Score all-day Italians eats at McMahon’s Points neighbourhood cafe and restaurant, The North Spoon.
This popular local cafe answered the calls of long-standing popularity in the community with its breakfast and lunch menu, and has decided to expand its offering to authentic Italian dining experiences.
Just over the bridge in a lively part of North Sydney, you’ll find The North Spoon tucked in off a leafy and bustling street. With large windows overlooking the street, during the day you can grab a table with a lovely breeze and a prime people-watching vantage point. As you move inside the cafe, you’ll find more private tables and cushioned benches to settle into for a meal. The open breezy atmosphere coupled with a laid back vibe and lots of hanging plants gives the dining room a classic relaxed feeling that Italians are so known for.
The North Spoon has been a firm favourite with locals for lunch and brunch over the past two years serving the likes of sweet potato pancakes and their take on avo toast (which includes labneh, dukkah and a jammy boiled egg). Owned by duo Gareth Naar and Alessandro Sciaccaluga, the pair have a focus on contemporary Australian cuisine infused with Italian flavours, made using quality local ingredients. Their passion for food is clear and this shines through the attentive service. Expect to be greeted by a very enthusiastic Alessandro who ensures you are having a wonderful experience.
It was through Alessandros’ Italian background that the idea of opening for dinner to serve much loved Italian fare was born. In particular, his fond memories of eating Spaghetti allo Scoglio growing up made him nostalgic and he couldn’t find this dish anywhere else on our Aussie shores. The dish, which consists of homemade spaghetti served with a buttery flavoursome sauce of mussels, vongole, prawns, calamari, cherry tomato, white wine, garlic ($28) is one of the best dishes on the menu and definitely appeals if you’re after a comforting home-cooked Italian feed.
To start, you can try dishes like the burrata with tomato and balsamic ($18) which sets the tone for many of the dishes to follow, very simple yet classic. To accompany this curated Italian menu, there is a range of daily specials which change with the season to suit market availability. On this menu, you can find dishes like cold octopus and potato salad.
For quintessential Positano vibes, wash it down with Italy’s favourite aperitif, an Aperol Spritz, or enjoy a glass of wine from the carefully curated Italian and Australian wine list. To finish the evening, you can sip on their homemade limoncello or if you’re keen for something more substantial try the Caramelised Panna Cotta ($12) or classic Tiramisu ($12).
So if you’ve been along to the North Spoon to enjoy breakfast or lunch or find yourself in the area, make sure to mix things up and pop in for a simple and classic comforting dinner.
The North Spoon
Location: 165 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point, NSW, 2060
Hours: Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Dinner delivery available Thursday to Sunday through Deliveroo and DoorDash.
