The Best Pasta in Sydney for a Carb-Fuelled Feast

We take our pasta seriously here. We like it handmade, sauced to the gods in seasonal ingredients and, ideally, with a slice of house-baked focaccia on the side. Luckily for us, Sydney is a haven for pasta joints prepared to deliver the above in abundance. From boutique wine bars to waterside restaurants, there's a venue for every vibe. 

So, when you've finally wrangled the gang for a bite to eat, go for something everyone will love - a low-lit pasta joint with an impeccable wine list.  Hungry? Read on for the best bowls of pasta in Sydney...

Ragazzi 

Ragazzi's warm interiors are the perfect backdrop for an evening of handmade pasta and delicious drops. The team here are experts when it comes to these two staples. If you're in the mood for a bowl of pasta that offers full-blown enlightenment, this is the spot for you - the combos here are nothing short of life-changing. Think asparagus ravioli drizzled with bittersweet honey, mafaldine with prawns and kombu butter and tottole with pork and fennel sausage and crispy kale. And the wine list? Exquisite. 

Shop 3, 2-12 Angel Place, Sydney CBD

Alberto's Lounge 

Alberto's Lounge steps it up a notch, not only handcrafting their pasta but also a bunch of their other staples, too, including their creamy ricotta. They keep their menu to one page, choosing to focus on three main pasta dishes, cooked to perfection with the dark and moody interiors contributing to the indulgent yet lowkey atmosphere. Top it all off with a glass of wine from their curated list and it's a guaranteed slice of paradise. 

17-19 Alberta Street, Sydney

Matteo 

Handmade in-house, naturally, Matteo's pasta is pure delight. Expect a range of shapes and sauces, all inspired by Northern Italian flavours. Weekly specials mean you can pop in regularly and still be inspired by creative and delicious pasta dishes. The Rigatoni Vodka has a well-deserved cult following so don't miss it. 

Double Bay and Sydney CBD 

Palazzo Salato 

A new opening from the good people who brought us Love Tilly Devine and Ragazzi, Palazzo Salato scored itself a hat within its first six months. The 120-seat restaurant serves up an exceptional array of handmade pasta with everything from agnolotti to mafaldine, and matching sauces to-die-for, gracing the menu. The glam dining room and a 500-strong wine list give big luxury vibes - the perfect place to indulge in a delicious bowl of pasta. 

201/203 Clarence Street, Sydney  

Kindred

Kindred serves up wholesome Italian fare reminiscent of a bygone era - no fuss yet plated to perfection. The chef's tasting menu is jammed with value with seven seasonal courses only setting you back $69. Begin with warm sourdough and cultured butter, travel through entrees, and finish with a bowl of pasta. Expect to be treated to plenty of lesser-known styles like bucatini and cauliflower cappellacci. 

137 Cleveland Street, Darlington 

Pasta Emilia

This Surry Hills restaurant is bursting with rustic charm and handmade pasta - a power combo if ever we've seen one. The Pasta Emilia menu includes antipasti and mains of fresh seafood and meat but the true showstopper here is their pasta. Shifting with the seasons, you'll find an array of shapes and styles on offer from strozzapreti to raviolini, gnocchi and tortelli. The best part is, once you've enjoyed a delicious meal, you can browse their take-home pasta, sauces and other artisan goodies to satisfy your craving until your next visit. 

259 Riley Street, Surry Hills

10 William Street

At first glance, 10 William Street masquerades as a raucous hole-in-the-wall bar, but really, it's a tasteful mix of wine bar meets restaurant. While dining is a tight squeeze, the atmosphere of tipsy diners and friendly staff is more than entertaining. You’ll find sumptuous pasta dishes from talented young chefs who aren’t afraid to mix in a few wildcard ingredients that hit the spot just right.    

10 William Street, Paddington

Paski

Looking for a petite wine bar to cosy up in? Paski is it. These guys are passionate about their wine so you'll be able to pair the perfect drop to your bowl of pasta. A tightly curated menu brings you three seasonal pasta options per night, alongside house-made focaccia, deli goods, a handful of mains and scrummy desserts. 

239 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 

Grana

You can't count yourself a true pasta lover if you haven't made a pilgrimage to Grana, located in the historic, sandstone Hinchcliff House. These guys source their grains from local NSW farms, and you can expect to see some unique heritage grains on the menu, too, from spelt to khorsan. Their kitchen is in full view of the dining room so you can even catch the chef's hand-rolling pasta. The dishes are decadent, seasonal and exceptionally delicious. Feeling extra? Add half a lobster tail to your capelli. 

5 - 7 Young Street, Sydney

Fabbrica 

Fabbrica is a lowkey and no-fuss eatery, tucked away under street level in Sydney's busy CBD. Pop by on a weekday for a bowl of the good stuff which you can score for under $30. Expect fresh, seasonal sauces produced from the best ingredients available. Fabbrica also offers a fantastic wine list with a focus on Australian-made and Italian varietals. If you're feeling hungry, the set menu offers incredible value. 

Want to take a little bit of Fabbrica home with you? Grab one of the pasta packs for a mid-week din and you'll be praising your foresight forevermore. 

Sydney CBD

Totti's 

This bustling pasta joint barely needs an introduction. A favourite with locals all over, the various locations across Sydney speak to its popularity. With menus designed to share, it's a great place to go with a group of your favourites. Start with Totti's famous puffy woodfired bread and a selection of antipasti before moving onto the main event - the pasta. Maximise your experience by ordering a few bowls to share. 

Locations across Sydney

Pilu At Freshwater

As the only authentic Sardinian restaurant in Sydney, Pilu at Freshwater certainly has a reputation to uphold, and Chef Giovanni Pilu and his wife Marilyn Annecchinni, never disappoint. Aside from the mouth-watering menu, which includes degustations and an impressive wine list, Pilu’s panoramic view of Freshwater Beach alone is worth booking a table for. The pasta - perfection. The menu is regularly on the move but you can look forward to the likes of Sardinian ravioli filled with potato, Pecorino and mint with burnt butter and sage. 

On the beach, Moore Road Freshwater

Sagra Restaurant

Pomp and circumstance are checked at the door when dining at Sagra in Darlinghurst. Sagra’s unpretentious and totally delicious menu looks and tastes as if it’s right out of Nonna's kitchen. Head chef Nigel Ward keeps diners coming with a new menu every week that includes handmade pasta, fresh seafood and moreish butter sauces.

65 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst

Capriccio Osteria & Bar

With the kitchen run by former Lucio’s Head Chef Nicole Bampton, Capriccio Osteria & Bar is known for their fresh, homemade focaccia and pasta. This modern Italian eatery is warm and inviting, and the menu is designed to be shared. The pasta offering is filled with delectable dishes, from the roast pumpkin and ricotta ravioli to the squid ink spaghetti with blue swimmer crab.

159 Norton Street, Leichhardt

OTTO Ristorante

Sitting pretty on the Woolloomooloo finger wharf, OTTO Ristorante serves up a blend of modern Italian flavours with fresh, local produce. For the ultimate experience call ahead to ask for a table on the outdoor terrace and order the saffron linguine with a glass of pinot grigio.

8/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo 

Buon Ricordo

If restaurants could be heritage-listed, we’re certain Buon Ricordo would be first on the list. Meaning good memory in Italian, Buon Ricordo is a staple on the Sydney Italian dining scene. Naples native and head chef, Armando Percuoco has been cooking since the age of 14, and it shows. His menu is reliable (think fettuccine al tartufovo and spanner crab tagliatelle) and the exuberantly Italian artwork and decor will make your night out all the more authentic.

108 Boundary Street, Paddington

A Tavola

Homey and chic, this pasta haven does exactly what its name suggests, A Tavola ‘to the table’. Their philosophy is all about fresh ingredients, and by that we mean handmade a few minutes before it lands on your table. The house menu is where you’ll find reliable staples such as spaghetti alle cozze, and the daily specials board is where you’ll find the latest creations.

348 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

Already eaten your way through this edit of the best bowls of pasta in Sydney? Be sure to check out the best Italian restaurants and then branch out with some of the heartiest bowls of pho in Sydney.