Best Restaurants in Carlton

by OpenTable Australia

Updated 09 November 2023

Discover the best neighbourhood gems to dine at for your next visit in Carlton. From classic Italian spots to brunch cafes and fusion eateries, this charming suburb has it all.

Credit: Lagoon Dining

Bossa Nova Cafe

4.8

4.8 (146)

$40 and under

Brazilian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Looking for an authentic Brazilian restaurant or just tired of poached eggs & avo on toast?

No matter what you are looking for, at Bossa Nova Café we take pride in serving real Brazilian Food that will take you straight to Brazil after your first bite.

From the lovely beats of Bossa Nova to the quirky & colourful decoration, Bossa Nova's experience was inspired by the most diverse aspects of our culture, to bring Melbournians to Brazil and the Brazilian soul to Melbourne.

Stop by to say Olá, don't leave without trying our truly delicious coffee and delight yourself with the best of the Brazilian Cuisine.

We will be happy to have you in our casa.

Top review

Abigail

Dined on 12 Apr 2024

The food was lovely and the people so welcoming. We learnt lot about Brazilian food from the owner and was a happy find.

Brandon Hotel

4.7

4.7 (294)

$40 and under

Pub

Carlton North

About the restaurant

A hidden secret in the backstreets of Carlton North.

True corner pub, and home away from home, the Brandon's charming front bar remains true to the traditional style of the corner pub, and is where those in the know head for a pint and a meal. Follow through to the dining room where the menu offers innovative takes on old classics and a modern interpretation of pub grub.

Top review

MarieVIP

Dined on 27 Feb 2025

Always great to catch Steak Night at The Brandon. Good quality steak, cooked as ordered, and the chips are something else!

Cafe Cavallino

4.7

4.7 (133)

$40 and under

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Gino Francese opened his first restaurant in 1971 in Melbourne, Australia. The restaurant was an instant success because of its authentic Italian Pizza, Pasta, Seafood, Steak and friendly service. Cafe Cavallino is owned by Gino Francese. Cafe Cavallino will continue serving the same traditional Italian style cuisine that has been done so by the Francese family for the past 43 years. Cafe Cavallino provides one of the largest alfresco seating areas in Melbourne, to give you the true dining experience and atmosphere of Lygon Street. The Cafe Cavallino mission is to continue serving you with the freshest food within the cleanest environment. Gino Francese has built an excellent reputation for his traditional Italian homestyle cuisine and friendly atmosphere that stands strong today.

Top review

Mark

Dined on 1 Mar 2025

Absolutely amazing restaurant in Melbourne famous Lygon street great service and top food,such a great thing to see a family run restaurant

Copperwood

4.7

4.7 (75)

$41 to $100

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

A carefully selected menu of traditional and popular Authentic Italian Mediterranean dishes presented with flair and energy.
Copperwood’s lively atmosphere creates and attracts a lively crowd of patrons looking for a great menu, excellent decor and friendly service.
The amazing Location of Lygon St is in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, enjoys a fantastic lunchtime and night life that’s got it all. Copperwood has contributed to this since 1956.

Top review

Barb

Dined on 7 Feb 2025

Service was warm and very much appreciated. Seafood in the marinara was amazingly generous.

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

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.

D.O.C Osteria Carlton

4.6

4.6 (38)

$41 to $100

Italian

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

Paula

Dined today

Sat outside. Perfect weather. Service was great. Very attentive. Good was excellent. Will definitely be going back.

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Experience

La Cucina Italiana - $75 shared group menu!

Experience

La Tavola Italiana - $99 shared group menu!

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)

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.

Flovie Florist Cafe

4.3

4.3 (305)

$40 and under

Australian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Embodying old and new, Flovie incorporates both contemporary design with antique pieces. A large vintage cabinet is used for displaying fresh cut flowers and a German-made piano takes centre stage among hanging floral garlands and dried foliage. In their left corner, a curve wooden stair case leads you to the event and function space upstairs. High ceiling, two large rustic bronze crystal chandeliers and black and white French styling make it a perfect venue for your next private function or corporate event. Before you go my friend take a bouquet with you, for you never know who you may meet as you start your colourful journey. That is the proper way, the Flovie way, flowers and love. See me again, you’re always welcome at Flovie as we’ll always be early.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 28 July 2024

Quin Ian provided amazing customer service for my family on Sunday morning went above and beyond we all were very impressed and we wanted to make sure he gets recognised for his great customer service

Good Gnocchi

4.7

4.7 (176)

$41 to $100

Italian

Carlton North

About the restaurant

A very relaxed and delicious bar & bistro in Carlton North. GG's has a selection of light antipasti alongside gnocchi, pasta and comforting mains. Wash it down with a fun cocktail, or browse our delicious and approachable wine list.

Top review

Stefani

Dined 2 days ago

Super accomodating. Service was amazing and food was delicious. Took our family here we had such a great night. Thank you to the Gnocchi Team xo (such a vibe!)

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Experience

Good Gnocchi presents their Little Italy Feast

Humble Rays

4.7

4.7 (49)

$40 and under

Café

Carlton

About the restaurant

A crowd favourite brunch location in the heart of Melbourne, offering innovative, fun, photogenic and delicious food in an inviting and relaxing space. Chef and co-owner, Sutinee works her magic on an array of Asian-inspired comfort dishes, balancing spice, sweetness, sourness, and saltiness to perfection. Be sure to try the signature Crab Meat Scramble! Sit back, immerse yourself in the calm and relaxing tones of eggshelll blue, mint green and colourful vibrant patterns to enjoy your oat matcha latte. Open daily 8:00am - 4:00pm (kitchen closes at 3:00pm). Awarded 2017 Melbourne Top 20 Brunch Cafes by The Age Good Food Guide and recognised as 2018 Most Popular Cafe by Zomato with the highest number of bookmarks by users.

Top review

Benjamin

Dined on 27 Feb 2025

We went here for my Mothers 70th Birthday. We were running late for our booking and called and explained and they were so understanding. When we got there they were so polite, and so welcoming. To do with my mums birthday they said they can do a piece of cake and sing her a happy birthday, I just need to let them know when. We orded the french toast and the bubble waffles and both were delicious and such huge serves, so absolutely worth the price, which I must say are very reasonable. So if you have not being to this little hidden gem, that I admit may be a little difficult to find if you dont know it is there. Go and have a wonderful meal.

Johnny's Green Room

4.2

4.2 (97)

$41 to $100

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Situated on the rooftop of the iconic King & Godfree building in the heart of Lygon Street’s Little Italy, Johnny’s Green Room is a Tuscan-inspired terrace with dazzling city skyline views and an enthusiastic appreciation for la dolce vita.

Conceived by award-winning designer Dion Hall, Johnny’s evokes the good times of an Italian summer with a semi-retractable roof enabling those summertime vibes to be enjoyed year-round. We have acclaimed chef Karen Martini on board as our Culinary Director, her relaxed menu of Italian-style sharing dishes beautifully complemented by Melbourne bar maestro Matt Bax’s delicious program of Italian-accented cocktails and wine and a rolling roster of the finest DJs in the land.

Named after the classic Carlton nightspot that in the 70s and 80s attracted the bohemian and the notorious like moths to a neon-lit flame, Johnny’s has been reimagined for a whole new generation of Carlton habitués.

Top review

Paige

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

Absolutely love this spot but was disappointed they had no moscato.

Kahaani Modern Indian

4.1

4.1 (70)

$41 to $100

Indian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Modern Indian restaurant

Where the name itself encapsulates the essence of storytelling in Hindi. with our unconventional approach, we handpick select regions and their dishes, each representing a unique chapter in India's culinary narrative. authenticity takes center stage here & we take great pride in presenting you with genuine flavors and traditional recipes.

Kahaani is the sort of venue where you could order butter chicken, but you probably shouldn't order butter chicken. No one's going to raise any eyebrows if you do, but you'd be missing out on some of the treasures that lie deeper into the menu.

Kahaani itself is classic Lygon: a long, narrow dining hall, with funky industrial lighting and exposed brick down one side. The front window opens out onto the street, letting the breeze and Lygon nightlife waft in.

Top review

William

Dined on 17 Jan 2025

It’s Indian food done a bit differently and it tastes great. The wait staff were great. They took time to discuss Kahaani’s dishes, how they were different, and help with suggestions. We chose the Make My Feast Banquet option that allowed us to sample the menu and at $57 pp was great value. We were not disappointed in any of the dishes. My personal favourites were the Daal Pakwaan and the Parda Biryani. I’m looking forward to our next visit.

La Spaghettata

4.2

4.2 (47)

$40 and under

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

La Spaghettata is classic Italian dining at its best.
Characterised by its charming history that spans 35 years, it has established itself as one of Melbourne's most beloved Italian restaurants.

We offer Classic Italian dining experience with warm family hospitality in the hart of Lygon Street precinct. Our popular dishes are Pasta, Tiramisu, Lasagne, Bruschettas, Seafood, Spaghetti Marinara.
We welcome all customers with children.

Top review

Suad

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

Food was amazing :) definitely going back again soon

Lagoon Dining

4.8

4.8 (539)

$41 to $100

Asian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Lagoon Dining is a restaurant and bar dishing up food that leans heavily on Chinese culinary traditions. It is an expression of food we love to eat and to cook, dished up heartily alongside booze we like to swill - a place for friends and fun.

Top review

Eunji

Dined on 27 Feb 2025

Small portion size for the price, food itself was very tasty. Soft tofu dish is the winner, good drink menu. great spot for a hangout with not too much noise. Toilet needs a little update or cleaning.

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Experience

Periphery Wine Imports x Lagoon Dining

Laurus Melbourne

4.3

4.3 (51)

$41 to $100

Contemporary Asian

Carlton

About the restaurant

A new Melbourne dining destination.

Laurus Melbourne is the embodiment of modern Chinese dining through an Australian lens brought to you by a team with decades of hospitality experience. With a focus on progressive Southern Chinese cuisine, the menu evokes a blending of two cultures, showcasing experimental and bold flavour combinations.

The Laurus experience pays respect to tradition and promotes a harmony with both nostalgia and the new, akin to the ancient Chinese philosophy of ying and yang. This notion of duality is reimagined as complementary rather than in opposition. Laurus is a destination that appeals those seeking a sense of nostalgia and those looking to venture where they have not been before.

Top review

NayanaP

Dined on 12 Aug 2023

Food was good. Staff were really good. Happy with the service.

Marama Wine

4.7

4.7 (62)

$41 to $100

Dining Bar

Carlton North

About the restaurant

Modern Wine Bar with a strong focus on small Australian producers. Serving up delicious wines, classic cocktails made with the good stuff, great beer and food to snack or feast.

Top review

Tim

Dined on 23 Feb 2025

Had the Sunday set menu with wines! Plenty of food! Delicious! Definitely will be back.

Mercandante Woodfired Pizzeria

4.3

4.3 (18)

$40 and under

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

At Mercadante we are passionate about our food and customer service!
We are always ready to serve with love ❤️

Top review

Paul

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Had a great time and amazing food the pizza is amazing

Mint & Co Restaurant and Lounge

4.2

4.2 (7)

$40 and under

Middle Eastern

Carlton

About the restaurant

Mint ٤ Co – Restaurant + Lounge is a Middle Eastern Fusion restaurant based in Carlton. Our modern Australian kitchen superbly combines the flavours of the Middle East. We offer an extensive and unique food and drink menu and are open for dinner- 7 days a week.
We are also proud to offer our exclusive Dubai-inspired leisure menu. We have a large indoor restaurant, an open outdoor courtyard area with a retractable roof, a private dining room and we cater for group bookings and functions.

Top review

Ceri

Dined on 24 Feb 2024

Good food, even had my friends say it was better than her father's. Very helpful staff. Nice ambience. All good.

Sleepy's cafe and wine bar

4.7

4.7 (14)

$41 to $100

Chinese

Carlton North

About the restaurant

Good Food
Good Coffee
Good Wine
Good People

Cafe by day, wine bar by night. Sleepys is your local caffeine dealer, funky wine sommelier, comfort food hotspot and third place.

Come say hi at 787 Nicholson St, Carlton North.

Top review

Mbūgua

Dined on 22 Feb 2025

One of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne, Sleepys effortlessly balances all the best parts of your casual local and the fine dining place you book months in advance. The food, the ambience, and the service; Sleepys is a packaged culinary experience, a venue that’ll have you leave with both your heart and your stomach full.

Taquito

4.7

4.7 (382)

$40 and under

Mexican

Carlton

About the restaurant

Inspired Mexican bar and eatery in Carlton. Hand making every tortilla from scratch. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday - Bookings are essential

Top review

LinaMunoz

Dined on 13 Oct 2023

We went to celebrate my friend's birthday and we had an amazing time :) The food was beautiful, and the staff was lovely. We ordered tacos, elotes, some chips and doughnuts to put some candles on. Highly recommended! Gracias ❤️

The Carlton Wine Room

4.8

4.8 (833)

$41 to $100

European

Carlton

About the restaurant

Carlton Wine Room is a neighbourhood restaurant offering a well-executed, fresh, seasonal food menu, and an ever changing, diverse wine list featuring the best of Italy, Australia and the rest of the World. We offer a bar space, an upstairs restaurant dining room and three unique spaces that are can be booked for private dining perfect for special events.

RESERVATIONS: are for a two hour sitting. We do not accept bookings for drinks and snacks, however we accept walk-ins for this if space permits. A surcharge of up to 1.2% applies to credit card transactions. A surcharge of 10% applies on Sundays and 15% on Public Holidays.

OUTSIDE SEATING: please note this is subject to the weather and we may not be able to move your reservation inside in the case of bad weather.

CANCELLATION: A $50 per person no show fee is charged for failing to attend your reservation. Contact us on 9347 2626 to make changes or cancel your reservation.

Top review

Deena

Dined 4 days ago

As always the food was wonderful - Interesting and beautifully presented. The service team were excellent and overall was a very pleasant experience.

Agostino

4.4

4.4 (306)

$41 to $100

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

A wine bar, store and cellar in the heart of Carlton.

Top review

PatriciaGVIP

Dined on 14 Feb 2024

Value for money, atmosphere lovely and the music. Plenty of food and was great quality

Bio by DOC

4.4

4.4 (118)

$41 to $100

Vegetarian / Vegan

Carlton

About the restaurant

A neighbourhood restaurant in Melbourne just North of the city, dedicated to Italian cuisine, focused on a plant-based and gluten free menu'.
We offer traditional Italian food thanks to our experienced head chef, Tommaso Bartoli, born out of Florence, Italy.

Everyday we source our fresh produce from the finest local organic farmers to ensure the highest quality is being delivered to our guests. Our wine list is entirely composed of biodynamic and organic wines, always looking at a story behind the Lebel.

We also host an open cocktail bar which allows guests to have a drink here before their dinner or just enjoy a casual drink and bite.

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined on 5 Jan 2022

Delicious cocktails and food. Great for Coeliacs and vegans!

Chapati Carlton

4.4

4.4 (10)

$40 and under

Indian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Chapati not only brings Indian culture in limelight but also wakes up Indian in each one of us. At Chapati, we aim to serve people the most authentic Indian cuisine. Our food is uniquely from the true sources of gourmet homes & street stalls across India. Experience unparalleled desi food magic here in Australia. We ensure you will have an intimate and relaxed dining experience with dedicated staff ensuring your time on our premises is memorable.

Top review

rosyPMW

Dined on 8 Apr 2023

Food was excellent, though a little bit expensive. Service was ok - staff are friendly, but not very professional. For example, they had to be told to bring cutlery, water, etc. Nice ambiance and beautiful wall colours/wall decorations.

King & Godfree

4.2

4.2 (241)

$40 and under

Italian

Carlton

About the restaurant

Since 1884 the deli has offered Specialty Italian produce to Carlton and beyond. Dine in for lunch or dinner in the deli or on the corner of Faraday and Lygon St. in Carlton al fresco. Traditional yet playful Italian fare prepared by our talented head chef. Salumi sliced straight from the deli, antipasti, salads and daily specials from the rosticceria. With a full wine list of BYO options available from our bottle shop.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 8 July 2024

We went at lunch and there were only 2 service staff. It took a long time for the service staff to come back to take our orders. As we were on a tight lunch schedule, we found that rather fustrating. Other than that, the food and ambience was good.

Milk the Cow - Carlton

4.4

4.4 (502)

$40 and under

European

Carlton

About the restaurant

Milk the Cow Licensed Fromagerie is a late night cheese bar located in St Kilda and Carlton, Melbourne. We have over 180 different cheeses from all around the world in our 6-metre long cheese cabinet, expertly curated and cared for by our team of cheesemongers.

Top review

Meredith

Dined on 13 Aug 2024

Delicious food. Well explained by the waitress. We ordered too much to eat and had to get a doggy bag. Love the decor. Drinks- wine and prosecco a bit expensive though

carli.melbourne

4.4

4.4 (19)

$40 and under

Café

Carlton

About the restaurant

Just off Elgin Street, Carlton's greatest hidden gem.
A light and airy, fun atmosphere, the best place for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Bookings are recommended for larger groups, or for peak times, although walk ins are available also.
Kitchen open until 2:30pm everyday, with coffee & drinks until 3pm.

Top review

Jose Francisco

Dined on 14 Oct 2024

Hosted a work breakfast with 14 of my team. Everyone had a great time, wonderful food, fantastic service and such a lovely space. Many have noted they want to go back.

Aperitivo Bar Ristorante

$40 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Carlton

About the restaurant

Aperitivo specializes in elegant cocktails perfect to pair with small-serve Italian dishes

Little Andorra

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Carlton North

About the restaurant

'Oh, that place with the vines out the front!'

Little Andorra is that cosy corner on Nicholson Street. It's an intimate dining room & bar, dedicated to serving amazing wines & delicious food to the intrepid bon vivant! Operating Wed-Fri nights, late lunch through to dinner Saturdays, and late lunch meze session 2pm Sundays. Head Chef Mertcan Dogusgen (ex-Attica) originally hails from Izmir, Turkey, from whence he brings his sense of Mediterranean freshness to his menu. The food is precise yet nurturing, the space understated yet elegant, & the wine list is eclectic yet approachable. With a focus on old world wine, we dive into as many dark & forgotten corners of Vitis Vinifera as we can find, then serve it without too much pomp. A leafy little courtyard for warmer days/nights, two small private dining spaces for groups 6-12 for when the weather is less kind.
Bookings for dietary requirements are highly recommended.
Eat. Drink. Virtus Unita Fortior. Welcome to Little Andorra!

Top review

DomRVIP

Dined on 15 Oct 2023

It's a bugger that they won't be around much longer, this is truly a special place. Melbourne will be poorer for it.

Karen’s Diner - Melbourne

$41 to $100

American

Carlton

About the restaurant

Karen's is an interactive diner and an absurdly fun experience. At Karen's you will be greeted and waited upon by rude waiters and forced to play a variety of games.

You can expect good food, good fun and a dining experience like you've never had before. Let us know if it's your birthday, if your name is Karen and for the love of Karen don't ask to speak to the manager....

P.S if your name is actually Karen we will give you a free drink - bring some ID.

Top review

Fiona

Dined on 27 May 2023

Just had my birthday at Karens had a awesome time thanks Karen's