This place survives on reputation alone. Used to serve up the best coffee and average pasta at a great price, now the coffee is average at best and the pasta is average and overpriced. The only good thing is the gelato.

strolling down Norton St on a Sunday evening is always a treat when you can stop of Bar Italia for a coffee & a gelato.
Pistacho is my favourite with coconut a close 2nd.
They also do great traditional pasta dishes ... service is quick & with a smile :)
Order inside & then find your table & relax, you will have your meal in no time & I promise it will be tasty.
Prices are totally reasonable too.

Approximate cost: $12

Fantastic and fast pasta, chicken and veal. Also great home-made gelato. Need to order at the counter. Cash only. Lovely shady courtyard out the back. BYO. I've been coming here for over 20 years.

Approximate cost: $18

It's not a fancy looking place. You order at the counter and the menu is on boards on the walls. But the food is yummy and it arrives quickly. It's good homestyle Italian with no frills.

Yummy grilled octopus and generous pasta make this place to my taste. They have an ice cream bar and it's nice to eat there before or after the movies because they are quite quick with the service.

Approximate cost: $15

They have great pasta and pizza I have tried.I normally go for lunch there and they are quick and yummy.

Approximate cost: $20

Easily the best coffee in Leichhardt. They are very no nonense about their coffee — no skim milk, no soy. And the staff are almost rude at times. But I still go there nearly daily since the coffee rules. The food is good too, nice simple Italian style, and if you've a sweet tooth try the Marscapone, it is amazing.

Approximate cost: $9

Good old italian food. Nothing super special about this place but its great value you for money. i think they are doing it up at the moment i used to go here as a kid a fantastic family venue.

probably over-rated as far as the food goes but it is a pleasant atmosphere in a great suburb and with fair prices. great for a relaxed family meal

We love the fast talking, no fuss, no smiles service you get at Bar Italia. It's like the Soup Nazi (ref. to Sienfield) of the pasta strip. Menus are photocopied and easy to follow, they are happy to take requests (ie: Sicilliana with Gnocchii extra chilli, no anchovies, double capers) as long as you know exactly what you want when ordering.

A huge plate of pasta is $16, add $2 and they'll make it a large (big enough to share) - the salads are pricey but divine, and they never skimp on avocado and olives.

Bread is fresh and butter is soft. Water is self serve at the counter, but they also have soft drinks, italian drinks and tea/coffees etc, no soy, no light milk, no fuss!

A lot of people complain because of there Soup Nazi attitude, but really it's essential for the smooth running of the place. The queue is always at least 5 people long, but they take orders and pump food out as fast as possible, I've never waited more than 8 minutes for a plate to come out - and they always bring everything out at the same time.

We are Bar Italia fans, you either love it there or you hate it. But one thing is for sure - if you're human, you won't be able to go past the Gelato! Gianormous servings, and a great variety of flavours - my vote to the Tiramissu, Bannana and the Panna Cota. So yum!

Approximate cost: $16