Da Orazio

When Da Orazio Pizza & Porchetta first landed in Bondi in 2014, it quickly became one of Sydney’s hottest new venues. Its star chef, Orazio D’Elia, sold the restaurant in 2018 and went on to open two Matteo restaurants. He’s since returned to the corner where it all began and has maintained the fun, anything-goes vibe we loved about the original. Both casual and chic at the same time, the space has an Italian beach-club feel and benefits from plenty of natural light and one of the best Italian menus in the eastern suburbs.

Da Orazio has always been known for its leopard-crusted Neapolitan pizzas, and the biga-style fermentation process employed here results in light, fluffy bases that won’t weigh you down. Elsewhere on the menu, signatures include the spicy vodka rigatoni and the focaccia con porchetta, made by layering slices of rotisserie pork, marinated grilled eggplant, and crisp cos lettuce between two pizza breads smeared with mayo and chilli.

Like the original, Da Orazio encourages families to come for an early dinner, with a succinct bambini menu that includes spag bol and margherita pizza for the kids. Those looking for a special-occasion venue in Bondi should consider Da Orazio’s private dining room, which is big enough for 20 people and offers a choice of two signature menus.