Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Sydney
  4. Eastern Suburbs
  5. Paddington
Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea, Paddington, AU-NSW

Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea

4.4
4.4
42 reviews
$A101 and over
Sicilian
Here at Zafferano, we like to keep things a little old school, from sourcing to serving, our key values remain.
Simone, the Head Chef and co-owner of Zafferano grew up inside the kitchen of his family's restaurant in Porticello, Sicily and brings that passion and authenticity to his food.
We combine local, fresh, seasonal ingredients with passion and tradition, to create a menu that is endlessly devoted to flavour and quality. We have a love for food, for the whole experience. We believe in celebrating just how powerful food can be, from the seed to the plate. Because connection through food is our mission.
Our space is intimate with only 38 seats and the overall vibe of the restaurant really transports you to Sicily with an outdoor courtyard that feels like a traditional Italian piazza.
We have a few signature dishes however the Risotto Marinara & Spaghetti Marinara are definitely at the for front of our menu.

Make a booking

2 people

19:00


Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Sicilian, Italian, Mediterranean

  • Hours of Operation

    Wed–Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    0406 681 050

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Business Casual

  • Executive Chef

    Simone Crivello

Experiences

  • Sicilian Festa Set Menu

    A$85.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    For tables of 6 or more we do a Sicilian Festa Shared Set Menu. A Traditional Sicilian Menu designed for sharing. A selection of Antipasti, pastas, risottos, salads, sides and desserts will be placed down the centre of the table in our traditional Sicilian platters and bowls for you to serve yourself. Let the flavours, the atmosphere and the decor transport you to beautiful Sicily for the day or night.

What 42 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseEnergetic

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Eastern Suburbs

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Eastern Suburbs

    Great for fine wines

  • Eastern Suburbs

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Eastern Suburbs

    Vegetarian-friendly

Sort by

  1. Eloise

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing meal with great service! Will be back again for sure!
  2. michelled

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 May 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely trattoria serving delicious fresh Italian with great service. Mussels a must..!
  3. Nick

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 May 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a beautiful Sicilian experience! Everything was on point. The Agnello Fritto was the best I've ever eaten!
  4. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 May 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic! Great food and great service! Couldn’t be more happy with our visit. Will definitely be back again!
  5. LisaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 May 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I arranged a largish table to eat at 8 (second sitting) after an event. It was a tasting menu with variation for guests with various requirements and tastes. I particularly chose this restaurant as a comfortable and friendly venue without excessive noise and an intimate ambience where my guests could converse and enjoy quality food. The staff consulted me extensively on their needs and dealt with our peculiarities with aplomb. The food was delicious and a number of guests said they loved it and will be back. I could have handled expectations better as the host, I had one guest who expected more quantity on courses and I had arranged smaller tasting serves but that’s on me! I look forward to returning, perhaps on pasta Wednesday! Thanks to the floor and kitchen staff.
  6. Dominika

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 13 May 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and wine. The service was impeccable . I don’t know the name of the girl (with the hair plat) she was amazing!
  7. SydneySlinger

    Los Angeles

    22 reviews

    2.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on 12 May 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    Sadly our expectations weren’t met compared to the reviews that we read before booking. Firstly, I’ve never been served espresso martinis in a tumbler type of glass. Sure you can have your own uniqueness but a cocktail glass would have been appropriate. We started with the mussels and eggplant dishes. The mussels were drowned in a garlic sauce, so much so, the flavor of the mussels did not exist. For portion size it would have been lucky to be 300grams of mussels and at $40+ for a plate, value was not there. If you took out the mussels, you had a beautiful garlic soup with crusty bread. Well again with the eggplant, the tomato sauce was overpowering. . It was so overpowering you couldn’t taste the eggplant. Finally, we shared a seafood risotto. Again it was killed with tomato. The flavor of seafood was missing. The food lacked the subtlety to enjoy the ingredients. I’m always in for trying and finding new places, however this is one on the do not return list.
  8. GrantL

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 12 May 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Charming local trattoria with beautifully cooked and presented Sicilian-based meals. Sensible portions. Good wine list by the glass. Sat outside so very quiet (other than traffic noise). Very pleasant service, lovely ambience. Will definitely go back.
  9. PennyL

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 May 2023

    overall2food4service3ambience3
    Food was good however similar quality is available in other eateries for less. $48 for a prawn pasta was too expensive. And the red wine at $24 a glass - and only a singke portion- was excessive.
  10. KateM

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 4 May 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Too expensive for what it is. Beautiful local bistro atmosphere, nice food and service but extremely expensive. Bottles of wine start at $75-100. It should be the type of place you return to often but we will not be going back. Pasta, salad and wine should not cost 💲 275 for two people!
  11. JohnFL

    Sydney

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 April 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Only served limited pasta dishes. Cramped seating. Food OK. Wines overpriced. Service very cheery and helpful.
  12. LucieW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 April 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was such a lovely meal and evening, thank you so much :)
  13. JasonH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 April 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Italian dining experience and lovely Sicilian Wines.
  14. AnthonyT

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 April 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    The restaurant came highly recommended by a local hotel. It has a cheerful ambience and the standard of service was adequate. Unfortunately an expensive tuna special was served so overcooked as to be very dry and barely edible. This was pointed out to wait staff but no offer of a refund or exchange was made.
  15. Foodblogger1

    Sydney

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 15 April 2023

    overall2food5service5ambience3
    Great food and service, however the portion sizes are extremely small for price charged. at the end of the day it’s a trattoria not fine dining! We left hungry and unsatisfied after spending almost $300 per couple. Extremely disappointing!
  16. RoyG

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 April 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful food and unique wines from Sicily served with brio
  17. AK20

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 April 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food in a lovely space! Really enjoyed the whole experience.
  18. Roganne

    Sydney

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 5 April 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Cosy genuine Italian, great food and service- Wednesday pasta and wine night good value. Wine list imaginative but expensive - need a more accessible house wine?
  19. AndyN

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 April 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing, simple yet delicious! Great experience with Italian food. The atmosphere was awesome. A huge thank you to the staff, particularly Luca and Val. Thanks, guys for your hospitality and for making our experience a memorable one. We'll be back for more yummy food.
  20. LesB

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 2 April 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From start to end everything was incredible. Service amazing. Pasta, seafood and dessert, accompanied by outstanding Sicilian wine, was truly outstanding. Small intimate spot with food that’s fresh and made with love and great skill.
  21. SarahC

    Brighton

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 March 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Lovely relaxed atmosphere with good food and friendly service. Highly recommended.
  22. stephenw

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 31 March 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    This is a lovely place. Food is great, although expensive. The noise level is good. Service is good. Wine list is good.
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We wee really happy
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 18 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible experience with stunning food, dazzling service and great ambience. Owned and run by hugely talented and passionate people x
  25. Delilah

    Sydney

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 March 2023

    overall1food2service4ambience1
    Not what I was expecting at all. Apart from sitting in a very noisy and stuffy dining area, the food was tasteless and very overpriced for what it was. What a hugely disappointing and expensive experience. Needless to say I won’t be returning anytime soon.
  26. Chantelle

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, proper authentic Sicilian Italian food. Best ragu and canoli I’ve ever had. Absolutely love it!
  27. DebG

    Canberra

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 10 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful local Italian. Fabulous food and wonderful staff.
  28. Hsquared

    Toronto

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on 25 February 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Lovely people and a nice street setting. Seafood risotto was good (tomato based) and the salad was nice, but not notable. Six olives in a serving as an antipasto seemed skimpy though the bread was outstanding
  29. belindab

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 February 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely gorgeous restaurant manned by a passionate couple who adore food and have an innate sense of style. This place is unpretentious and honest and one can tell the ingredients are carefully selected and the food is made with love.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 17 February 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The nicest restaurant run by the friendliest people
  31. Chrik

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 11 February 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    Food was good but incredibly bad value for what you got.Would not recommend.
  32. OpenTable Diner

    New South Wales

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 1 February 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Local night on Wednesdays with special pasta and glass of wine for 40$. My local go to!
  33. Megluming

    Adelaide

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 February 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service. Couldn’t ask for more!!
  34. AnneM

    Sydney

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 29 January 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    Living around the corner I have been meaning to try this restaurant for a while. It was a balmy night and lovely to be able to sit outside. The prosecco was not chilled enough. The pasta dishes were delicious and just the right size. However, the portion size, combined with the ok-good service (the owner's interest was elsewhere) and a lovely, but not outstanding venue just does not justify the prices. The food was great though and I would go back if the prices were reviewed. There were a lot of empty tables...
  35. ThanksHD

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 January 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    great food great host and service. would come back again
  36. Sandrad

    Exclusive

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 January 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    the food was extremely expensive for the quality. Unfortunately we are not probably going back there. We went last year and it was reasonably , but not anymore
  37. Jwil

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful service, delicious food, nice vibe. Lovely place to kick back for a long lunch. But be prepared to pay! At high $35 -$42 for a serve of pasta (not too big, not too small) it is overpriced. Mine was a basic tomato and caper spaghetti, the only vegetarian option, and something I regularly cook at home, so not good value for $38! Salads also lovely but very expensive.
  38. LinaK

    Denver

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 10 December 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience5
    I was so excited to try this restaurant but the pasta definitely needed seasoning. Unfortunately the pasta and sauce was unimpressive. As foodie and cook I was deeply disappointed. The eggplant was the best dish.
  39. DavidG

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 December 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We booked for a Wednesday night not knowing it was their special pasta evening. A nice surprise as only $40 for an amazing pasta dish including a glass of wine. Great buzzy atmosphere with personable wait staff coping well on a really busy night.
  40. Maggie

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Being a Sicilian i loved the food!! Mostly the typical Cannolo siciliano. But it wasn’t just that part, the service was amazing! Always with a big smile, super polite! I loved Zafferano

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

FAQs

Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea is rated 4.4 stars by 42 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

19:00


Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea

354 S Dowling St, Paddington, AU-NSW 2021

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area

    Paddington

  • Hours of Operation

    Wed–Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Sicilian, Italian, Mediterranean

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress Code

    Business Casual

  • Parking Details

    None

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive Chef

    Simone Crivello

  • Additional

    Gluten-free Options, Vegan

  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo