Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain

The CBD’s Fabbrica Pasta Shop has headed west, with a year-long residency inside Balmain’s historic Exchange Hotel opening in February.

The brand’s handmade pasta, signature fluffy focaccia and imported deli selection have been copy-pasted to the pop-up, with a lineup of star dishes that Fabbrica (and sibling venue Ragazzi) regulars will recognise; the spaghetti cacio e pepe, mafaldine with nduja and prawns, conchiglie with spanner crab and corn, and tonnarelli with sea urchin, chilli and garlic. 

There are also cured meats sliced to order, tuna crudo with pasta fritta, and a cotoletta alla Milanese (a step up from your regular pub schnitty).

Similar to the group’s other venues (including wine bars Dear Sainte Eloise and Love, Tilly Devine), the wine list offers a selection of superior terroirs and organic/biodynamic viticulture with a focus on Italy and Australian-grown Italian varieties, while eight copper taps will pour local and international brews.

It’s not their first addition to an existing pub, either; Bar La Salut can be found inside Redern’s Norfolk Hotel, and Studio Vista architect Sarah Watt also worked on the Exchange Hotel pop-up, retaining the 100-year-old pub’s bones (including a grand wooden bar) and adding beige and timber details across the pub’s ground floor, and spilling out onto Beattie and Mullens Street.

Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain is expected to trade for the duration of 2023.

Image credit: Nikki To for Buffet Digital