Pizzicotto Pizzeria e Cucina

In Strathmore, Melbourne, Pizzicotto Pizzeria e Cucina marries the warmth of an Italian trattoria with a modern dining space. The mood is convivial and contemporary, with a full bar and a line-up of cocktails to match the occasion, from casual catch-ups to milestone gatherings. The team welcomes events large and small, tailoring packages to suit and setting the tone for easy-going celebrations.

The menu leans into honest Italian cooking, where simple ingredients are treated with care. A generous Tagliere di Salumi sets the pace for sharing, its cured meats and cheeses offset by burrata, marinated olives and homemade bread. Calamari fritti arrives crisp and feather-light, brightened with lemon and a roasted garlic aioli. From the stove, house-made gnocchi ragu brings slow-cooked beef cheek and parmesan together in a silky embrace, while Spaghetti Pescatore channels the coast with Napoli sauce, mussels, prawns and clams, lifted by garlic, parsley and a flutter of chilli.

Secondi keep things hearty yet elegant: a golden cotoletta di vitello finds comfort in creamy truffle mash and garden salad, and fritto misto di mare offers a tumble of seafood with all the crunch one could wish for. Whether it is dinner with friends or a special event, Pizzicotto keeps the focus on flavour, conviviality and ease. Book a table, share a plate, and let the evening roll deliciously on.