The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne

Carlton is known for its Italian cuisine but if you've only got time to indulge in one carb-laden feast while here, please make it Capitano. Their pizzas are more of a focaccia style base (sensational in my opinion) and their rigatoni in vodka sauce is a go-to. And yes, you're obviously going to order the tiramisu. What do you think this is? Amateur hour! X

The most punk, avant guard, culturally important restaurant to open in Melbourne in decades combining the best of the new and old world hospitality. And damn the greatest Bolognese I've eaten my entire life.

A Melbourne icon. 10 years on and this place is still kicking goals. Very few restaurants command an audience like Scopri, even on a weeknight they’ll have a full house. The food (think paddock to plate) is exceptional and some of the best Italian in Melbourne. This joint never disappoints.

Di Stasio pizzeria Carlton isn’t like any other pizzeria in town, but I think I was unprepared for just how much I loved itLobster pizza, I thought, why on earth would you want that? And who’s gonna order it? Turns out you order it because it’s delicious (not least with some vermentino, a little chilli and some sunshine), and I’ll definitely be back for more. I’m not surprised to see that Di Stasio pizzeria Carlton isn’t like any other pizzeria in town, but I think I was unprepared for just how much I loved it. A win for the forces of Italianality.

Italian tucker, sexed up. Everyone I know raves about this place and you need only look at the reviews online to realise they're not alone. Illaria's big brother TIPO 00 has been one of my favourite restaurants for several years now and so it should be of no surprise that this joint was high on my priority list. It was absolutely outstanding. Every single course, stellar. We skipped the chefs menu (I'm a bit off them of recent) and simply built our own eight course deggy, partnered alongside one of the best Chardonnays I've had in recent times. All in all, I loved every second. Modern yet classic, familiar yet creative, simple but tasty. Not to be missed x

Fitzroy just got a little cooler, if that's even possible. Firstly, I was having such a great time I forgot to take photos of the food so apologies in advance. Alta is coming in hot, tucked away off busy Brunswick St, this quaint little italian restaurant is warm and comfortable, elegant yet casual. In an otherwise saturated market here in Melbourne, Alta offers a fresh perspective with delicious things like fettuccine, chestnut and speck, ravioli with cockerel and pine mushroom and rabbit ragu. Wines were affordable and scrumptious, staff were friendly and attentive. A great little find in one of Melbourne's coolest suburbs.