Bar Totti's

The original Totti’s, a modern Italian eatery out the back of an old-school pub in Bondi, proved so popular that Merivale opened this second iteration in the CBD. It brings together the best bits of the OG restaurant – signature pastas, seasonal classic drinks, outstanding antipasti and puffy woodfired bread – but with a few of its own tricks after an expansion in November 2021.

The space now encompasses the former Lululemon outlet next door, allowing for more seats inside and al fresco dining on George street. A horsehoe-shaped bar takes centre stage in the back area, while the front room is soaked in natural light thanks to huge windows that look onto George Street.

The addition of a Josper grill sees more large format protein dishes grace the menu, including wood-roasted whole fish, hefty steaks [such as a 1.5-kilogram Brooklyn Valley rib-eye] and whole lobster specials.

Otherwise, the antipasti selection offers more than 20 options, including kingfish crudo, ’nduja and housemade burrata. Pasta mainstays include the lamb ragu pappardelle and the chitarra with vongole and zucchini. And Totti's popular desserts, including its tiramisu and Neapolitan ice-cream sandwiches are here as well.

Totti’s is open until 2am from Thursday to Saturday, often with DJs playing retro Italian tunes in the bar as diners graze on antipasti and sip wines from the tidy list of mainly Italian varietals. It’s one of several polished eateries in Merivale’s ever-expanding Ivy precinct, making it a tough choice between Jimmy’s Falafel, Mumu and Felix for a fun yet refined dinner in town.