How much does it cost to eat at Il Mercato Centrale Melbourne?
The city’s new Italian mega-market has been the talk of the town and we’ve found the best things to eat and drink ahead of your visit.
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Long-awaited Italian mega-market Il Mercato Centrale finally opened in Melbourne last week.
The city is buzzing about the news, so we have shared our top picks of what to eat and drink while you’re roaming the three-level Collins St warehouse — and how much it’ll set you back.
SALT AND PEPPER CALAMARI: $22
I Calamari Fritti
Expect a cone of either breadcrumbed or Sicilian-style salt and pepper flecked squid that’s butter-soft and made fresh to order by Paula and Gary Harding.
Basement
CANNOLO: 3 for $15, 5 for $24
I Cannoli
Cheesemaker Giorgio Linguanti and chef Dario Di Clerico are proudly slinging the shatter-fine Italian dessert in the basement. Fill yours with either traditional Sicilian ricotta, chocolate or a mixture of both.
Basement
GRICIA: $32
La Pizza Napoletana
Just look for the giant leopard woodfire pizza ovens on the second floor to find Tik Tok pizza star and Made in Casa chef Valerio Violetti’s new project. Here he’s spinning 14-flavours of his famous Neapolitan-style pizzas, including the cult-favourite Gricia.
The flamin’ pizza is made with pecorino romano and mozzarella cheese, cream and guanciale (bacon), before being splashed in vodka and theatrically set alight.
Level two
TAGLIATELLE BOLO: $36
La Pasta Fatta in Casa
Annapaola D’Allesio, pasta queen and Valerio Violetti’s wife, is responsible for some seriously delicious pasta. Her slow-cooked bolognese made with beef, pork and veal, and tender tresses of egg tagliattle is worth every bite.
Level two
MARGHERITA-TOMATO: $6
La Pizza al Taglio
This Roman-style square slice is crisp and thin where it counts, with just enough cushy bounce to hold lashings of sweet tomato sauce, stringy mozzarella and fresh basil.
The perfect, and deceptively filling, mouthful.
Basement
APPLE CIDER SOURDOUGH: $9.50
Il Forno
Damian Malone is behind some seriously delicious bread. Not only does he go the extra mile by milling his own grains, he also bakes loaves daily at Il Mercato HQ to ensure you get the best product possible. Perfectly sour, chewy and a backbeat of apple sweetness — smother in a salted butter for best results. Made with house-milled organic rye, white flour and 2Brothers apple cider.
Ground floor
LATTE: $4.50 SMALL, $5 LARGE
Il Caffe
In true Italian style, only Lavazza coffee is being brewed at this cafe. Expect to pay the going price in Melbourne at the moment (between $4-$5 for your bev of choice).
Basement
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