1. Pizza and pasta on a table
    Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out
  2. The inside of Bar Italia
    Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out Sydney
  3. Bar Italia
  4. Calzone on a wooden board
    Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out
  5. A bowl of pasta
    Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out
  6. Mussels in red sauce in a white bowl
    Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out

Review

Bar Italia

5 out of 5 stars
Bar Italia has been serving up classic (and cheap) Italian hits for more than 70 years
  • Restaurants | Italian
  • price 1 of 4
  • Leichhardt
  • Recommended
Alice Ellis
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Time Out says

I'd be surprised if many Sydney restaurants have survived as long as Bar Italia. It's been serving locals and visitors in Leichhardt for more than 70 years – since 1952. I'm not surprised it's still going strong all these decades later, though. It still serves up classic Italian hits in what has gradually become a retro setting – we're sure it looked fairly modern back in the '50s! You can get a delicious, filling feed for under $25, so it's without doubt one of Sydney's best cheap eats

The vibe

Sitting here, you can imagine you're in a trattoria in Rome. It's always busy, the service is relaxed (you line up to order), and there are classic Italian features and finishes – including an old-school crazy-pave tiled marble floor, gelato counter near the front, and red-white-and-green neon signage. Although it's popular, you should always be able to find a table, either in one of the indoor dining areas, in the covered area out on the footpath, or – my fave spot – in the sunny terrace at the back, which is covered in vines, bougainvilleas and fairy lights. It's definitely not the most refined Italian food you'll find in Sydney, but it's good grub, and such excellent value. Another bonus: they serve up food all day, every day, from breakfast at 8am to 10.30 or 11.30 at night.

The food 

The menu is extensive – name an Italian dish and we reckon you'll find it here. When it comes to pasta, they serve everything from family faves like boscaiola and arrabiatta to house specials, including my fave, spaghetti vesuvio – which is mushrooms, peas, bacon, cream and napoli sauce (at the time of writing, it costs just $22 for a regular serve, and $28 for a really big bowl that'll satisfy the hungriest among us). They have all of the pizzas (for $19 to $24), panini (for $9 to $14), and chicken and veal dishes (parmagiana, limone, marsala and way more – all for $26.50). Grab a gelato on your way out.

The drink

It's BYO beer or wine. Otherwise, you can get an authentic Italian coffee, and all your classic Italian soft drinks: chinotto, limonata, aranciata.

Time Out tip

You have to pay cash – but thankfully, they do have an ATM in the restaurant. If you don't have cash on you, just make sure to bring your keycard, because you can't tap a phone at an ATM.

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RECOMMENDED: These are the best bars in Sydney.

Details

Address
169 Norton St
Leichhardt
Sydney
2040
Price:
$
Opening hours:
All-day dining (from about 8am to 10.30pm)
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