Despite living in one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the world, waterfront views can be hard to come by in Sydney restaurants. So, sandwiched between two headlands and overlooking stunning Freshwater beach, it’s easy to understand why a reservation at northern beaches favourite, Pilu at Freshwater, can be hard to come by. If you are lucky enough to nab one of the seats by the window, you’ll have a completely unobstructed view of the beachfront. The dining room, with its white-clothed tables, has all the charm and elegance of a villa on the Amalfi. The incredibly warm service is delivered without pretense, but with knowledge, efficiency and charm.

Sardinian snacks arrive in the form of wafer thin, crispy flatbread, served with a house-made ricotta, impossibly creamy, and doused generously in truffle and honey. Rustic pearls of handmade fregola, a Pilu speciality, is served risotto-style, with a vibrant green nettle sauce and egg yolk. The instruction is to stir the egg yolk through the hot fregola straight away for a carbonara effect; the yolk emulsifying into the creamy nettle puree. Seadas, a Sardinian pastry filled with warm ricotta, sultanas and drenched in honey screams of Italian summer.

Must eat dish: Seadas ripiena di ricotta con miele della zona