I love all things Italian. And we’re more spoilt for choice than ever with the best Italian restaurants in Sydney serving authentic Italian food, lots of it regional.
The best Italian restaurants in Sydney cover the full spectrum, from cutting-edge-modern to Nonna-style-traditional, from big-night-out to grab-a-bite-on-the-way-home. We have great pizze, pasta, gelati and so much more. I love them all – but these are the tried and tested ones I find myself going back to for a fine dining experience Italian-style.
Flaminia, Circular Quay
Giovanni Pilu and Marilyn Annecchini’s quay-side fine diner, Flaminia, draws inspiration from Italy’s major port cities. There’s a crudo bar that would make Venetians weep with joy, mozzarella in carozza to gladden the heart of any Neapolitan, Genovese seafood pasta for two and of course Pilu’s signature Sardinian suckling pig! Gorgeous setting, great wine list, friendly service – what are you waiting for?
a’Mare Barangaroo
Is a’Mare Sydney’s most luxurious Italian restaurant? Glamorous harbour setting – check! Caviar – check. Champagne (though I prefer the Franciacorta) – check! Then there’s the sophisticated touch of gueridon: from martinis mixed at the table to the theatre of an entire menu created, finished or plated tableside, including their signature pesto pounded in a traditional marble mortar.
Grappa The Rocks
Charlie Colosi’s Italian hospitality has made regulars at his Leichhardt restaurant feel like family and newcomers feel like regulars for 25+ years. Now he’s brought it to the iconic old Rockpool site, where wood-grilled steaks and seafood, such as Port Lincoln calamari with salmoriglio, sit alongside super-fresh kingfish crudo with finger lime. Delish veggie options too, like burrata with pickled wild mushrooms and chestnut. Limone is a must for dessert!
Pilu at Freshwater Freshwater
Sipping a sbagliato negroni, nibbling carta di musica with house-made ricotta and watching the sunset colours over the ocean from the balcony of Pilu at Freshwater is my favourite end to the week. Add pecorino brodo, Giovanni Pilu’s roast suckling pig and deep-fried-cheese-filled-honey-drizzled seadas – alongside fabulous service and a list full of little-known Sardinian wines and beers – and you get the picture!
Ormeggio at The Spit Mosman
Alessandro Pavoni and Victor Moya provide my mod-Italian fix at this seafood-focused fine-diner. The Middle Harbour views, creative cicchetti (bring back eggplant Parmigiana please!), a degustation of artful dishes (including superb risotto), Sydney’s best gelato, and a wine list that covers the length and breadth of Italy. What’s not to love?
Buon Ricordo Paddington
There are few more comfortingly familiar dining rooms than the art-filled space created by Armando Percuoco in 1987 and passed to head chef David Wright 30 years later. The old (fried harbour prawns) sits alongside the new (grilled scampi with lemon and olive oil dressing). Pasta is still perfectly al dente, wine matches are spot on thanks to veteran sommelier Nick Caraturo, and white jacketed waiters plate dishes tableside with flair.
Civico 47 Paddington
This worthy successor to the iconic address that was Lucio’s (pictured top) is now home to the best duck dish I’ve ever had! Matteo Zamboni’s crudo takes me straight back to Venice, and his potato and smoked mozzarella ravioli with pepitas and bottarga is plate-lickingly good. Thank goodness there’s still affogato on the menu, traditional or with an Aussie twist. Luke Collard’s wine matches (and wine knowledge) complete the package.
Updated 27 Jul 2026
