Via Napoli Pizzeria

Lane Cove may be a world away from Naples, but nobody seems to have told Neapolitan pizza chef Luigi Esposito. In the space of just a year, his authentic Neapolitan pizzeria has become a true neighbourhood hub. Efficient and enthusiastic waitstaff add to the hustle and bustle of this 120-plus seater that feels more like a party than a restaurant. Slow-roasted porchetta is sliced to order and garnished with fried bread, while zucchini flowers, stuffed with anchovy and scamorza (similar to mozzarella) stretches from hand to lip once you crunch through the batter. But the star of the show is thin, doughy, light, malleable wood-fired pizza with authentically minimal toppings. Try sausage, fior di latte, broccoli, chilli - on a seductively smokey scorched base. A dainty and elegant spin on the classic tiramisu is every bit the creamy, cakey, coffee-y extravaganza you would hope. If you can't afford the flight to Naples, a drive to Lane Cove could be just the ticket.