12 Restaurants Worth Visiting in Carlton, Melbourne
Carlton has long been a dining destination in Melbourne, with a mix of established Italian spots, contemporary venues, and international cuisines clustered around Lygon Street and nearby laneways. Whether you're after classic pasta, wine-focused dining, or something more contemporary, here are 12 restaurants to explore in the suburb.
1
Restaurants Carlton1. Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant
A wine-focused Italian restaurant for those seeking quality wine pairings with traditional dishes.
View venue4.8(774)· Google67Spot ScoreWorth a Look2
Restaurants Carlton2. Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante
View venue4.6(4,575)· Google$$$$67Spot ScoreWorth a Look3
Restaurants Carlton3. Henry Sugar
A more contemporary option for dining in Carlton with a different culinary approach to the traditional neighbourhood venues.
View venue4.8(793)· Google$$$$67Spot ScoreWorth a Look4
Restaurants Carlton4. Da Guido La Pasta
A pasta-focused Italian restaurant, ideal if you want straightforward, traditional Italian cooking.
View venue4.6(1,686)· Google$$$$66Spot ScoreWorth a Look5
Restaurants Carlton5. Kahaani
An Indian restaurant offering a change of pace from Carlton's dominant Italian dining scene.
View venue4.6(1,723)· Google66Spot ScoreWorth a Look6
Restaurants Carlton6. Carlton Wine Room
A wine bar and restaurant combining an extensive wine list with food, suited to wine enthusiasts.
View venue4.7(1,010)· Google$$$$66Spot ScoreWorth a Look7
Restaurants Carlton7. Piccolo Mondo
Another Italian venue in Carlton's established restaurant cluster for tried-and-tested neighbourhood dining.
View venue4.5(2,001)· Google$$$$65Spot ScoreWorth a Look8
Restaurants Carlton8. Universal Restaurant
A long-standing Carlton restaurant offering broad appeal with a diverse menu.
View venue4.4(8,092)· Google$$$$64Spot ScoreWorth a Look9
Restaurants Carlton9. Capitano Carlton
An Italian restaurant continuing Carlton's tradition of Mediterranean dining options.
View venue4.5(1,079)· Google$$$$64Spot ScoreWorth a Look10
Restaurants Carlton10. Green Man's Arms Bar and Restaurant
A bar and restaurant hybrid if you want informal dining with a drinks-friendly atmosphere.
View venue4.5(1,194)· Google$$$$64Spot ScoreWorth a Look11
Restaurants Carlton11. Torissong
A different cuisine option in Carlton's diverse restaurant landscape.
View venue4.4(1,108)· Google$$$$63Spot ScoreWorth a Look12
Restaurants Carlton12. Brunetti Classico Carlton
A café and restaurant from the established Brunetti brand, useful for casual dining or dessert.
View venue4.3(4,667)· Google$$$$63Spot ScoreWorth a Look
At a glance
| Venue | Spot Score | Price | Suburb | Top feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant | 67/100 | 4.8(774) | — | Carlton | — |
| Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante | 67/100 | 4.6(4,575) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Henry Sugar | 67/100 | 4.8(793) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Da Guido La Pasta | 66/100 | 4.6(1,686) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Kahaani | 66/100 | 4.6(1,723) | — | Carlton | — |
| Carlton Wine Room | 66/100 | 4.7(1,010) | $$$ | Carlton | — |
| Piccolo Mondo | 65/100 | 4.5(2,001) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Universal Restaurant | 64/100 | 4.4(8,092) | $ | Carlton | — |
| Capitano Carlton | 64/100 | 4.5(1,079) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Green Man's Arms Bar and Restaurant | 64/100 | 4.5(1,194) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Torissong | 63/100 | 4.4(1,108) | $$ | Carlton | — |
| Brunetti Classico Carlton | 63/100 | 4.3(4,667) | $$ | Carlton | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlton still known for Italian food?+
Yes. Many of Carlton's established restaurants are Italian, though the suburb now has broader culinary options including Indian and contemporary Australian dining.
Which Carlton restaurants focus on wine?+
Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant and Carlton Wine Room both emphasise wine selection and pairings.
Are there non-Italian options in Carlton?+
Yes. Kahaani offers Indian cuisine, Torissong provides another alternative, and Henry Sugar represents contemporary dining outside the Italian tradition.
Where should I go for casual dining in Carlton?+
Brunetti Classico Carlton offers café-style casual service, while Green Man's Arms provides informal bar and restaurant dining.
Keep exploring
Melbourne guides
roundupMelbourne Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
Melbourne's after-dark scene is famously spread across its neighbourhoods, from laneway cocktail dens in the CBD to the live music halls that anchor the city's reputation. This gui
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Melbourne
Melbourne rewards anyone happy to explore on a budget. Between its leafy gardens, public galleries and city lookouts, you can fill whole days without spending a cent. This guide pu
Read guide →roundupMelbourne With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
Melbourne is an easy city to enjoy with kids, thanks to its generous spread of parks, gardens and hands-on activities. Whether you're after open green space for a run-around or som
Read guide →The best of Melbourne, in your inbox
New openings, hidden gems and weekend ideas. One thoughtful email a week. No spam.