The pizza is ‘insanely good’: Donna Hay’s favourite restaurants, bars and bakeries​on February 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm

“I’m always looking for a restaurant-type meal I can serve the family,” says best-selling cookbook author, food stylist and homeware designer Donna Hay.

“I also want to create recipes that give you a reason to make it at home over ordering takeaway. It’s about being quick but good for you.”

It was this desire that inspired the concept for Hay’s latest cookbook, Too Easy, featuring recipes using just six to eight ingredients to make nutritious family-friendly meals.

Hay isn’t ashamed to microwave a bag of rice at home when prepping quick meals, prefers snack and bite-sized options over larger dishes, and says fermented ingredients always find a place in a dish at her place.

Hay took some time out of her busy schedule to share some of her all-time favourites, for eating in and eating out.

EATING IN

Signature dish

I love to make a pasta dish we call studio pasta. It sums up moments in my career and the flavours I like to combine, and it’s very humble and basic. It’s made with any kind of pasta. Add olive oil, lemon rind, garlic, chilli, capers, and fry it all up – it creates a crunchy and well-flavoured zing. I also toss it with rocket, basil or baby spinach (whatever is in the fridge) – and then pack it with lemon juice, parmesan and olive oil on top.

Guilty pleasure

In Melbourne, it’s a Lune croissant if I am ambitious enough to get up early and beat the queue. Usually, though, it’s a really good gelato – a good quality vanilla or classic stracciatella.

Kitchen wisdom

For me, it’s about combining simple ingredients that punch above their weight, than adding more when you’re working on a dish. Less is more is always the key.

EATING OUT

My favourite home town restaurants (and go-to dish)

I love Raw Bar North Bondi. I have been eating here with my boys since they were young, and we have great memories of walking off the beach and rolling into “Raw” for the freshest sushi and delicious Japanese dishes. I love its casual vibe, its wide-open windows and neighbourhood feel. Our family go-to dish is the crispy salmon rolls.

The pizza at Da Orazio in Bondi is fab, and I like the atmosphere. The dough is insanely good — the base is fantastic, and the margherita is a regular choice. They also make a green pizza with layers of zucchini and a green sauce and cheese with lots of lemon; it’s a new addition to the menu.

My favourite home town cafe and/or bar (and favourite drink/snack at each)

Bills Darlinghurst will always have a special place in my heart, as will Bill Granger. I had a launch party for my first cookbook at Bills and am always drawn back there in a very nostalgic and reflective way. The food is the kind of food I always want to eat, and the coffee is always great. I also love to pop by Baker Bleu in Double Bay for any one of their delightful pastries and to pick up a loaf of bread.

I love to meet friends at Bar Copains in Surry Hills for a small bite and a great glass of wine or a negroni. It’s lively and cool, while still feeling like your local neighbourhood hangout. They have some signature dishes I love – the King George whiting sandwich layered with shredded iceberg and sauce is a must.

What is your favourite place to eat in Australia, and do you have any special food memories there?

I love Sean’s at North Bondi. I love that it is small and intimate while being airy and light with the sea salt breeze. I love that the menu is small and uses seasonally considered produce, always immaculately cooked to perfection. Sean’s roast chook is the best there is. From the home-baked bread all the way through to sweets, his food is always on point.

In Melbourne

I am always at Supernormal. I love the menu and eat everything there – what Andrew McConnell does with all his restaurants is amazing. I also go to Marion Wine Bar and Morning Market on Gertrude Street. Another favourite for pan-Asian food is Coda. The quality of food here is excellent.

Sydney takeaway spots

I will drop by Fish Bowl if I am desperate for a take-out. I like that you can build it up yourself, and it’s easy to bring home to the kids. On the weekends, I pick up a barbecue chicken from Charlie’s Charcoal Chicken in Rose Bay and bread rolls from Sonoma Bakery. There is no better combination than barbecue chicken, whole egg mayo and iceberg lettuce. It’s a summer lunch that for me ticks all the boxes – nostalgia, comfort and holiday food.

ON THE ROAD

My favourite food city

I visited Milan for a Women In Food Conference early last year, and Salone del Mobile in April for Design Week. Milan is such a beautiful city, and there is always something vibrant happening. My creative brain was overloaded with inspiration just wandering through the streets – the architecture, the people, the food.

My favourite places to eat in Milan

I was taken to Perbellini e Cirispaccio – a very casual, understated plastic chair kind of place that had some of the best Italian food I have eaten. The pizzas, pasta and eggplant parmigiana were all sensational. For the best cacio e pepe, you must go to Felice a Testaccio. Trippa is a beautiful traditional trattoria, and for gelato (which is a must) my favourites are Gelato Giusto and Gelateria Paganelli.

Where do you stay when you’re there and why?

I like to stay in the centre of town among the action – the newly renovated Park Hyatt was great, but I do like a central Airbnb apartment for a longer stay. Just 45 minutes from Milan is the Lake Como district, and I was fortunate enough to spend a few nights at Hotel Passalacqua.

It’s an undeniable fact that Passalacqua is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. The immaculate yet subtle attention to detail is like no other I have seen. The grand villa feels like a welcoming home.

I fell deeply in love as I wandered through the stunning original kitchens filled with glorious breakfast delights, and felt like a princess in the most elegantly stunning yet intimate dining room – all while consuming morsels of beautiful food that I would happily eat on repeat forever.

Too Easy by Donna Hay, published by HarperCollins Publishers, is out now. RRP $45.