Aperitivo

In the heart of Leichhardt in Sydney’s Inner West, Aperitivo serves the kind of Italian cooking that feels both timeless and inviting. The kitchen celebrates simplicity and bold flavour, turning out handcrafted pasta and wood-fired pizzas with a warmth that matches the dining room’s easy conviviality.

Plates arrive with an elegant restraint: prosciutto di Parma meeting cool burrata under a gloss of extra virgin olive oil, calamari fritti as light and crisp as sea breeze. Salads lean fresh and fragrant, from burrata panzanella with truss tomatoes and sourdough croutons to insalata di rucola lifted by pear, parmesan and a whisper of white balsamic.

Pasta faithfuls find comfort in spaghetti buongustaio, its traditional veal ragù dotted with peas and mushrooms, while linguine frutti di mare brings basil and cherry tomato to a napoletana embrace. Sides keep things rustic and generous - patate arrosto with rosemary and garlic, broccolini kissed with chilli and goat ricotta salata - and the oven yields classics like Margherita Stg with San Marzano tomato and fior di latte, or a briny, aromatic Napoli. Daily specials, from pesce del giorno to taglio del giorno, keep regulars curious.

Whether gathering the family or slipping in for a more intimate supper, diners find a warm welcome and a true taste of Italy’s Inner West. Book in, bring an appetite, and let Aperitivo do the talking - one moreish mouthful at a time.