DOC Pizza

In 2020, renowned Melbourne delicatessen, cafe and pizza purveyor DOC, which has outposts in Carlton, Mornington and Southbank,added a Sydney venue to its expanding empire.

The narrow space is dominated by a curved marble bar, and in the evenings there are standing tables in the adjacent office stairwell if you want or you’re waiting for a table. The cosy window nook overlooking the street is the most coveted spot in the house. The intimate tables – with young olive trees dotted between them – are a good consolation.

There are 14 pizzas on the menu, including DOC favourites such as the Pizza San Daniele (San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella imported from Campania, and San Daniele Prosciutto) and Pizza ai Porcini (wild mushrooms, mozzarella, pecorino and truffle oil). There are two weekly pizza specials written in white chalk on the blackboard (usually one vegetarian and one meat).

Beyond pizza, creamy burrata comes served alongside a colourful medley of fresh tomatoes, and there’s an enticing salumi board with a changeable line-up of cured meats. The pasta menu extends to lasagne done two ways: traditional and vegetarian.

All but two wines on the list are Italian, with a selection of natural wines available too. There’s a short cocktail list that includes the standout Spritz Rabarbaro, which is made with the Italian amaro rabarbaro – proving there’s more to Italian liqueurs than Aperol.