In Italy, lunch is sacred – a meal as revered as Sunday dinner which involves stores closing for two to three hours around midday to allow for a generous lunch with family or friends. A pasta, risotto or, in the cooler months, osso bucco will be enjoyed, perhaps followed by a post-meal riposo, or nap. It’s the kind of thing we daydream about at our desks as we stare down at our cheese and tomato sandwich. While a hearty lunch prepared by nonna on a Wednesday might be out of reach, channelling the spirit of an Italian midday meal most certainly is not.  

Spago, the Beverly Hills-famous restaurant known for its pasta, has just landed at The Galeries, which means you can now dine like an Italian on your lunch break. Launched by chef Eddie Leung in 2011, Spago’s unique brand of pasta making — one that merged traditional Italian techniques with the best-quality produce, like Australian durum wheat semolina — garnered legions of fans. Fast forward seven years, and Leung opened his second location in Chatswood on Sydney’s North Shore. Outposts in Darling Square, Barangaroo and Warringah Mall followed, with The Galeries’ new location marking the restaurant’s fifth location globally. 

Though the Australian locations are a more casual approach to Italian fare, the same commitment to quality and tradition that underpins Spago’s fine dining flagship exists in each pasta bar. Fresh ingredients are the backbone of offerings, with every pasta and pizza on offer made from scratch everyday. Nestled in the bustling food court of The Galeries, Spago’s new spot emulates a Roman canteen. Slabs of pizza al taglio — thick, fluffy bases laden with generous toppings — are perfect for grabbing on the run, while trays of penne in ragu or spaghetti with clams call for a lunch break enjoyed in the sun. Beats leftovers everyday of the week.  

Find Spago on Lower Ground.