Sydney Institution Il Baretto Is Reopening in Paddington

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. Earlier this year, in the midst of the global pandemic, it suddenly shut up shop — but, thankfully, it's just about to make a triumphant return.

The Italian diner is reopening on Oxford Street in Paddington on Friday, October 9. Many of its signature dishes are excitingly making a comeback, including, yes, that ragu, as well as the spaghetti alle vongole, the meatballs and the saltimbocca alla romana. But, apart from a very similar black-and-white Il Baretto sign, the setup and fit-out is going to be a little different.

Instead of its own space, Il Baretto 2.0 is going to be located out the back of Solotel's Paddo Inn, in the former dining room space. It'll have the "same unpretentious, relaxed charm" — so we're told — but we doubt it'll be a cash-only and handwritten-menu-on-paper affair.

The restaurant will also have a bigger drinks offering with a list of around 11 Italian and Australian wines.

The hospitality giant's front bar will remain open and continue to serve up spritzes and blood orange negronis, but it'll also start serving up bar snacks alla Il Baretto. Expect the likes of the bruschetta al pomodore, salame norcia and beef carpaccio.

Leticia Almeida

Despite the move, owner Gabriella Fedeli says Il Baretto will still be laidback and affordable. "We have always had a 'no fuss', 'simple' and 'traditional' approach to the way we do things, " Fedeli said in a statement. "The attitude and style of the place is not something that I want to change. I have always liked the fact that we are a broad-church for all types of customers – families, corporates, musicians – whoever. Our price and manner of service is intended to be for everyone."

It's still a couple of weeks until you can figuratively dive into a bowl of ragu, but you can already plan ahead and make a reservation. With capacity limits and Il Baretto's popularity, we're expecting nights will fill up super fast.

Find Il Baretto at 338 Oxford Street, Paddington (entry via William St) from Friday, October 9. It'll be open from 12pm–3pm Wednesday–Sunday and 5.30–10pm Tuesday–Sunday.

Top image: Gabriella Fedeli by Steven Woodburn