Massi may only be in its fourth year but there’s more than a quarter of a century of hospitality smarts in owner-chef Joseph Vargetto, which explains why his intimate dining room is as full for a midweek lunch as it is for a romantic Saturday date night.

With about 50 seats at either the marble bar, timber tables or leather booths, Massi is the sort of place where you don’t have to be a regular to be treated like one. And this welcoming dining room and familiar-yet-efficient service is the perfect teaser to a menu bursting with simple Italian faves done well. 

Start with oysters in a prosecco vinaigrette or crispy zucchini flowers stuffed with lemon ricotta but leave room for Vargetto’s house-made pasta selection, which may include agnolotti with roasted pumpkin or squid ink spaghettini but the two standouts are the perfectly al-dente pappardelle with braised osso buco and the cloud-like gnocchi tossed with braised lamb shoulder. A must-order duo. Finish with a cheeky lemon-curd filled donut or a cannoli and leave content in the knowledge that whether you’re there for business or pleasure, you’ll be tempted to return to do it all again.

Must Eat Dish: Gnocchi with braised lamb shoulder