The Moat

4.9

331 Reviews

$41 to $100

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

Enjoy an Italian escape at The Moat, an intimate haven in the heart of Melbourne.
Set in the basement of the State Library.
Our new menu reflects the Italian heritage of our two owners, Paul and Rosie, and of our head chef Monica. Together, they have created authentic dishes that are hand-made with seasonal local produce, simplicity and love.
Our family welcomes yours to join us.

Additional information

Location
176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000
Phone number
(03) 9094 7820
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Italian, Cocktail Bar, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Wed–Fri 12:00–22:00 Dinner Tue, Sat 16:00–22:00
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking available at QV Centre
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Experiences

Gnocchi Night!
A$40.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Join us every Wednesday for Gnocchi Night! Enjoy your choice of three pasta dishes, each featuring our handmade gnocchi, served with a side salad and a glass of red or white house wine for just $40 per person. It's the perfect mid-week treat!
Lunch Special!
A$35.00 per person
Multiple dates available
On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays enjoy our lunch special: a plate of our silky handmade pasta and a glass of wine for just $35.
Chef's feed me menu
A$80.00 per person
Multiple dates available
for parties larger than 8 enjoy a family style feed me menu of the chefs favourite dishes. Let us know if we need to consider any special diets and we will make it happen

What 331 people are saying

The Moat reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Inner City
Best Overall
Inner City
Best Food
Inner City
Best Service
Inner City
Best Ambience
Inner City
Good for business meals
Inner City
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Moat in Melbourne is a "hidden gem" offering "excellent Italian style fare" and a "cozy setting." Guests praise its "amazing food," "friendly staff," and "warm ambiance." Highlights include "gnocchi to die for" and "incredible service." It's "perfect for date nights" or intimate gatherings. Highly recommended!

331 Reviews

P
Pieris
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very quaint restaurant with a limited menu, however the food is superb. Our waitress Annie, was cheerful, knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurant is fairly small so you may need to book. I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant..
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G
Georgia
Victoria5 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic lunch special - great value for money and the special of the day gnocchi with the lamb was to die for!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our pre theatre go too. Italian. Never disappointed! Food divine, staff friendly, quick service.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Melbourne3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 28 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful staff great food and very gluten free friendly we always come here when we are in Melbourne
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S
Sally
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Moat is a hidden gem. Delicious food, lovely service - I have never been disappointed.
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L
Louise
Melbourne1 review
4.0
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Food was lovely and service attentive. I did ask that the play list be changed as I'm not a fan of rap and someone kindly obliged, which I appreciated. It's a great place for a drink after an exhibition launch at RMIT galleries, which is why we were there.
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j
justine VIP
NT2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 18 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Exceptional from linen table cloth to warm service to hand made pasta. Every time.
The MoatResponded on 26 February 2025
Justine, thank you for your kind words. We are so happy to learn that you love spending time at The Moat and we look forward to your next visit!
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S
Sam
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely bar with nice staff and good ambience. And close to The Wheeler Centre.
The MoatResponded on 26 February 2025
Thank you for your lovely review, Sam! We were honoured to host your book launch and we hope you'll stop by and see us again soon!
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C
Connor
Adelaide2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great dinner here, the staff were all very friendly and really made our night, especially offering to take our photo
The MoatResponded on 26 February 2025
Connor, we're so happy to hear that you loved dining at The Moat and to learn that our team took such great care of you! Thank you for the five star review and we hope you'll dine with us again soon!
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E
Ed VIP
Philadelphia54 reviews
5.0
Dined on 5 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had a wonderful Gnocchi “night” dinner. Excellent wine and great servixe!
The MoatResponded on 26 February 2025
Thanks for joining us for our Wednesday Gnocchi Night, Ed! We're so happy to hear that you loved our handmade gnocchi and we hope you'll dine with us again.
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FAQs

The Moat offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (03) 9094 7820.

The Moat is rated 4.9 stars by 331 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

15 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

Phone number
(03) 9094 7820
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Italian, Cocktail Bar, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Wed–Fri 12:00–22:00 Dinner Tue, Sat 16:00–22:00
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking available at QV Centre
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

The Moat

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Experiences

Gnocchi Night!

Lunch Special!

Chef's feed me menu

Menu

What 331 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does The Moat offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Moat restaurant rated?

Is The Moat currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information