Amalfi Dreaming: The Best Restaurants, Cafes, Bars & Shops for a Slice of Summer in Italy

If you’ve been on any social media platform recently, you may notice Instagram stories of flight tickets, travel vlogs on TikTok and in-feed posts of turquoise waters aplenty. The Euro Summer content is starting to ramp up, which leaves those of us without tickets feeling slightly envious…and cold.

Luckily for us Melburnians, there’s a plethora of Italian restaurants, cafes, bars and shops that are alluring enough to convince you that you’ve been whisked away for summer along the Amalfi coast, even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

UGO Burrata Bar

Burrata was invented in the city of Andria, three hours away from Amalfi. So, what better cheesy and refreshing delight to indulge in than the magic of burrata? And no one does it better than UGO Burrata Bar, led by renowned Italian Chef, Dario Di Clerico. 

It's all about the decadence of burrata here, with a menu showcasing modern dishes highlighting it's fresh and gooey allure. From morning delights like bacon jam and avocado toast to refreshing bowls of burrata and mortadella with seasonal fruits, each dish is a cheese lover's dream.

Don't miss UGO's focaccia sandwiches, with their menu featuring both a vegetarian and meat option that changes with the seasons, all crowned with creamy burrata. This burrata bar celebrates the essence of Italian craftsmanship in every bite, and trust us when we say you’ll taste it.

South Melbourne Market, Coventry Street, South Melbourne

Alimentari

No one does salads quite like Alimentari. This Fitzroy deli has gained immense popularity thanks to its Mediterranean style salads including roasted spiced cauliflower with chickpeas, and heavenly pesto spiked farro, feta and almond. Their fresh and flavourful dishes will leave you feeling full and wholesome in equal measure – the holy grail of healthy dining in Melbourne. Plus, the setting will make you feel like you’re fresh off the streets of Amalfi and into an authentic delicatessan!

304 Smith Street, Collingwood

The Continental

In true Italian city style, The Continental (referred to by locals and regulars as ‘The Conti’)  is entirely standing room - making it the perfect place to go and grab your lunchtime focaccia, cheeseboard or seafood dish and drink espressos while you play some pool. This exclusively takeaway joint is an innovative new cafe in Melbourne reminding us of the espresso bars in Italy, In fact, their only dine in option is the $3.50 espresso, which you can sip on while you mingle with fellow customers as you all wait for your meals. It reminds us of the ease of making friends on summer vacay, which is one of the reasons why we adore it so much.

171 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar

Pellegrini’s is as Italian as it gets. Authentic and unchanged for decades, this espresso bar is the place to go for coffee, cakes and a cheap bowl of gourmet pasta. Plus, it's one of the few places in the city where pasta costs less than $20, which is practically unheard of these days!

You've simply got to get their lasagne with a glass of Chinotto or watermelon juice alongside - best paired with the traditional bread and butter they serve up free of charge. Finish with an espresso and call it a day. Quintessential Melbourne dining at it's most low-key. 

66 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Meno Zero

There’s nothing more pleasant than ice cream on a hot summer’s day. So, what better way to convince yourself that you’re having an Amalfi summer than by beelining to one of the most delicious gelaterias in Melbourne, Meno Zero? They have locations in both Doncaster East and Dromana, so you can really act the part and walk along the beach with your scoop or stick to the suburbs if you don’t want to venture out to the Peninsula.

Too cold to convince yourself it’s summer? Rug up and enjoy an ice cream anyway. After all, ice cream does taste better in winter…

914a Doncaster Road, Doncaster East

99-201 Point Nepean Road, Dromana

Cannoleria

It’s love at first bite at this South Melbourne Market gem. Cannoleria is the intersection of traditional Sicilian cannoli and innovative, contemporary flavours, combining quality ricotta with a plethora of mouthwatering combinations. Their special flavours regularly rotate, but it’s impossible to go past their classic Sicilian flavour – it’s to die for. Grab a box of six and share amongst friends, so you can try them all (or hoard them all to yourself, we don’t blame you).

They also have locations in Highpoint, the Queen Victoria Market and Preston Market, so you can enjoy the flavours of Sicily no matter where you’re based.

Locations in South Melbourne, High Point, CBD and Preston

Pidapipo

Pidapipo deserves every metre of the long lines it generates. Every day it unquestionably delivers some of the best ice cream in Melbourne, helping us to imagine we’re actually in the streets of Italy. For the most authentic experience that’ll make you feel as though you’re in the heart of Italy, our pick of the bunch scattered around the city is their original location in Carlton along Lygon Street. This small gelateria is a grab-and-go situation, and you’ll find hoards of people with their fresh scoops sitting outside on the small number of stools, or simply standing around, as they dig right in.

Upon entry you'll be met with stainless-steel pozzetti which rotate limited-edition flavours by the week, day or even the hour, depending on how small the batch is. Head straight to Pidapipo post-dinner for the perfect date night dessert. It’ll almost be like you’re in romantic Positano!

299 Lygon Street, Carlton

Other locations in Windsor, Fitzroy and CBD

Taste of Amalfi

What better way to imagine you’re in Amalfi than by tasting it? Taste of Amalfi is as coastal as it gets. Refreshing gelato inside of a lemon? Now that’s something to gawk at. Owners Milos and Nada were inspired by the flavours they experienced on the Amalfi Coast and decided to bring the perfect scoop of Italy to Melbourne.

Their ice cream cart is executed the traditional Italian way, popping up at events and various locations for limited times around the city. In fact, you can also hire them for events if you want to treat your guests to a unique and delightful treat.

Follow their Instagram for location updates and more information

Kaprica

Kaprica is the place to go for classic Italian fare. This lively, snug pizzeria is intimate but convivial in equal measure, with whitewashed walls and an old-school feel, plus plenty of outdoor seats that beckon for a cute little lunch date when the sun is shining. 

As always, the pizza here is some of the best in the city. But don't rush past the array of delicious appetisers and hearty pastas either, best paired with plentiful wine and a Negroni to start. Tiramisu for dessert is of course, essential; plus, it's so much sweeter when you get to share it.

50 Grattan Street, Carlton

Portsea Hotel

Once you get past the Tudor-style exterior and pub nature of the Portsea Hotel and walk through its beautiful interiors and into their vibrant beer garden (or interior dining room), you’ll feel as though you’re not on the Mornington Peninsula, but actually on the Italian coastline. In fact, it’s as though you’re in Sorrento…you’re technically right next to it – just the Australian version. Alas, it’ll have to do. And it’s not half bad!

Portsea Hotel’s blend of modern Australian and Italian dishes on their menu helps with establishing the Italian coastline vibes, too, with delicious pastas and woodfired pizzas that are as authentic as an Italian restaurant on Lygon Street. Our personal favourite is the Calabrese, with the Capricciosa coming in close second. Embrace the views of the coast as you sip on a Spritz…or a red wine if we’re keeping the actual weather in mind. Regardless, the vibes are always high.

3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea

Officina Gastronomica

​Located in the heart of Prahran, Officina Gastronomica is the ideal place to go to sip on wines, espressos, and indulge in a long lunch – the true Italian way

The focus here is on Italian artisan wines and housemade pastas. With its warm and rustic charm, impressive wall of wine, and delectable menu, this Italian restaurant is a doozy for classic Italian fare that encompasses both a rich heritage and the conviviality of Italian cuisine.

532 - 534 Malvern Road, Prahran

Park Street Pasta and Wine

Light-filled and beautifully simple and Italian in its interior décor, this South Melbourne osteria is all about ‘fatto a mano‘, or, pasta 'made by hand’ — and would you really have it any other way? Park Street Pasta & Wine lets the food do the talking, with a seasonal menu inspired by the 20 different regions of Italy. No thought or detail has been spared by Head Chef, Tommaso, who slow roasts tomatoes at 45 degrees for 24 hours and smokes ricotta to bring out unique, bold flavours in their iconic ravioli that leaves you wanting more. It’s the perfect location for a vino and authentic pasta dish.

268 Park Street, South Melbourne

Tippy Tay

When it comes to Amalfi-inspired restaurants, Tippy Tay is the bee’s knees. Hidden within the confines of the buzzing Garden State Hotel, this Italian restaurant is ideal for recreating that classic vacation dinner and a night out – all in the one spot.

A DJ set-up sits pretty right in the middle of the dining room. On the walls are small, doorbell-like buttons, which you can press to order a Negroni fountain directly to your table.

With a nod to classic, refined trattorias and traditional Italian indulgence, Tippy Tay’s menu is all about delicious and shareable experiences. Expect plenty of house-made pastas and pizzas as well as lots of delicious, primarily seafood share plates. The cocktail menu is as bright as the restaurant itself, featuring takes on classics alongside unique house creations. For wine lovers, there’s a refined list that puts Italian grapes centre stage. 

101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

Pepe’s Italian & Liquor

Pepe’s Italian and Liquor pays homage to the great Italian restaurants of the mid-20th century in New York and Melbourne, with its moody, luxe interiors, high ceilings and an extensive cocktail list from yesteryear – and its vibes are immaculate. Sit down, settle in and prepare to swill and slurp to your heart’s content. Start with plates of mortadella, casino clams or polpette al sugo and slowly work your way across to their selection of classic Italian American dishes like the hard-to-beat spicy rigatoni alla vodka. It’s the perfect place for your Amalfi-inspired long lunch.

275-285 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 

Bar Holiday

This fun little wine bar will definitely make you feel like you've taken temporary leave from everyday reality from the very moment you enter and take that first sip of a deep red and super fragrant Valpolicella, or chilled Sangiovese. 

Impeccable wine list aside, the plates of pasta and frittata at Bar Holiday will also have you coming back for more, rain or shine. The outdoor seating gives an extra Euro Summer vibe this hidden gem, so round up a couple of your besties and prepare for sun-dappled sips.

19 Lincoln Square S, Carlton 

Bar Carlo

It doesn’t get any more Italian than this. With chunks of prosciutto and cheese on full display behind the bar for customers to see as they come up to order their Spritzes and vinos, Bar Carlo is all about a daytime tipple. With a focus on simple, hand-prepared food that you’d find in your nonna’s house such as prosciutto rolls, this rotating menu will keep you on your toes. As for drinks, Bar Carlo prefers the no-fuss cocktails, good wine and an even better Spritz to go alongside your cicchetti. Bellissimo!

20 Meyers Place, Melbourne

Bar Carolina

Bar Carolina is the ultimate ‘cool girl’ of the Italian bar world. What was once an ice cream store is now a Venetian bar and restaurant, and it’s perfect for pretending as though you’re on a tour through Italy. Sweeten the scenario by sipping on their Americano in Amalfi signature cocktail, a Campari, Vermouth and Gin fusion with soda. Or, if you’re feeling a Spritz, their lavender one is unique and refreshing, the perfect ‘summer’ treat. They also have an incredible range of house made pastas that’ll leave you feeling content on carbs.

44 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Gloria’s Wine Bar

Fun wines, good times. Gloria's, has an abundance of charm and former-antique-store flair. Intimate and inviting, the lived-in feel of the space helps create an easy-going atmosphere that's perfect as a relaxed after work drinks spot or an easy Sunday afternoon tipple and nibble destination.

Sip on a light Sangiovese or an orange wine from Margaret River, whilst snacking on duck & cherry pate and jamon croquettes.

420 Burke Road, Camberwell 

Don’s Prahan

Is Don, is good. Those words ring even more true within the beating foodie, wine-loving hearts of Melbournians everywhere now that Don’s Prahran has leapt onto the city’s dynamic bar scene. Small and cosy, Don’s is all about natural wine sips and snack plates, with a secretive menu on which the only clues you’ll receive is from scrutinising their oh-so-aesthetic Instagram page.

202 Commercial Road, Prahran

La Perla

La Perla has an impressive wine and cocktail list, and is the perfect place to head to for an Italian vibe in the eastern suburbs. Marrying rustic charm with the contemporary factor of inner suburbia, La Perla is serving up delicious pizzas, refreshing drinks and absolute tunes. Whether you’re coming for dinner or just drinks, make sure you have room for their classic tiramisu – it’s creamy heaven.

625 Camberwell Road, Camberwell

Cristina Toscano

Who needs a gift store in Amalfi when there’s Cristina Toscano right here in the heart of Melbourne? This beautiful South Yarra store is all about luxury gifting, homewares and gourmet food. Think beautiful Italian chocolates, decorative dishes, condiments, and so much more. Step inside and be immersed in what feels as though you’re in an Amalfi or Sicilian store. It’s everything you could want and more.

549 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Mediterranean Wholefoods

Want to cook just like nonna? Head straight to Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick. This haven is Australia’s largest continental food store, which started off as a small delicatessen in 1961. Today, it’s a huge multi ship icon serving Italians and Melburnians with authentic pantry staples straight from Europe. It doesn’t get any more authentic than this.

482 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Steele

Steele is the place to go for loose and flowy silhouettes, as well as vibrant colours and fun prints. And by injecting some life into your wardrobe, you may feel that little bit closer to that Amalfi holiday. Located on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn, this cute store is full of gorgeous designs for you to wear all year long.

733 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Want more European goodness? Take a peek at the best French restaurants in Melbourne, or, if you want to do a complete 180, take a look at these incredible Lygon Street restaurants that aren't Italian.