La Panchina

Ok food was good. But the service is so bad it’s almost Entertaining. I rocked up said I had a table for 3 booked at 3.30 and the guy acted surprised and then moved a table over - so I’m guessing it wasn’t really reserved. I asked if we could sit outside and without looking at me he goes “Nope. All booked.” Then we got into a fight about wine glasses. They give you normal cups (I know v European) I saw wine glasses hanging and asked if I could have one bc they ask for $8.50 corkage anyway he goes “what do you think this is fine dining? This is wine cup and this is cup cup for water.” He then proceeded to walk past us about 20 times ignoring us. I think he might be the manager or owner. He definitely does not have time for you it’s comical. I would probs go there again tho x

We came for dinner and were seated by a guy who seem to be the owner straight to a dirty table, no apology, no explanation, nothing. We waited for a while to see if he was gonna come back to clean, but he did not. We waited and waited until a lovely Italian waiter came (sorry forgot to ask his name, but he was very friendly, lovely, professional, and polite even though he did not speak English fluently, he just worked there for 2 weeks!). He asked us if we had enjoyed our dinner. Then we explained that we just came and it is a dirty table from previous guest, he apologized and finally cleaned our table and offered menu. We ordered 4 pizzas from the owner and it came quite fast, generous toppings too. The taste was alright. 1 of us mentioned to remove olives from his pizza when ordering (like 2-3 times) yet the pizza still came with olives on it. The plates was not the cleanest, and we also got dirty water cups. The worst part for me was seeing a large cockroach crawling on the wall next to our table. I know it is summer and of course it is going to be everywhere but I just lost my appetite. Overall, not the best experience. Hope they can do better with hygiene and customer service.

Absolutely exceptional pizza served fresh by an awesome team! You'll be hard pressed to find wood fired pizza this good elsewhere in Sydney! Fresh ingredients expertly cooked and served piping hot. Plenty of toppings available plus weekly specials and a great range of starters too. It's a beautiful atmosphere and I cannot recommend this place highly enough.

Recently came here for our fourth visit. This was to be our last visit here ever. The pizzas are amazing, but the service leaves much to be desired. We didn’t notice anything on our first visit, we were just very happy to have found an authentic Italian pizza restaurant. On our second visit, my husband, and I took my father-in-law here (a man in his mid 70s). We were given the tiniest table for the three of us. The food came out in quick succession. Again, no negative feedback on the actual taste and quality of this. However, we did feel somewhat rushed. On our third visit, we decided to take two friends of ours and had a table outside. The older waiter, who we assume is the owner as per many of the other comments in other reviews, seemed to be trying to impress us, a table of four guys, with what can only be described as macho behaviour towards girls at another table. Oblivious to the fact that we were not at all impressed. After this visit, I had made my mind up, not to return. However, a few months later, after an afternoon at the Carrington pub across the road with my husband and two mates we were feeling for some good pizza and decided to give La Panchina another go. The same older waiter/owner was extremely rude throughout our time spent there and initially try to charge us for extra shots of alcohol when we mentioned politely that the drinks were weak (I overheard him, telling the other waiter in Italian), but when challenged, he played dumb. we finished our meals and were chatting whilst finishing our wine, when the bill was put on our table without asking for it. We had literally been there for just an hour, so it wasn’t like we were overstaying our welcome. This was the final nail in the coffin for me. Yes, the pizza is great. But service goes a long long way. I would urge anyone looking for authentic Italian pizza to look elsewhere. La Vacanza a bit further up Bourke Street serves pizza of the same, if not better quality and the service is always warm, welcoming and friendly. Via Napoli on Crown Street also serves amazing pizzas. Having lived in Italy for two years, we have experienced Italian hospitality. This is not it. Read the reviews and don’t waste your time coming here.