So grateful they fit me in at the last minute Such kind,…read morecalm and friendly ambiance Highly recommended but don't be silly like me and book ahead to enjoy the full menu

Absolutely beautiful night. Everything was so good--my four person group had the veal, duck…read moremeatballs, gnocchi, carbonara, and tiramisu. Staff was super sweet. From the outside it isn't obvious, but this is definitely one of the best Italian places in Melbourne. There's a reason it has been around for 40 years!

This place was jumping on a Saturday night, the host was kind and put us on the waitlist and we…read morecame back to our table in like 25 minutes, our server made excellent recommendations as well, strawberry cocktail if you like sweet and pasta. The food was superb, some of the best pasta I have had seriously! The restaurant sits in an alley and we had a quaint table outside, walking and car traffic, if you're in Melbourne say yes to this place for outstanding food and service!

The Vegan options here are amazing! I had a pizza and pasta and the change in ingredients did not…read morelack flavor at all.

Tipo 00 is a chic and cozy Italian joint serving up amazing fresh homemade pasta. I snuck in on a…read moreweekday with no reservation and was able to snag a window seat at the counter. The service was quick and efficient and their staff made wonderful recommendations. They've got a fantastic menu and cocktails and wine list! I enjoyed fresh oysters and their pappardelle with wagyu beef that was so rich in flavor. It was the perfect dinner and their Italian cuisine is the ultimate comfort food!

We were looking for a restaurant that was less touristy than many of the others along the laneways,…read moreand we came upon Tipo 00 so we made a reservation. We're glad we did! Here's what we noticed: - It was difficult to get a reservation at prime dinner hour, so we opted for a 3:30 PM late lunch/early dinner which worked out perfectly for our schedule. - The place overall has a great vibe, good music, and it is pretty small. - There were some really interesting drinks and good wines to choose from...we went with wine since we had other plans later that evening. - We decided to start with the salad with pear and honey, and then my wife and I split both the black squid ink pasta, and the special pasta that had Moreton Bay Bugs. The salad was incredible perfectly dressed... Having it first gave us away as Americans for sure, but it was perfect. The squid ink pasta was every bit as good as everyone said in reviews, and so was the special pasta. - Service was great, not overbearing. They even brought us some extra bread so we could sop up the sauce from our pasta. Bottom line: There are so many great restaurants in Melbourne and Tipo 00 is right up there and should be on your "to try list".

Caffe E Cucina has to be one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne…read more I've been frequenting this old faithful when I visit Melbourne since 1996 when I was recommended trying it after a weekend away for a friend's wedding. Caffe E Cucina has stood the test of time, having changed hands during the 20years I've been going there, but the atmosphere is still wonderful, as is the food. Whether it be a visit for a nice lazy lunch with friends or a romantic dinner this restaurant ticks all the boxes. I've been to Melbourne many times on work trips on my own, & feel quite comfortable sitting at the bar with a plate of calamari, & a glass of Pinot Grigio. It might not fall into the category of cheap & cheerful, but it's consistently great. The atmosphere of the restaurant could have you thinking you've ducked into a great little place on the streets of Venice or Rome. It's all things Italian. There's options for seating, upstairs has a privacy to it, there's also little juliet balcony spot for two upstairs, if you're trying to impress someone special. Street side seating on Chapel St for those wanting to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere of Melbourne, or there's inside on the main floor. My favourite place to sit is inside downstairs, where it all happens & you see the coming & going, & can see the staff making drinks & coffee's behind the bar exchanging friendly banter Italian style. ;-) Start with a glass of prosecco & get in the mood, transport yourself to Italy for a few hours.. Specials are written on the chalk board on the wall, as well as old favourites that are hard to pass by. My favourite of course would have to be the calamari. Caffe E Cucina has the reputation of having "the best" calamari & I have to admit I crave it & when I finally have it, I savour every last mouthful. Light, soft, tasty.... nothing chewy about it. It's how all calamari should be in my eyes. They know what they're doing. It can be entre size, but I feel like it's never enough, so my recommendation would be to have a main plate of the calamari to serve amongst two as a starter. I love the rocket salad on the side to share as well, light & delicious, whether on the side when having pasta or the calamari you can't go wrong ordering this. The pasta's are great, & consistent, the flavours are all balanced just right, not too heavy, & the sauces just coat the beautifully cooked pasta just right, & will leave you wanting more. I've been fortunate enough to experience risotto at it's best here too. Having been tried a few different specials over my times here, one was a Granny smith apple one that I can't even begin to describe & alway hope to see it on the menu again. I had a beetroot & goats cheese risotto recently that was delicious, silky & full of flavour. There are also many great mains, but honestly my favourite meal here is some calamari, a side of rocket salad, & a bowl of pasta, a glass or two of wine.. followed by great coffee & perhaps share a desert to finish off. The deserts & coffee are great. Tiramisu is of course on the menu & great. It's a little on the spendy side, but I enjoy it, so find it worthwhile. After all, a couple of hours in the heart of Italy through the doors at 581 Chapel St is always something I look forward to when in Melbourne.

Probably one of my all time sentimental favourites - I feel like Caffe E Cucina could be on some…read morelittle back street of Paris or Rome. Maybe just behind Piazza Navona? But filled only with locals, no tourists, hehe. It is JUST LIKE the classic little restaurants you would find in those archetypal European cities that serve you all your favourites perfectly executed. The decor is lots of brass and wood with an art deco feel; handsome Italian waiters scurrying about to tend to your requests. It's very small and cosy and so authentically European and chic. Not trendy. Go somewhere else for trendy. This isn't it. Think upscale and traditional. I had the Spaghetti with Vongole... it hit the spot. Then the affogato for dessert. Flawless. Another to add to add to my list of Melbourne favourites. Cannot imagine returning and not having a meal here. I would eat here all the time if this was in Sydney, especially when I was yearning for a little slice of Paris and Rome. *sighs wistfully*...

Very good pasta! Ink spaghetti is great. Love the garlic bread and the minestrone soup. Best of all…read moreis the service 1st class, promt and friendly.

First dates can be tricky. You can often run out of things to talk about, one person always likes…read morethe other more and then what do you do when the cheque comes? I was taken on a first date to Il Cantuccio and it was incredible. It was a very brave choice by the gentleman concerned considering this venue is quite intimate and romantic - perhaps more an Anniversary destination than a first date. The wine list is extensive and the staff have that warm, family feel and will help you match your wine to your meal and assist with any other queries. The food is traditional Italian but not the greasy, cheesy kind you can so often find in other restaurants on the Lygon street strip. This food is filling, classic and made with love (yes, with love.) This is a great destination when you are trying to romance your partner - it worked on me!

Bottega sits amongst great company on the hill on Burke Street…read more Whether you've booked a table or are taking a chance, it's a great place to get a meal, and the setting is perfect for that first date. Serving modern Italian food Bottega is a beautiful restaurant with sleek furnishings and mood lighting. The last time I dined there I went for lunch and was pleasantly surprised with the diverse menu and eclectic flavours. I started with the grilled quail ($19) and followed it up with blue swimmer crab risotto ($29) with prosecco, cumin and chilli. The quail was great, but completely overshadowed by the risotto - which was surprisingly light. Unfortunately I wasn't able to drink due to antibiotics, but I did have a sneak peak of the wine list and it looked pretty good. Ditto the dessert menu. I plan on going back soon for dinner and making full use of the wine and dessert menu to rectify my mistake.

Modern italian restaurant on Burke St. When its warm they setup sidewalk tables which is a very…read morepleasant way to have a late lunch on a sunny day. The Good: Baccala and potato croquettes - very good Char grilled sweet corn with chili garlic butter - very good The Average: Spinach and beet salad - good but nothing special

Not only was the food and wine prepared to perfection, but Ricardo was our server and he honestly…read moremade our day. He seemed so genuinely happy to be there and put a smile on everyone's face the moment we stepped within the vicinity. A huge thank you to him for excellent service and an all-around lovely personality! We were seated outside on the outer edge of the area, right next to a street musician. Gorgeous atmosphere all around. This was both mine and my partner's last day in Melbourne and we couldn't have picked a better location for our final meal here. Everything was delicious and the pizza I ordered was finally a vegan version with plentiful toppings as opposed to most places that serve only plain ones. I was thrilled! Even the dough was prepared wonderfully. It had a soft, fluffy, and moist inner texture with just the right amount of crisp on the outside. Please do give this place a try! You'd never regret it.

10/10. Firstly the service is outstanding ! My family and I came around 10-11am while they were…read morestill serving breakfast, we were looking for pizza, but this was no problem. They started up the pizza oven just for us. The pizza came out relatively fast but was OUTSTANDING. This is some of the BEST pizza I have ever eaten and I have had pizza in Italy. I would very very highly recommend you eat here. The atmosphere and location was also amazing.

Great Italian fare, enjoyed in sophisticated yet casual surrounds. The pasta dishes are frequently…read moreupdated according to seasonal and are cooked to perfection. Good wine, food and service are staples at this long standing and truly Italian North Melbourne local. Can't wait to return soon.

Put simply, Sosta manages to do what many Melbournians *claim* of their favourite haunt but we all…read moreknow to really be a bit of a fib. Sosta, is actually a secret. Of course, on a Friday night despite taking reservations they were turning people away as the restaurant was fully booked. So clearly it's not a secret to everyone... Anyway, Sosta provides North Melbourne and that general neck of the woods with an alternative to the usual fare. It's not absolute fine dining, but it's also several grades better than the pub and other burger joints. Offering super tasty Italian cuisine with many a gluten-free and vegetarian option, you're looking at a teens price point for entrees, a late twenties to early thirties price for mains and sub $20 for dessert. My recommendations? Make sure you book, make sure you listen carefully to the specials and make sure you examine the dessert menu closely. Hello vanilla cream filled donuts with liquid Lindt chocolate.