Two Venues, One Legacy: The Family-Run Italian Duo Worth the Drive to Kilmore

An hour north of Melbourne, Kilmore is making a strong case that thoughtful hospitality doesn’t stop at the city limits. On Sydney Street, two venues sit just doors apart — connected not by a branding play, but by legacy.

Ah Raffaele and Nuzza Wine Bar were created in honour of owner Xavier Dimasi’s grandparents, who passed away months apart after more than 60 years of marriage. Today, their names live on side by side: one for the morning, one for the night — both built around the same idea of care.

Ah Raffaele opened four years ago and quickly became a local ritual. Coffee is by Inglewood, pastries line the counter, and toasted focaccia anchors the menu — filled with everything from tomato and mozzarella to mortadella, salami and prosciutto. There are brioche breakfast buns, salmon bagels and fresh salads: a daytime offering designed for regulars, not tourists.

“They taught me that food is how you take care of people,” Xavier says. “Opening these venues was about honouring the way they gathered everyone around a table. I wanted their names to represent that.”

Two years ago, Nuzza followed — the evening counterpart, named after his grandmother. Inside, the mood is warm rather than polished. Tables are made for sharing, wine is poured generously, and the energy leans toward comfort over spectacle — the kind of place where dinner stretches long past sunset.

In the kitchen, head chef Liam Wilson brings serious experience to regional Victoria, with a CV that includes Movida Aqui and Donovan’s, plus time as head chef at Movida Lorne. It shows in the small details. Pasta is made fresh daily, anchoring a menu that balances technique with generous Italian ease.

Start with house-made focaccia and Macedon Ranges olives, or whipped ricotta with onion and potato crisps. Steak tartare arrives with gnocco fritto and pecorino pepato — rich, savoury, and perfectly measured.

The pasta is the headline act. Cappelletti filled with scamorza and Parmigiano Reggiano comes slicked in burro e oro and finished with stracciatella. Gigli with milk-braised pork shoulder and sausage ragu carries a gentle Calabrian chilli warmth, while pappardelle with slow-braised beef shin and pecorino delivers the kind of rich, slow-cooked depth you’d expect in an inner-city dining room.

Then there’s the porchetta: crisp crackling, braised greens, salsa verde — unapologetically indulgent and absolutely worth it. Dessert keeps things classic, from tiramisu to strawberry and prosecco semifreddo.

“I don’t believe regional should mean lesser,” Xavier says. “People here deserve quality and care. For me, it’s about bringing city-level food to Kilmore, but keeping the warmth that small towns are known for.”

Together, Ah Raffaele and Nuzza capture something increasingly visible across Victoria: hospitality with heart thriving well beyond Melbourne’s postcode.

Two grandparents. Two venues. One street. And a very good reason to make the drive.

Planning a regional escape? Pair dinner at Nuzza Wine Bar with a slow morning at Ah Raffaele and explore the charm of Kilmore while you’re there. For more places worth the drive, discover our guides to Victoria’s best regional restaurants, wineries and weekend escapes beyond Melbourne.