Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Essendon

Price

££
£££
££££

Regions

Inner CityInner City NorthInner EastInner SouthNorthern Suburbs

Areas

Albert ParkArmadaleAscot ValeCarltonClifton HillEast Melbourne

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

21 restaurants available nearby

1. Tutti Trattoria

4.3

Awesome(12)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Essendon

We grew up on Nonna’s classic pizzas, freshly made pasta and Italian sweets. Noisy family gatherings, a little indulgence and a lot of fun. And everyone was welcome.Now we extend the invitation to you. Tutti Trattoria is the recreation of these family moments, with a little makeover. Our gorgeous interior brings a taste of Italy to the heart of Essendon. Each of our rooms reflects a unique vibe, from our southern Italian trattoria to our decadent and intimate upstairs restaurant.And the food. We believe good food doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to be made fresh, with quality ingredients, and a little love. Come on in and see what all the fuss is about.

2. Bar Taralli

new

4.5

Awesome(3)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • North Melbourne

Booked 14 times today

Lead by renowned Melbourne chef Salvatore Giorgio, Bar Taralli celebrates the rustic flavours and traditions from the South of Italy.Inspired by the regions simple yet bold approach to food, Bar Taralli focuses on bringing out authentic flavours in every dish.Creating a warm and inviting space for patrons to gather, this is Salvatore's love letter to his homeland, a region that deeply shaped his culinary philosophy. Salvatore welcomes you to his new home, a place to share his rich food culture with Melbourne foodies.

A photo of D.O.C Osteria Carlton restaurant

3. D.O.C Osteria Carlton

4.5

Awesome(38)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Carlton

Booked 11 times today

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.

4. Bar Brillo

4.5

Awesome(2)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Niddrie

Booked 4 times today

Our mission with Bar Brillo is to create a place to enjoy awesome local and imported wines as well as small plates designed to share and made with great ingredients.Why Brillo? Brillo means “tipsy” in Italian and also “I shine”. So we hope the food will shine and the drinks won’t get you too Brillo.We can’t wait to have you all back into our venue, and to start cooking some great food.

5. TROMBAR

3.8

Excellent(23)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Ascot Vale

Trombar is a Bar Restaurant where you can spend a wonderful evening whit your friends there is live music where you can dance all night.We got a beautiful Italian restaurant that serve high quality Italian cuisine. Our signature dish is linguine whit lobster or hand made pasta including how testing meat ribeye ,eyes fillet or Salmon on the grill inside there are three bars where you can drink your favorite cocktail and spirits .The atmosphere it’s very electric and fun where you can spend a nice evening in the company of freind and meet other people as well We recommend you come visit us to spend a nice special evening whit your friends. See you soon

6. Pastificio Sandro

4.8

Exceptional(31)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Thornbury

Booked 2 times today

Pastificio Sandro in Thornbury offers a delightful journey through Contemporary Italian cuisine that leaves diners raving about their experiences. "Every course was outstanding, packed with flavour and stunning ingredients," one guest exclaimed. The restaurant’s innovative approach includes delicate truffle-based dishes and expertly paired wines, offering a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. The intimate setting of the deli transforms into a "very unique restaurant" by night, making it a hidden gem in Melbourne. With its top-notch service and a menu that promises "crazy delicious food," Pastificio Sandro is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Italian with a contemporary twist.

A photo of Gilda Restaurant & Cafe Reservoir restaurant

7. Gilda Restaurant & Cafe Reservoir

new

(0)

££££Price: Moderate

• Contemporary italian • Reservoir

Authentic Italian Restaurant in Reservoir, MelbourneExperience the best Italian dining in Melbourne, located in the heart of a premier Padel club. Enjoy an unforgettable meal with stunning views over world-class Padel courts, whether for casual dining or special events.Our VIP lounge is perfect for parties, celebrations, and any occasion. When booking in advance, you can customize your menu to suit your tastes.Elevate your event with premium add-ons:DJ: Energize your event with a live DJ.Singer: Add elegance with a live vocalist.Band: Make your celebration unforgettable with a live band.Custom Decorations: Transform the space with bespoke decor.Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine at Melbourne’s top Padel club. Book now to create a personalized, extraordinary Italian dining experience.

A photo of Cecconi's Flinders Lane restaurant

8. Cecconi's Flinders Lane

4.8

Exceptional(1204)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Melbourne CBD

Booked 29 times today

Cecconi's Flinders Lane is a "Melbourne institution" that offers an exceptional dining experience with its authentic Contemporary Italian cuisine. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne CBD, this sophisticated restaurant has been awarded the prestigious One Hat by The Age Good Food Guide consistently from 2006 to 2023. Diners rave about the "sublime" meals, highlighting dishes like the seafood linguine and veal cotoletta. The restaurant is celebrated for its "impeccable" service and a "wonderful ambience," creating a memorable experience. With a menu that offers real choice and a wine list to match, Cecconi’s stands out as a top destination for Italian fare.

A photo of Teatro Gastronomia restaurant

9. Teatro Gastronomia

4.4

Awesome(1077)

££££Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Southbank

Booked 45 times today

Teatro Gastronomia, nestled along the vibrant Southbank Promenade, offers an exquisite Contemporary Italian dining experience that captures the true essence of Italy. Guests rave about the “amazing food and even better service,” consistently highlighting the restaurant’s “delicious” offerings, from traditional wood-fired pizzas to delectable pasta dishes. With its fresh, seasonal produce-driven menu, Teatro manages to keep its offerings both authentic and innovative, providing plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The stunning views of the Yarra River add to the atmosphere, making it a perfect pre-show dining spot. Diners consistently praise it as a “highly recommended” destination for Italian cuisine lovers.

10. Cecconi's Toorak

4.6

Exceptional(160)

££££Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Toorak

Booked 18 times today

Cecconi's Toorak offers an exquisite experience of Contemporary Italian cuisine, beautifully blending authentic Italian flavors with Melbourne's modern dining landscape. Nestled in the heart of Toorak, this elegant eatery is a “lovely, tucked away gem,” praised for its warm ambiance and impeccable service. Diners consistently rave about the “fantastic food and wine” and the “world-class oysters,” highlighting the restaurant's commitment to quality and taste. With its luxurious decor and attentive staff, Cecconi's Toorak stands as a premier destination for those seeking a sophisticated and memorable Italian dining experience. “Highly recommended” for its innovative and flavorful menu, it's a must-visit for discerning palates.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

V
Voula
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined on 5 Mar 2025
Delicious imaginative food curated with care. Friendly atmosphere and nice cosy vibe. The wines are always good, my favourite is one of the orange ones. Our server was friendly and attentive.
More info
Bar BrilloPrice: Expensive• Wine Bar• Niddrie
•
4.5
J
Joey
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 Feb 2025
Great experience, beautiful authentic Italian food
More info
Bar TaralliPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Melbourne
•
4.5
M
Merrill
Melbourne •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 28 Feb 2025
Great food & great service. Any questions asked were responded with thoughtful answers or excellent recommendations
More info
Pastificio SandroPrice: Expensive• Modern European• Thornbury
•
4.8
M
Meghan
Melbourne •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 11 Feb 2025
Our food and the service were amazing! Our only downfalls was the heat and noise level. Very hard to have a conversation as it is quite a loud environment. And the front doors were open leaving us to feel a bit sweaty and uncomfortable while eating hot food! Won’t stop us from coming back though (: highly recommend!
More info
Tutti TrattoriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Essendon
•
4.3
M
Maria
Melbourne •1 review
5.0
Dined on 1 Feb 2025
The food was mouth watering. We had ordered salmon, pasta and pizza and every meal was not only beautifully presented, it was delicious. Dessert was also amazing. The panna cotta hit the spot after a beautiful meal. We look forward to returning to Trombar soon.
More info
TROMBARPrice: Expensive• Italian• Ascot Vale
•
3.8

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