Gradi at Crown Melbourne

Gradi at Crown Melbourne brings Neapolitan-style Italian cooking to the Ground Floor of Crown Riverwalk in Southbank. The menu draws on the food traditions of Naples, with salumi, pasta and traditional main courses alongside pizza made in the style associated with the region. It is a useful choice when a group wants familiar Italian dishes in a central Melbourne setting, with both indoor seating and alfresco dining available.

The restaurant’s signature is its Margherita pizza, linked to restaurateur and chef Johnny Di Francesco’s work in Naples. Di Francesco is the first Australian to have trained under the rules of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the organisation that sets standards for Neapolitan pizza. His approach is also shaped by his family heritage from Naples. That background gives Gradi a clear focus rather than a broad, unspecified take on Italian food.

The Margherita has an especially strong place in the restaurant’s story: Di Francesco won the 2014 World Pizza Championships in Parma with the pizza. Other named options on the site include gnocchi and crumbed veal, described as hearty Italian classics, while the broader offering includes pasta and traditional mains. Guests can also consult the restaurant’s wine and beverage list, and should mention allergies or dietary requirements when booking or ordering. Crown notes that completely allergy-free meals cannot be guaranteed because of possible traces in the kitchen and ingredients.

Gradi is described as suitable for groups, and its private dining room provides a more contained option for events of up to 40 guests. The room sits in a private alcove beside the wine cellar, making it relevant for larger celebrations or organised gatherings. The restaurant’s all-ages appeal is also highlighted on its site, so it can suit family meals as well as group dinners. For a standard visit, the choice between an indoor table and a spot outdoors on the Riverwalk adds some flexibility. Reservations are available, with the venue located at 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank.