Il Gambero - Italian Restaurant in Carlton

Il Gambero is a long-running Italian restaurant on Lygon Street in Carlton, serving traditional Italian food in Melbourne since 1975. The family business was started by Frank and Angela Dimattina, whose family roots are in Stromboli, a volcanic island off Sicily. That background informs the restaurant’s focus on familiar Italian flavours, quality ingredients and welcoming service rather than a highly formal dining style. It is described as family-friendly and has continued operating for five decades, giving it a strong local-restaurant character.

The menu covers a broad range of Italian favourites, including starters, salads, pasta, risotto, wood-fired pizzas, mains, desserts and drinks. Pasta choices include spaghetti, fettuccine, veal tortellini, penne and house-made gnocchi, while the pizza menu includes the Il Gambero with tiger prawns, the seafood-based Marinara, the vegetarian Margherita and the vegan Zucca. Other named dishes include the traditional Bolognese, Risotto Marinara and the Antipasti Selection, which is designed for sharing. The website also lists options such as homemade lasagne, vegetarian risotto and a range of seafood, chicken, veal and steak dishes.

The restaurant suits a casual meal with family or friends, as well as larger celebrations. Its function rooms are available for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gatherings, Christmas parties and other private events, with menus prepared for both seated dining and cocktail-style functions. For regular dining, the venue welcomes bookings and walk-ins, although it recommends reserving ahead during busy periods. The site’s guest feedback describes a warm atmosphere, helpful service and outdoor as well as indoor seating, though availability of particular seating areas may vary.

Il Gambero also caters to a range of dietary needs. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, including gluten-free pasta and pizza bases on request. The restaurant is halal-friendly rather than fully halal: its chicken, beef and lamb are halal-certified, while dishes containing pork are marked on the menu and some dishes use alcohol in cooking. Staff can assist with dietary questions, and meals can be prepared in separate pans on request. The venue is fully licensed and also permits BYO wine. With a 4.3 Google rating from 1,488 reviews, Il Gambero remains an established option for traditional Italian dining in Carlton.