Best Italian restaurants in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs
MOVE over Carlton. The outer eastern suburbs are where you’ll find some of Melbourne’s best Italian fare. Here’s our guide to where to find the most delicious local pizza and pasta.
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MOVE over Carlton.
These days, Melbourne’s finest Italian trattorias and restaurants can be found well beyond the CBD and inner suburban boundaries.
From cult favourites that have been dishing up perfect al dente pasta for 30 years, to newschool establishments bringing a thoroughly modern menu ethos to diners in the outer suburbs, there are myriad scrumptious options for hungry Italofiles to get their fill of authentic Italian cuisine.
To pay homage to these hardworking dough rollers, we’ve rounded up the best of the pizza and pasta masters in the outer east.
Here’s all the places you’ll want to get your pasta on in 2018. You’re welcome.
CULT ITALIAN EATERIES IN MELBOURNE’S OUTER EAST
SHANIKAS ITALIAN TRATTORIA
55 High St, Berwick | Viale, Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
This outer eastern gem first opened its doors in 1987 and has built a reputation for quality food and swift service in the local area and beyond. Try: The homemade chervil gnocchi with cherry tomato, fresh basil, olive oil and Grana Padano.
BELETTI RESTAURANT CAFE BAR
159/161 Lonsdale St, Dandenong
Modern Australian-Italian fusion restaurant known for its hearty Italian fare and fresh seafood. Try: The lemon pepper calamari, linguine di mare (seafood spaghetti) — a chef specialty.
SETTE BELLO
540 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley
You’ll need to book in advance if you want to dine at this southern-Italian inspired gem. The food is always outstanding and the service is always en point. Try: Paccheri pasta with Alaskan king crab and lobster bisque, ‘coniglio agrodolce’ — Sicilian-style braised rabbit with limoncello, raisins, gremolata and grilled polenta.
THE LAST PIECE
38 Portman St, Oakleigh | 7/2 Stadium Circuit, Mulgrave
This Italian eatery first opened in the grandstand at Waverley Park in 2011 and this year expanded to include a second venue in Oakleigh. Try: Stop in for a famous woodfired pizza (capricciosa is our go-to) or give the eggplant parmigiana arancini a go.
PICCOLINOS
53 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley
This pizza palace opened in the early nineties as a humble 20-seat restaurant. Now, 20 years and an extensive renovation later, and Piccolino’s is not just your average Italian restaurant. It was recently short-listed for Best Restaurant Design in the Eat Drink Design Awards for 2017 and, if you visit, it’s pretty easy to understand why. The interior architecture — by Hachem Architects — is superb. But it’s not just a pretty place. The food is, and has always been, what brings people back. Try: Risotto with chilli, prawns, scallops and cherry tomatoes in a napoli sauce.
IL DESIDERIO WOODFIRED PIZZERIA E TRATTORIA
179 Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill
If you’re after authentic, Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas — thin base with just the right amount of char around the edges — these are it. Friendly service and value for money are also top notch at this Wheelers Hill hole-in-the-wall. Try: Pasta all’aglio, olio e pepperoncino (and add the prawns) for a stunning representation of Italian simplicity.
MONTANIA CAFE, BAR, RESTAURANT
Mountain Gate Shopping Centre, 52/1880 Ferntree Gully Rd, Ferntree Gully
With nearly 20 years’ service under their belts, this Mountain Gate Shopping Centre stalwart knows how to Italian — albeit with a contemporary Aussie twist. Try: Honey pumpkin and chicken risotto. The house-made choc-peanut butter cheesecake between almond tuiles with salted pistachio ice-cream and creamed lemon is also pretty irresistible.
THE KEYSTONE RESTAURANT
5 Harcrest Blvd, Wantirna South
Modern Mediterranean fusion is the name of the game at this Harcrest Estate restaurant. Try: Sage and leek-stuffed pumpkin ravioli tossed in a burnt butter sauce with broccolini and kale or the twice-cooked gnocchi in a slow-cooked lamb ragout. The Nutella pizza is also a solid choice.
BELLA CUCINA
7 Fulham Rd, Rowville
Hearty Italian fare with a focus on wood-fired pizzas. Try: The Sicilian. Because San Marzano tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, provolone, chilli fennel sausage and olives is a winning combination. They also offer a 20% Nonnas and Nonnos discount between 5-7pm. Grazie mille.
MICHELI’S PIZZA, PASTA & GRILL
21-25 Heatherdale Rd, Ringwood
It’s a family affair at this busy Heatherdale road restaurant, which has been dishing up delicious Italian food since 2013. Run by Melissa Micheli and her three brothers, David, Mark and Alex — with the rest of their family, including cousins and partners, helping out on the floor and in the kitchen — the much-loved local creates authentic southern-Italian tastes for the contemporary Aussie palate. Try: Ricotta gnocchi and, if it’s on the specials menu, the apple pie pizza. The traditional Italian doughnuts are also a cult favourite. We highly recommend arriving hungry.
400 GRADI EAST
175 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
For a thoroughly modern Italian experience, look no further than 400 Gradi. Established by chef and V.P.N. Principal Johnny Di Francesco, whose family hails from Naples and who is the first Australian ever trained in Naples to the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana VPN rules — delicious pizza is pretty much guaranteed. Try: Any of the pizzas.
TRATTORIA IL CASOLARE
Shop 1 55/65 Railway Rd, Blackburn
The dessert pizzas are one of the best things about this place. Why? Because instead of using regular pizza bases topped it with all manner of sweet things — they actually make a chocolate pizza dough, which is pretty much the greatest thing ever. Try: Nutella pizza or, for something savoury, the housemate cappeletti al ragout (little hats of pasta filled with cheese and nutmeg, and tossed through a traditional bolognese sauce).
ZERO95
904 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster East
095 is the area code for a small town called Catania on the east coast of Sicily. Its sun-kissed shores and superb pizzas were the inspiration behind this Doncaster restaurant, which is run by four Italian boys who have a passion for good food and friendly service. Try: Pizza Amalfi, which comes topped with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, prawns, chilli and parsley. Then head next door for a scoop (or two) of gelati from their dessert bar, Meno Zero, where fresh gelato is churned in store, daily.
CANTINA CENTRALE
11 Hamilton St, Mont Albert
Small, charming Italian restaurant dishing up quality, authentic cuisine at good prices. Flavours are beautifully balanced and the wine list is impeccable. Try: Orto pizza — a white base with potato, sauteed onion, fior di latte, parmigiano, rosemary and EVOO.
REMEZZO
568 North Rd, Ormond
A fantastic, family-style Italian restaurant with a focus on friendly service and quality, fresh ingredients. Try: The margherita pizza is one of the best going round and the lasagna comes highly recommended. They also do a range of Italian-style tapas, if you’re after a share-style dinner.
DA MASSIMO
189 Centre Rd, Bentleigh
This Bentleigh eatery is proof that good things come in small packages. Food is always delicious and service is always with a smile. Pizza is their bag, and it shows. Bases are thin, crispy round the edges and melt in the mouth, and toppings are balanced and not overdone. Try: the Isabella: white base topped with taleggio cheese, marinated artichokes, pancetta, Italian greens, chilli and lemon.
SALTIMBOCCA
338 Charman Rd, Cheltenham
An elegant Italian restaurant that sits, unassuming, on Cheltenham’s busy Charman Rd strip. It’s an authentic slice of Italy in the Bayside suburbs. Try: Mushroom risotto, veal scallopini, any of the pastas.
JOE’S
72 Beach Rd, Mentone
Homemade pizza and pasta, just like nonna used to make and — with memorabilia on every inch of the walls, checkered tablecloths and a warm, friendly atmosphere — this place is the embodiment of old-school Italian hospitality. Try: Pasta al tonno (pasta with tuna and napoli sauce).
CUCINA PIZZA DOLCE
8/426 Nepean Hwy, Chelsea
If the idea of handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza gets your mouth watering, then you’ll want to give Cucina Dolce in Chelsea a try. It’s like a little slice of Italy in the heart of the south east. Try: Pan-fried tiger prawns in a lemon butter, white wine and chilli sauce tossed with spinach and linguini.
SHANIKAS
11 Levida Drive Carrum Downs
Contemporary Italian cuisine inspired by classic flavours. Try: Grilled lamb fillets with gorgonzola, onion, pea and mushroom risotto or the fresh tagliatelle pasta with Italian sausage, onion, mushroom, oregano, garlic, chilli, tomato, olive oil and shaved parmesan.
FRATELLI
227 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston
Established in 1998, this family-friendly restaurant is run by two brothers whose family migrated to Oz from Calabria in the 1950s. Their menu is inspired by humble, tried-and-true recipes, perfected over a lifetime of cooking with their mum. Try: The classic penne napolitana is pretty hard to beat.
POSITANO RESTAURANT
214A Princes Hwy, Hallam
As they say: there really is nothing more romantic than Italian food. And this family-run restaurant has been dishing up the love for more than a decade. Try: The penne in slow-braised beef, vegetable and tomato ragout, or the penne Sicilian, with roast peppers, salami, olives, basil, chilli and parmesan in napoli sauce.
D’ANGELO ESTATE
41 Bayview Rd, Officer
D’Angelo Estate Vineyard originated in Montrose, Yarra Valley, in 1994 when Domenico D’Angelo started planting pinot noir vines for himself. By 1997 the grapes were ready to be harvested for the very first vintage. From the small amount of grapes that were harvested, Benny D’Angelo made the first batch of wine, two barrels in total. Now, D’Angelo Estate comprises two vineyards, one in Montrose and the other in Officer, along with a cellar door restaurant. A great summer venue. Try: The Godfather pizza; San Marzano tomatoes D.O.P., mozzarella, hot salami, chilli, olives, red capsicum and rocket.
CARLEI WINES
1 Alber Rd, Beaconsfield Upper
Warm ambience, excellent pizza and views over the rolling hills of Upper Beaconsfield are what make dining at this outer suburban winery, cellar door and restaurant an unforgettable experience. In keeping with their Italian heritage as well as their commitment to organic produce, only the finest ingredients make their way onto the pizzas, with recipes dating back generations. By stepping into the Cellar Door you are being welcomed into the Carlei family home. Try: Salumi platter is a must, followed by any of their wood-fired pizzas.
TIN PAN ALLEY FOODSMITHS
60 Main St, Upwey
Great atmosphere, beautiful platters and delicious wood-fired pizza. A mouth-watering gem hidden in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges. Try: #6 pizza with marinated lamb blackstrap, red onion, green capsicum and kalamata olives, topped with tzatziki and fetta.
BAM BAM
445 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Avonsleigh
From the same foodie folk who brought you Emerald’s The General Food Store, The Grub Club Event Catering and Incy Wincy, comes their latest offering: Bam Bam Italian which opened in late November. Here, the philosophy is that Italian food is more than just pizza and pasta. It’s about fresh, quality produce and seasonal eating. Try: Risotto primavera — asparagus, pea, leek, parsley oil and broad beans or the pasta casareccia with braised goat, cherry tomato, lemon pangrattato and gremolata.
MAD RAVEN PIZZA DELUXE
78C Monbulk Rd, Kallista
Deliciously simple hot stone pizzas from a quaint Kallista kitchen that caters to classic, vegetarian and vegan tastes. Try: Tommy Tomato topped with garlic-infused olive oil, sliced tomato, oregano, rosemary and flat-leaf parsley. The Frenchy Goat is another delicious option, with macadamia nut basil pesto, red wine caramelised onion and roasted red peppers.
HAVE A FAVOURITE LOCAL ITALIAN EATERY? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
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