady Pines Saloon. 

City workers, theatre-goers and general pasta-lovers should all have this romantic Italian spot at the very top of their Sydney hit list. Ragazzi comes from the duo behind Love, Tilly Devine and Dear Sainte Éloise.