Melbourne Restaurants

  1. Brunetti

    Owner and pastry chef Giorgio Angelé migrated to Australia after entering the country as the pastry chef for the 1956 Italian Olympic team. Brunetti is famous for its exceptional coffee and authentic Roman pastries. Traditional European cuisine can also be experienced here, but alfresco coffee and biscotti (biscuits), tiramisu or delicious graffe (custard-filled doughnuts) is the way locals regularly visit.

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  2. Esposito at Toofey's

    There are no ocean views, modish manners or maritime decoration, just the freshest seafood done with simple Italian style. There's beef and fowl if you're not in the mood for fish, and the desserts, like the rest of the menu, are clever and seasonal.

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  3. I Carusi

    Find out how pizza became so popular by tasting the definitive version. I Carusi does thin, crisp crusts without too much adornment. Synergetic combinations of toppings, as well as basic classics, are at the centre of all tables here. I Carusi is BYO and fills up fast, so book ahead or come early. Cash only, no cards.

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  4. Ladro

    Simple, inexpensive and one of the best pizzas you'll ever have. Not one shred of processed ham to be found here. Chunks of spicy sausage sit in melted mozzarella among fennel on traditionally thin bases. Toppings are suited for pizza lovers possessing a more adventurous palate. Communal dining is the culture at Ladro, where you book for a seat, not a table. Bookings essential.

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  5. Pellegrini's Espresso Bar

    The iconic Italian equivalent of a classic '50s diner, Pellegrini's has remained genuinely unchanged for decades. A gleaming coffee machine (often trumpeted as the first in Melbourne) churns out the good stuff. Pick and mix from the variety of pastas and sauces - homemade by mama out the back. In summer, have a ladle of watermelon granita and look at fading photos of kangaroos on the beach.

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  7. Woodstock

    Paying no heed to Giovanni-come-lately hipster hotspots like Ladro, Woodstock keeps satisfying its local fan base as it has for 12-odd years - with authentic, thin-crust wood-fired pizzas with great-quality, just-so toppings. Like that old cardigan that's comfortable enough to make you forget about fashion, we can forgive Woodstock's daggy décor for the sake of that amazing crust - and the cheerful family-run vibe.

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