Restaurant Review -An Authentic Slice of Naples in the Heart of Sydney
Posted by the ST Food Guide Editor Axel Ritenis on Friday 17 April,2026
Rating: ★★★★★
As someone who has traveled to Italy frequently as a guest of the Italian Trade Commission and served as a wine judge at the Concorso Enologico del Mondo in Verona a couple of times,.. I don’t throw around praise for Cucina Italiana or Italian restaurants lightly -I exercise a very high benchmark for authenticity—and Antica Pizzeria Da Michele on Pitt Street absolutely nailed it.
This wasn’t just a meal; it was a reunion in Italy LOL! I was dining with an old barrister mate—(with whom I went through detective training in the AFP), ….so there was plenty to catch up on. It was a “magic” Autumn day; the weather was perfect and Sydney was truly buzzing.
I truly relish the energy of a great restaurant. The interior is dominated by sleek marble and filled with a noisy, enthusiastic crowd. The staff were excellent, and the waiters are quintessentially Italian.
I started with a Campari Soda, a welcome dry change from the Aperol Spritzes of summer. My colleague Michael relished the Peroni,.. We moved on to a classic Burratta and high-quality Prosciutto on a bed of Insalata, served with wood-fired pizza foccacia that had that perfect char and chew. The house Pinot Grigio was “perfetto”!
The Paccheri alla Genovese was outstanding. The large tube pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, holding up beautifully against the savory, slow-braised Angus cheek and the sweetness of the caramelized onion sauce.
It’s a soulful, traditional dish done with real integrity.
The star of the table, however, was the “humongous” Pizza. Loaded with rich formaggio, earthy European Cep mushrooms, and the unmistakable aroma of Tartufo (truffle), it was a masterclass in decadent flavors. We paired this with a nicely balanced, intense Montepulciano, which was a perfect match and a lovely, fresh side salad provided the perfect crunch.
Dolce
We finished the afternoon with the best TiramisusI’ve ever had. It was remarkably light, with the cream not being at all overwhelming, followed by expertly made Espressos although my request for a Doppia didn’tt quite mataerialize .
Finding a “fabulous” food experience like this in Sydney is a major win. Between the top-tier hospitality and the walk down memory lane with an “old mate,” it was a flawless afternoon and we were both busy planning our next trips to the Amalfi Coast in pursuit of the magnificent Campania wines and a look at Pompei.
When you can find an experience this authentic right here in the heart of Sydney,you are laughing,..so this was a bit of compensation for not being able to attend the Italian Wine Trade Fair in Verona held over these days.
