Missed out on European summer? Here are the best Italian restaurants in Sydney that will have you transported to Italy

A vibrant neighbourhood trattoria located in the heart of Double Bay; we bring the spirit of the Southern Italian lifestyle to Sydney; capturing the flavours, energy and relaxed lifestyle inspired by the Amalfi Coast. Our food concept takes inspiration from the iconic Italian coastline Campania; the birthplace of pizza, and a region where wood-fired fare, fresh mozzarella, locally-grown tomatoes and seafood are at the heart of dining.

Lunch Friday-Saturday and dinner Sunday 12pm-10pm

Ormeggio at The Spit, one of Australia’s most progressive Italian restaurants his a  buzzy Italian seafood restaurant with a beautiful cocktail and gelato bar centre stage. Chef Alessandro, Victor and team have completely reinvented themselves. Expect high quality sustainable seafood, great cocktails, some very fun desserts and those same knockout water views.  Choose from the a la carte menu, or the Ormeggio Signature set menu. Their more casual restaurant Chiosco adjoins Ormeggio.

Photography: Courtesy of Ormeggio at The Spit

Affectionately named after the owner's nonna, Lulu La Delizia in Subiaco, is all about embracing fresh, regional delights inspired by the Friuli and the Venetian spice route in Italy. A small bespoke eatery and wine bar, this is a place that full of friends deep in conversation over a glasses of wine and shared plates of cheese, meats and preserved vegetables. Pasta is the main menu attraction and features dishes like the impressive looking squid ink bigoli in salsa with a smoked fish crumb.

Hospitality heavyweight Ronnie Di Stasio, of Di Stasio in St Kilda, brings CBD dwellers his classic Italian fare at his latest inner city restaurant. The 94-seater, located at the Milan end of Spring Street in Melbourne’s CBD, just opposite the Treasury Gardens, has a similar vibe to its older sibling with brushed concrete and marble finishings but of course the draw card is the fuss-free, flavour-packed food. Their a la carte menu available Monday to Wednesday for lunch only, dinner is a set menu, see web site for details

Capriccio offers casual, modern Italian fare at its best. Whilst there is no shortage of Mediterranean restaurants on Norton Street in Leichhardt, Capriccio is possibly the first restaurant in Sydney to serve wood fired paninis, delectably baked to order in 3 minutes. The menu also features a classic selection of pastas, porchetta and seafood dishes. The vibrant crockery, imported exclusively from the home of ceramics on the Amalfi coast, are the finishing touches to the ultimate Italian dining experience.

Lunch Saturday-Sunday and dinner Tuesday-Sunday 

Italian cucina Osteria Oggi is located in Adelaide CBD, which is perfect because there's nothing like a plate of artisanal pasta to cheer you up after a long day in the office. Pasta is the specialty here and it's made in the basement by a team of ladies working on a marble table in the cellar. Expect light, simple flavours and melt-in-in-your-mouth pastas and gnocchis. There is also a substantial list of small plates for sharing.

Caffe e Cucina, an intimate Italian restaurant is a long-running success story on South Yarra's busy Chapel Street. The eatery has been around since 1988 and Melbournites depend on its presence when they're craving Nonna's kitchen. The interior is happily cramped, with big posters, awards and mementos plastered on the walls, a large and busy bar area and small tables tucked wherever possible.