This is an incredible Italian Deli hidden in a suburb of Sydney, Australia. All the deli meats like…read moremortadella, bresaola and salami are imported. I came here to get some deli meat for sandwiches during our stay but left with a full heart and excellent memories! The first visit, I arrived around 10:30AM on a Saturday. I had to wait in line only like 45 minutes! Talk about popular! The second visit, I arrived around 8:30AM on a Saturday and didn't have to wait in line but for 5 minutes! Woohoo! Almost everyone was getting these massive custom sandwiches on focaccia with fresh sliced Italian meats, fresh cheese, marinated veggies, arugula and much more! They are HUGE! I just wanted the deli meat so I could pair it with fresh sourdough bread I got elsewhere since it's better for my messed up digestive system. No problem! Mortadella with olives or black pepper? Yes! Salami? Yes Bresaola? Yes I also got marinated mushrooms, spicy olives, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes. All are FANTASTIC! But, it's the staff and the clientele that make this place special. Sam recognized me on my second visit and asked me, after I got my food, if I'd like a coffee... Espresso please! Then, he invited me to stay a while. I realized they have real imported Italian pasta made from Italian wheat which is not a common thing to find. I got two boxes! Joe explained these are imported from Sicily with Sicilian wheat and they also have pasta imported from Napoli made with local wheat! I got that too! They also have numerous other imported items like Panettone, pesto and much more! Customers joined in the enthusiastic conversation to tell me how awesome Raineri's is since I was obviously a (American) tourist and a new guy! I love the enthusiasm! They all asked me why I was there and I explained I was in Sydney for my 35th wedding anniversary! The unhurried conversation flowed. I can't wait to return! Life is molto bene with a local, unique, unhurried, friendly, delicious and enthusiastic hidden gem!

The real deal Italian Deli and probably the best I've ever been too…read more I was fortunate to come here on a gourmet food tour of Sydney when I visited in June of 2010. It's family owned and has been for a couple of generations by the Raineri's. It's an established amazing deli. The place is crowded, bustling and filled to the brim with imports from Italy and local Italian products. On the tour we were treated to platters of olives, salami, prosciutto, chicken, octopus, cheeses, bread and olive oil. They even made a pasta right at the counter using their very own homemade lemon pasta,with a bit of cheese, parsley and olive oil. Now I don't know that much about Italian antipasto, although I like to think Bay Cities in Santa Monica is the southern California authority, but I can safely say Raineri's blows Bay Cities out of the water. Their prosciutto melted in my mouth, I have never had anything even close to it in the States. The cheeses were out of this world, especially the ricotta; I could have eaten spoonfuls with nothing else. I bought some of their asiago and a dozen slices of salami home, which I ate the rest of my time in Sydney. Stellar!!!!!!!

Lamonica's IGA in Haberfield is where you would flock when you need anything Italian related. Think…read morebuffalo mozzarella, fresh prosciutto, hot salami, fragrant parmigiano and marinated olives. It is the closest thing you will find to a real Italian Deli this side of the equator. With the never-ending number of nonnas and nonnos waiting to get their hands on slices of Italian heaven, it is no wonder that this IGA has the highest turnover of produce in Sydney. And for us, this equates to ultimate freshness. Due to incredible popularity, it is inevitable for one to take a ticket and wait in line. My advice is to use this time wisely to look and ponder at what purchases you are going to make from the extensive array of food on offer. Trust me, you will need it. Despite the length of the line, the deli assistants always insist on spending time with you, helping you out, giving you fresh samples to taste and ultimately making sure you go home satisfied. Also on offer is a range of other food that you could find in other supermarkets (fresh fruit, pasta, sauces, bread etc), but with the attentive service and guarantee on fresh produce, why would you dare shop anywhere else? And who knows, in between the time it takes you to pick your bananas and grab a jar down from a shelf, you might even receive a marriage proposal. Albeit from an old Italian man, but a marriage proposal nonetheless. So for an experience with a little more heart and a bit more bang for your buck, try Lamonica's in Haberfield.

This supermarket doesn't have the variety the the larger supermarkets offer. Mostly Italian goods…read more Deli and checkouts are mostly busy and service can be slow. They do stock some Italian goods I don't see elsewhere.

Good food and service...good diverse group of people eating there..families..couples…read more. Reasonably priced and overall would go again

There are a few cafe choices in the strand but I always end up at Stranded as it is by far the…read morebest. It has a nice relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and great food. Being an eggs benedict addict I always get the benedict, nice generous servings with runny eggs. My wife is a bit more adventurous and has tried multiple things and it is always nice. There is inside and outdoor seating with also bar seating inside. We normally come here with a group of around 8 and we can fit comfortably. Overall fantastic local cafe where you can reliably get a good meal and coffee.

So this a local favorite and like most of like favorites - there is a reason that this place is…read morepopular. Because the breakfast here is completely worth the visit. There is a current fab in cafes to have expensive plates with not that much food on it. Not this place! Good sized portions for the same price you'd pay elsewhere. I order the Avo on toast - yes I don't want to buy a house - and it was really good. The coffee here was not fantastic, but was good. Clearly not as good as the food. However, saying that, probably best coffee in the area. Just make sure you are a milk drinker - as the coffee is not that good to order espresso. The service is quite, especially with how crowded it gets. But if you want a seat you might either have to wait for a bit or try to come outside the popular times. Either way this place is worth the visit.