Leichhardt - The Little Italy of Sydney

A suburban area located in Inner West and 5 kilometres west of CBD, Leichhardt is a place famous for Italian restaurants, confectioneries, espresso bars and intriguing boutiques in Sydney. The region was established in the year 1871, and named after the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt. It is characterised by a sturdy heritage of Europe, with strong roots in the Italian community.

Famous all over New South Wales as the ‘Little Italy’ of Sydney, Leichhardt’s cuisine is simply one of a kind. The food scene can be found primarily around the proximity of Norton Street. The roadway stretching from Lilyfield to Parramatta Road is lined with Italian cafes, trattorias and shops.

For grabbing a bite of Roman-style pizza, Caffe Moretti is the best place in the region to make a booking. Bar Italia and Bar Sport are also among the local favourites for home-style Italian dishes at affordable rates. Nearby is another excellent spot known as the Aperitivo, serving freshly prepared pasta, antipasto and drinks. People with a sweet tooth can try the Mezzapica Cakes situated at Norton Street, offering a variety of sweet items like amaretti biscuits, decadent tortas, crisp cannoli and panzerotti. Another place making it to the never-ending list of eateries in Leichhardt is the Frattini, which is an old family run restaurant providing an intimate and cozy dining space.

Set just behind the Norton Street is the popular Italian Forum, a piazza inspired classically that features trattorias, cafes, shops and galleries. The relaxing ambience of this open space makes it an ideal place for indulging in the al-fresco dining and ‘Mondo Italiano’ experiences of Leichhardt. The Sapore Della Vigna, which is situated near the fountain of Italian Forum, provides some exemplary specials with the traditional Italian delicacies.Besides offering a heaven to foodies, Leichhardt is also not disappointing to a bookworm. The Berkelouw Books’ Wine Bar allows visitors to take away sample wines and a treat of cheese platter while going through the extensive book collection. For a shopping fanatic, there are ample shopping hubs on Flood Street. There is also a cinema hall on Norton Street known as the Palace Cinema, which screens the latest world, mainstream and art films.In close proximity of the Leichhardt, there are several lodging facilities offering budget accommodation in Sydney. Thus, after a day of adventure in the streets of Little Italy, travellers can conveniently lodge in at a suitable and affordable motel or inn.