Melbourne
The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne
These top Italian restaurants in Melbourne deserve every food lovers attention.
In Melbourne’s vibrant culinary scene, Italian cuisine shines brightly, and this is your definitive guide. World of Mouth experts who have contributed to this guide include top chef Ben Shewry, journalist Thomas Carr, and food writer Pat Nourse. Including restaurants like Alta Trattoria, with its comforting traditional dishes; Di Stasio Citta, a combination of contemporary elegance and Italian classics; and Capitano Carlton, with a blend of casual sophistication in Italian dining. Check out our guide to discover these gastronomic hidden treasures, each of which offers an unforgettable Italian dining experience.
Capitano Carlton
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421 Rathdowne St, Carlton
421 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Capitano Carlton is a restaurant recognized for its Italian cuisine, notably its focaccia-style pizzas and unconventional pasta. The rigatoni in vodka sauce is a popular choice among patrons, and the sourdough pizzas, especially the tomato pie with added anchovies, are highly recommended. Don't forget to round off your meal with their much-loved tiramisu.
Recommended by
Carlton is known for its Italian cuisine but if you've only got time to indulge in one carb-laden feast while here, please make it Capitano. Their pizzas are more of a focaccia style base (sensational in my opinion) and their rigatoni in vodka sauce is a go-to. And yes, you're obviously going to order the tiramisu. What do you think this is? Amateur hour! X
Di Stasio Citta
45 Spring St, Melbourne
45 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Di Stasio Citta is a restaurant that offers an immersive experience into Italo-Australian cuisine and culture. Their menu is a fusion of traditional and modern dishes, with a standout recommendation being their Bolognese, described as the best some have ever tasted. The restaurant also offers a variety of services such as takeaway, home delivery, and online ordering, ensuring that their delicious cuisine can be enjoyed by all.
Recommended by
The most punk, avant guard, culturally important restaurant to open in Melbourne in decades combining the best of the new and old world hospitality. And damn the greatest Bolognese I've eaten my entire life.
Scopri Italian Food and Wine
191 Nicholson St, Carlton
191 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Scopri Italian Food and Wine
191 Nicholson St, Carlton
191 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Scopri Italian Food and Wine is an Italian restaurant that offers a seasonally inspired menu. It is known for its exceptional farm-to-plate food, which is often mentioned as some of the best Italian cuisine available. The restaurant also offers two seating times, from 5.30PM to 7.45PM and a second sitting from 8.15PM to late, to accommodate the needs of its patrons.
Recommended by
A Melbourne icon. 10 years on and this place is still kicking goals. Very few restaurants command an audience like Scopri, even on a weeknight they’ll have a full house. The food (think paddock to plate) is exceptional and some of the best Italian in Melbourne. This joint never disappoints.
Di Stasio Carlton
224 Faraday St, Carlton
224 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Di Stasio Carlton stands out with its distinctive approach to pizza, offering unconventional yet delightful toppings such as lobster. The restaurant is known for its Italian-inspired menu, with the lobster pizza being a favorite among customers, offering a unique blend of flavors enhanced by vermentino and a touch of chilli. Operating from Wednesday to Sunday, Di Stasio Carlton accepts various credit cards and applies a service charge for groups of 5 or more.
Recommended by
Di Stasio pizzeria Carlton isn’t like any other pizzeria in town, but I think I was unprepared for just how much I loved itLobster pizza, I thought, why on earth would you want that? And who’s gonna order it? Turns out you order it because it’s delicious (not least with some vermentino, a little chilli and some sunshine), and I’ll definitely be back for more. I’m not surprised to see that Di Stasio pizzeria Carlton isn’t like any other pizzeria in town, but I think I was unprepared for just how much I loved it. A win for the forces of Italianality.
Osteria Ilaria
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Osteria Ilaria
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Osteria Ilaria is a modern Italian eatery known for its extensive global wine list. The restaurant is highly recommended by patrons for its creative yet familiar dishes, offering a blend of modern and classic Italian cuisine. From the reviews, it's clear that customers enjoy building their own eight-course meal, often paired with some of the finest Chardonnays.
Recommended by
Italian tucker, sexed up. Everyone I know raves about this place and you need only look at the reviews online to realise they're not alone. Illaria's big brother TIPO 00 has been one of my favourite restaurants for several years now and so it should be of no surprise that this joint was high on my priority list. It was absolutely outstanding. Every single course, stellar. We skipped the chefs menu (I'm a bit off them of recent) and simply built our own eight course deggy, partnered alongside one of the best Chardonnays I've had in recent times. All in all, I loved every second. Modern yet classic, familiar yet creative, simple but tasty. Not to be missed x
Alta Trattoria
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Alta Trattoria
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Alta Trattoria is a comfortable Italian restaurant tucked away from the hustle and bustle, offering an elegant yet casual dining experience. The menu features fresh takes on classic dishes such as fettuccine with chestnut and speck, ravioli with cockerel and pine mushroom, and rabbit ragu. With affordable and tasty wines, friendly staff, and a warm atmosphere, Alta Trattoria is a noteworthy spot for Italian cuisine lovers.
Recommended by
Fitzroy just got a little cooler, if that's even possible. Firstly, I was having such a great time I forgot to take photos of the food so apologies in advance. Alta is coming in hot, tucked away off busy Brunswick St, this quaint little italian restaurant is warm and comfortable, elegant yet casual. In an otherwise saturated market here in Melbourne, Alta offers a fresh perspective with delicious things like fettuccine, chestnut and speck, ravioli with cockerel and pine mushroom and rabbit ragu. Wines were affordable and scrumptious, staff were friendly and attentive. A great little find in one of Melbourne's coolest suburbs.
Capitano Carlton
421 Rathdowne St, Carlton
421 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Capitano Carlton is a restaurant recognized for its Italian cuisine, notably its focaccia-style pizzas and unconventional pasta. The rigatoni in vodka sauce is a popular choice among patrons, and the sourdough pizzas, especially the tomato pie with added anchovies, are highly recommended. Don't forget to round off your meal with their much-loved tiramisu.
Recommended by
Carlton is known for its Italian cuisine but if you've only got time to indulge in one carb-laden feast while here, please make it Capitano. Their pizzas are more of a focaccia style base (sensational in my opinion) and their rigatoni in vodka sauce is a go-to. And yes, you're obviously going to order the tiramisu. What do you think this is? Amateur hour! X
Di Stasio Citta
45 Spring St, Melbourne
45 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Di Stasio Citta is a restaurant that offers an immersive experience into Italo-Australian cuisine and culture. Their menu is a fusion of traditional and modern dishes, with a standout recommendation being their Bolognese, described as the best some have ever tasted. The restaurant also offers a variety of services such as takeaway, home delivery, and online ordering, ensuring that their delicious cuisine can be enjoyed by all.
Recommended by
The most punk, avant guard, culturally important restaurant to open in Melbourne in decades combining the best of the new and old world hospitality. And damn the greatest Bolognese I've eaten my entire life.
Scopri Italian Food and Wine
191 Nicholson St, Carlton
191 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Scopri Italian Food and Wine is an Italian restaurant that offers a seasonally inspired menu. It is known for its exceptional farm-to-plate food, which is often mentioned as some of the best Italian cuisine available. The restaurant also offers two seating times, from 5.30PM to 7.45PM and a second sitting from 8.15PM to late, to accommodate the needs of its patrons.
Recommended by
A Melbourne icon. 10 years on and this place is still kicking goals. Very few restaurants command an audience like Scopri, even on a weeknight they’ll have a full house. The food (think paddock to plate) is exceptional and some of the best Italian in Melbourne. This joint never disappoints.
Scopri Italian Food and Wine
191 Nicholson St, Carlton
191 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Di Stasio Carlton
224 Faraday St, Carlton
224 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Di Stasio Carlton stands out with its distinctive approach to pizza, offering unconventional yet delightful toppings such as lobster. The restaurant is known for its Italian-inspired menu, with the lobster pizza being a favorite among customers, offering a unique blend of flavors enhanced by vermentino and a touch of chilli. Operating from Wednesday to Sunday, Di Stasio Carlton accepts various credit cards and applies a service charge for groups of 5 or more.
Recommended by
Di Stasio pizzeria Carlton isn’t like any other pizzeria in town, but I think I was unprepared for just how much I loved itLobster pizza, I thought, why on earth would you want that? And who’s gonna order it? Turns out you order it because it’s delicious (not least with some vermentino, a little chilli and some sunshine), and I’ll definitely be back for more. I’m not surprised to see that Di Stasio pizzeria Carlton isn’t like any other pizzeria in town, but I think I was unprepared for just how much I loved it. A win for the forces of Italianality.
Osteria Ilaria
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Osteria Ilaria is a modern Italian eatery known for its extensive global wine list. The restaurant is highly recommended by patrons for its creative yet familiar dishes, offering a blend of modern and classic Italian cuisine. From the reviews, it's clear that customers enjoy building their own eight-course meal, often paired with some of the finest Chardonnays.
Recommended by
Italian tucker, sexed up. Everyone I know raves about this place and you need only look at the reviews online to realise they're not alone. Illaria's big brother TIPO 00 has been one of my favourite restaurants for several years now and so it should be of no surprise that this joint was high on my priority list. It was absolutely outstanding. Every single course, stellar. We skipped the chefs menu (I'm a bit off them of recent) and simply built our own eight course deggy, partnered alongside one of the best Chardonnays I've had in recent times. All in all, I loved every second. Modern yet classic, familiar yet creative, simple but tasty. Not to be missed x
Osteria Ilaria
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Alta Trattoria
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Alta Trattoria is a comfortable Italian restaurant tucked away from the hustle and bustle, offering an elegant yet casual dining experience. The menu features fresh takes on classic dishes such as fettuccine with chestnut and speck, ravioli with cockerel and pine mushroom, and rabbit ragu. With affordable and tasty wines, friendly staff, and a warm atmosphere, Alta Trattoria is a noteworthy spot for Italian cuisine lovers.
Recommended by
Fitzroy just got a little cooler, if that's even possible. Firstly, I was having such a great time I forgot to take photos of the food so apologies in advance. Alta is coming in hot, tucked away off busy Brunswick St, this quaint little italian restaurant is warm and comfortable, elegant yet casual. In an otherwise saturated market here in Melbourne, Alta offers a fresh perspective with delicious things like fettuccine, chestnut and speck, ravioli with cockerel and pine mushroom and rabbit ragu. Wines were affordable and scrumptious, staff were friendly and attentive. A great little find in one of Melbourne's coolest suburbs.
Alta Trattoria
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Ground Floor Rear/274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
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