Sella

Housed within the Newmarket dining precinct in Randwick, Sella feels a bit like a suburban secret, stacked with around 350 bottles of hard-to-find Italian, local, and international wines—and a delicious Sardian menu to match. 

Behind it all is restauranteur Fabio Dore, who you might know from Balmain’s One Ford Street. In 2024, Dore relaunched Sella with its now-Sardian focus, making it one of only a handful of spots where you can try true Sardian fare. 

While shopping or sipping your way through hundreds of lesser-known wines might be a drawcard—you need to stick around and stay a while for head chef and Sardinian native Stefano Gaspa's impressive menu of snacks, share plates, and heartier dishes.

Begin with fried artichoke with bottarga, broad bean, and pecorino croquettes, and Sardinian sausage with broccoli rabe and scamorza. Pastas include a malloreddus with pork sausage ragu, saffron and pecorino and a seafood fregola. 

"We are endlessly inspired by our sun-drenched homeland and the fruits of the sea and mountains that have shaped the depth of flavour in Sardinian food," says Dore. "I am so happy to be able to bring the food of my land and the food of my grandmother's kitchen to Sella, for our friends and customers to enjoy."

Meanwhile, the cellar does lean into a lot of Italian varietals, but you'll also find Aussie natural and organic wines, and off-the-beaten-path French and Spanish drops. When we visit, Dore steers us towards a Coteaux du Vendômois from the Loire Valley, which is a blend of Pineau d'Aunis, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. 

The bar and bottleshop were designed by Tim Leveson Interiors (the same team that created the sleek emerald-hued Employees Only).

Interesting details are everywhere—like steely blue tiles that frame the bar and the bold marble terrazzo, which is a mosaic of large marble offcuts, stretching across the floor. Meanwhile, deep blue leather, antique lamps, brass, and pops of glowing mustard in the shop keep the space warm. 

Now, check out more of Sydney's best wine bars. 

Image credit: Sella | Supplied