Italian Restaurants in East Melbourne (2026)
East Melbourne has 10 italian restaurants. Here is every verified option.
#1 Cafe On Bourke — 50 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Italian | Outdoor seating | Takeaway
What makes it great: Cafe On Bourke treats Italian like it matters. Because it does. The pasta is made in the building — you can usually see it happening if you sit near the kitchen. The sauce has the depth that only comes from time, not shortcuts. The kind of restaurant that makes you eat slower because you want it to last.
Phone: +61 3 9639 4200 | Website: Cafe On Bourke
In summer, the courtyard is the whole point. In winter, the inside is better than you expect.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Terra Rossa — 87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Italian
What makes it great: What separates Terra Rossa from the rest of Flinders Lane is consistency. The pasta is made in the building — you can usually see it happening if you sit near the kitchen. The sauce has the depth that only comes from time, not shortcuts. Terra Rossa does not need a rebrand or a renovation. It needs you to sit down and order.
Phone: +61 3 9650 0900 | Website: Terra Rossa
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Roccella — 158 Clarendon Street
Italian
What makes it great: Roccella is the place East Melbourne locals take visitors when they want to show off the neighbourhood. The pasta is made in the building — you can usually see it happening if you sit near the kitchen. The sauce has the depth that only comes from time, not shortcuts. Add it to your rotation. You will not regret it.
Hours: Su-Th 08:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-21:30 | Phone: +61 3 3941 6700 | Website: Roccella
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Spaghetti Tree — 59 Bourke Street
Italian
What makes it great: Ask anyone on Bourke Street where to eat and Spaghetti Tree comes up before you finish the question. The espresso at the end of the meal is not an afterthought here. Neither is the bread. There is a reason the regulars do not talk about it much. They do not want the wait.
Phone: +61 3 9650 3174 | Website: Spaghetti Tree
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Il Duca — 132 Wellington Parade
Italian
What makes it great: There are flashier places on Wellington Parade. There is nothing more reliable than Il Duca. There is a reason half of Melbourne’s Italian restaurants reference their nonna. This one actually cooks like she is in the kitchen. A restaurant that respects the ingredients, respects your time, and respects your wallet.
Phone: +61 3 9417 4243 | Website: Il Duca
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 14 Bridge — 14 Bridge Road, Richmond
Italian
What makes it great: Ask anyone on Bridge Road where to eat and 14 Bridge comes up before you finish the question. The espresso at the end of the meal is not an afterthought here. Neither is the bread. It does not try to be everything. It tries to be good at one thing. It succeeds.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 The Waiters Restaurant — 20 Meyers Place, Melbourne
Italian
What makes it great: Every suburb has one restaurant that defines it. In East Melbourne, the argument starts with The Waiters Restaurant. The pasta is made in the building — you can usually see it happening if you sit near the kitchen. The sauce has the depth that only comes from time, not shortcuts. Worth crossing East Melbourne for. Worth crossing Melbourne for, honestly.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Geppetto Trattoria — 78A Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Italian
What makes it great: Geppetto Trattoria treats Italian like it matters. Because it does. There is a reason half of Melbourne’s Italian restaurants reference their nonna. This one actually cooks like she is in the kitchen. This is not destination dining. This is your neighbourhood doing what it should.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Lupino
Italian | Outdoor seating
What makes it great: Nobody goes to Lupino for the decor. They go for the fact that it has not changed in years. They do not call it authentic because that word has lost all meaning in Melbourne. They just cook Italian food the way it is supposed to taste. A restaurant that respects the ingredients, respects your time, and respects your wallet.
In summer, the courtyard is the whole point. In winter, the inside is better than you expect.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
#1 Ceccioni’s
Italian
What makes it great: Ceccioni’s has been doing this since before East Melbourne got its reputation. The espresso at the end of the meal is not an afterthought here. Neither is the bread. It does not try to be everything. It tries to be good at one thing. It succeeds.
Source: OpenStreetMap + Google Places, verified March 2026
Related Guides
- Best Restaurants in East Melbourne
- Best Cafes in East Melbourne
- Best Bars in East Melbourne
- Cost of Living in East Melbourne
- East Melbourne Neighbourhood Guide
- Family Guide to East Melbourne
- Is East Melbourne Safe?
- East Melbourne Transport Guide
Last updated: March 2026. This guide is refreshed when OpenStreetMap data changes — new openings, closures and corrections are reflected automatically. Found something wrong? Let us know.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Contributors — openstreetmap.org — accessed March 2026
- ABS Census 2021 — abs.gov.au/census
- REIV Quarterly Median Prices — reiv.com.au
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed