Osteria Ilaria reviews . (Restaurant) in Melbourne (Victoria).

Osteria Ilaria

986 Reviews

380 Comments

Restaurant

Italian restaurant

367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Description

Here you'll see all the information of Osteria Ilaria, Restaurant in Melbourne (Victoria)

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Situation

Service hours of Osteria Ilaria

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Comments of Osteria Ilaria

S. T.

Me and my partner went to Osteria Ilaria for my birthday. We had a really amazing time, the staff was polite and the food was delicious. We opted for the chefs selection menu as it was our first visit. The five course meal exceeded our expectations. They even got me a birthday candle with the dessert. Would definitely recommend it!

I.

UPMARKET RESTAURANT / BAR IN CBD nice ambience and interesting menu that comprises mainly small shared dishes (tapas style) Our group of six chose the $90/head chefs selection menu. The two hour time limit for table is a bit tight for anyone wanting to enjoy the extensive wine list or linger over dessert and coffee. Staff are attentive but some people may find them a bit snooty or aloof. Venue would be a bit tricky for people with mobility issues as the seating is fairly tight.

S. C.

Beautiful food with interesting but delicious flavour combos, chefs selection was so worth it being our first visit! Wine and cocktails were delicious too, and the staff were so lovely and helpful! Definitely recommend to anyone looking to treat themselves for a special occasion dinner

H. S.

Good potential. The service was disappointing - difficult to order drinks, difficult to order food (even after prompting one staff that we wanted to order) and we generally were not catered for (not even a simple goodbye on exit). Seemed sufficiently staffed despite lower covid staffing levels - perhaps an off night, but expect more at this price bracket. Porcini mushroom croquettes and main courses were excellent (duck ragu and smoked risotto were standouts). The prawn entree was too small ($10 per prawn) and the yellowfin tuna crudo lacked flavour. Shame because it has a great private dining area at the back which would be nice for corporate dinners.

C. S.

Literally so delicious. My go to fancy Italian. Have eaten here countless times and there is nothing that ever disappoints. The staff are all so friendly and accommodating and very knowledgeable about the cuisine. A superb culinary experience.

S. A.

Had a group dinner just before Christmas so we had to do the set menu. Not sure if it was due to dinner rush but the food was bland, set menu had the pasta and it was very average with no seasoning.The steak that was served with all of the sides were burnt. We had high expectations however set menu was a let down, I’d only come back to try the pastas on ala carte menu based on the reviews.

C. C.

The best Italian i’ve ever had in Melbourne! Couldn’t have been more impressed with the food and service. Staff were so attentive and helpful, ambiance of the restaurant was great. So glad we chose to dine here on our anniversary! Everything right down to the complimentary bread rolls and infused butter was phenomenal. Could not recommend this restaurant more! 📸 kingfish crudo, lemon balm, salted cucumber: very fresh kingfish, the roe was mind blowing - super flavourful and refreshing dish. 📸 beef sirloin carpaccio, bay leaf ricotta, beetroot: the best dish we had that night! The beef just melts in your mouth and the slight saltiness of the ricotta was perfectly paired with the sweet beetroot. Truly magical! 📸 spaghetti, king george whiting, koji, sardine: spaghetti was cooked to the perfect al dente! sauce was a little bland but the whiting was so perfectly charred, very smokey while flesh was still juicy. 📸 rigatoni, duck ragu, nettle: rigatoni was beautiful! Sauce was so tasty and it came with a heap of duck! Flavour profile was so sophisticated. Cannot wait to be back!

W. W.

Ordered multiple dishes with friends, the highlight would be the mushroom croquettes and beef carpacio. Unfortunately the mains and desserts were a bit underwhelming. The pastas were too chewy for our liking.

A. R.

Modern Italian in a semi-fine dining setting. Food is simply sumptuous with an extensive wine list from local Australian and Italian wineries. This is the sister restaurant of famour Italian house of Tipo00. A must visit and share the love with friends and family.

G.

Their croquettes were the best and the complementary bread was so moist. Pasta was delicious! Pity we didn't have any space for dessert. Overall, the experience was quite satisfactory.

T. S.

My go to place for pasta in the cbd. Beautiful and creative starters. And surprisingly nice desserts. Good for after work catch-ups, dates or a quick meal after work.

C. L.

Osteria Ilaria is our favourite restaurant in Melbourne, we visit for every birthday / special event. Highly recommend the chefs menu so you can try something you might not have otherwise tasted

L. F.

The service is absolutely wonderful and impeccable, and they make excellent cocktails, so it’s a shame the food is a let down. Very underwhelming. The nicest dish was definitely the spaghetti with a tiny sliver of fish but considering it was $40 I wouldn’t return for that dish. The 8+ Sher wagyu rump cap was juicy and beautifully cooked, but not enough black garlic and the potatoes genuinely had zero taste. Again, for $65 you’d expect it to be punching with flavour. The smoked eel tonnata was good, but the recommended tuna crudo genuinely tasted like nothing. I was surprised how little taste it had. King prawn with jerusalem artichoke was boring and the mushroom croquette was yum but it’s a porcini croquette so of course. Genuinely surprised at the glowing reviews as I wouldn’t recommend it. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t well executed.

R.

The dishes we had was great, the pastas were delicious and adventurous in flavour (Duck ragatoni & spaghetti with whiting) and the porcini was insane. Service and attention from the staff was 👌

C. P.

Been here many times and it's always amazing. Service is great and food is fantastic. Well worth the spend!

W.

Went into this wine bar or whatever it is but the kitchens closed so I settled for being offered a couple of drinks. This orange wine is great. It has an orange and pink colour to it. It’s juicy, grippy, citrusy and just teasing a slight bit of bitterness in a grape fruity way. Not bad. 🍊 Also got their Austrian Riesling, it’s ok, pretty standard. I quite like the new layout and furniture in here. It’s clean and neat and cosy but not too posh. Empty bottles of Euro wines on a shelf and brick walls etc.

H. i.

One of the best meal I've had in some time. The service was exceptional from start to end, and I couldn't fault any of the dishes. We went for the Chef's Menu with a few add on, and we left with our tummy filled to the brim. The spanner crab on toasted brioche was a textural delight, and bursting with fresh and bright flavours. Pasta was cooked to perfection, and the simple heirloom tomatoes tasted like summer in a dish. Definitely a must visit.

L. K.

I don’t take photos of food a great deal and really don’t need to. But I have included a few to tease. Then Let the food speak for itself. I eat there often and for years now, so I can vouch for Osteria Ilaria’s consistency. There’s nothing on their menu that isn’t delicious. The menu changes enough to keep it interesting . There is great care taken with the freshness of food. The food is presented beautifully and with care for flavours. There’s always enough elements of surprise to make it exciting and plates are small enough to be able to enjoy tasting rather than a giant lump of food placed before you. The staff are amazing and generous of spirit. We had gone in as a couple and groups of 4, 6 and 10 and each time both the Service and food quality is the same. If you’re looking for quantity over quality this is not your place. The prices and quality match the standard of what one expects of a top Melbourne restaurant. Great ambience with an open kitchen and not noisy. Love it.

P. G.

Always has fantastic foods and amazing service! All the wines we had were super yummy!

D. P.

Staff provide excellent service. Loved the chefs selection option - so many tasty dishes. I can be a bit of a fussy eater however there wasn't much I didn't eat. Enjoyed the wine list, and desserts are a must. Took my wife here for her bday and we had a great time and will be back for sure!

N. C.

Came here for the wife’s birthday celebration - we left happy diners! Some of the dishes were average (the appetizers) but the mains were amazing! Especially the bugs - highly recommend. Service was also great, they even did a kid’s pasta for my older daughter even though it was off the menu. Would return for sure!

A. G.

Osteria Ileria is a gorgeous restaurant with really lovely feel about it. The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable on the both the food and wine. We liked the sounds of everything on the menu so went with the chef’s selection. All the dishes were fantastic, my favourite was definitely the chocolate mousse dessert with the olive oil ice cream, the flavours went beautifully together and the texture of the ice cream was amazing. Highly recommend this restaurant for a special but relaxed night.

D. F.

Wow the food and service here is brilliant!! I really enjoyed the amazing flavours on all the dishes from the $90 menu for dinner starting with the best mushroom croquettes I have ever had and all the way to the dessert. All the flavours really worked and the portion sizes are great- I’ll be back!

E. B.

Friendly staff, entree zucchini flower & dessert mango yuzu cream was delicious. Spaghetti was bit plain .

S. Y.

I cannot fault my dining experience at Osteria Ilaria in any way. The truffle special was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time . Our waitress was also incredibly welcoming and attentive. Will definitely be returning to try other items on the menu!

A. S.

Always a pleasure dining at Osteria. You’d be crazy not to do their chefs menu, have done it numerous times and Saturday night was no exception to the exceptional. Also, they catered to a pregnant woman and a vegetarian with our own individual dishes. Meg was awesome, thanks for looking after us!!

S. M.

First time here and had a great time, jam packed full of people being the first day out of lockdown but the staff all handled it like champs! The food was outstanding, tasty mushroom croquettes, whipped rainbow trout, tender beef carpaccio..... cant wait to head back and try some more.. washed it all down with a Spanish Grenache from Rioja, full bodied and delicous, one of the best and most extensive Wine lists i've seen in Melbourne, can search out some unique gems in this one. Great experience all round!!

S. J. C.

Had an amazing birthday lunch here. The course menu was phenomenal with very generous portions. Loved the imagination the chef put into the dishes with such rich flavours that made our experience here absolutely sublime. Definitely will be returning here for many more meals to come.

M. S.

We celebrated our 29th Wedding Anniversay at Osteria Ilaria on 19 April 2021 and the food, service and venue were outstanding. The menu is beautiful and very eclectic! There is a very extensive wine list, but not overwhelming. The Chef was very engaging and even served us to our table. We will definitely be back, this place is truly special.

H. D. L.

One of the best restaurants in Melbourne, hands down. Exceptional food, amazing wine and great informed service. Every dish you order, even when it sounds random, is delicious. We were blessed to try the white truffle pasta special and it was insane. Somm was happy to do some half bottles of some amazing wines to make it all the better. Never disappoints. Love is in the air!

L. V. B.

This is the second time eating at Osteria Ilaria and it was even better than the first. Dishes were full of interesting flavours, presentation was beautiful and service was excellent. The ambience was great too and the music was at the right level. Will be back again, thank you!!

A. K.

A great way to get back into restaurant dining. Fab food & service. Highly recommended!

V. L.

This place has amazing food, can't go wrong with the Chef's Selection. Wine pairing was fantastic with a wide range of tastes and very special types. Top notch sommelier!

S. K.

We came to Osteria because we've tried nearly everything at Tipo00's (their sister restaurant) We thought it'll be hard to beat Tipo so coming here, we lowered our expectations. 1. Whipped rainbow trout with Brussels sprouts and macadamia (yumm w/ all those textures) 10/10 2. Moreton bay bug on arrabbiat (pasta) (the bug was very meaty and well cooked) I would've liked a lot more sauce 9/10 3. Mushroom croquettes .. far out ! Take my money :P 9/10 -1 star because the waiter forgot one of the main orders (very nice and apologetic about it though) and the caramel dough ice cream sandwich was very underwhelming (lacking in flavour) I don't think they should call it a sandwich if it's such a small piece of toast and caramel ice cream was "meh"... nice plating though! We wanted to leave on a high note so we ordered the pannacotta which was light and refreshing. In comparison to Tipo00, I would go to Tipo00 for pasta and desserts and Osteria for everything else.

L. B.

Welcoming staff, excellent service. A group of us (regular visitors) with a set menu of "Chef's Selection" that I (first time diner) ate everything, whereas some food was left, as it was not up to the usual standard (which must be excellent). Enjoyed drinks, certainly a discernment selection made me feel knowledgeable with the compliments I received on my choices. We had a great time and will be back

英.

Best dining experience in Melbourne. Food is amazing and service is so good. Very special and interesting experience seating along the bar. Chefs are handsome and super friendly!

D. S.

They lost a bit of authenticity. Zucchini flower quite disappointing, pasta was OK but didn't scream "quality" Great service from the bartender a bit less from the other floor staff

R. D.

Delicious Italian delectable food, very reasonably priced and lovely service. Divine bread and butter to mop up sauces, great wine selection, gourmet fine dining options and I am vegetarian

M. S.

Delicious food, executed perfectly…high standard pasta! The service was spot on and reminded me of dining experience in Italy…with “amaro” at the end! Super recommend!

T. V.

Dishes are seasonal, they look creative and taste nice. I love all the courses in their chef’s menu however they’re not filling at all. Customer service was good, staff were all friendly and attentive. It’s an interesting experience tho, I may come back for a la carte

C. S.

Such a great experience. We had the chefs selection and it was just perfect. Donny, our waiter, was just wonderful. The food comes in the right timing and even with conversations going on, we do not feel interrupted at anytime. I would definitely recommend anyone to try the chefs selection if you can't make up your mind what to order.

B. M.

Food was wonderful and delicious. We opted for the chef’s selection and loved each course! We had a great seat being able to watch the restaurant cook and plate up each meal. Highly recommend!!!

S. Y.

So Glad that we managed to get seats for this restaurant. Food was so amazing. The pasta, bread and butter, dessert, broccoli and cheese are all delicious. The service is also very good! Thank you for the great experience.

M. F.

Fantastic experience. Could not fault the food. Service was impeccable and was given an excellent recommendation for the wine. Will definitely be back

H. A.

The most wonderful food - take the advice of your waiter as they can help put together the perfect meal. Great wine suggestion and a really lovely atmosphere. Can't wait to return!

M. f.

Nice service and good atmosphere The fish is really great and amazing. The skin is crispy and the inside is not dry at all and very soft. The source also really matches with the fish. However, the texture of the pasta is too hard but the source is nice. Besides, the seasoning of the mix salad is a little bit too strong. The waiting time for dishes was too long. Despite that, we ordered food at 9pm which can be said it is not during a busy time, we waited for about 30 minutes.

R. W.

Great place for a small dinner, portions were quite small and wouldn't recommend for 4+ people if you want to have conversations with everyone. Food was great and presented well. Great selection of whisky. I don't have any photos because inside lighting is a little dull.

s. n.

Always always extraordinary food in a relaxed warm ambiance.I walk in and I’m in a good mood. This time we were treating my parents who made it out from Scotland for lunch on Saturday. Amazing. Thank you!

P. T.

Beautiful food, love the tarte beef the most and the pork neck too. Definitely will always come back. Great service as well, toilet is very clean. You guys do a best job Mia

R. W.

We’ve been waiting to come here for a while now and thankfully were not disappointed! For three of us we ordered 9 dishes to share which was more that enough. Highly recommend the calamari, octopus and chickpea fries. The staff will recommend the best wine to go with the dishes you order but they do a mean light cocktail too!

P. S.

Beautiful food, great ambiance, warm, friendly and professional service. What more can you ask for. Great to see this place flying high again. Thanks you very much

S. T.

Had a group birthday lunch at Osteria Ilaria, the food was great and the spot where we were seated was like a private corner. Samuel was helpful, responsive and accommodating. Highly recommended!

S. L.

This Italian restaurant in Melbourne is a gem. The share plate style dishes are excellent. Special mention to the pasta, so many levels of flavours and is a surprise. The grilled octopus with the sauce is a great combination. The atmosphere is hip and the service is fantastic. Will definitely come back and try the other dishes.

T. B.

This place was fantastic. A nice intimate setting inside, friendly staff and good service. The meals were very tasty, packed full of flavour but also very light - left feeling very content, not overly full and satisfied. The meals are slightly pricey for the size, but are elegantly plated. Recommend +++

L.

Loved all the dishes I tried. So delicious I can’t wait to try others next time. Great service and ambience. Highly recommend! Make sure to book a table if you don’t want to miss out.

W. T. S. C.

Sister to Tipo 00 so big shoes to fill and they met the expectations. The service was friendly and helpful on a busy night. We were surprised at the yummy yet small menu however the specials grabbed our attention. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the flavours simply delicious. Definitely visit when in the CBD.

C. R.

Thanks to Samuel and the Team! We had a very, very lovely work Xmas dinner, everyone had a great time, the food and wine were excellent. Given all the lockdowns, this booking had been moved so many times, but communication and experience first class throughout. Thanks from everyone at Bindle. :-)

K. P.

Remains my fav Italian in town. The mango dessert with yuzu cream was absolutely scrumptious in my mouth! Pasta is always top notch and starters spot on! Service is friendly and attentive. Simply cannot fault.

C. C.

Great place to eat, service, decor, extensive wine list and a menu that will entice you back again and again. We, a group of 4 shared several plates including the special, pappardelle with truffle, OMG, the aldente pasta the luscious sauce topped with black truffle, not a dish I was prepared to share but reluctantly did, this was sublime. The wine was we advised and a nice match to our meal selections. Osteria Ilaria is highly recommended we will be back so treat yourself.

M. H.

Lovely dinner! The cocktails were yum, the food was amazing and the service was really lovely too. Highly recommend this place, we really enjoyed our evening.

K. J.

Amazing food! Very tasty and well prepared and you can choose among variety of menus.

o. w.

Best fusion italian restaurant! I like this place more than Tipo 00 their sibling restaurant. Menu is more fresh and creative. Love prawn pasta signature! Very friendly and great service!

I. T.

Food is nice (although I think the sister restaurant, Tipo 00, is better). The choices for mains are limited, but some of the entrees are quite generous, so you could have an entree or two instead. I think the menu is quite limited and should be expanded a little. Service is great. Place is busy so make sure you book - if you book, make sure to turn up or they charge penalty per head!

S. P.

Officially one of my favourite Italian restaurants. Food was exceptional. Wine was over priced - stick to the cocktails next time. Wait staff attentive, friendly and had good knowledge of the menu.

J. L.

Gnocchi and the wagyu rump are outstanding even the best i have ever had. But the octopus and paccheri are just normal and overpriced. I know these two dishes are more famous in Melbourne but honestly speaking i feel disappointed for those. Overall 85 out of 100. By the way. Service is not satisfying the laly seems seems apathy and unhappy.

H. M.

We went for our 5th wedding anniversary dinner and they were very thoughtful to reserve a table for us with a bit of privacy tucked behind the crowd. The open kitchen looked amazing and the set up itself makes you feel like you’re the guest of honour of the evening. The staff was very professional and patient with us as we went through the course. We had the Chef’s tasting menu - three appetizer dishes, one pasta, the main meal and some dessert. I might have had high expectation on their pasta, it didn’t turn out to be the best pasta I’ve ever tasted but the rest of the food was immaculate and delish.

P. C.

Exquisite as always. Amazing food, flawlessly comfortable-yet-punctual service, and the La Spinetta Timorasso was perfectly selected by Elena for our lunch. Can’t wait to see all the girls and guys again in ‘22!

J. V.

Absolutely amazing food! Service is impeccable! Ambiance is awesome! This is the place you come to and feel extremely welcome. Can’t wait to come back again. Well worth the trip from Sydney

F. K.

Wow! What can I say? Food is delicate and flavour is well-balanced, super impressed. Great value! Will have to come back again to try all the other dishes!

D. V.

Great staff! Very attentive and helped navigate the menu. Huge wine selection and some good beers. The rabbit pasta was delicious and the octopus was also good. They do it right!

Z. B.

Usually booking is necessary, we were lucky that a table finished early so we got the table without waiting. The steak is especially nick, the meat is tender inside crisp on skin. The grilled squids is definitely worth a try, very tasty! And I also enjoy my cocktail ‘church’, fresh and very orange.

A. A.

I would start by saying, it’s a place where you could treat yourself. This place is with fancy food. I love their open kitchen. The food is being made right in front you! I ordered an Octopus, n’duja, anchovy with a drink-Inverno del Pirati. I wouldn't be full with just those two food items, so I ordered a corn-fed roasted duck with hazelnut. Finally for dessert, I had this wafer with some lemon spread in it. The chefs working there had an amazing coordination even when the restaurant was super busy. They also took out some time to explain the dish which went over my head at times because the restaurant was busy that’s why I had a hard time hearing the chef. Overall experience was great! Highly recommend this place to everyone!

S. J.

Wow. Just amazing. Lovely food and matching wines. Staff lovely too. Always around but not in the way. Great beer list too!!!!

J. J.

Walk in, elect for a seat at the kitchen bar and have a chat with the chefs while they are creating some amazing food for you. Wide range of wines available, from Aus to Europe. Food wise, I'd recommend mostly everything on the menu, it's that good. My personal goto dish is the Stuffed Zucchini Flowers.

R. M.

Consistently good food and ambiance. The have a very extensive wine list, which while pricey, is worth exploring

J. C.

Fantastic food and overall experience for my wife's birthday. The food is creative and well executed.

G. C.

Loved our valentines day dinner here with a beautiful set menu and a glass of complementary champagne. Everything was cooked to perfection and the setting was dim and romantic.

J. B.

This is an amazing restaurant - sensational food and wine coupled with slick but friendly service. Great selection of wines from Australia, Italy and France. One of the best restaurants in Melbourne.

P. T.

Pasta cooked perfectly, one of the best we've had in a while. Price is surprisingly decent, compared to many other pasta places back home in Sydney. Will recommend to others.

E. L.

Same boss from Tipo00, really nice place for different kind of Italian food. 70 AUD for Chef's Menu. But I tried something else. Really nice place even for single person like me to sit at the bar and see what Chefs do.

e. r.

We had an amazing dinner yesterday at osteria. It wasn't our first time, and as always we have been look after in the bestbway possible. Gavin made our nights expetional. Amazing food menu,service and vibes. Thank you. Can't wait to come back.

C. P.

I don't normally give 5 stars but I really struggle to find anything we had to be a negative. We tried numerous dishes and all were fantastic in their own way. Service was top notch and dishes came out in a very timely manner. Seriously suggest giving this a go.

N.

Really enjoyed the chef's menu, was exceptional quality food & service was top notch with the Octopus and Sher Wagyu been the standouts

K. W.

Delicious and interesting flavours. Great service, friendly staff. A fantastic experience.

N. M.

Meh. It was ok. It was difficult to figure out where the restaurant was from the street; What's the big secret? I didn't enjoy the 'sitting in the kitchen' vibe. It was noisy and uncomfortable. I didn't enjoy sitting so close to other diners and having to squeeze between the tables to get to my seat. The food was hit and miss with big flavours or textures overpowering the other elements of the meal. The staff were lovely.

N. D.

My partner and I had an amazing dinner here lastnight! Great food, atmosphere and friendly service. Will definitely be back :)

A. C.

Sometimes the in-place is not the best foodie place, this one is, so much so we come back for a second time. Top tip is to make a reservation well in advance. Great energy and vibe, good service and very friendly staff .

R. M.

Outstanding 20th anniversary lunch.The truffle ravioli stunning. Only (tiny) niggle: a slightly pedestrian Austrian riesling. Bravo! Forza Ilaria!

J. B.

Fantastic quality food, the service and wine selection is excellent. Stefano did a great job with the chef's selection!

S. D.

Delicious meal with excellent staff and wine list to boot. The pasta is quite aldente maybe on the undone side but the flavours more than compensated for it. Will definitely be back and look forward to also trying Tipo 00

E. E.

Amazing service with great attention to detail e.g. They picked up on my wife's dietary needs without us explicitly stating it! Oh and the food was amazing too (duh)

t. c.

food was amazing, we had the chef's selection which was good value. highly recommend for business lunch.

S. L.

Wonderful place .. food is great .. we went for the chef's selection .. to be surprised w the chef's best choices for a splendid dinner .. was definitely one of our best dinners in melb .. 💛 .. take a glimpse of the menu ..

G. C.

What a great long lunch , the wagu beef cap was amazing and our waiter's wine knowledge was fantastic, listening to our requests and offering a great selection of wines even suggesting a half bottle of Beaujolais to go with our Risotto dish ,

S. M.

Never fails to deliver. The food is always brilliant, the wine list is great and the staff are super friendly without being pushy.

P. W.

Fantastic experience. Wonderful friendly service, the food was amazing, the wine list is huge with some real gems.

C. S.

Dimly lit but a very bright, vibrant and entertaining atmosphere. Busy chefs can be seen preparing the food. Mixed age group of savvy diners enjoying delicious food and drinks from an extensive wine list. Loved the Chef’s suggestions dishes. Food was superb. Service was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend. Don’t ask me for it’s name ‘cos it’s hard to remember!!

A. A.

Delicious food but would have been nice if there were whole prawns in my pasta dish rather than small slices. Other than that, an overall pleasant experience.

R. J.

Quality classic Italian flavours, would recommend anyone, although bookings may take out the worry about a seat!

Y. K.

I can NOT say enough complimentary things about Osteria Ilaria and all of the amazing staff. We have booked multiple functions in the private dining room and each time we all walk away feeling like we have eaten the best meal of our lives. We have a LOT of different dietary requirements to cater for (GF, vegan, low fodmap, vegetarian, lactose free, etc..) and the restaurant is so incredibly thoughtful when providing amazing and plentiful menu options to cater for every single requirement. The staff are just lovely and so helpful and knowledgeable about the produce and wine pairings.

j. c.

Brilliant food! The rabbit and chestnut pasta was magnificent- matched well to wine. The special of the quince agnolotti with truffle was world class as was the Morton bay bug pasta. No disappointments in little plates of crab, buffalo mozzarella, scallop and bread with fresh butter. Dessert of rhubarb and panda cotta- great finish. Wonderful!

R. M.

Fantastic night as always Sensational food, beautiful wine, amazing and attentive service What else can you ask for Exceptional restaurant

S. G.

Wow, wow, wow. Fantastic. Amazing food, excellent service. Our new favourite Melbourne restaurant. Loved it.

G. D.

You can tell a lot of care goes into the food. Definitely good for small groups. Staff were exceptional. Very good 'date-night' option if you're hunkering for some European cuisine.

n. g.

The team and service were fantastic, as were the drinks. The food was also great - if I could I would have given a 4.5. Would definitely recommend a visit, whether your looking for an excuse for a nice relaxed dinner or have something to celebrate.

J. M.

The ONLY place to eat when in the Melbourne CBD. Food, ambience and staff all go above and beyond. Mind-blowing dining experience, each and everytime!

R. N.

Seems to be a very popular place based on the covers that were there! Interesting food with a balance of flavours. Just wish the portions were larger and made for sharing. They were rather on the small scale of things.

V. C.

Just fantastic. Sat up at the bar with a great view of both the bar and the kitchen. Recommendations for dishes were spot on, superb Octopus with a sauce I want a bottle of. Then some absolutely fantastic pasta for mains. Highly recommend. So good we only got one photo of first dish (duck) and tucked straight into the rest as they arrived.

M. D.

Outstanding food, outstanding service. To be this good so soon after Melbourne's extended lockdown shows how professional the team at Osteria Ilaria are.

S. S.

Delicious food, great decor and excellent friendly service. We will be back!

A. R.

Excellent food and service. It is awesome to be guests at Osteria Ilaria, we are going to keep on returning. Thank you

D. G.

Came from Sydney to enjoy dinner here. Amazing. I would come back here if I came to Melbourne in a heart beat. Firstly would like to acknowledge the service. The waitress who accommodated us on the night was so friendly and lovely, comfortable to talk and answered all questions easily. The wines available were also great, loved the open kitchen and bar. The food was outstanding , ordered 7 dishes and not one didn’t hit the mark. The owner also gave us free desert wines to apologise for the wait for our booked table ( although we sat at the bar while we waited which was fine ). Always lovely to be acknowledged though for patience. Out of all the dining experiences in Melbourne , this was my favourite. Thanks again and look forward to coming back.

R. W.

We had the most beautiful night at Osteria Ilaria ! The service was impeccable not to mention the food and wine. The atmosphere is trendy and chilled - I would recommend this restaurant all day long!

T. “. A.

The food here was superb! The duck was my favourite dish but dont miss out on the mushroom croquettes... they were incredible.

N. Z. (. O.

Enjoyed the food, had 4 share plates to share between two. The pasta and Calamari was super tasty.

R. W.

Very well looked after by staff, food was very tasty. Would recommend it to others

A. R.

We had a perfect dinner at Osteria Ilaria. Wonderful food, amazing wines, and great service.

A. W.

This will remain a highlight experience for a long time. The atmosphere is perfect - enough music to be engaged, but no need to shout at the people at your table A fine cocktail and wine menu, with well informed staff to guide you to a selection to meet your food And the food! - this IS Italian food in all its wonderful handling of premium ingredients

d. m.

Starters are delicious. Tried the croquette, oysters and octopus, umi pasta was stellar. Get a seat in front of the kitchen for a great view.

D. W.

brilliant food from snacks to mains, the service was attentive but not intrusive and the atmosphere was exciting...a wonderful experience. Will be back.

A. V.

Absolutely great food and great wine. Went here for an anniversary dinner. Cosy atmosphere, great vibe and perfectly timed breaks between courses. Chef's selection option just makes it easy to try everything. Friendly staff too. Loved it very much.

A. S.

I am so impressed! The food was AMAZING from start to finish. Great wine selection and excellent service… been here many times before and will be back very soon

J.

Excellent chef's menu, amazing fish spaghetti

M. B.

Great experience. I'd recommend the spaghetti with King George Whiting with a glass of Riesling.

C. S.

Food was amazing, meals are shared which I think is nice, make you interact more with the person your with. Service was flawless and fast, I barely noticed them refining drinks, changing cutlery, very good. Price wise it's definitely on the high side, but you can view their menu which has the prices before you go. I reccomend this place for a nice evening with your significant other or an occasion.

A. L.

I absolutely love this place! The menu is exciting, with something special in every dish and a wine list that has some unexpected gems as well as a few go to drops. If highly recommend the mushroom croquettes, the duck (was perfectly cooked and tasted divine) and the porterhouse. But make sure you save room for dessert, because they were sensational!

L. T.

Food is en point out done only by the outstanding service and very accommodating team - late feed (due to flight delay) and dietary. The fish and gluten free gnocchi blew us away.

G. H.

Nice atmosphere, nice quality food however menu is extremely confusing and there is very small portion size for sharing like it is designed to. However food is good quality, but it doesn't seem to be worth the high prices. We paid around $300 for four people and most of us were still hungry by the end of it.

J.

Truth be told, we couldn’t to get a table at its sister restaurant Tipo 00 next door and was recommended to give Osteria Ilaria a try. After all, its the same chef. Less pasta focused (though we did have the pastas on offer) and more a balanced menu lead us to culinary delights. We were not disappointed from the excellent service, to the extensive wine list, to the menu on offer. Each dish well prepared with its core ingredients and cooked to perfection. Recommend the mushroom croquettes as an amuse bouche, the octopus to get things going and the paccari (tube pasta) with prawns as a main. One to try in Melbourne.

M. C.

Food quality is above average. Good environments . Food sizes are small. As the photo below, it was an entree,but still too small. And comparing to the original photo the owner uploaded... bit disappointed

C. L.

Great service, good decor. Unfortunately food is slightly overpriced. Around $100 per person for 4 small entrees, 3 slices of Wagyu and a scampi pasta with dessert. It was well presented though. Just be mindful there’s 10% surcharge plus 2% credit card fee which isn’t included on the bill.

N. C.

Incredible food, the best Italian I’ve had in Melbourne. From the food to the staff to the atmosphere everything was outstanding. Definitely a restaurant I’ll make the effort to come back to CBD dining for! Thank you Pete for absolute exceptional service and company. Many thanks to all. See you soon. Nick

J. C.

Fantastic Italian fine dining, specialising in seafood dishes and pasta. It's on the pricier side, but every dish we had was delicious, unique, fresh, and well-presented.

K. M.

We booked a table for our national team event and found the atmosphere, menu and service to be excellent. We will definitely be back and highly recommend for group events or a romantic dinner. A huge thanks to Sam and the team for their great hospitality.

K. G.

Amazing food, amazing service and fantastic staff. Will definitely be going back

T. g. p.

If you love food osteria is your place.one of the most famous restaurants in melbourne,never cease to amaze

A. S.

Really great experience. The food was amazing, with just a few main ingredients in each dish, prepared to perfection. The waitress was really personable, rounding out a great evening

M. B.

TWO THUMBS UP. The emergency negroni is a stroke of genius. Would definitely recommend.

E. F. A.

I went there with friends first time for me. The sevice was very good, the waiter was very patient with us and always smilling.

J. C.

Great food and ambience. Staff are also very friendly. I’ll definitely revisit.

D. M.

Outstanding food and service. Always a great feed. They no longer have the prawn ravioli, but it's been replaced with something equally as delicious, the kelp pasta with Morton bay bug.

M. S.

Best dinner we had in Australia . Made a reservation after reading rave reviews and we were not disappointed. Hip restaurant with open kitchen, attentive and professional service . We had the mushroom croquette , zucchini flowers, gnocchi and red snapper . All very delicious with interesting , flavorful sauces . Highly recommend!

S. B.

Attentive service; contemporary no-fuss italian; extensive wine list; what’s not to love?

e. s.

Beautiful food, great atmosphere and perfectly pitched service.

J. D.

Outstanding service from Leah and great insights on our wine from sommelier Justin. Food sublime. A memorable evening on every measure.

A.

Amazing wine list. The food here is always excellent. Beautiful hand made pasta dishes and seafood. We have been many times and the food is consistently good.

T. J.

Top quality food, tastes just like amuma made it and presented in a modern style. Fair portions for the price and very professional, knowledgeable, and attentive staff.

M. M.

Great food, friendly staff and all round a great experience.... again. Thanks

J. L.

Great food, drinks and service. Thanks so much. 10 out of 10

M. L.

An amazing evening. Perfect service, food and atmosphere. I highly recommend Osteria Ilaria to everyone. The staff were really friendly and really knew what to recommend and which wine to match. The food, blew me away, perfection

N.

Went there for the office Christmas lunch and the food was delicious, staff very lovely and the ambiance is wonderful.

L. D.

Great menu with some selections you don't see on other Italian restaurant menus, was fantastic to have something different. Excellent customer service and knowledge of the food and wine.

N. S.

Six of us were accommodated in the duff duff free back room. We selected from the two course $40 luncheon menu. The crew were terrific and able to substitute the salty anchovy sauce with a basil emulsion, and were unfazed with a request or two entrees. The wine by the glass list was terrific. Recommend.

W. K.

My wife and I sat at the bar for dinner. Good ambience and crowd. Food was fantastic. Comprehensive wine list.

L. R.

I can't wait to go back!! I had a wonderful lunch & didn't want it to end. The wine list is ginormous!! But if you can't decide the waiters are exceptionally good at understanding & interpreting your requirements and make perfect recommendations! I was impressed too by the pricing! The food was sensational. Each time I took my first mouthful of a new dish, it made me stop talking (very difficult to do!) and want to savour the flavours. It stopped me in my tracks. Impressed. The attentiveness by staff was perfect. Their timing was perfect. I wanted to stay the weekend. I can't wait to return! Thank you.

A. M.

We love this place.The food the staff and of course the setting

R. B.

Absolutely delicious food and great wine list. The service was impeccable and friendly. We loved the experience . Thank you

d. m.

Best dinner we had in Australia . Made a reservation after reading rave reviews and we were not disappointed. Hip restaurant with open kitchen, attentive and professional service . We had the mushroom croquette , zucchini flowers, gnocchi and red snapper . All very delicious with interesting , flavorful sauces . The food, staff and ambience...all great. we went here for my bday dinner with a local. we could not have asked for a better meal. a few in our party were vegetarian and the food did not disappoint. Highly recommend!

A.

Excellent food. Great service. Perfect for a date or anniversary.

c.

I had a birthday lunch with family. Delicious food cooked to perfection & served by informative staff member. Had cocktails, several share plates enjoyed every portion. Recommend highly. Because of Covid19 restrictions only four patrons at each table.

P. Y.

Cozy atmosphere, friendly staff. Wonderful for a birthday dinner, definitely would come again!

M. M.

Not the usual Italian restaurant. Outstanding menu, excellent waiters and chilled environment.

P. W.

We dined on Monday 14th December. A comfortable number of fellow diners.kitchen is completely open to the dining room and that is a special feature of Osteria. Choose from a chef's limited menu which means fresh ingredients and a wonderful dining experience. The MasterChef judges were dining at the table next to us_all three of them +friends. I had the duck papardelli others had John Dory. The sauces were delicious on both meals and we mopped up every last drop with some extra fresh crispy bread. Treat yourself to a night out at Osteria.Superb.

C. S.

Just had the most amazing chef’s selection. Nothing disappointed every dish went beyond expectations- the most amazing value - treat yourself

C. C.

Truly one of Melbourne's best restaurants.

S. M.

Fantastic service, great advice on the best wines to select, and wonderfully delicious food. An all round exceptional experience. Thank you

E. S.

Good non pasta dishes, nice atmosphere.

C. I.

If you want to get a true taste of Italian cuisine (with a twist), this is the right place. Great selection of wines and amari (including some niche ones) and delicious pasta dishes (gnocchi had the right softness and were seasoned marvelously). Better to book in advance to avoid sitting at the bar.

c. h.

Great place, great food and service as always

K. W.

Six of us were accommodated in the duff duff free back room. We selected from the two course $40 luncheon menu. The crew were terrific and able to substitute the salty anchovy sauce with a basil emulsion, and were unfazed with a request or two entrees. The wine by the glass list was terrific. Recommend.

L.

First time try out, absolutely love this place. Beautiful food, my guests were really impressed. Notice there was also a bar for you to sit around and enjoy some food and wine. We’ll try that next time. Highly recommend.

j. m.

The food was fantastic and the service was great. They can do 1/2 portions of many of the dishes which I strongly recommend. Did the octopus and prawns appetizers at half. The octopus was spicy and delicious. The prawns even better. I did a 1/2 gnocchi main and it was very good. Overall an exceptional restaurant.

A. E.

Great place, good food and the staff are amazing head down when you can but don't expect to always get in they are very busy as any great restaurant should be :)

D. G.

Had our first visit to this restaurant, and we booked bar seats on a Tuesday evening. Great ambience from the start, staff were super attentive and knowledgable about the Menu and the extensive wine list. We decided on the Chefs selection, and had fun chatting to the chef who was preparing our entrees..... all in all a very enjoyable experience, great food, perfect selection of wines..... probably head back there next Tuesday!!!! Our new favourite place!!!

W. J.

Superb food and service. Staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and familiar with the food and wine. A wonderful night out.

Y. P.

Had dinner with a friend here, the porcini croquette is great but too salty, pappardelle pasta was undercooked, the roasted pumpkin is bland, the king fish is alright but nothing special. For dessert we had the coconut pannacotta, taste good and light. Overall, not really worth the price.

M. L.

Five stars across the board: the restaurant was full and they could not accommodate us ( and our baby) so we walked around to find another restaurant when the desk guy found us on the street and offered us a table for 1h30min. Perfect! We had a good natural Wine, the gnocchi, the broccoli and the pulpo. It was almost perfect except the pulpo that was not properly cooked (overcooked or cooked to fast?) which resulted in a very chewy texture. I highly recommend. Oh and the service was really good.

J. T.

I would say definitely high end, I had trouble pronouncing some of the menu items. My colleagues enjoyed the extensive wine menu. Overall good food and atmosphere

S. J.

Delicious food, great wines, perfect service and an upbeat yet cosy space. Thanks OI, we had a blast.

J.

Great dinner for 8. Sophisticated atmosphere, warm service, delicious food. Very highly recommended.

T. M.

What an amazing experience! Beautiful food, lovely wine and faultless service. Will definitely be back!

R. B.

Amazing value for amazing food. We had the set menu...couldn't believe how much food we recieved vs other 'tasting menus'...and absolutely everything was delicious! I would 100% recommend if you're looking for a really great meal! Cant wait to return!

A. I.

Great service. The menu is amazing too, special mention to all the wines they have, such a good selection. Perfect for a date night. I’ll recommend doing the chef selection menu.

H. T.

Very nice place to try out some amazing ribs and burgers. Try out their shakes, and ginger beer - I was very impressed by the food quality. The staff is very legit, and it has a nice outdoor and indoor seating. Highly recommend this place if you are in the mood for some very good meat dishes!

S. W.

A group of friends had a celebration in private dining room. Everything was perfect. Amazing food, great service and beautiful room. Every share plate they served was delicious and fresh. I lost count of the courses but highlights were the croquettes, octopus, duck and desserts.

A. L.

Incredible food, service and atmosphere. Fresh , seasonal ingredients, and creative flavourful dishes. A must visit in Melbourne!

B. B.

We had a fantastic lunch service second to none the Sommelier helped select out wines. Could not recommend the restaurant highly enough.

S. A.

Very happy. We wandered by early (about 6pm) after not getting a seat next door. We were offered a seat at the bar where we could watch the chef's prepare the food. We had the Chef's Selection $80 each. Great variety, all good. Thoroughly enjoyable. We'll try next door tomorrow night. They will have a hard act to follow.

F. J.

food was excellent and the staff were friendly. we had a great time. love to comeback more.

A.

Fantastic food, good service. Lovely ambience. I’ve dined three times and the standard is always there. Very reasonably priced too.

T. W.

Modern Italian food. A full wine list as well as degustation menu is offered. The wagyu beef was excellent with it being so tender that it cut like butter. The octopus was also tasty although was a little oily. Intimate atmosphere.

C. d. J. (.

Great quality food. Nicest gnocchi I've had.

D. P.

Only criticism of this place is that it didn't come earlier to Melbourne. Wonderfully fresh tapas served by friendly knowledgeable staff. The wine selection has been well thought through with some harder to get varieties also on offer.

L. W.

Delicious and personal. Ask the staff to match the wine with the food ordered. Perfect.

C. F.

Amazing food and amazing service! The vibe was incredible, so glad we could experience this place for our anniversary.

E. O.

Delicious, delicate flavours. Friendly staff with informed knowledge of the wine list and menu

C. L.

Had the tasting menu for lunch. Everything was delicious. Service was very friendly. Highly recommended.

A. H.

What a fabulous night we experienced at Osteria Illaria! Food, wine & service were all exceptional. Thankyou

J. L.

Highly recommended. Have been back a few times so far. Service was really good, staff are very attentive and courteous. Food is very tasty at a very reasonable price. Their rabbit sausage pasta is a must try if it is available.

s. s.

I would start by saying, it’s a place where you could treat yourself. This place is with fancy food. I love their open kitchen. The food is being made right in front you! I ordered an Octopus, n’duja, anchovy with a drink(pirate something), thinking I would be full with just those two things. So, I ordered a corn-fed roasted duck with hazelnut. Finally for dessert, I had this wafer with some lemon spread in it. The chefs working there had an amazing coordination even when the restaurant was super busy. They also took out some time to explain the dish which went over my head at times(maybe because the restaurant was busy that’s why I had a hard time hearing the chef also the chef was cute). Overall experience was great!

C. F.

Always a delicious meal. One of the best restaurants on Melbourne. Great wine list and amazing staff.

E. B.

We were in the private dining room which had the chefs selection (set menu) which was INCREDIBLE. The wine selection was very good too and the staff were all so lovely and attentive. Favourites were the octopus, the steak, the burrata and the chocolate mousse 👌🏻

K. M.

Delicious Food, Wine and great service

J. H. -.

A great blend of modern, creative and fresh Italian inspired food. But flavour is clearly king here. Substance over style. The tasting menu is the way to go if your palate is friendly - great value being around $60 from memory. A really good wine list to top it off. If you can't get a date with the fancy sister, (Tippo 00) Osteria is still a delicious night out.

B. C.

Great food especially the zucchini flower. Love it.

J. C.

Great tasting food and great atmosphere.

L. L.

Amazing meal in the heart of Melbourne! 4 of us came for lunch, each had a different pasta dish and every one was delicious. Complimentary foccaccia and basil ricotta was a lovely start, with the courgette flowers and beetroot. Best pasta we had in Melbourne, and service and wine list was great too!

W. B.

I did some research to find where I wanted to eat lunch the day I arrived in Melbourne and Osteria Ilaria was the clear winner. They have a diverse menu of small plates and 2-3 plates is definitely a filling meal. One dish that stuck out to me during my research was the octopus with Nduja sauce. I ordered this as my first plate and followed it up with the rabbit sausage. Both dishes were amazing. The beer selection was also wide and varied and I relied on the staff to pick two winners out for me. Both were great. Fun place for lunch or dinner with great food!

d. c.

Absolutely loved it, the food, the wine, the ambiance, the service, the whole experience was great from start to finish. Will definitely be back

J. A.

I am a massive foodie and Italian food lover already and have been to multiple restaurants where i thought 100% nothing will trump them. However, visiting Osteria was an experience my partner and I will never forget. The attention to detail from seating to service from the waitstaff to the food was above all expectations and absolutely amazing! The head chef attended to our experience like we were the only ones in the restaurant offering us additional breads, explanations and even a complimentary side! I cannot fault our experience. Try get a seat on the bench where the chefs cook for the best experience! 100% recommenced and 100% never leaving Melbourne without visiting again! Thanks guys!

A. D. V.

Amazing experience! Reluctantly got swayed into the $80 chef selection menu, and WOW what a surprise! Food was plentiful and delicious. Would definitely go back! Well done!

R. W.

Girlfriend had a surprise dinner planned and couldn’t me more happy with her choice! 5⭐️ To girlfriend! Upon approaching the door was met by the great host, shown to our seat and then the hospitality started to unravel! Had a great waitress who directed the gf on the menu after a couple of aperitifs. Standouts were the octopus and pacherri pasta, crystal bay prawns, Sorrel! Great work Chefs. Also grateful to Wayan who took some time away from the bar to check in and recommend some pairing with our meals. Legend! This lady is a keeper for that surprise dinner for sure. Next time we will attempt a better effort with the wine list but thanks again team.

N.

Good food and good service! Thank you very much!

J. G.

My pick for best restaurant in Melbourne for 2018. There are more extravagant options but the casual atmosphere combined with culinary excellence makes for one of the most recommendable experiences in the Melbourne CBD. Whilst every dish on the menu has impressed me thus far I would suggest getting the paccheri prawn pasta, asparagus and pumpkin dishes as these were phenomenal. Service is relaxed and dishes are served well paced. Staff proved very knowledgeable on multiple occasions on both the dishes served and of the (extensive) wine list. Save room for dessert would be my parting advice as it's most exquisite.

A. F. T.

Great food, great atmosphere, Sam really looked after us.

G.

Good Italian food here with decent portion.

A. T. G.

Once again really enjoyed everything about this lovely restaurant - deliciously cosy on a miserable day and superb food as always! Thank you!

M. T. C.

Excellent food, professional service and a nice venue. Enjoyed it every bit as much as Tipo 00 next door. But would be pleased to see an adjustment in portion size / price, and the wine mark-up is ferocious. Still, that's Melbourne for you.

J. C.

A true dining experience, the food was superb!

C. L.

Incredible service and food. Do the chefs table menu if possible, the food is beautiful and the amount is suitable for the price. Both the meat-eaters and vegetarians were very happy with the meal.

H. F.

A cosy little place tucked away in Little Bourke Street. I especially loved watching the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen. The food is rustic and homely; the ricotta gnocchi is one of the best gnocchi I have had. Fantastic selection of wines, too.

s. s.

Everything about Osteria is magical, the ambience, the staff, the wine, the produce on offer and their playlist! It never disappoints. Great to eat solo along the bar or window sill and perfect for an intimate catch up with friends or lovers! Sophisticated without being pretentious.

d. m.

Lovely experience as always! Beautiful service and gorgeous food and wine. A little gem in the CBD.

E. C.

Perfect from cocktails to dessert. One of the best meals we have had in Melbourne.

G. H.

Fabulous food and service - Italian food at its best - innovative and connected to tradition. One of my go to restaurants in the CBD.

G. W.

This place never fail me and my partner. We have been here a couple of times and yesterday was for my bday celebration. We opted for chef selection menu and every dish executed beautifully. Our favourite prob is the chickpeas fried with black garlic aioli and the calamari. The starte corn is excellent as well even though I am not a corn person. The dessert were amazing and we order extra one on top of our dessert and they just tasted so good!

s. h.

Great food , really amazing experience . The person looking after our table was really careful when explaining what I could or couldn’t have from the menu due to allergies. One of the staff members was very rude when we asked him to take a photo of us but all the others were lovely otherwise !

S. L.

Ambiance is really great. Food was delicious. A wide open view of the kitchen is real nice and makes quite a novelty watching the chefs cook and plate your meal. The service staff were also excellent. Would definately recommend the trip down

D. F.

I was super excited to try Osteria Ilaria, especially considering I am a big fan of their sister restaurant Tipo 00. Sad to say, this was a disappointment, all dishes were lacking seasoning and oomph. Staff service was exceptional, and the restaurant has a nice feel about it. Hoping they improve on the atmosphere and the food.

J. M.

Fine Italian food and professional service. Perfect for a special occasion. We will be back.

T. W.

Great value lunch menu two course $40.

B. B.

Very cool, open kitchen with an high octane vibe. Great service and exquisite food. The off-menu black truffle filled tortellini was impeccably cooked, and the pastry chef personally came over to talk about her wonderful desserts, of which her Mille-feuille was a real highlight. Very, very impressive.

V. L.

Simple dishes, great execution. Pumping on a Monday. Was served by the bartender and the timing of everything was beyond perfect. Had the Savoy cabbage twice. Seating is tight like similar venues in New York.

H. R.

Was a beautiful lunch with great food and great service

S. J.

Incredible service, creative Italian dishes and a MAMMOTH wine list. The staff made my birthday feel so special! Top notch experience.

X. Y.

Had the octopus, pasta and mushroom croquette to start: fresh, deep flavours not overpowered by seasoning. Duck tasted oddly like my mother’s (very Chinese) braised duck, in a good way. Service was awesome though.

S. H.

A 5 star experience - from the friendly service to the excellent Italian food. The porcini croquette and lamb backstrap are to die for. Overall the food are delicious and j would definitely be back again

A. L. M.

This is TIPO 00's little sister and it is wonderful. The food is not all pastas and carbs but there is a more refined menu with wonderful selections that range from zucchini flowers to scallops and on the night we went we had the gnocchi with the black truffle option. It was very decadent and very nice.

E. M.

The food here was phe-NOM-enal. I dine out regularly and my experience at Osteria Ilaria was up there as one of the best i’ve ever had. I would suggest sitting front row at the bar where you get to see the raw passion the chefs put into each and every meal. The staff were SO friendly and went above and beyond. We went with the chefs selection and boy were we impressed. The mushroom croquettes and octopus were an absolute standout. Oh. My. Goodness. DELICIOUS!

J. B.

$100pp got us a cocktail and a wine each, and to share - a couple of really delicious pasta dishes, 2 sides, 2 entrees, 2 desserts and a freebie octopus because the staff are really awesome. Really above average.

D. D.

Casual atmosphere, outstanding menu at the opposite of "feed at me" concept that too many restaurants are used to. Very tasty. Waiters and waitress are so kind and aware of your wellbeing. A must see place.

B. G.

If you can you must! Exquisitely balanced flavours, fresh and whole produce treated with respect, exceptional service. This place is beyond expectations. Eat, drink and indulge. Gold in the heart of Melbourne ❤️ Even more ⭐️ for willingness to seat @ peak Saturday without a booking. No pretensions just awesome.

C. G.

Simply excellent! This place is definitely a must go if you’re in Melbourne. The balance of flavours is simply divine and it’s the closest to an authentic Italian cucine! Loved it

A. O.

Had a fantastic night out with my parents--great atmosphere, attentive service, beautiful food.

R. J. B.

Nice food. Staff were very attentive. Very good dine-out option if you're seeking some European cuisine made with love.

G. P.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Only negative comment would be portions too small and tables to close to each other... overall very nice service and high quality food!

A. I.

YUM! Octopus and pasta were sensational..

A. D.

Food is high quality and it is very trendy. However, the staff was rude and snobbish during my visit last time. Also, you replaced one of your best gnocchi. You used to have the charcoal carrot gnocchi and now you don't have it anymore ! Instead you have the leek gnocchi, which is not as food ! Why did you change it ???

A. P.

An enjoyable experience, great place for a social dining get together where you can pace great food with great conversations, with a great ambiance. Wait staff were just wonderful and attentive. Highly enjoyable.

A. M.

Amazing food - small, but perfect menu

J. M.

Great food, great service, great ambience, need I say more...

M. B.

Every mouthful is a blessing in this classy, understated restaurant. Surprising pairings of ingredients by people who really understand the flavours make this a very special experience. Knowledgeable, helpful, unobtrusive waitstaff just topped it off.

J. R.

Lovely osteria; delivers a nice cocktail list, nice wines and tasty ‘simple’ food. Friendly and nice staff make for a great atmosphere: comfortable and smart casual. Really nice, we will return.

A. L.

Got invited to a graduation dinner in the private dinning room. Good friendly service, extensive wine list, food are well presenred, tasty but finding the pasta avlittle under cook.

G. V.

Really enjoyed the experience, customer service was spot on. Casual atmosphere, outstanding food, especially the duck and the calamari. Chef's selection for $70 is totally worth it, we were full and happy.

I. W.

Fantastic food, great friendly service, fun atmosphere! All the dishes we tried were excellent. A real gem!

A. N.

The food was very delicious, I particularly liked the tuna crudo, pacherri pasta and brussel sprouts. The only fault of the night was the service from the maitre d. When my friend and I arrived at the restaurant, we were told there’d be a thirty minute wait, which was fine. But we pointed out that there were two vacant seats at the window. The gentleman told us that spot was only for one person, and unless we wanted to sit on top of each other, it’d be very squashy. Thought this was quite a rude remark considering there were clearly two seats there not to mention the two glasses set on the table. Regardless we received our call and returned to the restaurant shortly and immediately saw a couple sitting at the window by the door, exactly at the two seats that were previously vacant, but apparently not suitable for us. Great food, but the experience was dampened by poor service from the maitre d.

M. R. W.

I love Osteria Ilaria and have introduced a number of friends to this eatery as well as to its neighbour, Tipo 00. Food/Recipes evolve so I really appreciate Osteria's innovative combinations of ingredients in its approach to Italian cuisine. For me going out to eat is about enjoying the food and supporting that restaurant by expressing my enthusiasm and introducing the restaurant to others. Great wine list, quality wine but not cheap.

M. P.

All I can say was that food was amazing. The staff were lovely and friendly.

M. T.

Food was good. Could get a little narrow and tight when it came to table space. The portions are not as big, so I'd recommend ordering a few more dishes if unsure whether enough or not.

K. G.

I've eaten her four times now. It's my favourite restaurant.

B. B.

Excellent. Knowledgeable staff/got a place at the kitchen bar which was really cool to see all the food being plated etc. Highlights were gnocchi and burrata. Would 100% recommend

M. M.

What a pleasure it was to dine here. Everything was spot-on, from the warm welcome to the wine list (“The Head” Shiraz was well worth it) and the fab food, including a superb whiting, the smoked pumpkin and a decadent choc mousse.

S. A.

Wonderful food and service, always a special experience.

C. M.

Amazing service and the food was lovely!

R. M.

quirky menu, divine cuisine and excellent service made it a most enjoyable lunch experience

A. C.

Must try! 75 per person for the chef's selection for 10 courses.... great value I say! Must try dishes: Porcini mushroom Croquettes Stracciatella, broadens, tomato, olives Baby octopus, n'duja Paccheri pasta, crystal bay Prawns, sorrel Grilled asparagus, macadamia, balsamic O

S. S.

Lovely pasta and friendly service. It's a nice experience but not a place I'd find myself going often due to the prices and serving sizes. Still recommend though.

A. L.

Not much that hasn't been said about this place. Definitely in the running for one of the best restaurants in Melbourne. Goes beyond the pasta dishes offered up by its little sister Tipo to give a bit more variety. The paccheri and baby octopus are a must have.

A. B.

I am a foodie. Italian is one my favorite cuisines. This place is amazing. Really, really good. Better than the best Italians in Singapore and many of the really good San Francisco Italian (e.g. Cotogna). Loved it.

L. V.

Delicious food, great service & lovely ambiance. Will definitely come back!

M. I.

Superb food and even better service! The presentation was exquisite and wonderful and the restaurant felt really cosy and comfortable. We really enjoyed this restaurant and will 100% come again!!

V. F.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Everything from the service, Sammy (I believe), to the food could not be faulted! Thank you chefs and FOH team!

G. C.

Food too expensive for what you get. $44 steak should be more than marinated with a few leaves sprinkled on top. Staff were friendly, attentive and informed which is the only reason I gave 3 stars.

B. D.

Really good Italian food!

B. M.

Very nice Monday lunch date!

V. T.

Went here exclusively for the octopus after reading about this particular on dish on several food websites....and I wasn't let down one bit. I did order a pasta as well....and I don't think I've eaten a better seafood pasta ever!

k.

Great food and a nice atmosphere to dine with family and/or friends. We had the Chef's menu and the portions are a tad small but for $80 you get what you pay for.

C. P.

Amazing food and excellent service. Lovely atmosphere. We have gone a couple of times now and it is always excellent.

S. H.

Excellent food and service. The first time we went, the service went above and beyond for a friend of ours who has a list of allergies but the second time, with the same friend, they took care of us but not to the same degree.

M. d. b.

Great food : mention special for the Octopus with chorizo dressing. Amazing service : the french sommelier is a rock star !!!! Thank you, we will be back soon.

k.

If you get a chance, sit by the bar set-up where you can see the chefs cook their wonderful food! Go for the tasting courses if it's your first time.

S. M.

Went to Osteria Illaria on a Friday night with 3 others. We shared a range of dishes and loved them all - a favourite was the prawn paccheri pasta and their bread and butter was also divine! A new Italian favourite in Melbourne!

P. B.

Unique dishes, well prepared and presented. Very friendly staff.

J. E.

Excellent experience and A+ service. Food was delicious and wine was too. Sit at the bar and watch it all go down.

Y. Z.

Absolutely amazing special Wagyu scotch fillet. Services are nice too!

T. D.

Great menu, good service and not too pricey

S. W.

We loved it. The food was sensational, service excellent. We did go on a Friday evening and it was quite noisy but also ambient at the same time.

M. Y.

Nice ambient and interesting menus

C. W.

Great food and experience!

j. 7. B.

Bravo ragazzi....haven't eaten here since pre covid....nothing has changed......exceptional service and food.

B. B.

Great food. Wine list and cocktails are limited. WC is small.

S. D.

Drop dead beautiful good. The best dining experience I've had in years. Up with the best of Melbournes Italian food offerings!

L. R.

Delicious seafood dishes !

c. j.

can't wait till this lockdown is over. Will be back!

t. k.

Nice food

R. B.

Consistently fabulous food.

A. L.

Lovely meal and great for the price. Less than $200 for 4 courses with 🍷. Wonderful pasta, but everything was amazing

B. D.

Fantastic food and great service. The paccheri pasta dish and tagliatelle dish with rabbit sausage were amazing!

T. B.

Beautiful food, great atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant. Great start to an awesome trip away.

A.

Pastas were too salty...

S. D.

Italian dining experience. None of your traditional fare here, more genuine modern Italian. Great place for a business lunch

J. N.

Lamb salad was delicious When it arrived I thought it was not going to be enough - it was perfect! Easy to have lunch and chat with a friend - noise level is just right

J. L.

the best !! we had 7ppl tonight and just had go with $75 pp as we had to omg it was amazing more than we expected everyone loved it I don normally Wright a review but I have to now cuz it was so good !!! hardly recommend 👍👍👍

E. P.

Highly recommend coming here, the food was absolutely delicious, gorgeous setting and the staff were so friendly. Had a wonderful time, thank you!

M. “. K.

Very busy & noisy. Food & service good. Wine pricey for casual dining. Would liked to have seen some wine less than $70 a bottle.

L. G.

The chicken on the new menu is divine! Also recommend the crab pasta and the porcini croquettes.

D. A.

Amazing place, every dish cooked to perfection, and lovely staff.

E. H.

Good selections on the menu & service was good too ! Didn't have one bad dish. Would come again!

A. B.

Food was ok nothing fantastic, would have been a 4 but service was atrocious we were told we would have a table for first sitting untill 8:30PM only to be rushed out at 8 some of us hadn't even finished our tea yet. Such a shame.

M. L.

Phenomenal service, food and wine! Highly recommend.

S. W.

Yum! Great value, clean, delicious food. King fish and the broccoli is our hot tip!

J. C.

Now my favourite restaurant in the CBD after a couple of visits. Food is so fresh and brilliant atmosphere. Personal highlight is the gnocchi!

O. Q.

If you looking for a place with Awesome food and awesome people the come here one of the best resturants I have been too so go experience the great atmosphere at this awesome Italian restaurant order the grill octopus its worth it.

Z. W.

Delicious food, lovely service. Returning for more. Dessert is really interesting and not sweet.

M. B.

Excellent food, great ambience and friendly service. Unfortunately not 100% original Italian. We missed that certain something.

M. E.

Came for a birthday dinner and had a lovely time, food was exceptional as recommended to us by friends.

C. S.

Great service. Got the chefs menu and it was amazing. Great value for $80!

G. B.

Good service and well presented dishes. Kitchen is open, it is quite nice to see the chef prepare everything.

M.

Chatty staff and nice atmosphere The food was good, some of the reviews note the portions and I expected very small portions but the size of all the dishes were ok.

R. B.

Incredible food with amazing service

M. O.

Beautiful cosy venue, great service & delicious food.

K. D.

We had been recommended this restaurant, but I'm not sure what the hype is about, food was nice, but nothing outstanding, it was also very noisy

T. H. (. C.

The food is amazing. Menu changes regularly

J.

Amazing food and service We had Rose serve us - she was the best and we also had a great laugh Good for a girls night dinner

D. D.

Food was absolutely amazing. The mushroom croquette is to die for. Bartender was good fun!

S.

Thanks for a super night, great food and atmosphere. Big shout out to Victoria who found us a space for a large group at minimal notice 👌

D. S.

Very tasty food, sister store to the extremely popular Tipo 00 restaurant next door but is just as good with a different menu.

p. H.

The most amazing Italian in Melbourne.. Amazing food and outstanding service... recommend for romantic evening or small group gathering

T. Y.

Food we ordered was good~ Service was average, wine recommendation was totally not what we after.

V. N.

Italian food but not all about the pasta! This place brings all the delicious things

T. S.

Very exciting dishes. All recommendations were on point

M. B.

One of the best places to eat in Melbourne, the execution in each dish is perfect and the wine list is banging and exciting.

p. l.

Great food and service! Thoroughly enjoyed the prawn pasta as well as the porcini croquettes!

S. N.

Top notch in every sense.

J. G.

Very tasty food and also a little bit different, somewhat "fine dining' if that's what you're into

T. B.

Great food great staff, what more can one say

B. L.

Delicious food, friendly albeit slightly slow food service

C. R.

Fantastic food! Felt like I was in Italy...

K. W.

A really lovely restaurant, intimate, delicious food and beautiful service.

J. C.

Service and food was amazing, we had an early show to make after dinner and they managed our meals and pace perfectly.

T. W.

high quality of food, cant complain the price, because it's all worth it. Would defo come again all the way from Hong Kong just for that.

T. T.

had a great experience here. service was really good, set menu was great value and decent portions.

R. C.

Great cooking that isn’t pretentious

P. K.

Great ambience and tasty Italian food. Its the hardware lane in Melbourne; can anything not be good!

C. H.

Love this place. Great staff, great atmosphere, great food, great drinks.

M. T.

Loved it! Romantic setting and delicious food. Speedy and friendly service. Would definitely return.

B. S.

food and service were impeccable just as I would expect from the crew behind Tipo 00, and i was so happy that I could just get a table walking in which sadly these days is really difficult next door.

j. t.

Delicious 10 /10

c. j.

Super restaurant. The food was great!

H. L.

Tasting Menu and Service absolutely top notch, fun, relaxed, easy going atmosphere backed by excellent wait staff, drinks list and of course the great food

A. L.

Service staff very good and friendly but got to say pasta slightly under cooked. Still a good nite.

D. R.

Simple menu but all the food was great. Staff were very helpful and knowledgeable

C. T.

Such a great osteria. Food amazing, atmosphere perfect and staff very attentive.

H. G.

Faultless service and delicious food!

P. W.

Good food and service.

E. P.

Great chefs selection meal awesome long lunch

D. W.

Fantastic food, drinks and service.

R. H.

Amazing food, even better wine, even more amazing service from fantastic fun staff.

M. N.

Tasty Italian food in a cool space. Service wasnt perfect but it was fine.

A. M.

Amazing food. Incredibly good service. Just a wonderful experience all round.

M. M.

Top food in melbourne

A. M.

Excellent food and service. Been here for the first time and the service was great!!

A. F.

Food tasted pretty good. Was a tad on the pricey side though

V. D. M.

Good food,pricing reasonable ,service excellent,parking just around corner 200 Queens Street

T. S.

Nice place and very popular. Food came out quickly and was yum.

R. L.

great service, delicious food! try the pecorino cheesecake, and the king prawn dish

P. J.

Hard to pick a bog. They were all fantastic. Some flavours subtle but some smacked you fair in the mouth.

W. M.

there is so many types of tasty food,, after eating them you'll be thankful to this restaurant for their tasty food.!!!

S. H.

Don't believe the hype, food is solid but nothing special. Can do much better elsewhere

B. B.

Top 3 dinners in Melbourne. This place is just fantastic and the service is outstanding!!

M. F.

Great service and so friendly. The food was amazing and superb.

B.

Can’t fault this restaurant, every dish was flawless and the service was outstanding.

F. D.

Great service, tasty food and good selection of wine.

A. E.

Amazing food and service, go for chef’s selections, it’s well worth it.

L. D.

Delicious....once again

B. W.

Amazing octopus, croquettes, and wine. Everything else is great too.

I. C.

Outstanding service, food and atmosphere

S. D.

Fantastic food - great service - cool ambiance - overall 10/10

R. G.

Fabulous food, wine and great service what else could you want?

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