Lygon Street
Lygon Street
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Lygon Street
If you want real parmesan, cut from the block, grated over your pasta with a twist of style, this is the place. Until recently, this neighbourhood was home to the notorious ‘Carlton Crew,’ a pseudo mafia who started their day with a local espresso. They are gone, but the espresso still runs strong in this Little Italy which has something for everyone. Starched white tablecloths, candles, pizza the way they do it "back home" and maybe even a bit of amore. The number of gelato choices will leave you in a state of indecision and wide footpaths, big awnings and a sea of packed tables makes this al fresco dining experience a continental buzz. Even if you’re not eating, it’s worth the stroll just for the people-watching, which, of course, is an Italian tradition.
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4.0
1,167 reviews
Excellent
557
Very good
409
Average
150
Poor
37
Terrible
14
Gen1977
Melbourne, Australia10 contributions
Nov 2020
As we hadn't been to Lygon Street for years, we thought we would dine there on Friday night. We drove up and down looking for parking which was impossible. There was no social distancing - all the restaurants were packed and had tables on the footpath packed too. I didn't even want to try getting in anywhere with all the crowding. We continued on to Fitzroy Street, St Kilda where we found a parking space opposite and dined at a nice Italian place which was uncrowded. Won't be going back to Lygon St, but good if you like crowds and a lively experience.
Written 13 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GracePoppins
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
June 2022 • Friends
Lygon Street is very Melbourne - the people, the shops, the restaurants, the bookshops, the cinemas - Cinema Nova. It’s easy to find a good place to eat down here - just follow the crowds. We ate at Tiamo and found the food great and affordable. Loved the energy of the staff, very quick, helpful and friendly. Loads of pizza places that would suit families or large groups and heaps of gelato places to choose from. Again, we went to the one with the biggest line and were not disappointed. Probably the best part was strolling down the street. The people around are quite diverse, we appreciated some of the stylishly dressed people that appeared to be locals. Reminds me of being in Italy where people dress well to stroll a piazza. The night was cold but our restaurant had outdoor heating so we were happy to be amongst the vibe of the street. Melbourne Must Do.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelbourneSeeTheWorld
Melbourne, Australia428 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
As a Melbourne local it is really, really disappointing to post this review. In the past, Lygon Street was a vibrant dining venue for local and international tourists. COVID has certainly had its impact but my experience is written when Melbourne enjoys the freedoms other cities wish for. Sadly I feel it has lost its way. Once it was a place to enjoy that Italian/Medierranean food experience however it is no longer the case. In part it reflects more of Melbourne‘s broader multicultural qualities which is great but not what I had anticipated. It is now far more cosmipolitan with Shisha bars filling outdoor dining areas with lagalised smoking in eating areas. Parking is extremely limited so get a taxi or Uber if you want to visit. To add to the vibrance and outdoor eating ambience of the area you have the local overenhanced testosterone junkies driving up and down the street in their noisy cars and bikes. Sorry, but the street needs to be closed to vehicle traffic or better policed. Lygon Street has seriously lost its way over the years and needs a rethink to create a better experience for local AND international visitors.
Written 4 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily R
Melbourne, Australia14 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Lygon Street is a great place to visit for Melbourne natives and visitors alike.
It's no longer the Italian heartland but still plenty of Italian places. I'd recommend visiting Pudapipo for gelato, King and Godfrey for lunch and Masanj for a fancy dinner as well nearby La Mama Theatre
It's no longer the Italian heartland but still plenty of Italian places. I'd recommend visiting Pudapipo for gelato, King and Godfrey for lunch and Masanj for a fancy dinner as well nearby La Mama Theatre
Written 28 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wtandy
Launceston, Australia1,218 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Lovely morning here yesterday. Appreciate the Cinema Nova, and cheap parking for cinema goers. Caught out, as an interstate traveller, to find that parking cash only in 2020 (cards not accepted). I had to surrender my licence until I could obtain cash through the supermarket (fortunately I found a 15 minute park to facilitate this)!
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,590 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Lygon St is known for its authentic pizza and gelato. Lygon St is called "Little Italy," it's a diverse range of restaurants, take your choice. The historic University Cafe launched Melbourne's first espresso machine. It serves some of Lygon St's best traditional Italian cuisine. The southern end of Lygon St is more Asian oriented.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Apr 2021
We recently visited Lygon Street hoping to enjoy our time there just like we had during our previous visits. Unfortunately we could not recognise the place! Fewer visitors, fewer cafes and restaurants open and too many closed. What was on offer did not look very appealing. Perhaps we will revisit next time we travel to Melbourne.
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,590 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Lygon Street is in the heart of Carlton, Melbourne's Little Italy. A whole range of cafes and restaurants serve authentic regional food. King and Godfrey, an upmarket restaurant, is an institution in itself. The best way to experience. what Lygon Street has to offer to take the tram and walk down the street; get a pizza and a coffee, if you like. The other end of Lygon Street is dominated by Asian eateries these days.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NavadaShepp
Shepparton, Australia309 contributions
Jan 2020
Enjoyed a return visit to this place which was a regular haunt when I was at university in the 90s. Cafes and restaurants everywhere and so many choices. Great shopping and of course Cinema Nova which offers so many movie choices including options you won't see at suburban multiplexes. Readings is a lovely bookshop to spend some time.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dazman69
Melbourne175 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
This review is based on 'Little Italy end' and regarding food.
Lygon Street (Elgin Street to Victoria Parade) does has a good vibe most nights and is absolutely buzzing on summer nights (days are a bit bland); the trouble is the majority of the Italian restaurants are average when it comes to the quality of food. There are some gems hidden off the street but they are few and far between. (It seems to now cater for tourists and locals who have not moved on)
Italian restaurants touting for business seems to be the norm now days and can be quite pushy.
If you want to do some people watching, eat some gelato or maybe even a coffee and cake then Lygon St does have something to offer. If you are after good food then Melbourne has much better food areas.
BTW, there is another end of lygon street, over Brunswick Road that has some great restaurants.
Lygon Street (Elgin Street to Victoria Parade) does has a good vibe most nights and is absolutely buzzing on summer nights (days are a bit bland); the trouble is the majority of the Italian restaurants are average when it comes to the quality of food. There are some gems hidden off the street but they are few and far between. (It seems to now cater for tourists and locals who have not moved on)
Italian restaurants touting for business seems to be the norm now days and can be quite pushy.
If you want to do some people watching, eat some gelato or maybe even a coffee and cake then Lygon St does have something to offer. If you are after good food then Melbourne has much better food areas.
BTW, there is another end of lygon street, over Brunswick Road that has some great restaurants.
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anyone have any recommendations for eating in Lygon street tonight ? So many to choose from!!!!
Written 1 June 2019
AlejaNZro
Auckland, New Zealand
2 contributions
Follow the queue. If there’s no queue, check the most crowded places.
Written 23 July 2019
From central pier Docklands,
do I buy a myki ticket?
Written 28 February 2019
Yes .... best to have a Myki anyway ..... trams are free in CBD only
Written 28 February 2019
From central pier Docklands to Lygon, do I need muji ticket?
Written 28 February 2019
Ideally yes you will need a myki but it would be an easy walk from the end of the free tram zone to Lygon St. about a 10 minute walk
Written 28 February 2019
Hope on the circle tram its free. you get off at the royal exhibition building and carlton gardrns in Rathdowne st then look for Queensbury st. Walk a short distance to next corner and your in Lygon. Or take the normal tram up Swanston and hop of at Queensbury but you will need a myki card once out of the free zone. Enjoy. Remember in the evening they're lots of good enticements such as free wine etc. To get you in. And of course there's Brunetti in the shopping mall.
Written 27 July 2015
A little bit late to respond to you know but anybody else reading this section should try Papa Ginos. Its authentic & tasty Italian came recommended by the locals.
The ambiance of the place screams traditional Italian restaurant and the food tastes just as traditional.
Written 3 November 2015
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