There are many, many delicious pizza and pasta bars to check out in Melbourne, Australia!
Take, for example, the small and humble hole-in-the-wall pizza eateries dotted throughout the city.
You will often see these types of venues slinging steaming hot, thin-crusted, cheesy bites of pastry dough topped with a multitude of delicious delicacies at a bargain price!
In contrast, there are also the decidedly decadent, opulent and lavish Italian restaurants that offer diners somewhat more elaborate, immaculately presented dishes that highlight only the best and finest fresh produce available.
Regardless, there is no doubt that even the most discerning Melburnian foodie is never short of a vast selection of fantastic pizza and pasta bars to choose from!
But which are the very best eateries an avid fan of Italian cuisine must check out in Melbourne, Australia?
Here are four of our top picks, featuring a varied array of local pizza and pasta restaurants. The hardest part – which popular spot to choose to dine at first?
Etto Pasta Bar
Known for its authentic preparation of classic Italian dishes, Etto Pasta Bar prides itself in producing their very own, fresh, house-made pasta which the in-house chefs prepare on-site, from scratch.
Of course, it is only natural that just one look at the pasta speciality venue’s simple yet punchy dining menu highlights that the focus here is, indeed, fresh pasta.
As such, Etto’s relatively concise food menu highlights its house-made pasta dishes, which centre around different variations of pasta preparations each featuring different sauce bases.
For example, the pasta menu is divided by sauce base: Bianco – featuring creamy, white-sauce classics such as Cacio e Pepe and al Funghi (Mushroom), Rosso – red sauces such as tomato-based Pomodoro or Amatriciana, as well as Seasonal and Ragu offerings – such as Beef Bolognese and Tuscan Pork.
With multiple locations situated across the city – in Elsternwick, South Melbourne, Malvern, North Melbourne, and Richmond to be precise – Etto Pasta Bar is sure to quickly become your local favourite!
Tippy Tay
Housed within the popular Melbourne bar and hospitality establishment Garden State Hotel, the delightful Tippy Tay is a trendy, happening Italian-style restaurant venue that is not to be missed!
Admittedly, to reach one’s seat inside the hidden treasure that is Tippy Tay, one must first traverse through the sea of heaving bodies lining the busy dancefloor of the mother venue, but once through the brightly lit and colourful archway that separates the Tippy Tay restaurant from the rest of the bar venue, you are in for a treat!
As for the menu – Italian delights such as Bocconcini, Grilled Swordfish and Lamb Ragu Parpadelle abound.
The location itself is just as impressive, with illuminated liquor cabinets lining the stone-washed walls for a decidedly ‘European Summer’ feel. There is no doubt that you will be back – if not just for the food, then for the vibe!
Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
The equally trendy Pepe’s Italian & Liquor is also a centrally-located city favourite for many a Melburnian foodie!
While the menu is, for the most part, ‘Italian-inspired’, the popular venue also features many local favourites – such as Spaghetti Bolognese and Caesar Salads.
Pepe’s also prides itself on matching its food menu items to the extensive bar menu – hence the feature of ‘Liquor’ in the name! The impressive drinks list highlights a massive range of speciality house cocktails – all cleverly named to play on the Italian vibe of the venue.
Choose an ‘Amalfi Glitter’ for a fun and sparkly start to the night, for example. Or, you may prefer a White Negroni based on gin and vermouth – a modern twist on the original.
However, no matter your beverage choice, or which food menu item you choose to pair it with, you are sure to have a blast here!
Park Street Pasta & Wine
Situated on a quiet, leafy street in South Melbourne, Park Street Pasta & Wine is a refined and slightly more upmarket restaurant specialising in a menu of reimagined Italian classics.
Featuring white linen tablecloths, the feel here is also decidedly European, although, perhaps more classy than other pizza and pasta bars.
The wine list here is extensive, with a selection of both Australian and Italian drops. The food menu itself changes fortnightly – so you can be sure that your menu choice will always be fresh, exciting and delicious.
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Without a doubt, Melbourne Australia is a city that is spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out, and Melburnians certainly know it.
But regardless of how many different cuisines come to bless our down-under shores, Italian food – especially pizza and pasta – will always be popular.
As such, it is no surprise that the number of pizza and pasta bars that exist in Melbourne is only continuing to grow, and there is no end to the venues we Melburnians have to choose from.
The best part – while we have listed four of our favourites, there are still many more to explore!