Primi Italian

4.8(4845)

168 Clarence St, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000

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Services:Dine-In

Good ValueGenerous ToppingsFast ServiceFamily FriendlyOpen Late

Why Choose Primi Italian?

Primi Italian earns its reputation through house-made pasta and fresh Italian cooking that rivals Italian originals. The team consistently delivers fast, attentive service in a busy, welcoming dining room, worth booking ahead, especially for a special evening.

About Primi Italian

Primi Italian is the kind of Italian restaurant in Sydney, New South Wales that people genuinely look forward to returning to. The consensus around the city is that this is authentic Italian cooking with an Australian character, built on fresh Australian ingredients, and the dine-in experience is what keeps the tables full. Regulars come back for the house-made pasta in particular, with dishes like the blue swimmer crab ravioli, the rigatoni lamb ragu with slow-cooked lamb, and rotating specials such as the squid ink spaghetti and chef's lobster pasta all earning plenty of love. One local even reckoned the food was better than what they'd eaten in Italy, which tells you something.

The staff here get mentioned warmly again and again. Names like Aurora, Emanuele, Alice, Selina Gina, Cherry, Kon and Maggie come up often, with people describing service that is warm, attentive and genuinely professional. It's a spot where young kids are made to feel welcome, where the team happily guides you on portion sizes rather than pushing you to over-order, and where birthdays and special occasions get that extra bit of care. Several people have mentioned how quick and smooth the service is, even when the place is packed.

Families find it an easy choice, with little touches like the Nutella pizza dessert winning over the kids. The decor draws comment too, from the wine wall to the cosy, busy atmosphere that makes it feel like a proper night out. It's open late into the evening most days, though it's a good idea to check the hours first, as the week has its own rhythm.

A fair word of warning: more than one local notes that prices sit on the higher side, though most feel the quality makes it worth it. If you're planning a visit, a booking is a smart idea, because tables fill fast.

Location

Italian Style Garlic Or Herb Bread
$8
Warm Bread
Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil & 10Y Aged Balsamico di Modena
$12
Tomato Bruschetta
Cherry tomatoes, basil & onion served on a woodfired Ciabatta (3 pcs)
$16
Vegetarian Arancini
Crispy Sicilian rice balls stuffed with vegetables, provolone & buffalo mozzarella cheese served in spicy arrabbiata sauce
$26
Zucchini Flowers
Stuffed with ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs and served with lemon aioli
$28
Calamari Fritti
Crispy NZ baby calamari served with homemade lemon aioli
$27
Napoli Garlic Prawns
Sauteed Queensland prawns cooked in San Marzano Napolitona Sugo
$28
Garlic Prawns
Sauteed Queensland prawns cooked in Garlic butter sauce
$28
Prosciutto & Burrata
24 months aged Prosciutto di San Daniele paired with handcrafted burrata, finished with EVOO
$29
Wagyu Bresaola & Burrata
Wagyu bresaola paired with handcrafted burrata & wild rocket, finished with EVOO
$29
Bomba Pizza Puff
With a three cheese, roasted capsicum and chilli dip
$25
Antipasto
24month aged prosciutto, salami, triple smoked ham, mortadella, mixed olives, cheeses, roasted vegetables & house bread
$27
Antipasto To Share
for 2
$52

Salad

Insalata Mista
Mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives with aged balsamic vinegar & EVOO
$18
Insalata Caprese
Vine ripened tomato, Italian buffalo mozzarella, basil leaves,& lightly dressed with EVOO
$32
Rocket Parmesan Salad
Wild rocket leaf, shaved parmesan cheese, aged balsamic & EVOO
$10
Grilled Prawn Salad
Local giant prawns a bed of mix leaf salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes and orange vinaigrette
$32

Gourmet Pizza

Cosa Nostra
San Marzano tomato sauce, prawns, chorizo, Calabrian chilli & fior di latte cheese
$39
Diavola
San Marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte, homemade chilli salami, bocconcini, basil & oregano
$39

Classic Pizza

Garlic Cheese Crust
Extra virgin olive oil, garlic & a touch of fior di latte cheese
$28
Garlic Crust
Extra virgin olive oil & crushed garlic
$26
Margherita
San Marzano tomato sauce, basil & fior di latte cheese EVOO
$33
Vegetarian
San Marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte,mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, cherry tomato & oregano
$37
Vegan
San Marzano tomato sauce, vegan cheese, mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, cherry tomato & oregano
$38
Capri
San Marzano tomato sauce, mild salami, Italian sausage, mushrooms, olives & fior di latte cheese
$37
Calabrese
San Marzano tomato sauce, hot salami, wood fired pepper, olives & fior di latte
$36
Capricciosa
San Marzano tomato sauce, ham, mushrooms, artichokes, olives & fior di latte cheese
$35
Prosciutto Di San Daniele
San Marzano Tomato sauce, prosciutto, wild rocket, fior di latte & parmesan
$39
Marinara
San Marzano Tomato sauce, prawns, calamari, baby octopus, garlic, chili & fior di latte
$39
Sicilian Meat Lover
San Marzano Tomato sauce, double smoked ham, Italian sausage, mild salami, & fior di latte cheese
$37
Pizza Al Pollo
San Marzano Tomato sauce, chicken, mushrooms, onion, wood fired pepper, oregano & fior di latte cheese
$36
Supreme
San Marzano Tomato sauce, mild salami, Italian sausage, bacon, wood fired pepper, olives, mushrooms & fior di latte cheese
$39

Mains

Penne Arrabiata
Saute'd chilli, basil, cherry tomatoes in EVOO finished with San Marzano Napolitana sugo
$36
Linguine Gamberi
Sauteed Queensland prawns, lime, chilli, white wine, cherry tomato, & tossed in rocket leaf
$39
Rigatoni Lamb Ragu
12-hour slow cooked Gipssland lamb in San Marzano Napolitana sugo & red wine sauce
$39
Spaghetti Wagyu Bolognese
Wagyu beef ragu alla bolognese slow cooked in San Marzano Napolitana sugo
$40
Penne Siciliane
Sauteed Queensland prawns, Nduja, basil, chilli & San Marzano Napolitana sugo
$39
Linguine Del Pescatore
Mussels, prawn, calamari & vongole with hint of chilli in San Marzano Napolitana sugo
$43
Blue Swimmer Crab Ravioli
Signature dish HBlue swimmer crab & prawn meat ravioli with sautéed baby spinach & Pernod Beurre Blanc sauce
$40
Risotto Marinara
Acquerello rice, Queensland prawns, mussels, scallop & baby calamari with in San Marzano Napolitana sugo
$44
Lobster Pie
WithWestern Rock lobster, NZ Fresh snapper, rich fish veloute & mashed potato
$52
Grilled Fish Of The Day
With seasonal roasted vegetables & Lemon capers Blanc
$49
Lamb Osso Bucco D Agnello
Slow cooked in Vino Rosso Cowra Nsw lamb ossobuco, seasonal chunky vegetables & creamy mashed potato
$48
Chicken Scaloppine
Pan fried, chicken breast in mushroom sauce with creamy mashed potato & baby carrots
$43
York Bistecca
Riverina Angus sirloin steak served with caramelized baby onion, truffle mashed potato & choice of sauce
$48
Eye Bistecca
Riverina Angus tenderloin steak with rosemary chat potato, broccolini & choice of sauce
$59

Add-on

Hand Cut Chips
$9
Sweet Potato Chips
$9
Mash Potato
$9
Roasted Vegetables
$10
Garden Salad
$9
Steamed Broccolini
$10

View full menu →

Menu as published at primiitalian.com.au on 21 October 2026. Prices change; confirm with the shop.

What Customers Say on Google

Taste

“The food was absolutely superb! We were lucky enough to try the chef's special pasta with lobster today, and it was outstanding.”

Speed

“I was there very early close to opening for dinner and for me service was extremely quick. Food and drinks came out seamlessly and timely and service was constant quick and polite.”

Taste

“Everything had so much flavour and you can tell it's all been made with love and perfection.”

Source: Google Reviews

Community Comments

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Frequently Asked Questions About Primi Italian

: Primi Italian is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30am to 9pm, and Friday to Saturday from 11:30am to 9:30pm, staying open later on weekends for dine-in guests. It's closed on Sundays. Given how busy the tables get, especially on weekend evenings, booking ahead is a smart move if you want a seat.
: Primi Italian is set up for dine-in, so the focus is on sitting down and enjoying the full restaurant experience rather than quick collection or delivery. If you're after pickup or delivery options, it's best to call the restaurant directly to check what they can arrange.
: The menu covers classic and gourmet styles, including Margherita, Vegetarian, Vegan and Capri on the classic side, plus options with garlic cheese crust or garlic crust. Gourmet picks include the Cosa Nostra and the Diavola for those after something with more kick. Diners highlight generous toppings and good value across the board.
: Yes, it's noted as family friendly, with diners mentioning young kids being made to feel welcome and well looked after by the staff. The dining room has a cozy, busy atmosphere with decor including a wine wall, and service is consistently described as fast and attentive, even on full nights.
: Beyond the pizza menu, Primi Italian is well known locally for its house-made pasta, including blue swimmer crab ravioli, rigatoni lamb ragu and rotating specials like squid ink spaghetti and chef's lobster pasta. Starters like vegetarian arancini, calamari fritti and tomato bruschetta are popular too, alongside salads such as insalata caprese and grilled prawn salad.