Matteo Downtown

The Verdict

If Matteo Double Bay is the mature and relaxed Italian eatery, then Matteo Downtown in the Sydney CBD is the outgoing, sassy younger sister who makes everyone do shots. 

The Adored Group, who also run popular drinking holes The Lobo Plantation and Kittyhawk, have worked up a thirst for opening venues in the Sydney CBD. While Matteo Double Bay is pizzas and seafood, the Downtown counterpart features earthier, richer dishes from northern Italy. 

There’s an “express” menu for very-busy-lots-on office types who still like to eat well. There will be paninis and focaccias with classic Italian fillings, minute steaks and salumi boards. Lucky long lunchers (or dinner-ers) have more luxury options, like the squid ink fregola with seafood, osso bucco with saffron risotto, and linguine vongole with sea urchin. 

Feature walls may be a relic of the 90s, but if they’re made of wine, we’re not complaining. One wall of Matteo Downtown will be lined with 300 bottles of wine, from bold Italian vinos to Australian varietals and pet-nats. 

And helllooooo complimentary snacks. Five days a week, they’ll be hosting apertivo hour(s) from 4–6pm. Order a drink, take a seat, and waitstaff will come around with trays of little snacky bites, featuring “what’s good” from the day. It may be calzone. It may be octopus bites. It may be fried school prawns. Snack surprises are the best surprises. 

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