Bar Toto

Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, this Italian trattoria in Ettalong is where you'll want to sink into a cosy seat with an espresso martini and a grazing platter of European cured meats and cheeses. Create your own grazing board from the bar's antipasti selection from $14–32, from the 24-month aged prosciutto di parma to the soft, three-months aged gorgonzola from Lombardy. Or load up on side dishes like burrata and truffle oil, Ortiz anchovies, or sea urchin roe, all served with the famed sourdough from Osteria Il Coccia (around the corner).

As it's local to Osteria Il Coccia, it's an excellent place to pop into on your way to or from dinner, but if you'd rather keep things casual there's nonna's famous meatballs with fior di latte and a range of mini cocktails to keep you busy.

Kitti Gould

Classic cocktails and house favourites linger around the $17–18 range, plus there's a daily happy hour from 4.30–5.30pm with minis priced at $5.50 a pop. Those fond of a caffeine kick should look to the coffee cocktail menu; you can choose from five flavours — caramel, coconut, hazelnut, fernet or classic — for a drink made with onyx cold brew coffee from the Hunter Valley and either tequila, vodka or rum. Not drinking? There's a substantial range of no- or low-alcohol cocktails and sodas here, too.