Brunswick East has always been blessed with late-night joints and, following in the footsteps of Café Romantica, Bar Romantica is one of them. The owners have reworked the interior, and produced an exceptional menu and drinks list to match.

The Bar Liberty crew have proved themselves as masters of transformation at Capitano, which sits in the Beaufort’s refurbished space — now, a light, bright neighbourhood diner with green banquettes, wooden tables and art deco light shades.

Collingwood’s all-vegan pizzeria has built its menu around a hefty commitment to top-notch plant-based ingredients — and it’s as good as any non-vegan pizza offering you’ll try. 

Nestled down the eastern end of Johnston Street, Rita’s has hit the sweet spot. A beacon of friendly service accentuated by Italian undertones and a classic diner vibe, it’s a charming neighbourhood local you need to know about.

Soft lighting and dark features make 400 Gradi (Italian for ‘400 degrees’, pizza’s ideal cooking temperature) the kind of spot that calls you for dinner on a rainy night. 

Pizza and tequila come together at last at this southside bar and eatery. The Chapel Street space is keeping things fresh and fun with a Mexican-inspired pizza offering, an edgy urban fitout and a selection of agave spirits worth crossing town for.

Melbourne’s north doesn’t have enough late-night wine bars serving oversized slices of pizza. At least, that’s what Sam Peasnell, and business partners Adam Goldblatt and Tom Peasnell thought. 

Pizza has a huge spectrum of authenticity and quality. But Ladro does it well. Really well. And, with a sleek interior, a woodfired oven or two and an Italian Nonna making pasta by hand in the kitchen, that’s not all they’re winning at.

A word so nice they named it thrice. This Melbourne CBD pizza joint does it NYC-style with 18-inch pies and pizza by the slice, selling the latter at $5 a pop, with pies at $32. 

DOC’s pizza offering falls nothing short of brilliant. At this Melbourne pizza institution, achieving the perfect balance means the thin, yeasty, crispy bases aren’t overloaded and are instead artfully presented with delicate toppings.

48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar’s biggest claim to fame is its recent title as Oceania’s best pizzeria, and with more than 20 varieties on offer, you’re faced with some tough decisions.