LOCATIONClose to the Crown and Campbell Street intersection; five minutes’ walk from Oxford Street.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIf the packed interior and pizza-gorging punters jostling for space on the public bench outside are any indication, Dimitri’s is one popular little pizzeria. Opened in 1975, this old gem is treasured by Surry Hills locals who fill the interior every night of the week, making use of the BYO policy with bags of beers and bottles. Passing by the Crown Street digs of an evening, the aromas coming from the pizza oven are enough to send an empty stomach into rapture. Owner-chef Dave Thompson reigns the petite dining room, its kitsch and quirky garb reflecting the restaurant’s long tenure in the industry. An eclectic array of paintings and postcards dot the maroon-slicked and wood-panelled walls, as the resident goldfish eyes off the delights on the plates.
Keeping in favour with the regulars, the Dimitri’s menu stands its ground, offering the same list year in and year out. A tempting collation of pizza options – ranging from vegetarian to continental and American to Australian (egg, anyone?) – is accompanied by sidekicks of pasta, salad and lasagne. The Dimitri’s Special – featuring a tasty collaboration of tomato, cheese, ham, cabanossi, pepperoni, onion, capsicum and mushrooms – is the restaurant’s signature pizza and available in three sizes. Baklava and coffee make for a sweet ending while you soak up the Crown Street parade. Dimitri’s 30 seats can’t be booked, so if the restaurant is full take your slice on home.
Lauren Barker