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Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar

This venue is a finalist in the icons category in Good Food’s Essential Melbourne Cafes and Bakeries of 2025.

Outside Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar.
1 / 4Outside Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar.Alamy
Pellegrini’s iconic lasagne.
2 / 4Pellegrini’s iconic lasagne.Eddie Jim
Waiter Rocco Elice at Pellegrini’s, where he has worked for 50 years.
3 / 4Waiter Rocco Elice at Pellegrini’s, where he has worked for 50 years.Jason South
Inside Pellegrini’s.
4 / 4Inside Pellegrini’s.Alamy

Italian$

Is there a more iconic cafe than this charming 1950s capsule? The menu and decor have hardly changed, from the generous serves of saucy pastas to the red leather barstools and heritage-listed neon sign. Perch at the bar to watch white-shirted waitstaff slap down strong coffee, home-style cakes and slushy granitas – dispatching diners direct to mid-century Italy.

Must-order: There’s no written menu (besides a faded wooden board), but the lasagne (still the original recipe) and icy watermelon granita are crowd favourites.

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/pellegrini-s-espresso-bar-20250602-p5m45c.html