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Welcome to Scugnizzo Ristorante
Scugnizzo Ristorante, nestled discreetly on Little Bourke Street in Melbourne, is a hidden gem of Italian cuisine. Its charming, cozy ambiance invites diners to enjoy a carefully curated menu of classic dishes, focusing on delectable pizzas and pastas. The standout offerings include the Ziti Alla Genovese and Crochette Di Lasagna, which promise an explosion of flavors with each bite. Guests rave about the warm hospitality and generous portions, complemented by thoughtful wine pairings. Scugnizzo elegantly combines the essence of Italian homestyle cooking with a unique twist, making it a must-visit for both intimate family dinners and special occasions.
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About
Scugnizzo Ristorante
Welcome to Scugnizzo Ristorante, a charming haven nestled in a quaint laneway at 558 Little Bourke St, Melbourne. This hidden gem, marked only by a humble orange sign, invites you into a world where authentic Italian cuisine dances on the palate and the ambiance wraps you in warmth.
From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with the kind of hospitality that instantly makes you feel at home. The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere, paired with attentive service, sets the stage for a truly delightful dining experience. The carefully curated menu may not be extensive, but it shines with a focus on classic Italian offerings. Expect to be captivated by sumptuous pizza, perfectly crafted pasta, and enticing blackboard specials that reflect the day's culinary inspiration.
Guests rave about dishes like the Ziti Alla Genovese and Crochette Di Lasagna, both of which exemplify the restaurant's commitment to quality. The Ziti’s tender pasta mingles beautifully with a light, savory sauce, while the lasagna croquette delivers comfort in every crumb. Reviewers consistently highlight these dishes, noting their harmonious flavors and the quality of ingredients used. The complimentary fried pizza dough balls are the perfect precursor to the meal—soft and airy with a delightful crunch, they set an upbeat tone that complements the celebratory atmosphere.
One cannot overlook the Tiramisu Al Limoncello, a uniquely refreshing take on the classic dessert that leaves patrons craving for more. Many diners have claimed that it embodies the essence of Italian indulgence, providing a sweet finale to an already splendid meal.
The wine selection at Scugnizzo is equally impressive, featuring a variety of Italian favorites coupled with local Australian options. This thoughtful pairing enhances the flavors of every bite, ensuring that your dining experience is as satisfying as possible.
While some have noted the eclectic music choices, the genuine culinary experience remains at the forefront. Scugnizzo Ristorante is not just about good food; it's about creating memories and sharing a passion for Italian cuisine with friends and family.
As a food reviewer at Menu Buzz, I wholeheartedly recommend Scugnizzo Ristorante for its dedication to crafting delectable dishes in a welcoming setting. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging your love for Italian food, this restaurant promises a fulfilling journey through flavors that capture the heart of Italy.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Incredible restaurant, real Italian food, the flavors felt very fresh and delicious. I ordered these pastas, and I can’t believe how good they were. The service was excellent, Alexandra gave us the best recommendations, and everything was quick and pleasant. I totally recommend it! ”
“ Absolutely incredible dining experience! The food was beyond delicious, especially the pasta and steak – you can really taste the freshness and passion that goes into making them. The flavors were rich, authentic, and unforgettable. Every bite felt like it was carefully crafted just for us. The service was warm and attentive, and the atmosphere made the whole evening extra special. Highly recommend to anyone who loves truly amazing Italian food – this place is a must-visit! ”
“ Talk about a #hiddengem - like literally hidden in a laneway with only a small orange sign to identify its location and very little online presence. With a warm and cozy atmosphere, it was a true homely experience (albeit the paper table cloths of which I wasn't really a fan). It's a limited menu done well, offering delicious classics focusing on pizza, pasta and daily blackboard specials. The staff were attentive and who doesn't love complimentary deep fried pizza balls to get the birthday party started?! I came for the Ziti Alla Genovese but I fell in love with the Crochette Di Lasagna and together they made the perfect combination of pastas. The Caprese salad was exactly that but executed well. The Pork Belly was delicious and perfectly crunchy even if a touch on the more expensive side of dishes for much less than the serving sizes of other dishes. The Tiramisu Al Limoncello was a delicious take on an Italian staple and if for nothing else, you must come to try it (and those warm dough balls..)!! Seriously Instagram worthy - if you could taste it through your phone! ”
“ I had a perfect dining experience with my family. Nice location after visiting the city, and a to-go place for special occasions! The portion of the each plate was quite large that all of us were super full at the end. They definitely bring out the flavor of the ingredients. The fettuccine I ordered was with nice texture, and balanced with the herb crumbs, pine nuts and fish, with a bit heat at the end. Have to mentioned the wine pairing as well, the white wine they recommended was such a complement to the fettuccine, brought out the freshness of that dish. ”
“ I sincerely recommend it!! It's really delicious!! The taste and quality of other cheap Italian restaurants are different from those of other cheap Italian restaurants... The boss is so kind... The best Melbourne Italian restaurant. ”
“ Had a fantastic Italian meal here while travelling with work. Scugnizzo meet the brief for me, travelling alone, I still like to eat out, however, prefer more down to earth restaurants and well priced food. Scugnizzo was perfect for me, but clearly can be equally perfect for couples or larger groups. The service was great, and the food even better. The gamberi & zucchini starter was delicious, as was the complementary deep fried pizza balls. For the main, I had the pumpkin ravioli with an awesome burnt butter and sage sauce. Absolutely delicious with excellent homemade pasta. Yum. I can highly recommend Scugnizzo Ristorante ”
“ Had dinner on a weekday and tried the lasagna croquette and the Genovese ziti pasta. The meal included complimentary bread with olive oil and butter, as well as some fried pizza dough which was soft and airy with a crispy exterior. The lasagna croquette came out reasonably fast. It was nicely crumbed with soft pasta sheets and some beef and pork mince inside. The tomato sauce was sweet and mildly tart. The Genovese ziti was served after; pasta was soft but has some bite to it, and the sauce has a light savoury taste with tender stewed beef. Both dishes were pretty tasty; lasagna croquette would be even better with a bit more mince meat. Staffs were friendly and the service was good. ”
“ Located down a little alleyway, the first thought was how authentic looking it is. The greeting on arrival was very good and the service from start to finish was the same. The food, whilst well made and with good flavours, didn't blow us away. It was like good home cooking which in itself is great but not at the cost. We also noted the strange choice of music. For an Italian restaurant it was very heavy which didn't add to what should have been an amazing atmosphere. The wine choice was above average with good choices of Italian (why drink anything else in an Italian restaurant), Australian and others. It was still a lovely place to eat and the level of service made the night for us. ”