15 Best Italian Restaurants In Sydney

Whether it’s pasta or pizza, Italian food is known for its rich and hearty flavours, and Sydney is full of it! There are many fantastic Italian restaurants in Sydney, and we have listed the 15 best for you; whether you opt for a fine dining restaurant or an easy brunch, head over to one of these best Italian restaurants in Sydney!

Machiavelli

Location: 123 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

A lot has stayed the same in the famous Machiavelli Ristorante Italiano, one of the go-to Italian restaurants in Sydney. The collection of politicians and CEOs photographed for the wall of fame grows, and founder Giovanna Toppi has retired after 28 years of working to build an empire. Still, the decor and menu remain unchanged, right down to the Spaghetti Machiavelli. The food at Machiavelli is lovely, but the people-watching is even better. On any given day, you might spy a former or current prime minister, a TV anchor, or even the chairman of the media firm himself at his continuously reserved table.‍

Must Try: Penne Bolognese, Crumbed Calamari and Caprese Salad

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Ragazzi Wine and Pasta

Location: 1 Angel Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range:  $ - $$

Head over to Ragazzi for supper, and you will be amazed by both the service and the meal! The menu and restaurant might seem small, but it delivers large with ever-changing menus that are reasonably priced. You will be left wanting more after tasting these delicacies. The intimate setting is ideal for a date night or an after-work dinner. They also serve some exciting and unique wines to try by the glass to go with your food! This intimate and stylish Italian restaurant in Sydney is highly recommended as a pre-theatre or evening-out stop with a fantastic and diverse selection of wines.

Must Try: Agnolotti Dal Plin and Panna Cotta

The Restaurant Pendolino

Location: Shop 100/412/414 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

Pendolino, located inside the Strand Arcade landmark right in the middle of Sydney's CBD, serves superb, vegan-friendly hand-crafted Italian cuisine in a luxurious, intimate environment. Enjoy modern Italian fine dining with daily fresh pasta cooked in their specialised pasta kitchen with a selection of carefully selected extra virgin olive oils. Feel luxe when they serve every meal that starts with a distinctive tasting plate, an elegant and sophisticated version of traditional antipasti. If you want a quick lunch, they also serve a 2-course menu.‍

Must Try: 4-Course Vego Meal and Kingfish Tartare

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Bar Totti's

Location: Shop 4/330 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range:  $ - $$

Bar Totti's should be your go-to Italian restaurant in Sydney for a pre-event dinner. It is a large, popular restaurant serving interesting tapas-style meals. Walk in for an Italian espresso or a cocktail from this carefully curated chef's special menu. There are a variety of house-made antipasti to pick from, such as sardines and burrata, as well as grilled appetisers, such as king prawns and halloumi with beetroot. We recommend trying Totti's famous homemade wood-fired bread.‍

Must Try: Lamb Ragu Pasta, Baked Eggplant and Crab Pasta

Primi Italian

Location: 168 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range:  $ - $$

On York Street inside Club York, you will find the hidden Italian restaurant in Sydney. Primi Italian is known for its wonderful service and exquisite and affordable menu. You will constantly get amazing wine and cuisine recommendations from the staff. You will also discover a startling outstanding Italian cuisine and an impressive drink menu. Primi Italian Restaurant serves flavours and culinary traditions from around Italy. The head chef curates a detailed and authentic Italian menu with an Australian touch.‍

Must Try: Linguine Gamberi and Blue Swimmer Crab Ravioli. 

Fratelli Paradiso

Location: 12-16 Challis Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

This Italian restaurant in Sydney, with immaculate charm and great cookery, is located on one of Potts Point's most beautiful streets. A team of primarily Italian waitstaff organising diners frequently waits on the street behind tables and greets locals like long-lost friends. The wines are primarily Italian, with special pours on the menu. In the face of the modern dining scene, that Italian restaurant in Sydney has a modest dining room with a huge chalkboard on one wall that has been present for years! This is the local's go-to Italian restaurant in Sydney when it comes to knowing what exactly you will be receiving and that it'll be excellent to eat and enjoy.‍

Must Try: Scampi Pasta, Squid Ink-Pasta and Fried Calamari

BISTECCA

Location: 3 Dalley St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

The underground restaurant Bistecca is dedicated to Florence's famous T-bone steaks. Every menu element has been considered, with some unique eccentric features to keep you engaged. Although the name of this Italian eating establishment is visible from Bridge Street, you enter from the back way, down a staircase, and find yourself in a dimly lit pub, another world pub. The staff is very welcoming and explains your reservation. The interior is continental-themed, with geometric tiles, a bistro-themed dining area, and a visible cooking space. 

Must Try: Focaccia and In-house Steak

Macchiato Wood Fire Pizza and Coffee Roasters

Location: Shop 2/338 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range: $ - $$

Macchiato is your one-stop solution for a long brunch or a quick meal! This Italian restaurant in Sydney is open from early morning until late at night, so if you're in a hurry and looking for a quick bite, they sell brekkie assortments, wraps, sandwiches, and hot/cold drinks to go during the day. The star of the show is the spaghetti marinara which is delicious and can easily serve three people. Macchiato woodfire pizzas will fit your criteria, and the price range is reasonable for gourmet pizzas! Try the "immunity drink" to wash down your pizza; the drink is critical and refreshes your palate.

Must Try: Arancinis, Seafood Pasta and Pizza Carnivora

There are more than just Italian restaurants in Sydney! Check out our list of the 30 best restaurants the city offers! 

A Tavola

Location: 348 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

Find delectable cuisine coupled with exceptional wines and beverages at A Tavola. It has a lovely ambience in the back of the restaurant and a community-long eating table near the door. This Italian restaurant in Sydney is a terrific place for a romantic or business dinner. From Bucatini in a gutsy red sauce to rigatoni in a creamy pork and veal ragu, the entire menu of this restaurant is based on their enormous hearty bowls of Italian-style pasta. They also have a range of exquisite Italian wine lists and cocktail menus.

Must Try: Burrata and Baked Alaska Tiramisu 

Fortuna Drink And Eat

Location: Shop 1/247 Victoria St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Price Range: $ - $$

Head to Fortuna Drink and Eat to treat yourself after a long week! Have a bottomless brunch at this vibrant Italian restaurant in Sydney. This all-day Italian diner offers breakfast as a fresh and cheerful breakfast place from 7 a.m. every day before transforming into a laid-back Italian restaurant by night. This new addition to Darlinghurst is about presenting a range of healthy, good-quality Italian food at a reasonable price. Fortuna is a modern Italian restaurant located in the brightest part of the city. Be it day or night; we ensure this Italian restaurant in Sydney will soon become your go-to spot! ‍

Must Try: Spiced Pear Porridge and Funghi Bruschetta

Pellegrino 2000

Location: 80 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
Price Range: $ - $$

Infamous and Aussie's favorite, Pellegrino 2000,  is the go-to Italian restaurant in Sydney for fresh pasta, focaccia, fritto misto, and more. You'll want to book to sit in the retro-inspired dining room or, even better, the candle-lit dine-in wine cellar downstairs, which is housed on a two-story old terrace. The entire restaurant is adorned with framed vintage photographs, packages of pasta, bottles of olive oil, and fresh tomatoes, and furnished with a warm palette of gold, burnt orange, and red, taking inspiration from Italian garage-style bistros. ‍

Must Try: Fried Zucchini, Prawn Ravioli Focaccia and Truffle Butter 

Alberto’s Lounge

Location: 17-19 Alberta St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

Alberto's Lounge is an Italian restaurant in Sydney where you will find it all, wonderful food, good music, good wine, and good company! It's an Italian restaurant and bar that pays homage to the Italy of Lygon Street as well as the alleyways of Rome. The chefs aim to bring flavours from throughout Italy's regions that are always fresh and delightful. You will find gelato and ricotta daily at this Italian restaurant in Sydney.‍

Must Try: Squid Ink Prawn Linguine, Sardine Pate and Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi

Kindred

Location: 137 Cleveland St, Darlington NSW 2008, Australia
Price Range: $$ - $$$

If you are a vegetarian or want to take a break from meat, turn to Kindred; this Italian restaurant in Sydney is one of those places that we all look for - a relaxing atmosphere, attentive service, a diverse variety of food at affordable rates, and an extensive wine list. They have many plant-based alternatives for their Italian menu that frequently vary, with popular dishes' ingredients rebalanced based on what's in season. The Italian restaurant in Sydney is tiny and intimate, with dark lighting and a wooden interior. It offers a cosy, pleasant atmosphere, and the staff is quite friendly.‍

Must Try: Spaghettini, Lamb Rump and Chicken Liver Parfait.

Pizza Madre

Location: 2/205 Victoria Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204, Australia
Price Range:  $$ - $$$

Pizza Madre is a clean, sophisticated, and tasty all-vegetarian and vegan Italian restaurant in Sydney pizza. A Negroni, a wild-ferment beer, and a Neapolitan-style sourdough pizza produced without a single ingredient imported from Italy are available at Pizza Madre. Seating is available in two rooms as well as outside. It's up to you to sit outside with a busy street view or have an intimate meal inside, where you can see directly into the kitchen and the pizza oven. The pizzas are made using seasonal, high-quality ingredients that are classically prepared and faintly Italian with vegetarian toppings.

Must Try: Four Cheese Pizza with honey and Eggplant Salad

Matteo

Location: 20 Bond St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Price Range: $ - $$

Matteo is a colourful and vibrant Italian restaurant in Sydney. Feel the big-city energy while you feast on the unmatched traditional Italian cuisine. The interior is contemporary urban with wonderful Northern Italian dining situated in the heart of Sydney CBD. Our menu is modern Italian. Try their handmade pasta, stone-baked bread, and traditional wood-fired pizza. Their beverage menu is inspired by Italian traditions and features a selection of traditional wines, drinks, and beers with a Downtown touch. ‍

Must Try: Gnocchi, Beef Carpaccio, and Squid Ink Risotto

We hope this list serves you any help, head over to any of these 15 best Italian restaurants in Sydney for your next dinner date or when you want to try something new!