Funghi e tartufo

Overview

Between the cheesy margherita pizzas, parmesan-doused tagliatelle and ricotta-stuffed cannoli, you'd be forgiven for assuming Italian cuisine is forever doomed to be a vegan no-go zone. But Hardware Lane's vegan resident is here to remind you that's not true. Say hello to Funghi e Tartufo — a laneway Italian restaurant with an entirely plant-based menu and wine list.

Named after the Italian words for 'mushrooms and truffle' in a nod to the kitchen's signature dish, Funghi e Tartufo comes from the minds behind Clifton Hill's Osteria Italiana. And it's a dream for vegans, coeliacs and FODMAP folks alike.

Following in the footsteps of dietary-friendly local Italian eateries like Farro and gluten-free pizzeria Shop 225, it's taking an inclusive approach to a cuisine that's traditionally not so vegan-friendly.

On the menu, you'll find all the Italian classics, with a plant-based makeover. Kick off with antipasto bites like bolognese arancini, lemon pepper 'calamari', vegan meatballs and a Sicilian-style caponata paired with toasted bread.

Pasta fiends can get their kicks with the likes of fresh pappardelle in rich truffle and mushroom sauce, lasagne with a vegan bolognese sauce, and even a creamy carbonara situation. Or, try Funghi e Tartufo's take on the classic sorrentina, here matched with vegan cheese and a basil Napoli sauce.

Dessert's sorted, too, thanks to sweet creations like panna cotta and a silky chocolate cheesecake.

But that's not all. The menu abounds in gluten-free options, and even the wine and cocktail list is an all-vegan affair. Pop by for aperitivo hour, and enjoy your Sicilian snacks and vegan cheese board matched with drops like a negroni or a 2018 chianti out of Tuscany.

Appears in:

The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023