Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Melbourne

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Melbourne? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Vatutto Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (49)

$41 to $100

Italian

Ivanhoe

About the restaurant

Vatutto is a family run restaurant, Owners Paul and Myrto Recinella moved from their 16 year Institution at Zios East Melbourne to the Ivanhoe location in 2015. A full renovation was completed recently creating a modern yetelegant atmosphere. Vatutto translates from Italian to ‘Everything goes’ the menu here has a diverse flavour selection from all corners of the earth. Produce here is sourced from premium suppliers, and we use sustainable seafood from Australian or New Zealand waters, Wagyu beef from Gippsland, organic eggs, fruit and vegetables, and quality imported cheese, dairy products and flour. Bread is baked daily and all desserts, pastries and ice cream are all made on the premises using quality ingredients.

Top review

Sara

Dined 3 days ago

Food was amazing and cannot fault it at all! Service was rushed and a little abrupt. We were served our entrees before all our guests arrived. Told to start eating as there was more food coming. We felt rude starting before everyone arrived. Our waiter was rather abrupt and pushing alcohol on guests that were driving which I felt was irresponsible. He also was very in your face and put menus right in front of people's faces, not to mention talking at people rather than politely stepping in to ask guests a question.

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Experience

Mother's Day at Vatutto

Donnini's

4.6

4.6 (632)

$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

Nina

Dined 7 days ago

I treated Mom to an great pasta lunch at Donnini’s, and wow, she loved it! She couldn’t get enough of the Grilled Local Calamari and the delicious Tri Di Pasta. Service was excellent and prices were very reasonable

Rowanos Restaurant - Croydon

4.6

4.6 (32)

$40 and under

Italian

Croydon South

About the restaurant

We welcome you to Rowanos Restaurants, a family owned & run Italian-inspired dining experience nestled in the heart of Melbourne's leafy eastern suburbs.

Our story began with a passion for authentic Italian cuisine and a desire to create a local, welcoming space where families and friends can come together to enjoy delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Our goal is simple: we want you to feel at home. This approach has grown us to three venues, all of which share the philosophy of community & contribution.

Whether you're joining us for a special occasion or simply craving a comforting bowl of homemade gnocchi on your way home, our friendly & long-standing staff are dedicated to providing you with exceptional service & brilliant flavours Join us at Rowanos Restaurants be a part of our growing family of food lovers who appreciate the simple pleasures in life - good company and great food.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing our love for Italian cuisine, close to home. "

Top review

Sheunesu

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

We had a wonderful experience at Rowanos. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was equally outstanding. I highly recommend Rowanos for anyone looking for a memorable meal. I'll definitely be back soon!

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Experience

2-4-1 Cocktails | 5pm to 7pm every Friday

Experience

Kids eat free | Monday - Thursday

Trattoria Emilia

4.8

4.8 (1264)

$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

Ranj

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food, excellent service. We had dinner there for our wedding anniversary it was a wonderful experience.

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

Neighbourhood Pizza

4.8

4.8 (379)

$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

Erik

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Always a treat eating here... food and service: top of the rostrum! The 2 wait staff today were amazing! Chefs seem to make consistently great food. It's why we love this place!

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Experience

Set Menu $65 pp

Freddie's Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (213)

$40 and under

Italian

Carrum

About the restaurant

Freddie's Kitchen located in Carrum is a fully licensed family-owned restaurant / café and bar. The warm settings inside mix with rustic fittings, chandeliers with modern furniture and classic Frank Sinatra playing in the background only adds to the ambience. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner we create a local welcoming feel for our customers as they enjoy their dine-in or takeaway experience. There's an energy and charm about Freddie's Kitchen, enjoy our main dining room, cosy courtyard or newly renovated function room. We are renowned for our freshly brewed barista-made coffee, brunch on the weekends, steak and wine or parma and pot nights just to name a few. So come on down and say hello to Freddie and the team and we would look forward to seeing you.

Top review

Ana

Dined 5 days ago

Loved it. Highly recommend! Food portions are very generous and just a lovely place to spend an evening.

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Experience

Parma and Pot Night

Geppetto Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (101)

$41 to $100

Italian

East Melbourne

About the restaurant

Located in the bustling heart of Melbourne, adjacent to iconic venues such as the MCG, AAMI Park, and Rod Laver Arena, Geppetto Trattoria has been a cherished dining destination since 1981. Under the skilled ownership of Nino Cea and his son Adriano, this restaurant has earned a reputation as one of Melbourne's best spots for authentic home-style Italian cooking.

Geppetto Trattoria offers a menu that features a variety of famous dishes that have delighted diners for decades. From the rich and savoury Osso Buco to the classic and comforting Spaghetti Pescatora, each dish is prepared with care and expertise, capturing the essence of traditional Italian cuisine.

Whether you're craving the hearty flavours of the Lasagna al Forno or the freshness of the Eggplant parmigiana made with locally grown tomatoes, Geppetto Trattoria ensures the best of Italian gastronomy. Step into this welcoming and relaxed atmosphere and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of Geppetto Trattoria.

Top review

Peter

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

An iconic Melbourne restaurant, Geppetto’s did not fail to provide excellent service, amazing food and great value. Highly recommend for authentic Italian fare.

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Experience

$39 Express lunch

Experience

Group Dining at Geppetto Trattoria

Experience

AFL Pre-Game Dinner

TAVOLATA

4.8

4.8 (336)

$41 to $100

Italian

Preston

About the restaurant

Italian Pizzeria and pasta restaurant. Take a seat at the table and enjoy some homemade dishes, the best pizzas and Italian food, with some of the best wines from Italy and cocktails too! Showcasing our love for good food and good wine! A friendly environment for all to enjoy in Preston!

Top review

Eliana

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious as always! Our local favourite that we keep coming back to time and time again because the food is always so good!

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4.8

4.8 (985)

$41 to $100

Italian

Glen Iris

About the restaurant

Grazia is a classic, authentic and casual Italian restaurant with a modern twist.

Top review

Cristina

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed yet another outstanding and unforgettable dining experience at Grazia - as Always!! Every aspect was stand-out Wonderful and Delizioso!! In our group of 5 we typically share and delight in all of the entrees on the menu followed by our own well guarded mains (all stand-outs) then back to sharing all of the desserts on the menu amidst the fabulous cocktails and vinos . Infinite thankyous and compliments to wonderful Master Chef Joey and his team!! We always look forward to the beautiful ambience, exceptional food, fabulous wines and cocktails, meticulous attention to detail, delightful banter with Joey and his team who ensure consistent meticulous quality and unfaltering care in every dish - a "next level" authentic Italian experience very rarely seen elsewhere....Grazieeee Joey!!

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4.8

4.8 (1150)

$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

Jennifer

Dined 4 days ago

We had a lovely night celebrating our daughter's graduation. Great service and food.

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