There aren’t many cuisines more beloved and flocked-to by Aussies then a classic Italian dinner. Porchetta rolls, layered and nutmeg-y lasagnes, hand-rolled pastas and stone-baked, wood-fired pizzas fresh from the oven. I can feel you salivating through the screen.
If you’re in Melbourne – lucky you – there’s almost an overabundance of Italian restaurants to visit. Most of the heavy-weight spots are based in the CBD (no surprises there), but there are a few neighbourhood spots that we really think you ought to know about too.
These are the tried-and-tested best Italian restaurants in Melbourne (in our humble opinion). Read on for the details….
Best for: handmade pasta devotees, a first-date outfit that deserves a reservation
A stalwart of the Italian dining scene, you really can’t go wrong with a booking at Tipo on Little Bourke Street in the city. The team have recently been re-hatted by the Good Food Guide (they’re going 11 years strong with that hat might I add), and specialise in handmade pasta, alongside a glass of good red.
Best for: neighbourhood dinners, sharing mains
This spot was named in honour of the owner’s Polish-Ukrainian grandmother, Renata and if you’re a local, you’ve surely spotted its distinctive olive-green exterior facade. They make pasta fresh in-house daily, and serve up dishes that range from traditional to innovative regional styles. The Lobster Spaghetti here is pretty widely regarded as the menu’s showstopper (and the restaurant’s signature dish), comprised of al dente spaghetti cooked in a rich lobster roe/tomalley sauce and light bisque.
Best for: New York-Italian, Grandma slices, vodka sauce
Not all Italian has roots in Italy – some are honouring 1950s New York-style Italian. Here at Capitano, the menu features American comfort food inspired by red-sauce classics like 48-hour fermented base Neapolitan-style and square-cut/Grandma-style pizzas, house-made pasta dishes like Lumache with vodka tomato sauce, and bone-in Meatsmith veal parmigiana.
4. Figlia (Brunswick East)
Best for: pizza purists with strong opinions about crust, not sharing so you can take home leftovers
Naturally fermented, heritage-wheat sourdough pizzas are the modus operandi at Figlia. Created by the team behind Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria, the vibe here is geared heavily toward walk-ins, with a more relaxed and casual atmosphere compared to its Italian dining counterparts.
5. Lagotto (Fitzroy North)
Best for: focaccia, aperitivo hour, a considered wine list
Lagotto is a local’s fave for a reason – part all-day eatery and part providore. They have a second-to-none Sourdough Focaccia (with molasses and brown butter;) and the Brioche Wagyu Carpaccio is not to be missed (a smoky, melt-in-your-mouth bite to start with).
Best for: milestones and birthdays, and anyone who thinks a three-course lunch is an excellent use of annual leave
For a city that loves a new opening, there’s something rather lovely about a restaurant that has spent decades perfecting the art of a memorable meal. A Melbourne dining institution, Florentino has been part of the city’s culinary fabric for generations. And its grand setting and Italian heritage make it a natural choice for occasions that call for something a little more considered.
Best for: after-work dinners that carry into the night, a central-city rendezvous with excellent people-watching potential
Located on the first floor of the heritage-listed Hardware House, this spot is co-owned by childhood friends from Valpolicella, Italy. The space only seats a modest 65 and is styled after a kind of intimate, 1980s-90s neighbourhood home kitchen. We would miss their unreal Cacio e Pepe Toastie.
8. Bar Idda (Brunswick East)
Best for: Sicilian comfort food, a menu inspired by the old country
Another Brunswick East institution. Bar Idda celebrates the generous, soulful cooking of Sicily and their menu leans into rustic dishes, bold flavours and the sort of food that belongs in the middle of a crowded table, surrounded by people you like. It isn’t about fuss or unnecessary theatrics here. But we would encourage booking a table in advance as it can fill out pretty quick.
Best for: a polished city dinner, a martini-before-pasta situation
A long-standing fixture on Flinders Lane, Cecconi’s combines classic Italian cooking with the kind of understated city sophistication Melbourne does so well. The Age summarised the experience aptly with “big steaks and bigger reds”, though their Veal Cotoletta and housemade pastas are incredible too.
10. DOC (Carlton, Mornington, Southbank and St Kilda)
Best for: pizza and wine with minimal deliberation, a reliable family dinner that pleases even the pickiest eater
DOC has built a following across Melbourne (and formerly Sydney – we’re sad to see it leave) and beyond for its approachable take on Italian dining. They have a particular affection for pizza, quality produce and DOP cheeses. A restaurant after our own heart.
Best for: a glamorous night out with a steakhouse appetite
Grill Americano brings a distinctly theatrical energy to Melbourne’s Italian dining scene, marrying the spirit of an Italian grill with a lavish, contemporary setting. Expect premium cuts, Italian-inspired dishes and a menu designed for diners who enjoy making an occasion of the evening.
Best for: flexing your wine list prowess, discovering your new favourite Italian varietal
Enoteca Boccaccio offers an appealing proposition for diners who believe a good glass of wine deserves food to match. With its Italian focus and enoteca sensibility, it’s the sort of address to keep in mind when the plan calls for a leisurely drink, something delicious to eat and conversation that doesn’t need to compete with a particularly elaborate dining-room spectacle.
Best for: rooftop aperitivo with your best-dressed friends, a sunset dinner that earns its place on the camera roll
Located in Cremorne, Amatrice brings Italian dining into a setting suited to lingering over dinner and drinks. You may have already stumbled though its ground-floor cafe counterpart, but this swanky, moody rooftop restaurant and bar (designed by Brahman Perera, no less) is perfect for those who like a little atmosphere with their meal.
Best for: a little old-world romance, excellent hospitality as a love language
Caterina’s brings a classic Italian ethos to the CBD. It’s the kind of restaurant to have in mind when a casual dinner feels a little too casual, whether you’re celebrating something significant or simply making a Tuesday feel less like a Tuesday.
Photograph courtesy Di Stasio Citta
Best for: art-and-food enthusiasts, brutalist-meets-Milanese design
Di Stasio is another institution not to miss on your Melbourne Italian itinerary. You’ll be eating surrounded by contemporary art and video installations (by artists like Shaun Gladwell and Reko Rennie) – opt to sit at the long, marble bar for smaller groups for the best vantage point. There is no traditional street signage for the restaurant, so look for the red neon light illuminating the exterior facade.
Best for: long lunches with people who never check the time
Centonove has established itself as a destination for Italian dining in Kew, offering an appealing alternative to the bustle of the CBD. Its neighbourhood setting makes it well suited to leisurely meals. Think considered Italian cooking without the need to cross the city, which is particularly appealing when the prospect of finding a car park elsewhere feels repulsive.
Best for: a tucked-away city lunch, dependable post-work pasta fixes
Il Solito Posto – its name translating roughly to ‘the usual place’ – has long been a familiar presence in Melbourne’s CBD dining scene. Tucked below street level, it offers the kind of welcoming atmosphere that lends itself to repeat visits, whether you’re escaping the office for lunch or settling in for a relaxed dinner. The Veal Ragu Penne is a must, as is the House-Made Gnocchi.
18. Rina’s (Armadale)
Best for: lucky dips, comfort food, cannoli
An evening at Rina’s relies on a seasonal, surprise multi-course set menu where you don’t know the full main dish until it arrives at your table. Expect simple, seasonal, and instinct-driven (“cucina istintiva”) Italian and Sicilian comfort food, small, curated wine list partly scrawled on the osteria’s mirrors, and do not – under any circumstances – skip the piped-to-order lemon-pistachio or ricotta cannoli.
Best for: impressing someone who knows their pecorino from their parmesan
Sister restaurant to the much-loved Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria offers a more expansive take on modern Italian dining, pairing handmade pasta with seasonal ingredients and a considered wine list. The atmosphere here is polished without feeling… precious.
20. Roccella (East Melbourne)
Best for: a leisurely brunch that evolves into lunch, people who love pineapple on pizza
Famed for its 48-hour to 72-hour matured sourdough bases – Roccella brings an all-day Italian sensibility to East Melbourne, making it a natural option for diners who prefer their plans to remain flexible. Their signature smoky pineapple pizza might convince even the most staunch contrarians, and they are officially accredited by Coeliac Australia for safe gluten-free options (so your GF friends can come along too).
Best for: Venetian-inspired dining, old-world wines
Il Bacaro brings the spirit of a Venetian bacaro to Melbourne’s CBD, with old-school service, and a lengthy wine list. The restaurant’s long-time signature house staple is its Spaghettini with Moreton Bay Bugs, but we’d argue their Agave-Nectar Cheesecake is just as iconic. Their wine line list shouldn’t be overlooked either, featuring a large selection of Venetian and Old World wines (ask sommelier Giuseppe Messa for guidance).
Best for:
Inspired by the food traditions of Emilia-Romagna, Trattoria Emilia puts pasta and regional Italian cooking in the spotlight, served in a setting that feels relaxed enough for a casual dinner but polished enough for a proper date. Walk-ins can be difficult here, as the intimate space fills up quickly even on weekdays, so bookings are recommended, and while lunch is fully à la carte, dinners requires guests to opt for a multi-course selection (typically 3 courses) or the 5-course chef’s tasting menu. (P.S. they offer a dedicated, separate vegan menu for your veg friends.)
Looking for a more? Check out our list of the coolest restaurants in Melbourne right now, or our curation of the new restaurant openings to check out across the city.
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