A long-standing legend you can always rely on when Italian comfort food and big, buttery bowls of pasta are the go.

Littered with Italian murals and quintessentially traditional food, this Italian institution has been pumping since '28.

It's a relatively new addition to the Melbourne Italian restaurant scene but is already one of its finest.

This dining institution has been serving up authentic Italian fare to West Melbourne locals for over 60 years.

Home to some of the best pasta in Melbourne.

The lactose intolerant best look away.

Part art gallery, part Italian restaurant, this CBD is the second outpost of St Kilda's Cafe Di Stasio.

Zip away to Italy in the back streets of Cremorne, with aperitivo sips and specialty pasta 10 stories above the ground.

A contemporary Italian restaurant showcasing nonna and mamma’s recipes.

This Windsor Italian joint is seriously good.

Dine on classic Southern Italian antipasti and homemade pasta served in a homey, old-school atmosphere.

Despite missing out on the neighbouring Meyers Place revolution, the Waiter's Club remains a city stalwart.

Prahran's Nonna-worthy neighbourhood Italian joint boasts its own dedicated pasta lab.

A charmingly low-key joint with drawing paper on the tables and wallet-friendly negronis, wine carafes and pasta dishes for just $9 a pop.

Italian food with an Aussie edge and revamped classic cocktails in the Beaufort's former Carlton space.

This hidden gem of the Northern suburbs is one to book in advance.

Chris Lucas' dapper steakhouse celebrates Northern Italian flavours and old-school hospitality with a generous side of modern elegance.

A real Italian joint doing a mean ragu.

Enjoy the simple life and eat like a true Italian.

Top-notch Italian food. Essential Melbourne dining.

A Lygon Street mainstay that's been serving up classic Italian eats for over four decades.

Carlton's palatial home of Italo-American pizza and pasta from the team behind Leonard's House of Love.