HOT SPOTS in Leichhardt, Sydney (inner west)

AC Butchery – Norton Plaza 51 Norton St and 174 Marion St (the original store) – organic meats, Italian smallgoods. Ph: 9568 4816

Bar Italia – Norton St - for a cheap meal. Good for late nights or families, or those on a tight budget. Ph: 9560 9981

Cafe Moretti - 47 Norton St - VERY GOOD pizzas and pasta. Try the Nutella pizza. Ph: (02) 9568 1354

De Luca – Norton St (opposite the Palace Cinema) - for its great gelati

Elio – 159 Norton St - for really good Italian food that’ll have you coming back for more. Ph: 9560 9129

Grappa – 267 Norton St – Italian with a twist, good coffee and desserts, and it’s away from all the hoopla. Ph: 9560 6090

Galletta Bar – Norton St - the owner gives unsold food to the needy. Ph: 9564 1582

Il Cugino – Norton St - a small, low key, traditional, family run pizza and pasta restaurant with great food. Dad and the boys make the pizzas at the front, while mamma cooks up a storm in the kitchen at the back. Ph: 9569 4734

Mezzapica – Norton St - for authentic Italian cakes. Ph 9568 2095

Norton Street Grocer – Norton Plaza – great fruit and veg, cheeses, olive oils, pasta.

Shearer’s Bookshop – Norton St - for its coffee, cake and movie deals. Ph: 9572 7766

Stafford's Cheese Store - 131 Balmain Rd - as the name suggests: cheese, cheese and more cheese. Ph: 9564 2642

Vanilla Room – 150 Norton St (near Bar Italia) – cozy cocktail bar. Ph: 9569 9411

The hardware store on the corner of Marion and Foster streets for its cheap key cutting and old fashioned service