Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne

by OpenTable Team

Updated 09 November 2023

Featuring everything from local neighbourhood pizza and pasta joints to upscale restaurants, the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne deliver it all.

Credit: Park Street Pasta & Wine

Di Stasio Citta

4.5

4.5 (513)

$41 to $100

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Located on Spring St, opposite the Treasury Gardens, between Collins St and Flinders Lane, there emerges a truly unique space – imagined, created, curated – that lies at the nexus of all the Di Stasio energies that have come before it. Cittá is a culmination of sorts, a vibrant dynamic next step along a continuum of a challenge and of notions Rinaldo has been grappling with all his life. This is not only a commercial venture – though of course, he has never retreated from this aspect – but is also a vehicle to express and bring together all the aspects of Italo-Australian history, culture, place and heritage. It is an opportunity too to bring a long-standing dream to further fruition, celebrating Rinaldo’s influence on the Australian hospitality, cultural and artistic landscape, through a renewed celebration of Melbourne and the CBD where it all began and of his beloved spiritual and familial home, Italy.

Top review

Marnie

Dined on 26 Oct 2024

Loved the ambience in this restaurant, so much fun, and the staff are so attentive and warm. The food is exceptional, loved it all! Note the music and big screen projection, super fun experience alongside dinner.

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Experience

Group Menu

DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar - Carlton

4.4

4.4 (561)

$40 and under

Pizzeria

Carlton

About the restaurant

D.O.C is real Italian eating and age old simplicity refreshed with contemporary flair. A celebration of heritage. A joy in sharing. Authentic, exuberant and outrageously Italian.

Top review

Josie

Dined on 10 Nov 2024

Excellent food, service and ambience. Great place for a family dinner

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Experience

Two-course DOC Degustazione menu ($60)

Experience

Three-course DOC Degustazione Menu ($70)

Rococo St Kilda

4.6

4.6 (1871)

$40 and under

Italian

St Kilda

About the restaurant

Rococo St Kilda's atmosphere is both seductive and vibrant, bustling and intimate. The place where Rococo’s signature antipasti boards and simple Italian flavours first came to be, it continues to attract diners from all over Melbourne some 10 years later. Set amongst some of Melbourne’s most loved sites – The Palais, The National Theatre and St Kilda beach to name a few – our expanded restaurant space is bigger than ever, yet remains cosy and flexible, with various spaces available for functions and plenty of nooks for private dining or close conversations.
Join us for a meal of many courses; a hearty breakfast to start the day, a jovial work lunch, a family get together or just a glass of wine to celebrate the end of a day. Oh and our Wood Fire Pizzas are a must. Enjoy the authenticity, quality and warm hospitality of modern Italy right here in Melbourne.
Al fresco outside seating also available.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic service and fresh food. The meals came out hot.

Park Street Pasta & Wine

4.5

4.5 (821)

$41 to $100

Italian

South Melbourne

About the restaurant

Located in a historic corner building at 268 Park Street, Park Street Pasta & Wine is South Melbourne’s friendly neighbourhood pasta and wine bar from Italian Restaurateurs Luca Balbo & Lino Torre, combining their passion for food and experience in the hospitality industry.

Head chef Tommaso Bartoli whips up a creative menu that heavily draws on his Tuscan roots. Starting his career in the kitchens of Florence, he brings to Australia all the knowledge and passion for food that define with his personal style.

All our pasta is handmade in-house in the traditional ‘fatta a mano’ style. Our menu features inventive sharing plates, classic pasta dishes that nod to various parts of Italy, plus a few modern iterations, all reflective of seasonal quality produce. with a tidy selection of Italian, international and local wines to match.

We are located at 268 Park Street on the Corner of Park Street and Perrins St, just down from the iconic South Melbourne Town Hall.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

One of the most delectable venues in Melbourne. It is like a fine wine that just gets better everything. The experience was a 15/10 I was pleasantly surprised by the service, whose warmth lit up my smile. The ambiance the waiters provided allowed for a fantastic dining experience. Will be going again <3

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Cecconi's Flinders Lane

4.7

4.7 (1182)

$100 and over

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

"Everything you want from a sophisticated city Italian restaurant is right here: atmosphere, admirable service, a menu long enough to allow for real choice, an expansive drinks list, flattering lighting, carpets and tablecloths to ensure that sound levels are low enough for a proper conversation."
Enjoy signature dishes - Seafood linguine, Veal Cotoletta and signature steaks from the Josper

One Hat – THE AGE GOOD FOOD GUIDE
2006 - 2023

Top review

george

Dined 2 days ago

Haven’t been for a few years but will make sure we make reservations more regularly as it was a fantastic experience

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Experience

3 Course Fixed Price Menu

Il Solito Posto

4.8

4.8 (1137)

$41 to $100

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

One of Melbourne's most renowned Italian restaurants. Il Solito Posto is an institution. A real Melbourne Italian dining experience with a warm urban chic feel. Tantalise your taste buds with regional Italian dishes, prepared with the freshest seasonal produce and revel in the awarded wine list.

This is Il Solito Posto ..... The usual place..

Top review

steve

Dined 5 days ago

Authentic, excellent service, great food, a little loud but that’s probably just the result of everyone having a great time!

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4.5

4.5 (691)

$40 and under

Italian

South Yarra

About the restaurant

Nestled within the Domain Road enclave in South Yarra with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens sits Gilson.

Gilson’s intimate dining room is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and caters for large groups and private dining events.

Gilson offers an all day menu focusing on Italian cuisine and seasonal flavours.

A neighbourhood favourite due to its relaxed setting, friendly staff, fabulous drinks list and dishes such as the ‘avocado bruschetta’ for breakfast, the ‘Seafood Linguine' for lunch or dinner, and a 'tiramisu' for dessert.

Wood fired pizza is also available for lunch and dinner cooked in the custom built oven.

Gilson's brunch service is available for walk-ins with reservations available from midday.

Top review

Henry

Dined on 15 Nov 2024

Great Experience! We came slightly later, and they were very accomodating.

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Experience

$65pp Classics Shared Group Menu

Experience

$85pp Premium Shared Group Menu

Experience

New Years at Gilson

Trattoria Emilia

4.8

4.8 (1244)

$41 to $100

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Trattoria Emilia is an authentic Italian restaurant focusing on seasonal produce and fresh pasta. Head chefs Francesco Rota and Luca Flammia hail from Modena in Emilia Romagna.

At Trattoria Emilia we seasonally change the menu and source a large majority of our produce from regional Victoria, our meat is organic and sustainably grown in Tasmania and Victoria and we import some of the best Italian DOC products. Some dishes that are not to be missed are our Tortelloni Emiliani and the crowd favourite salumi misti with gnocco fritto and tigelle served with mortadella mousse.

Rustic, yet refined, Trattoria Emilia boasts fantastic ambience, attentive and professional service whilst all the while remaining a great casual dining spot perfect for a quick lunch, a long relaxing dinner with friends and has always been a romantic date spot.

Top review

Fiona

Dined 3 days ago

Highly recommend, couldn’t fault the food and service.

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A la Carte. Our Chef's choice is also available

Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana

4.3

4.3 (1072)

$40 and under

Italian

Melbourne CBD

About the restaurant

Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana in the Melbourne CBD is serving rustic and authentic Italian food like its meant to be – flavoursome, simple and made with a healthy dose of Italian passion. The chefs behind this Manchester Lane restaurant are dedicated to following traditional recipes (just like Nonna used), using their knowledge from homeland Italy and adding just a touch of gourmet modernity. Freshly made pasta is undoubtedly the star of the show at Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana, ranging from gnocchi and tagliatelle to fettuccine and pappardelle. Yet the menu also offers rustic pizzas, traditional mains and homemade desserts that will satisfy any guest – especially when enjoyed alongside the Italian and Australian wines available. Better yet, the service and atmosphere of Maccaroni is both genuine and inviting. Located in the Melbourne CBD, this restaurant is understandably popular and making an advance booking is highly recommended.

Top review

James

Dined 5 days ago

Great meal and great service. Incredibly fast delivery of the items we ordered!

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4.5

4.5 (365)

$40 and under

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

The third venue for the high-profile restaurateur couple Rinaldo Di Stasio and Mallory Wall, sits behind the King and Godfree complex on the corner of Lygon and Faraday Streets and has glamorous echoes of their Di Stasio Citta pleasure palace in the city.

Designed by architect Di Ritter of Hassell, also responsible for Citta, the pizzeria has three separate spaces inside, adorned with Reko Rennie artwork and Shaun Gladwell sculptures, and a courtyard bar centred around a fountain imported from the Roman countryside.

Chef Federico Congiu, who has worked with Di Stasio for five years, is making his own jersey milk mozzarella fiore di latte for the pizzas. Congiu has sourced five growers around the Yarra Valley to grow and preserve San Marzano tomatoes for pizza toppings and is having special durum wheat flour milled in Tamworth.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on 20 Oct 2024

Loved the courtyard in the beautiful Melbourne sun. Food and service was amazing. Cant wait to come back on a hotter day in the summer.

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Experience

Menu - $145 per person

Osteria Renata

4.8

4.8 (361)

$41 to $100

Italian

Prahran

About the restaurant

Osteria Renata is a neighbourhood diner inspired by Italy. Hosting friends, family and colleagues at the dinner table. Headed up by duo Chef / Owner Angus Cadden and Restaurateur / Owner Alex Ghaddab, our menu features inventive and classic pasta dishes, created in our designated pasta lab, as well as a seasonal selection of antipasti, larger plates, side dishes and desserts. Some of our classics include our gnocco fritto with 36 month aged Jamon Iberico, our spaghetti with Live Southern Rock Lobster and brodetto and our Mushroom filled Quadratti with parmagianno Reggiano. The old world bar, fashioned by hand from fine American oak, offers a full selection of artisanal spirits, amari, craft Italian beer, a dialled in cocktail program and a pan euro-Italian slanting wine list, appeasing any discerning palette. Wether it be in our main dining room, a perch at the bar, or an alfresco seat on High St, we look forward to welcoming you!

Top review

Ryanvip

Dined on 21 Sept 2024

Was a great little find. Ambience is very welcoming the staff are great and more importantly the food is great (especially the lamb backstrap)!

Oster

4.6

4.6 (387)

$41 to $100

Italian

Richmond

About the restaurant

Inspired by our Northern Italian roots, we bring the traditionally casual, regional osteria into an urban setting. And shake it up a bit.
Unfussy local food & wine hosted in a warm neighbourhood eatery. Strictly seasonal produce, championing regional growers & artisans.

Top review

Harry

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food, service and vibe as always, Will be sad to see this place close down

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6 course degustation menu.

Teatro Gastronomia

4.3

4.3 (1021)

$41 to $100

Italian

Southbank

About the restaurant

The theatre of food at Teatro is synonymous with a Italian marketplace. From delicious selection of Antipasti to Traditional Italian wood-fired pizza, and amazing Pasta dishes Teatro caters for all guests. Whether a quick dinner before a show at the arts centre, a wine or cocktail with the river view or a lunch before heading to the art gallery or the gardens of our beautiful city.
A fresh seasonal produce driven menu inspires our ever-changing Italian cuisine with plenty of vegetarian and Gluten Free options. The theatre itself remains constant, but the food and the menu are constantly evolving. Why not enjoy the stunning views of the Yarra River whilst indulging in some Chianti & dessert on Southbank Promenade.

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

Great food before the MSO. Quick service. Attentive and very nice waitress, Sally. Will go again.

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Bottomless Pasta Weekends

Neighbourhood Pizza

4.8

4.8 (373)

$40 and under

Italian

Armadale

About the restaurant

Neighbourhood Pizza. Its pizza for locals. Great for the family, your date or your friends. More than just pizza!

Top review

Debbie

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and friendly quick service, great value

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Experience

Set Menu $65 pp

Donnini's

4.6

4.6 (628)

$41 to $100

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Donnini's is a generational Italian eatery with a sincere focus on handmade pasta, real food, generous hospitality & well sourced wines.

Family owned and operated DONNINI'S relaxed atmosphere and honest approach to traditional cooking provides the perfect environment for family get-togethers, intimate dinners and business lunches alike.

Top review

Fiona

Dined on 15 Nov 2024

Always brilliant food and service here. The warm hospitality and delicious food makes this a wonderful experience

Freddy's Pizza

4.6

4.6 (256)

$40 and under

Pizza Bar

Windsor

About the restaurant

Ciao, This is Freddy's!

Your friendly neighbourhood pizzeria, nestled right in the heart of Windsor. Come for the wood-fired pizza, stay for the good times!

Top review

Chloe

Dined on 11 Nov 2024

Went on a Monday! Great specials and delicious food

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Experience

ROMANA MONDAYS

Officina Gastronomica Italiana

4.6

4.6 (377)

$41 to $100

Italian

Prahran

About the restaurant

Officina Gastronomica Italiana is gastronomic workshop of artisan pasta, wine and espresso celebrated with true Italian conviviality.

We have indoor and outdoor seating available in our cosy courtyard. Which is covered and heated if necessary.

Top review

Nina

Dined 2 days ago

The food was exceptional and very friendly and helpful staff. Cute courtyard too.

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Experience

Firenze Set Menu $75pp ($30pp Deposit)

Experience

Roma Set Menu $85pp ($30pp Deposit)

Experience

Capri Set Menu $85pp ($30pp Deposit)

Italy 1 Camberwell

4.6

4.6 (282)

$41 to $100

Italian

Camberwell

About the restaurant

Established in 1996, Italy 1 has maintained a firm focus on serving high quality Italian food that takes advantage of the freshest and seasonal produce available. Darren Venn completed his chef apprenticeship at Italy 1 in the late 1990s, then in 2006, he took on the role of Executive Chef at the Camberwell venue. The Italy 1 menu is produce driven and Darren’s passion for Italian cuisine is one that has endured. “I fell in love with Italian food when I began cooking at Italy 1 all those years ago.” We are big believers in using local produce and high quality Italian ingredients. Inspiration comes from what is seasonally available – that is quintessentially what Italian food is all about. I regularly visit the markets and that’s how I create the menu,” says Darren, who remains very much hands on, continuing to man the stoves in the kitchen as Executive Chef.

Top review

KellyS

Dined on 5 Oct 2023

Beautiful service, wine list and food. Felt lovely bring here again 20 years on and still ticked all the right boxes. Consistency over time. Elegant but not pretentious. Good honest food. Would be nice to see more vegetarian options as entree / mains (not just sides).

Da Guido La Pasta

4.7

4.7 (110)

$41 to $100

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Lygon Street, Da Guido is the perfect spot for long launches with friends and special celebrations with your family.
Be prepared to experience tasty drinks and exceptional food.
To ensure genuine Italian taste and style, the dishes are exclusively prepared by Italian chefs trained in our Venetian restaurant in Italy.
We select our Italian wines only from small artisan winemakers who we personally know and trust.
Tagliatelle, maccheroni, fusilli and spaghetti are just some of the authentic handmade Italian specialities we serve for your palate's pleasure.

Top review

GeoD

Dined on 13 Oct 2023

Quality food and service in an idealic atmosphere. Staff friendly and efficient. Well worth trying.

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Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Zia Rina's Cucina

4.8

4.8 (216)

$41 to $100

Italian

Armadale

About the restaurant

Modern trattoria in the heart of Armadale serving modern home style Italian with unique and playful touches of personal heritage.
All produce is sourced from the market and local farms.
We cook with soul and integrity and instinct, menus are created on a whim with whatever we feel is the best produce of the season.
$75pp Set Menu only
Please specify dietaries upon booking
BYO available at $25 per bottle

Top review

Deirdrevip

Dined on 14 Nov 2024

We had a lovely experience dining at Rias Cucina- very friendly service, lovely atmosphere and really delicious food and wine. Thank you !

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Experience

Rina's Set Menu

L'Artigiano Ivanhoe

4.5

4.5 (577)

$40 and under

Italian

Ivanhoe

About the restaurant

Our name encompasses our philosophy on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.

We take great care in preparing authentic regional Italian cuisine using only quality, fresh and seasonal produce.

Our mission is to produce high quality artisan style food that has been carefully crafted and perfected, using time honoured methods.

Top review

Susan

Dined 1 day ago

Took friends for the first time and they were very impressed. Good quality and value great with equally as good service. Thanks to front of house and Chief. We will be back

Elma

4.2

4.2 (141)

$41 to $100

Italian

Port Melbourne

About the restaurant

ELMA, a place to gather and enjoy a slice of Italy.

Simplicity, with all the flavour and fun of Italian dining.
Using simple, fresh and seasonal ingredients, Elma's authentic Italian menu features a large selection of pizzas, antipastos and more.

Elma Italian Pizzeria | Wednesday to Sunday | 1PM - 9PM

Elma Bar | Wednesday to Sunday | 1PM - 9PM

Elma Café is open from 8AM - 3PM serving coffee, fresh pastries, baguettes and sandwiches.

For Reservation Enquiries: 0401 564 788
*Please note, we are a cashless venue, we do not accept American Express or any gift card payments at this stage.

Top review

KellyEd

Dined on 27 Apr 2023

Yum food, strange vibe but helpful for the area we needed to be in.

Mr Roman

$41 to $100

Italian

Richmond

About the restaurant

Mr Roman is a contemporary pizzeria bar bringing a menu of authentic Italian staples straight to the foodies of Melbourne. Inviting you to experience the beauty of Rome through the magic of traditional Italian street food, enjoy the hot-blooded capitals unique teglia romana focaccia pizza, traditional Roman pizza, delicious antipasto plates and the freshest of salads.

Top review

Jacob

Dined on 28 Jul 2023

Great food and great hosts. Were accommodating to special requests.