It’s no secret — Melbourne has a lot of brilliant Italian restaurants. Discover classic institutions, cosy osterias, vibrant pasta bars and much, much more. Perfect for date nights, casual hang outs or solo adventures, you’ll feel delighted by the vast array of flavoursome dishes. Find Venetian-inspired creations, Tuscan flavours and traditional menus that have lasted through generations. While we couldn’t fit all of the amazing Italian restaurants in Melbourne in this list, these selections should help get you started. Buon appetito!
1. Tipo 00
Oh, how we love Tipo 00. This charming establishment got its name from the type of flour used to make their pasta. Their vast array of pasta options are perfect for any carb lover, from their squid ink tagliolini to their braised duck gnocchi. On top of the artisan pasta dishes, there’s also a selection of treats to start, secondi, sides and dessert. While you’re there, check out their extensive drinks list, filled with an assortment of dreamy Italian wines and cocktails.
📍361 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar
Arguably one of the most iconic Italian restaurants or cafés in Melbourne, Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Opened by the Pellegrini brothers in 1954, this institution was one of the first places in Melbourne to have an espresso machine. Hop on a stool, grab a coffee, and watch the world go by, while tucking into a generous serve of pasta.
📍66 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
3. Grossi Florentino
Grossi Florentino is an iconic Italian venue in Melbourne CBD. Housed in the original 1928 establishment, this luxurious space invites you on an authentic and fine dining Italian journey. Inside, you’ll find three areas – a Cellar Bar, Grill and Florentino. Each space has a separate kitchen and menu, celebrating both Italian and Australian culture.
As you might guess, the Cellar Bar has plenty of drinks for you to choose from. But, there’s also plenty of dishes to take you from breakfast to dinner.
Meanwhile, Grill is a casual eatery, with a focus on Tuscan cuisine and woodfire cooking.
And finally, Florentino is an elegant and romantic space, with exquisitely crafted dishes steeped in Italian tradition. There’s also a vegetarian and vegan menu, so everyone can join in on the fun. Pair your experience with a tipple from their extensive drinks list.
📍80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. The Waiters Restaurant
The Waiters Restaurant began as a social club in 1947, and was the perfect place for Italian, Greek and Spanish migrants to hang out and play cards. Originally known as the Italian Waiters Club, this hidden treasure slowly added elements like a stove, and became the venue that we know and love today. Journey down a laneway, climb up some stairs, and enjoy a fuss-free menu of pasta and more. Pair it with wine for a great night out.
📍20 Meyers Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Il Bacaro
Il Bacaro is a delightful Venetian restaurant nestled away on Little Collins Street. This cosy restaurant is perfect for a romantic date night or special occasion, with soft lighting, white table cloths and an extensive selection of wines. The menu by Executive Chef David Dellai is filled with simple and refined Venetian fare, made with ingredients from local Victorian producers. Find meticulously crafted dishes, like grilled octopus, goat agnolotti and suckling pig. There’s also a nice selection of cheeses and desserts for you to choose from, including agave nectar cheesecake and honey baked figs.
📍168-170 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Osteria Ilaria
Brought to you by the same team as Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria serves modern Italian cuisine. Find fresh and flavoursome dishes, presented with artistic finesse, like snapper crudo served with turnip and pomegranate. Indulge in other tasty items, like porchini mushroom croquettes, pappa al pomodoro and Gippsland duck breast. Elevate your experience with a wine pairing, or feel surprised by the Chef’s Menu. As you might guess from the name, there is a huge focus on wine, with a drinks list that covers Italian, European, and wines from around the world. If wine’s not your thing, there’s also a variety of spirits to choose from.
📍367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
7. Trattoria Emilia
Nestled on Little Collins Street, you’ll find refined and rustic Italian cuisine at Trattoria Emilia. Perfect for a casual lunch or a relaxing dinner, each homemade dish is made with carefully sourced and local ingredients. After your meal, you’ll feel even more satisfied, knowing that most of resources in the kitchen are used, leaving practically no waste. Indulge in decadent bone marrow, Amalfi lemon spaghetti, tortellini with truffle and much more. There’s also a five course tasting menu, so you can enjoy a little bit of everything. The wine list is a celebration of Italian and Australian varieties.
📍360 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. Bottega
Bottega is an intimate and modern Italian restaurant located at the top end of Bourke Street. Indulge in handmade pasta like lamb shoulder fettucine or duck ravioli. If you don’t feel like pasta, there’s other mains include crispy skin barramundi and red wine braised beef cheek. There’s also a selection of antipasti, cheese and desserts. A pre-theatre menu is also available, so you can kick off your evening in the city with delicious Italian cuisine. As you dine, enjoy a glass of Australian or Italian wine.
📍74 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Il Solito Posto
Journey down into a basement on Collins Street and discover Il Solito Posto, or ‘the usual place’. The cosy venue has a Caffeteria for casual bites and a Trattoria for more formal dining. Find an enticing selection of traditional Italian dishes, made from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Start with their Antipasto Della Casa, a selection of Italian cured meats, vegetables and cheese. Then, indulge in flavoursome pasta, fish of the day, meatballs with polenta and more. End your meal with tiramisu, panna cotta and more.
📍Basement/113 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
10. Cecconi’s Flinders Lane
Pop into this New York style basement and discover sophisticated Italian cuisine at Cecconi’s. Relax and enjoy Venetian-inspired dishes, while admiring the theatrical flair of the open kitchen. Try freshly shucked oysters and seared scallops, and indulge in their selection of pasta and steaks. Sweeten things up with house-made sorbetto and gelato, or try their dreamy tiramisu.
📍61 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000