Fabbrica Pasta Bar Chatswood — Restaurant in Sydney

I hate writing negative reviews but I feel compelled to share my experience with Fabbrica Chatswood.

Firstly the food - our pastas were bad to mediocre at best, especially considering they are $30+ per serving! Minuscule portions as well. The tomato based sauces are frozen (we kitchen staff defrosting big plastic bags of the stuff in the sinks), as are the seafood and meat.

Service - attentive wait staff that filled our water with a smile. However they were also a bit too eager to clear away plates and cutlery. We didn't wait too long for our food to come out.

The Good - kid's menu is relatively good value and I liked the bar stools.

The Ugly - we observed the dude preparing sourdough bread use his bare hands to cut and place on bread on plates. He was also the one manning the frying station for the zucchini flowers and used his bare hands to retrieve the zucchini flowers after frying them. Maybe this is Italian tradition?

Also I was a bit miffed about the 10% surcharge for groups larger than 6. 6 people is hardly a 'large group'. When we enquired about this, was told that this is normal for restaurants. Whatever... I can understand fine dining restaurants placing surcharges on groups, but come on guys, Fabbricca is more of a glorified food court outlet. Sick of restaurants trying to 'Americanise' our hospitality industry with absurd surcharges and passive aggressive attempts at extracting tips out of customers.

Maybe I haven't been eating out enough post COVID. This restaurant just gave me another reason not to.

If you want to eat proper pasta watch Vincenzo's Plate on Youtube. Not hard and you'll make pasta...

Fabbrica Pasta Bar in Chatswood offers a remarkable dining experience that seamlessly blends culinary artistry with exceptional service. The meal commenced with zucchini flowers, delicately stuffed with ricotta and drizzled with hot honey, achieving a harmonious balance of creamy and crispy textures, and a nuanced interplay of sweet and savory notes. The use of premium ingredients was evident, elevating this classic appetizer to new heights.

The Trottole with wagyu ragu stood out as a testament to the kitchen’s prowess. The pasta, cooked to perfection, was enveloped in a rich, flavorful sauce that avoided overpowering saltiness. The addition of breadcrumbs provided a delightful contrast in texture, enhancing the overall mouthfeel of the dish.

Culminating the evening was the hazelnut tiramisu, a dessert that transcended expectations. Its balanced sweetness, natural hazelnut essence, and a subtle hint of salt coalesced to create a nostalgic experience, reminiscent of cherished childhood flavors.

The ambiance of the 50-seat venue, centered around a circular, travertine-topped counter overlooking an open kitchen and bar, fosters an intimate and engaging atmosphere. The attentive and friendly staff further enhance the dining experience, ensuring that each guest feels welcomed and well-cared for.

In summary, Fabbrica Pasta Bar in Chatswood excels in delivering a sophisticated and memorable culinary journey, marked by expertly crafted dishes and...

We waited in line and the host working on 1 November 2025 lunchtime around 2.30pm (Saengar(?)) started serving customers who arrived much later from behind the line. When we queried this, he told us that we cannot be served unless we scan the QR code because unless that QR code is served, he does not know that we are in line. We mentioned this is a silly system since there is clearly a physical line. He took this as a personal attack and got very defensive and aggressive, and started mansplaining in a very arrogant and condescending way to a point where other people in line stepped in to agree that the system is silly as there is no sign saying people waiting without a QR code will not be served and that he should take feedback as it is without being defensive. He then tried to lie and say that I had called him stupid when everyone in line heard me say "that's a silly system". The people in line had to correct him to say no one even used the word "stupid" and the word "silly" was used in relation to the system and was not directed as a personal attack. This unprofessional and immature behaviour should be addressed with the staff directly. Clearly, if this staff speaks on behalf of Fabricca, Fabricca has no intentions of taking...