ellaslist Reviews: An Italian Family Feast at Bottega Coco

Inspired by the delicious celebration of International Pasta Day on Friday 25 October, we couldn’t resist marking the occasion with a family night out at one of Barangaroo’s most beloved culinary spots - Bottega Coco. After all, any reason to dive into a bowl of pasta is reason enough, right?

ellaslist Reviews: An Italian Family Feast at Bottega Coco 

We were delighted to be ushered into a restaurant so authentically Italian that we felt like we'd been whisked away to Tuscany before the dining had even begun.

Bottega Coco
Classic Italian elegance with a contemporary twist.


The interiors are lush and opulent with hues of deep reds and gold, dark wood throughout and a pizza oven blazing from behind the bar, all of which exude a warm, intimate ambience. Upscale vintage decor is mixed with elegant velvet-clad booths, and we were given a cosy corner nook by the window that looked out toward the harborside precinct at sunset.

What's On The Menu?

Bottega Coco 
Starting off strong at Bottega Coco.


We kicked off our meal with a few timeless favourites we simply couldn’t resist: the fresh homemade rosemary-infused focaccia, soft with just the right crispy edge, paired with a creamy Burrata adorned with cherry syrup, a zesty yuzu gel, hazelnuts, and mint, an elegant dish that felt both indulgent and light. My daughter, a Burrata enthusiast, could have easily gobbled up this "cheese magic" on her own!

Then came the Fritto di Calamari e Gamberi -  crispy calamari and prawns fried to perfection, with a spicy mayonnaise and a touch of lime and mint oil that was irresistibly delicate and delicious. 

Just Like Mama Used To Make

Bottega Coco 
The Pappardelle with wild boar ragù is the chef's favourite dish!


For the main pasta event, we went all out sharing three of Bottega Coco's signature pasta dishes.

First up was a rich creamy Gnocchi ai Fiori di Zucca, with a cacio e pepe sauce, topped with fried zucchini flowers and an aromatic sprinkle of tarragon. The fluffy gnocchi melted on the tongue, and the zucchini flowers added a fun, crispy contrast. This pasta-lovers dream was beautifully balanced in flavour and texture - so far, so good.

The next dish, Pappardelle di Ragù di Cinghiale, was as grand as its Italian name sounds. Executive Head Chef, Dario Nencioni, declares this plate his personal favourite and a note on the menu recalls his fond childhood memories of hunting wild boar, which was transformed by his mother into a flavourful, hearty ragu, the mainstay of his family dinners. It has subsequently earned its place on the Bottega Coco menu, allowing Chef Dario "to showcase traditional techniques and ingredients that I hold dear”. With tender, slow-cooked wild boar ragù folded into wide pappardelle ribbons, the dish was hearty and flavourful - the perfect comfort food with a heartwarming history. The truffle pecorino topping was a delightful (and very fancy) addition. 

Finally, we reached the exotic Linguine Vongole, a briny dish full of fresh clams, anchovy butter, parsley, bottarga, and a crumbly topping - a taste that transported us straight to the Italian Riviera with each seafood-infused bite.

A taste of the Italian Riviera!

Sweet Temptations

This family of teetotalers always delights in a creative mocktail menu, so we added a couple of their vibrant non-alcoholic creations to our decadent spread to toast the special occasion. Hooray for International Pasta Day! The Kiwi Mojito was bursting with fresh mint, a zing of lime, and a kiwi kick while the Saturno served up a refreshingly fruity mix of peach, strawberry and a splash of aloe. 

Even after all that pasta, dessert beckoned. The front-of-house patisserie, with its lavish display of enticing cakes and a kaleidoscope of vibrant macarons, had us salivating over an abundance of sweet temptations, complimenting the equally seductive dessert menu that boasted favourites from Nonna’s Apple Cake to tiramisu.

Bottega Coco
Bottega Coco offers an abundance of sweetness.


My teen swiftly opted for the lemon meringue and Biscoff macrons - a long-held favourite - relishing the pretty, pillowy goodness and begging for more. The grown-ups opted for a taste of nostalgia with the Sticky Date, drizzled in salted caramel toffee sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream - a classic finale that ended our Italian feast on a (sugar) high. 

From Tuscany To Your Table

 Executive Head Chef Dario Nencioni
 Executive Head Chef Dario Nencioni.


Raised in Tuscany and trained by his nonna, Chef Dario has served his culinary roots on a plate with an impeccable fine dining experience that pays homage to his familial heritage. Despite the beautiful, luxe atmosphere and top-notch cuisine, the ambience is down to earth and unpretentious and the service is easygoing and attentive. Bottega Coco is an impressive, well-rounded, family-friendly restaurant that delivers authentic Italian vibes without the airfare!

Bottega Coco is at Shop 1/300 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000. See the full menu and book your family feast at Bottega Coco.

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