The best Italian fine dining in Sydney

A former Ormeggio Chef is behind this new wave Italian fine diner right on the water. They do an eight-course degustation for dinner, a swift 45 minute four-course business lunch and do it all with a side serve of Japanese.

Ormeggio delivers, from service to wine to food, in a convivial setting. Plus, it’s not outrageously exxy. If this doesn’t sound like the perfect long lunch to you, we’ll eat our hats.

You know what they say when it comes to art: wretched excess is never enough. The luscious, dizzying art collection on the walls at this Paddington stayer is only second to eating in gallerist and socialite Ray Hughes’ house.

The look of the place follows the same cues that made the original A Tavola such a hit. Big copper orbs light the room and marble communal tables double as workbenches for the chefs rolling out fresh pasta. It’s a like a living window display. 

Giovanni and Marilyn Pilu have one of the most beautiful restaurants in the area – it may have panoramic views of the beach, but you may be too distracted by the suckling pig to notice.

Out of all the Star restaurants, Balla is the one that feels most like a place you’d want to just drop by and hang out mid-week, or really amp it up on a big night out. Saluté.

It’s hard to think of a more picturesque lunching venue. You’re sitting on a plush, white banquette in a light-filled room looking out over the azure waters of the rooftop swimming pool.

This waterside Italian restaurant offers one of the best vegan menus in the city. It's not cheap, we grant you, but it's worth the investment.