Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante

Johnny, Vince and Sam's Ristorante sits on Lygon Street in Carlton, the street synonymous with Italian food and culture in Melbourne. On this storied strip just north of the CBD — the heart of the city's Italian dining tradition — it's built an enormous following, serving up classic, generous Italian fare in a lively, welcoming setting.

The appeal is that combination of crowd-pleasing Italian cooking and the buzzing, convivial atmosphere Lygon Street is famous for, ideal for a group dinner, a celebration or a relaxed night out. The sheer volume of feedback reflects just how firmly it's part of the Carlton dining scene and the Lygon Street experience.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 4,500 reviews, it's clearly keeping its many diners happy. Menus, opening hours and pricing change, and a popular Lygon Street restaurant fills up on weekends and at peak times, so it's worth checking current details and booking directly before you go — particularly if you're dining with a group or planning a night out on Melbourne's most famous Italian strip.