Pasta Shop

Pasta Shop's owner-chef Paola Toppi cooked alongside her mum Giovanna for three decades at their CBD institution, Machiavelli, which was as well known for its excellent pasta as it was for its people-watching. Machiavelli is closed now, and at Toppi's Potts Point casual diner you might not see a famous face, but you will see the famous, original-recipe Spaghetti Machiavelli on the menu. There's also fusilli crab with lemon cream, spicy rigatoni alla vodka and potato gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. None of the dishes cost more than $30 and to go with the affordable fare, cocktails by Maybe Sammy are under $20.