Panzerotti - CLOSED

Overview

A gorgeous little coffee-scented haven tucked away into the corner of York and Margaret Streets, Panzerotti has been making the CBD's busy worker bees smile for eight years now and still has a knack for making every new visitor feel like they've come home.

The Panzerotti experience begins with a friendly chat with one of the affable waitstaff, who are never too busy to take a genuine interest in your day. A charmingly ramshackle table set-up unfolds up and down the stairs inside, with a coveted row of bar seats lining the open window that overlooks the bustling street and nearby park.

The food envy hits hard the moment you take your seat and start seeing and smelling the steaming bowls of pasta flying out of the kitchen to the happy lunchers around you. The list is long and consistently scrumptious, but our favourites are the pillowy homemade gnocchi with roasted eggplant, chilli, napoletana sauce and buffalo mozzarella ($18) when comfort food is in order, and the linguine with asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, garlic, mint and pecorino ($17) for a more summery option.

Carnivores should visit on Thursdays to devour the special wagyu beef burger on a soft brioche bun that oozes with melted Taleggio cheese, served with outrageously crunchy handcut chips, rosemary salt and a creamy chilli aioli ($21). The carb-conscious among us need not feel left out: there are plenty of tasty salads on offer (but we're willing to bet you buckle at least once to experience that perfect pasta).

The team at Panzerotti certainly know how to look after their own. The Schibello coffee is treated with care and can be delivered direct to your office door, and every now and then a lucky visitor wins two weeks of the good stuff on the house.

With its equally delectable Italian food and staff, Panzerotti has the kind of magnetism that turns every visitor into a regular. And if you're anything like us, you'll find yourself spending the short time between visits dreaming about your last luscious bowl of pasta and strategising the next one.