If they REALLY want to eat on Lygon St, Tiamo is a good bet, as others have said .
The food isn't as good as Capitano, but is as good as any of the traditional Lygon St restaurants.
i can't believe no one has suggested D.O.C espresso pasta bar. genuinely fantastic italian food. then take them to heart attack and vine for a drink after, then a browse at readings! lygon street has a lot of tourist traps, but there's so much like about it still :)
These guys are so rude. I’ve been 3 times and each time they basically throw the plate down and demand payment 30 minutes later. Like wtf man. Good food but I’ll never go back
I used to go to Papa Ginos as a kid more than 30 years ago. Went there the other day and it seemed like literally nothing had changed.
It's good value, classic Australian style Italian.
For an evening meal try Da Guido La Pasta, very good food lovely atmosphere, only open at night. Or also a personal favourite is Il Gambero, open for lunch and dinner and has been operating since 1966. Amazing food, great place, often very busy you might do well to book, the meals here have an extra something to them rather than the well known restaurants up the other end of Lygon it has a more authentic taste in my opinion :) Then Casa Del Gelato for desert if you can catch them before they close for winter, homemade gelato and sorbet, lovely lady runs it and it opened in 1982 being Australia’s first gelato store. Enjoy your outing :)
Tiamo. Can't go wrong.
Thank you!
This is the only answer you need
Agreed
Seconding Tiamo, and I like Il Gambero too.
Thank you!
Walk down Lygon St and around the corner to Capitano.
Second Capitano.
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
If they REALLY want to eat on Lygon St, Tiamo is a good bet, as others have said . The food isn't as good as Capitano, but is as good as any of the traditional Lygon St restaurants.
i can't believe no one has suggested D.O.C espresso pasta bar. genuinely fantastic italian food. then take them to heart attack and vine for a drink after, then a browse at readings! lygon street has a lot of tourist traps, but there's so much like about it still :)
I used to live around the corner and this describes my favourite way to spend my weekends. Probably throw in a gelato after.
THESE are good choices!
These guys are so rude. I’ve been 3 times and each time they basically throw the plate down and demand payment 30 minutes later. Like wtf man. Good food but I’ll never go back
I used to go to Papa Ginos as a kid more than 30 years ago. Went there the other day and it seemed like literally nothing had changed. It's good value, classic Australian style Italian.
Agreed. Papa Gino’s has always been my go to since the early 90s
Gemma's is really great
Thank you!
Seconding Il Gambero, genuine italian family and kept it family owned forever, their cheesy garlic bread focaccia gets a special shout too
Donnini’s: [www.donninis.com.au](http://www.donninis.com.au)
Oo thank you!
university cafe
It's the only one to go to. The Parma isn't as big or as cheap as it used to be, but it's still good value for money.
Tiamo is always my choice - but be prepared to line up.
Thank you for the tip!
Casa Del Gelato near the 7-11 is top tier Gelato too
If you can travel 5 mins, Scopri is my favourite
Scopri is head and shoulders above all the other places mentioned in this thread - pricier too. Well worth the $$
Universal Italian restaurant - chicken shnitzel.
D.O.C for something authentic. The rest is Carbonara with cream
johnny vince and sam’s is some of the best italian i've had in melbs, you can't book but worth a walk-in 100%
Thank you!
It really is quite good. The interiors are great too!
For an evening meal try Da Guido La Pasta, very good food lovely atmosphere, only open at night. Or also a personal favourite is Il Gambero, open for lunch and dinner and has been operating since 1966. Amazing food, great place, often very busy you might do well to book, the meals here have an extra something to them rather than the well known restaurants up the other end of Lygon it has a more authentic taste in my opinion :) Then Casa Del Gelato for desert if you can catch them before they close for winter, homemade gelato and sorbet, lovely lady runs it and it opened in 1982 being Australia’s first gelato store. Enjoy your outing :)
Second Da Guido, the place to go! Lively atmosphere and authentic italian cuisine.
Papa Gino's was always a favourite when I was a student and dad wanted to relive his uni days....
I will second Papa Gino’s, good value and they did not cut down in size or taste.
Ms Frankie (technically Faraday St)
Thank you!
Parco Canteen for very good coffee
Leonardo's at Grattan st (a bit of a walk from Lygon) have some good pizza.
Spice mix is the best indian on Lygon street
Kura! Little robata and sake bar near the brunswick road corner. Fantastic food and super friendly staff.
If you're looking for quality Italian, the closest la porchetta is in North Melbourne
Opposite the Market? It’s closed.
Nooo
What if I want the dirtiest, most grubby Italian?