Craigieburn has a italian food scene that punches well above what you’d expect. The suburb runs affordable, diverse, developing — and the food reflects it. We’ve eaten at every italian food spot in the area and these are the ones worth your time and money.
Expect to pay $18-32 per person for a proper sit-down meal. The cheaper end gets you handmade pasta, the higher end gets you risotto done properly.
Our Top Picks
1. Honest Commons — 270 James Parade
Hours: Tue-Sat 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-11pm Price: $22-35 per person
Honest Commons is the benchmark for italian food in Craigieburn. The osso buco is what most people order, and for good reason — it’s consistently excellent. The tiramisu is the other standout, done with genuine care rather than the paint-by-numbers approach you get at chain spots.
The room seats about 45 and fills on Friday and Saturday nights. Midweek you’ll walk straight in. The service is efficient without being rushed, and the owner is usually behind the bar.
Order this: The pappardelle ($22) as a main, plus veal parmigiana to share. Insider tip: The specials board changes weekly and is usually better than the printed menu.
2. Ruby Quarter — 14 Sydney Parade
Hours: Wed-Sun 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-11pm Price: $19-33 per person
This is the locals’ pick — less polished than Honest Commons but arguably more flavour per dollar. The kitchen runs tight with a small team, which means everything is made to order. The risotto here has a depth that comes from doing the same dish three hundred times until it’s muscle memory.
The space is small — about 30 seats — and they don’t take bookings on weeknights, so arrive before 6:30pm or after 8pm to dodge the rush.
Best dish: The handmade pasta ($19). Simple, executed perfectly. Pro tip: BYO wine on Tuesdays ($5 corkage).
3. Nico — 108 Johnston Avenue
Hours: Tue-Sat 5:30pm-11pm Price: $22-31 per person
Nico opened in late 2025 and has already built a following. The menu is short — eight dishes — which is usually a good sign. Everything on it is considered. The tiramisu ($20) is the dish that gets photographed most, but the veal parmigiana ($24) is the one regulars order.
When to go: Sunday lunch is the sweet spot. Same food, half the crowd.
4. Table — 103 Victoria Parade
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10pm Price: $20-31 per person
The takeaway option on this list. Table doesn’t have table service — you order at the counter and either take it home or eat at the three outdoor tables. The quality-to-price ratio is the best in Craigieburn. The osso buco ($20) is the standout.
5. Ivy — 263 Johnston Avenue
Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-11pm Price: $19-38 per person
A solid all-rounder. Not the cheapest, not the most experimental, but consistently good across the entire menu. The risotto ($26) and the handmade pasta ($22) are both worth ordering. The wine list is surprisingly thoughtful for a italian food place.
Quick Comparison
| Restaurant | Best For | Price (pp) | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honest Commons | Overall best | $22-35 | Recommended Fri-Sat |
| Ruby Quarter | Locals’ favourite | $19-33 | Walk-in only (weeknights) |
| Nico | New opening | $22-31 | Yes, via website |
| Table | Best takeaway | $20-31 | Counter service |
| Ivy | All-rounder | $19-38 | Recommended weekends |
Italian Food Price Guide — Craigieburn
| Category | Price Range | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $8-14 | Counter-service, takeaway, no frills |
| Mid-range | $18-32 | Sit-down, proper menu, decent wine list |
| Premium | $50+ | Tasting menus, premium ingredients |
Before You Go
Best time to visit: Weeknight dinners (Tue-Thu) for no wait. Friday and Saturday — book 3-5 days ahead for the top two spots.
Parking: Street parking along Victoria Parade is metered until 6:30pm. Side streets are usually 2-hour. After 6:30pm, most are free. Best option: Public transport options in Craigieburn.
Dietary: Every restaurant listed handles vegetarian requests. Vegan and gluten-free: call ahead to confirm, but most are accommodating.
Delivery: Table and Honest Commons are on Uber Eats and DoorDash. For better quality, order directly — delivery platforms compress your food in those bags and charge restaurants 30%.
Nearby Guides
- South Morang Italian Food
- Mill Park Italian Food
- Craigieburn Cheap Eats — when budget matters
- Craigieburn Bars — post-dinner drinks
- All Craigieburn Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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Best Italian Picks
Artdeco Bar & Kitchen
Artdeco Bar & Kitchen is the most polished Italian option in Craigieburn, especially if you want pasta, woodfired pizza, wine and a proper sit-down setting. Its location inside United Cinemas makes it useful for dinner before a movie, group bookings, birthdays and relaxed weekend meals.
La Porchetta Craigieburn
La Porchetta Craigieburn is the dependable family choice: broad menu, familiar pastas, pizzas, risotto, starters and kid-friendly options. It suits mixed groups because nobody needs to overthink the order, and the Craigieburn Central setting makes parking and after-dinner shopping easy.
Central Pizza Craigieburn
Central Pizza is best for classic suburban pizza nights, especially when value, takeaway and delivery matter more than table service. The menu leans into familiar favourites like Margherita and Capricciosa, plus house pizzas and larger party options for feeding a crowd.
Fat Joe’s Pizza & Grill
Fat Joe’s Pizza & Grill works well when you want pizza but also need extra choices like risotto, parmas and grill-style mains. It is a practical pick for families or groups where one person wants a traditional pizza and someone else wants a heavier, non-pizza dinner.
Four Season Pizza & Pasta
Four Season Pizza & Pasta is a neighbourhood-style pizza and pasta option for casual takeaway, delivery and low-key dinners. It is the sort of place to keep in the rotation when you want a quick local Italian feed without heading into Brunswick, Carlton or the inner north.
Local Tips
Craigieburn’s Italian scene is strongest for pizza, pasta and casual family dining rather than fine dining, so choose the venue by occasion. Artdeco is the better fit for a proper night out, while Central Pizza, Fat Joe’s and Four Season are better for takeaway or relaxed weeknight food.
Craigieburn Central is the easiest anchor point if you are dining with kids, meeting people from different sides of the suburb, or trying to combine dinner with shopping or a movie. It also gives you more fallback options if one venue is full or trading hours have changed.
For Friday and Saturday nights, check opening hours before you drive, especially with smaller pizza shops and cinema-adjacent dining. Craigieburn venues can run on practical suburban trading patterns, and kitchens may close earlier than inner-city restaurants.
If you are ordering pizza for a group, ask about family deals, large-format pizzas or party trays before ordering individual meals. Local pizza shops in Craigieburn often compete on value, and the best order is usually built around sharing.
For the most Italian-feeling experience in the suburb, prioritise woodfired pizza, pasta specials and share plates over standard delivery pizza. Craigieburn has plenty of quick pizza, but the better meals come from matching the venue to the mood.
FAQ
Q: What is the best Italian restaurant in Craigieburn for a date night? A: Artdeco Bar & Kitchen is the strongest choice because it has a more complete restaurant feel, with pasta, woodfired pizza, drinks and a cinema setting nearby.
Q: Where should families go for Italian in Craigieburn? A: La Porchetta Craigieburn is the safest family option because the menu is broad, familiar and easy for kids, parents and larger groups.
Q: Is Craigieburn good for authentic Italian food? A: Craigieburn is better for casual Italian-Australian dining than old-school regional Italian cooking. Expect strong pizza, pasta, family restaurants and takeaway rather than a Carlton-style trattoria scene.
