Italian, but not as you know it, and all the better for it at Bar Lettera.
Tucked inside the Citadines Walker North Sydney hotel, Bar Lettera feels less like a headline-grabbing opening and more like the kind of place you hear about through a friend who “knows a spot.” It’s understated, a little bit unexpected, and very quickly becoming one of those venues locals quietly claim as their own.
At the centre of it all is chef Ryan Perry, whose background at Sydney heavyweights like The Bridge Room and Momofuku Seiobo is evident. The menu leans Italian at its core, but there’s a distinctly Australian looseness to it. It’s less about tradition for tradition’s sake, more about what works on the plate.
Start with the bread (we promise you won't regret it). From there, the pastas carry the menu, balancing comfort with just enough edge to keep things interesting. Think rich ragus, seasonal touches, and textures that land exactly where they should. And then there’s the tiramisu, a must-order, no overthinking required.
The space, designed by Jordan Design Studio, follows the same line. Clean, warm and pared back, with subtle references to North Sydney’s artistic history. It’s set up for both quick stops and longer dinners without feeling overly formal. You could drop in for a quick glass of wine or settle in for a long dinner, and either way, it works.
The drinks list follows suit. European wines sit alongside Australian drops, echoing the menu’s cross-continental approach, while negronis are the hero from a cocktail perspective.
Bar Lettera is the kind of place you return to, not because it’s loud about what it’s doing, but because it gets the details right. A hidden gem, in the truest sense.
Quick Bites
Offers & Regulars
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NEGRONI HOUR
Available Mon - Fri 3pm - 6pm. North Sydney's Best Aperitivo Hour. $15 Signature Negronis, $8 Antopasti Plates, $2 Oysters, $8 Beers and $12 Wines.
Supplied by Bar Lettera -
Wheel Night
Available every Wednesday from 5pm. Rome’s oldest pasta dishes: Cacio e Pepe from the wheel $39pp.
Supplied by Bar Lettera -
Express Lunch
Available Mon - Fri | 12-3pm. $49 express set menu served in under an hour. Signature Lettera Bread + Choice of Main + Side.
Supplied by Bar Lettera