By Anthon Jackson
Italian cuisine is popular in Sydney.
Sydneysiders, as the residents of Sydney are known, seem to be in love with Italian food, as evidenced by the continual success of Italian restaurants across the city. In recent decades, the city's Italian food scene has grown and developed into a varied array producing sophisticated selections of regional, traditional and modern Italian dishes and flavors. Scattered within the limits of Inner Sydney are Italian restaurants offering quality cuisine and distinctive attractive atmospheres to match their vibrant host city.
Beppi's
The grandfather of Sydney's Italian restaurant scene, Beppi's was founded by Beppi Polese in 1956. Set along Yurong Street in East Sydney, it continues to be a favorite for its traditional Italian fare, including such dishes as angel hair pasta with prawns and marinated scampi with brandy. Sydneysiders also come for the hospitality and the charming, nostalgic vibe. The restaurant is open from noon to 3 p.m. for lunch Monday through Friday and 6 to 11 p.m. Monday though Saturday for dinner.
Beppi's
21 Yurong St.
East Sydney, NSW 2010
(+61) 29360 4558
beppis.com.au
Zia Pina Pizzeria
Zia Pina Pizzeria, a cozy little brick-walled pizzeria, is located in The Rocks Market on George Street, a stone's throw from Sydney Harbor. Owned and operated by the same Italian family for more than three decades, Zia Pina claims to have served more than a million pizzas. Customers rave about the friendly atmosphere and the ample selection of homemade pastas and pizzas as well as the variety of veal, chicken and seafood dishes. The restaurant is open from noon to 3 p.m. weekdays for lunch and from 5 p.m. "til late" according to its website. Saturday operating hours are 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday's are 5 to 10 p.m.
Zia Pina Pizzeria
93 George St., The Rocks
Sydney, NSW. 2000
(+61) 2 9669 2675
Giovanni's
Located at the Rocks end of the central business district, Giovanni's, an Inner Sydney Italian restaurant, has been cooking up quality Italian cuisine for more than 20 years. Local favorites include the mussels marinara, chicken cacciatore and home-made strawberry spumone. The atmosphere in its spacious venue is rich yet casual, and business hours are noon to 3 p.m . and 5:30 until late, seven days a week.
Giovanni's
225 George St.
Sydney, NSW. 2000
(+61) 29251 8808
A Tavola
This sleek but small new restaurant in Darlinghurst, an eastern Inner Sydney suburb, features a single, long, marble table that seats up to 20 people. Owner Eugenio Maiale's short, classic Italian menu features daily specials, home-made pasta is visible throughout the restaurant, hand-picked crab, buffalo mozzarella and tiramisu. If you prefer dining in more privacy, there are several tables in the back as well as in a small outdoor courtyard. A Tavola opens for dinner Monday through Saturday, and offers lunch on Fridays.
A Tavola
348 Victoria St
Darlinghurst 2010 NSW
(+61) 2 9331 7871
atavola.com.au
Machiavelli Ristorante Italiano
Machiavelli is an upscale Italian restaurant where you're likely to spot some of the city's wealth and power elite enjoying top-notch Italian cuisine (if they aren't there in person you'll glimpse their vintage black and white framed photos on the walls). Located in the heart of Inner Sydney, Machiavelli also serves a range of domestic and imported Italian wines. Machiavelli opens for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Come with a reservation and be prepared to pay upscale prices.
Machiavelli Ristorante Italiano
123 Clarence St.
Sydney NSW, 2000
(+61) 2 9299 3748
machiavelli.com.au
About the Author:
Anthon Jackson is a writer and photographer. Since obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern studies in 2008, he has authored travel guides for the likes of Rough Guides, A-Z World Travels and Adventure Journey while his work has also been featured by such publications as "GEOspecial," "Reader's Digest," Lonely Planet and National Geographic Traveler.
Photo Credits:
two meals from italian restaurant image by Stephen Orsillo from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
