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 (516)

$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

Marion

Dined on 16 Jan 2025

Highly recommended. We all loved it and would go back again and again if only we lived in Melbourne.

DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar - Carlton

4.5

4.5 (585)

$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

Filippo

Dined 1 day ago

All perfect as always .. the best pizza in Melbourne

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Popular dish

Pizza DOC

Experience

Two-course DOC Degustazione menu ($60)

Experience

Three-course DOC Degustazione Menu ($70)

Rococo St Kilda

4.7

4.7 (1911)

$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

TSZ TUNG IRIS

Dined today

Spacious restaurant, nice and helpful staff. Large portion dishes and value for money.

Park Street Pasta & Wine

4.5

4.5 (822)

$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 & Matteo Balbo 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

Kerri

Dined 6 days ago

What a lovely spot. Staff are excellent. Food amazing. Highly recommend this little gem in Sth Melbourne.

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Cecconi's Flinders Lane

4.8

4.8 (1203)

$101 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

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great service and amazing food as always! The brisket with bone marrow crust is not to be missed!

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Experience

3 Course Fixed Price Menu

Tipico

4.6

4.6 (420)

$41 to $100

Italian

Windsor

About the restaurant

Based on High Street, just one block from Chapel, Tipico is a new modern-Italian bistro.
Tipico reflects the new Italy, the Italy that’s now in Milan, the cool new vibe.
Not the classic restaurant with Italian music playing and cloth on the tables. The flavors coming out will be relatively classic, but with some modern finesse added to the plating.

An Italian and Victorian centered wine list explores a variety of regions and wine makers alongside local craft beers and cocktails.

Top review

Jenni

Dined on 26 Apr 2024

Absolutely delicious!! Will definitely come back.

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4.8

4.8 (1213)

$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

Michael

Dined 7 days ago

It was a refreshing experience to have such fantastic table service in Melbourne

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Experience

Large Breakfast Booking

Experience

The Large Dining Table

Gilson

4.5

4.5 (730)

$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

Nikki

Dined 3 days ago

Thank you to the team at Gilson for helping to make my bridesmaid proposal special! They were very attentive and the food was incredible as always!

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Popular dish

Mushrooms

Experience

$65pp Classics Group Shared Menu

Experience

$65pp Classics Shared Group Menu

Trattoria Emilia

4.8

4.8 (1315)

$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

DavidC

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing fresh food and wonderful service makes the restaurant well worth a visit!

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Experience

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

Experience

Chef's choice, 5 courses for $105

Experience

Choose from our menu 3 courses for $90.

Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana

4.5

4.5 (1124)

$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

Selina

Dined 3 days ago

great experience, food were tasty and the price was reasonable!

Di Stasio Carlton

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

Tween

Dined on 19 Oct 2024

Overall an enjoyable dining experience at Di Stassio Carlton. Good lively ambience, polite and knowledgeable staff and delicious food. Highly recommended.

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)!

Teatro Gastronomia

4.4

4.4 (1076)

$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

Dan

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious Italian food and great service. Very attentive wait staff. Highly recommend. Will be back.

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Experience

Bottomless Pasta Weekends

Experience

Nona Set Menu $75pp/$90pp ($20pp deposit)

Experience

Dolce Vita Set Menu $90pp/$100pp ($20pp deposit)

Neighbourhood Pizza

4.8

4.8 (399)

$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

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always fantastic service always fantastic food and great prices

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Experience

Set Menu $65 pp

Donnini's

4.6

4.6 (646)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 28 Feb 2025

This is the best Italian in Melbourne, heck, Australia! Non pretentious , Service is Group 1 The food is nothing short of of biblical. Epic foccacia Best Arancini I’ve ever had Spinach & ricotta tortelli is the stuff of gods. Panna cotta for dessert was nothing short of silk. Just do yourself a favour and go here.

Freddy's Pizza

4.6

4.6 (265)

$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

Rose

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

Freddy's never lets us down. Best of everything, every time.

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Experience

ROMANA MONDAYS

Officina Gastronomica Italiana

4.7

4.7 (400)

$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

Ruby

Dined on 28 Feb 2025

Great wine suggestion and BEST focaccia ever!!!!!!

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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

PaulT

Dined on 8 Oct 2023

Gr8 food & service as always...Thanks Team Italy 1

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 (222)

$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

Glenda

Dined on 21 Feb 2025

I took my Italian friend for her birthday as the restaurant was highly recommended. It did not disappoint, she loved the delicious well prepared authentic food and they catered GF for her. Fantastic service as well. A very memorable evening and highly recommended.

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Experience

Rina's Set Menu

L'Artigiano Ivanhoe

4.5

4.5 (592)

$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

ClaudiaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always a pleasure to dine at L'Artigiano knowing the food will be delicious. Service friendly and welcoming. Definitely a must try if you haven't.

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 on 23 Nov 2024

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

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 July 2023

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