Hailing from Alessandro Pavoni, the Italian mastermind behind one of Sydney’s institutions Ormeggio at the Spit, a’Mare, is taking us back to the days of paramount service and good food. The atmosphere and interior are inspired by the palazzi of old school Italy— Venice, Milan, Rome and Lake Garda. Although the real show stopper here is the food. It’s a relatively extensive menu, but a few standouts include the ‘elephant ear’ which is a 1kg veal cutlet—best shared with friends.

This laid back neighbourhood joint serving retro Italian vibes is an extension of Totti’s, the 70s divey pub in Bondi. Although at Bar Totti’s expect nightly DJ’s (until 2 am) and all the antipasti and wood-fired bread you could want. It’s all housemade from the sardines and scallop Crudo to the King prawns with chilli and fennel. For mains, expect schnitzels and market fish or you can always dig into a big bowl of pasta such as the lamb ragu with pappardelle.

Sink into this wine and pasta bar for the night, from the Love, Tilly Devine crew behind Fabbrica and Dear Sainte Eloise. You will find regional Italian pasta dishes, which changes quite regularly depending on the season. They offer everything from linguine to ravioli, and a few pasta shapes you probably haven’t heard of in a while, such as the Fusilli and Capunti, lathered in lamb ragu.

With views over Middle Harbour, especially the luxury vessels bopping in the water, Ormeggio is the perfect Italian restaurant for when you have an occasion or a long weekend lunch. The menu wasn’t the only refresh here. The entire dining room has been transformed into a sun-drenched Meditteranean haven, boasting sheer curtains and vintage Turkish rugs.

This little slice of Italian restaurant royalty is one of the only of its kind in Sydney to serve from breakfast to dinner. Visit the bakery for espresso and pastries in the morning, or settle in for the evening to enjoy an indulgent bowl of pasta. Ask to snag a coveted street-facing seat to dine alfresco and people watch. You will want to order a serving of the fried calamari, complete with paradise sauce for dipping.

Wander down this CBD laneway, where birdcages dangle from above, to find a modern Italian restaurant, serving serious Italian fare from owner and chef, Federico Zanellato, and ex-Est, Marque and Oscillate Wildly restauranteur Karl Firla. Don’t let the wicker furniture and white tablecloths fool you, this restaurant seems casual, but the food is fine dining quality. Each dish is beautifully presented and well balanced, but the atmosphere is laid back and friendly.

Alberto’s Lounge joins an impressive lineup of Sydney’s greatest, including Frankie’s Pizza, Hubert, and The Baxter Inn—all brought to life by the Swillhouse Group. Expect simple, homestyle Italian fare at Alberto’s Lounge, an Italian restaurant and bar that is as loyal to the Italy of Lygon Street as it is to the alleyways of Rome.

Head Chef Gianluigi Castaldo’s menu constantly evolves based on produce availability so the dish you loved this week may take on a different form next week, and that’s half the fun. Split into bread and dairy (yes, there is a whole section dedicated to cheese dishes), pasta, seafood, meat, market and after, the menu is the culinary equivalent of a chameleon.

Italian fine dining legend, Otto is best known for its waterfront seating and exceptional Italian fare. It might as well be a fine dining establishment, but the split-level venue is anything but stuffy, You can expect a laid back experience, with sun-drenched alfresco dining perfect for summer days. The menu is heavily rooted in the classics, including beef carpaccio and zucchini flowers stuffed with crab meat and mascarpone.

Set atop Wharf 10, LuMi is an impressive venue, with an even better waterfront view. Most would say it’s fine dining but with a Japanese twist. The menu is set out as a tasting menu, beginning with small bites, followed by a traditional Japanese chawanmushi (a savoury egg custard), and a pasta dish, and another meat dish. A set menu is $255 per person, with additional costs for extras. No meal would be complete without an equally sophisticated wine list of some of Italy’s best drops.