Team Faves - In the know: top dishes to order at our favourite restaurants in Sydney

Part of the Dedes Group, this fabulous waterfront venue is located on one of Australia's oldest working boatyards. Deckhouse Cafe is be open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Head Chef Paul Hamilton has a wealth of culinary experience and puts his creative flair into all the dishes at the cafe and function centre. High tea is available for groups of 10 or more.

Verace Pizzeria is located in Macquarie Park, 20 minutes drive north west of Sydney.

The Italian restaurant focuses on serving delicious pizzas as well as pasta and other Italian delicacies.

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Da Orazio in Bondi Beach serves pasta, woodfired pizza, desserts and more. Also famous for its Porchetta sandwiches, made from 18 hour slow roasted pork, a delicacy in Rome.

Lunch Saturday and Sunday from 12pm and dinner daily from 5pm

Photography: Derek Henderson

When in Randwick…eat as the Roman’s do at Baccomatto Osteria, a casual Italian eatery the whole family will enjoy. The menu reads like a short novella, with several anti pasta combinations to get the meal started, followed by fresh pasta dishes handmade daily and Roman pizza’s made from stone milled biodynamic flour. The contrast of warm timber furnishings, grey muted walls and just the right amount of mood lighting give it a sophisticated and modern vibe, perfect for groups and date night.

Established in the bustling ivy precinct in Sydney, Bar Totti is where you can experience laid-back Italian dining without the air fare. Graze of bread served straight from the wood fire oven with a selection of antipasti before moving onto the mains inspired classic Italian menus. Just like it’s big brother in Bondi, the bar is a minimal, stripped back, chic decor with rich timbers and windows that look onto the comings and goings of George Street. Great for groups or a romantic bite to eat

From the owners of Balmain's favourite pizzeria, Rosso Pomodoro, Giancarlo Bazzaocchi and Ketty Laffi have teamed up with the former chef of Amarcord to open Osteria Riva. While the menu sadly won't be featuring pizza, their home-made pasta will be in high demand.

Nestled on the ever popular Cleveland Street is Darlington's Kindred, a cosy Italian cuisine inspired restaurant on the city's fringe. A small and refined menu see's a focus on seasonality and rustic dishes of terrine, ricotta and chard ravioli and moorish rich desserts. Applying the chef's multiskills diners will find the pasta, butter, and other specialties are all made on site adding to the farmhouse in the city vibe.