Excellent food. I was able to get in without a booking, but that’s because I came early on a Thursday. I sat at the small front bar, but there were seats available if I had wanted one. I ordered a spinach and fig salad plus a goats curd tortellini. They were both delicious. Trendy atmosphere, beautiful lighting. The staff was attentive without being pushy. I saw online that they were well known for a great wine list, so that was a selling point. I should have figured this out before I went in, but I assumed they would have an extensive Aussie wine list. But of course, it’s an Italian restaurant, so it actually has mostly Italian wines. I had one glass of a very good Sangiovese. I’m normally a fast eater, but this food was too good not to savor. I found myself pausing to enjoy the burnt sage butter on the tortellini. The pasta was perfectly al dente. The dressing on the spinach and fig salad was a bit sweet at first, mostly because I wasn’t expecting it. But it worked with the figs and I grew accustomed to it, though they poured it on a bit heavy. I’l remember to ask for it lighter or on the side next time. I didn’t discover the back room until I had finished my meal, but the restaurant is laid out like a train car, one room behind the other.
Pierre J.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Antonio, TX
Bold, refined takes on traditional Italian, with no pretentiousness and no apologies. Small, cozy venue with lovely touches throughout which turn the meal into an event. Great wine list, knowledgeable staff, fantastic food.
Caroline M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Canberra, Australia
Overpriced and overseasoned. The menu left us unimpressed but it really was the environment which left us wanting more. Packed and loud with back to back seating made for an uncomfortable dinner date. Upside — nice servers and wine list.
Anna F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Sydney, Australia
I can’t fault this sister/brother restaurant of Mezzalira. The décor and vibe is just a little bit more casual/laid back than Mezzalira. Also, although I didn’t try them, Italian and Sons appears to specialise in pizzas and pastas(which looked and smelt amazing!) I went for one of the many main dish specials and got the cone bay barramundi with eggplant. I did end up ordering the green beans once the dish came out, as it wasn’t quite big enough on its own for me, but the beans came very quickly — 2 mins I reckon! These guys always have a main dish of the night and then additional fish, pasta, meat specials. All sounded delish. I finished with the honey pannacotta with wine poached pear which was very yummy. The wait staff were very attentive and filled up my water with regular precision! Also, FYI, I was with a person in a wheelchair and the enter acne was around the back but easy enough to get to.
Andrej B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Avalon Beach, Australia
This has to be the best Italian restaurant in Canberra. Love it. The food is amazing and the ambient is cozy. It can get a bit loud in there, but this is part of the Italian fun :)
Andrew B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brighton, Australia
This is the best restaurant in Canberra. The food is beyond amazing. Each night has a special in addition to the regular menu. We went on Tuesday and the wood fired pork was too good for words. The goat was also spectacular. Great food great atmosphere and the service is attentive and friendly. Do not miss it if in Canberra.
Aaron C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Canberra, Australia
Definitely one of the best places to dine in Civic. The staff is friendly but not overbearing and the ambience just perfect for a slightly upmarket Italian restaurant. I don’t understand the ongoing queues outside Jamie’s Italian when this is the real deal. Perfectly al dente pasta, imaginative toppings and I would definitely recommend the endives!
David L.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Australia
No complaints about food — top quality. I felt the tables were a little close together and the vibe wasn’t as relaxed as I usually like. Maybe it was just that the waiter seemed to have a higher opinion of himself than his clientele.
Brian M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Braddon, Australia
Arrived late(10pm) on a wet Saturday night. Restaurant was still full and pumping. Started by sharing a selection of antipasti(ocean trout, zucchini flowers and carpaccio) all three were delicious the trout being the pick of the three for the whole table. For mains I had the plate of the day(braised milk feed lamb) and it was perfection! Meltingly soft lamb, perfectly seasoned and a very generous portion. Chocolate torte for dessert was also excellent and generous though perhaps a little sweet. Service was faultless. Living less then 100 meters away I think I may have found my new local!
James A.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Palo Alto, CA
There are few things better in life than a good Italian restaurant, si? Happily, Italian & Sons pulls it off really well. The food is great; the staff are friendly and the setting works really well for sitting down and sharing a great meal. One of my favourite parts of the experience is the revolving weekly specials. It’s a different special each day of the week, and they’re the same between weeks, so you can go different days and get a different experience each time. They’ve got some great food on there. You do pay for it, however. At the price point they’re in at, there still is a little je né sais quoi(pulling from their neighbours) needed for 5 stars that they haven’t quite nailed. I think it lies in the entrees and the desserts. They’re good… but they’re not quite spectacular. Still, I’m sure you’ll find me back there on a regular basis. It’s really good.
Susie A.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Australia
Wow, I love this place. Its what a good Italian feed should be. No fuss and all about the food. I was first taken here by two friends who are in the food industry and they know what what they are doing. Its fine Italian dining. The pizza is outrageously good, fine crust and delicate toppings like potato and rosemary. The blackboard menu changes depending on which night you choose. I love Tuesday, and why wouldn’t you, its suckling pig. There are always seasonal changes depending on whats fresh, like figs wrapped in prosciutto. There are two sittings-one at 6.30 another at 8.30 There is a great little bar to have that pre dinner apéritif if the table is not ready. The service is always friendly and efficient, with views of the chefs in the open kitchen working their magic. The deserts are great too, with old favourites like pannacotta and tiramisu. Or finish you’re meal with a palette cleaning gelato. No BYO but the imported wine list is extensive with a maitre d’ who is willing and very knowledgable. I love this place.
Mick A.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Sydney, Australia
An outstanding dining experience… this restaurant has a real feel that starts when you walk through the door. The welcome is always warm and you can always start with a drink at the bar. The menu has a fixed element with a range of ‘antipasti’…the two standouts for us were the ocean trout with horseradish and fennel, and the wood fired crystal bay prawns with garlic… for a different starting option there are a range of wonderful cured meats and if you are looking for a great Pizza, you have a choice between the ‘bianca’ or ‘rossa’…our favourite is the potate, stracchino, scarmoza, rosemary & pancetta. And then there are the specials of the night, Monday to Saturday. Friday is the night I look forward to with the fish of day, last time it was barramundi… so good. My partner preferred Tuesday nights special the wood roast suckling pig, rosemary, garlic, baked baby fennel and mustard fruits… The desert or the ‘dolci’ finish off a great night. try the tira mi su or if you like cheese, there is an excellent Italian range. The wine list is largely Italian… it is well priced and a good quality. Now there is an important part to booking — there are broadly two sittings each night, one starting around 6.30 and the second around 8. If you want a great night of relaxed dining this is one of Canberra’s best.