Botanico Duke Street

You'll hear the open kitchen before you see it – the satisfying clatter of pasta being tossed and the whoosh of the pizza oven working overtime. The tiled floors and high ceilings give this Duke Street spot a proper Italian trattoria feel, minus the tourist trap vibes that plague so many city centre Italian places. The stone-baked pizzas are the real deal here, with proper charred edges and toppings that don't slide off at first bite. Their fresh pasta is made daily, and you can taste the difference – none of that rubbery nonsense you get elsewhere. The space feels relaxed enough for a quick weeknight dinner but smart enough for when your parents visit.