NewsBite

Il Bacaro

After more than two decades of twirling spaghetti at the top end of Little Collins, Il Bacaro doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to.

Morton Bay bug spaghetti.
Morton Bay bug spaghetti.

168-170 Little Collins St, Melbourne

(03) 9654 6778

ilbacaro.com.au

After more than two decades of twirling spaghetti at the top end of Little Collins, Il Bacaro doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to.

Regulars at this Italian stalwart remain regular and those who haven’t dropped in for a while know they can return safe in the knowledge the stylish dining room with tightly-packed white-clothed tables will be waiting, just as they last left it.

Not surprisingly, tradition is king here and it’s easy to see why the calamari St.

Andrea has been on Il Bacaro’s menu since the beginning.

Il Bacaro in Little Collins St.
Il Bacaro in Little Collins St.

With delicate twirls of calamari shallow fried and dressed with the perfect amount of lemon, it’s a light and bright way to kickstart a meal.

It may also quite likely lead to a second course of seafood courtesy of the perfectly al-dente house-made spaghettini with Moreton Bay bugs.

To finish, buck tradition and dip your spoon into the more modern agave nectar cheesecake with a delightful quenelle of tart blueberry sorbet, pop rocks and fairy floss.

Service can be hit and miss and the bill falls on the pricey side, but there’s no doubt the spaghetti forks at Il Bacaro will continue to twirl for as long as those regulars keep returning.

Must-eat dish: Agave nectar cheesecake

Cuisine: Italian

Chef: David Dellai

Price: $$$

Open: Lunch and dinner Mon-Sat

Bookings: Yes

BYO: No

Instagram: @ilbacaromelbourne

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/delicious-100/il-bacaro/news-story/d4c749305b67aeb14af476b0b2cc91bd