Wow. What an amazing place. The food, wine and service were truly amazing. I would definately recommend visiting this resturant for a rememberable experience. It is a must do if you are ever in Melbourne.
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I almost didn't write this review because we don't want anyone else to discover our new family favourite! ;) But they truly deserve all the kudos and success in the world! We discovered this gem when they did their cheese wheel pasta week, and have been back numerous times since - in particular, the wonderful staff helped us hold a surprise 50th birthday dinner there for my mum.
The lovely people at Cucinetta were wonderful in helping find a way to fit our larger group in for dinner (12 people - taking up nearly the whole restaurant!), as well as assuring us that there would be delicious options for everyone's dietary requirements. On the night, the staff were faultless - the service was warm and attentive, and nothing was a problem (even though we were probably creating a lot more work for them than they would ordinarily have to do)!
The Cucinetta big group tasting menu was absolutely delicious. Every single one of our guests could not stop raving about each dish that was provided for us, from the antipasti to the panna cotta.
Cucinetta has been scrumptious every time we have dined there, but I must say a huge thank you for helping my mum's 50th birthday go smoothly and creating a very memorable night for her!
Lisa-Anne MacGillivray
+5
Amazing - highly recommend. Food is sensational, service spot on. Recommend to book as place is teeny tiny. I’ll be back for sure 😀😀
Excellent little find in Murphy St. The place has a great buzz to it although it only seats about 20 patrons. Food is surprisingly excellent and the staff are attentive and friendly without being in-your-face.
Our new local - Loved everything about this place - the service, the food, the vino glasses, the ambience, the bag hook under the bench. Attention to detail in every way and highly recommend! - Amazing staff too!
What a hidden treasure to find in the heart of Sth Yarra! Amazing dinner with my gorgeous friend Scott Borg as his b'day never ends....Will so be a regular here. Chicken best I've had ever! Yes..big call! ��
Small and charming little Italian place - Great service, exceptional food.
Love this place. So small and cozy, delicious Parmesan wheel pasta, great service.
Great place . Delicious pasta , great service and atmosphere.
Have been there a few times now and every time is a WOW moment. The food is amazing and so is the service.
Amazing little restaurant! Staff were so authentic and food and wine were perfecto.
Fav Italian restaurant - also my fav waitress is always so welcoming and lovely, Georgie. Manager should know she is a STAR!
One of a kind ... Tasty dishes , cozy atmosphere ... good wines ... �
Beautiful down the strada little hidden gem. Like in Italy: comprehensive yet simple fresh menu every week, and great compact kitchen+floor ambiance. Bravissimo.
Excellent food and staff!! Thank you ^_^
Amazing!! Went there on Sunday that just past. With a group of friends. The food and drinks were amazing. Love everything about it. Would be going again for sure!
Fabulous flavours, simple but sensational mouth watering food - our new favourite place to eat in Melbourne!
Love love love this place. Our little local favorite restaurant. Great food, wine and service.
Another amazing meal at Cucinetta. Owner Ben and his chef really know how to create a dining experience.
Delicious flavors of the best produce complimented with great a atmosphere. Thanks for the blankets so we could sit outside! See you again soon :)
Love this place. Awesome service and food. And Ben makes the best lattes in Melbourne!
Perfect dinner - food is divine & the staff are lovely!
Nothing I don't love about this place!! Love the team, love the food, wine, space! Never fails to put a smile on my face ☺️ don't ever change!
Exceptional on all fronts - just don't tell people who aren't foodies, they will just take up space in this cozy pLace. Had dinner by myself tonight and felt guilty not to share the beautiful meal. Love it, I'll be back... and forth.
One of my absolute favourites. So intimate, such great food and Ben and the team are very hospitable and make for a really enjoyable meal!
Awesome food, awesome service, awesome atmosphere.
Beautiful little place to eat with amazing pasta, friendly host and relaxed atmosphere. Will definitely return again.
I've been wanting to come here for ages, but it's tiny and deservedly popular. The staff were delightful and smoothly manoeuvred around the tiny restaurant with practiced ease. The food was flavour packed, easily the best Italian pasta in Melbourne!!! We enjoyed Wagu Bresaola, Miso Frito, the Cacio E Pepe and the handmade Tagliatelle with Ragu. We asked for a recommendation on wine, enjoying a stunning bottle of white that we had never heard of before. OMG the Tiramisu. I want that recipe!!! It's light, beautiful coffee flavour with hints of chocolate!! We will be back to try more!!!!
If I could give this place a 6 I would. If you want to feel like you're in Italy having amazing food in a great atmosphere this is the most underrated place in Melbourne. With amazing service I'm definitely coming back 😍😍😍
No pun intended but a true little Italian restaurant. From the moment you are greeted at door until you leave you are immersed in an Italian cultural experience. Amazing service with a sensational culinary experience. I’ve got plenty of meals here still to come.
Cute and comfortable is how I’d best describe this restaurant. For a romantic night out this is the place to go. Thanks for the beautiful Italian meals and phenomenal service ❤️
Possibly the tiniest fine dining restaurant we have ever eaten in, Cucinetta is only 29 square meters including the kitchen. So, the menu is small but excellent and so is the wine list. This restaurant is very popular with the young professional set and can get a bit noisy. Also, it's absolutely essential to book because there are not many tables but you will be rewarded with an excellent meal
We had a birthday party here and they were amazing. They nailed every aspect and made it such an enjoyable evening. I can't recommend it enough. It's great value for the quality of food. I can't think of a better Italian restaurant in Melbourne.
Absolutely perfect. Service was on point; the food was impeccable. The homemade spaghetti was perfection. Tasted even better than most pastas from Italy. Really could not fault anything.
I could have died and gone to heaven when I tasted the pasta here. I don’t usually get overly excited by Italian restaurants but this understated gem has topped my list. I had the perfect sized serve of spaghetti with cheese and truffle oil and am amazed at the simple brilliance of the dish. The staff were fantastic and friendly. Will definitely be back and then some.
A cozy little corner serving great food!
The cacio e pepe with truffle is just a delight!
Hubby devoured the ragu tradizionale.
The basil panna cotta was very light and a perfect end to our dinner. The wine list was not so bad either. Great service!
Cosy dining defined. If you want a memorable dining experience than Cucinetta is the place for you. The service; impeccable, the food; to die for. Whether it’s a dinner with that special someone or a dinner to satisfy those Italian cravings Cucinetta has you covered. A small and intimate setting takes you straight to the Amalfi coastline with a vibe that’s unrivalled.
My partner and I had an array of pasta, seafood, and some of their very well selected wines. To say we left satisfied is an understatement! The service was amazing and we couldn’t thank the staff more if we tried. As this was a birthday celebration it was a greatly appreciated dining experience!
We would highly recommend Cucinetta to anyone looking for authentic Italian dining!
A lovely little restaurant just off toorak rd. the warm and friendly service made us feel right at home as soon as we arrived. We happened to visit during gnocchi week and I’m glad we did. The gnocchi was soft and pillowy. I had the gnocchi alla sorrentina and it was great. Perfect portion sizing and great presentation. I look forward to coming back soon!
The restaurant was small and cozy which is just wonderful on a cold winter night. The staff was extremely warm and helpful and took time explaining their menu since it was our first time dining there. Food tasted amazing especially the duck maryland ! It is advisable to pre-book before going as they only have limited space, but it is guaranteed that you wont be disappointed 👍
Cucinetta is a cosy little space in South Yarra where they serve traditional Italian food with seasonal produce and change their menu every week. Cucinetta – inside. I don’t know many places where they whip up a new menu each week but it really makes you feel like you’re eating at a friend or relatives house for dinner, it’s warm and inviting.
From the outside, Cucinetta looks like any other small restaurant around the South Yarra area. However, they are one of only a few Italian restaurants in Melbourne to offer the "cheese wheel pasta". Apart from this specialty dish, they also offer a variety of Italian dishes on their ever changing menu.
I can’t get enough of this place. Ideal for almost any occasion. Wait staff are great and read their customers very well, food is terrific (their ragouts are out of this world). And a nice, concise wine list to boot. Perfection.
It was very tasty but I didnt think it was worth $29 plus $3 for truffle oil. My friend n I ordered the parmesan cheese wheel pasta. The pasta was cooked to al dente. It also needed a little bit more cheese. Overall it was still good.
As I walked into the front door, I immediately felt like I was in a cute little restaurant in Italy. We sat at the bar while we waited for our table to be ready and we had an amazing selection of wines to choose from. The menu, though small is just perfect, I wanted to try it all. I had the oven baked gnocchi which was delicious, soft pillows of lush potato! There were three of us on a table that would seat two comfortable so we were a little cramped but other than that, it was a beautiful experience.
Loved this restaurant! So quaint! Really feels like you’re in Italy being there, the staff are great, very knowledgeable and attentive, the food was beautiful and the gorgeous bottle of Italian rose! We’ll definitely be back!
Fo0die dined as a guest of Cucinetta and as such, the rating does not give any consideration to customer service.
Cucinetta is a nice hidden find in South Yarra for some good authentic Italian food which is priced a little more than other Italian restaurants we have been to in Melbourne. We left the venue in awe of how such a tiny space can be used to make pasta, bread rolls and prepare all these dishes.
Tiny restaurant tucked away in South Yarra.
It is loud and cramped with a constantly-changing menu and very few options for fussy diners... which is what makes it one of the most exciting, genuine, and delicious Italian restaurants in Melbourne.
I could not recommend Cucinetta highly enough, but good luck getting a reservation, they are very hard to come by.
Service: great service, we were met and seated right away. The menu was explained to us in detail, which gave us a feeling of care and importance even though it was busy. The wine was shown to us and we were offered a taste as well.
Ambiance: the music and decor felt very authentic Italian. This felt like a nice night out.
Food: the pasta of the day was delicious however the risotto was basic and lacked flavour. The wine was delicious, great choices.
Amazing little place hidden away just off one of South Yarra’s residential streets. Small, comfy and accompanied by great service this place delivers on tasty Italian food. Highly recommend this place.
Vegetarian Food Lover
+3.5
Cucinetta is a tiny restaurant in South Yarra, so large groups must book ahead. Service was very friendly & attentive. The menu changes every week so recommendations are pretty much pointless. We had warm delicious bruschetta & zucchini starters. For mains we had fresh pasta & risotto. The fresh pasta was slightly over cooked and salty. The risotto was perfectly cooked. The chef kindly divided the main dish onto two plates after we told the friendly waitress we were sharing. Thumbs up for that!
Ratio Decidendi: If there was one single dish that I missed the most from my time in Europe it would be cacio e pepe, a simple pasta dish that comprises only 3 ingredients: pecorino romano cheese, black pepper and (classically) tonnarelli pasta. Its sheer simplicity means the chef has virtually no room for error – quality pasta, quality cheese and meticulous execution – but when done right, it’s the stuff that foodie dreams are made of.
Nice risotto, beautiful wines. The best place in South Yarra. I love Cucinetta. My friends and I love the pasta and we choose always this place.
Beautiful pasta. this place is one of the best in south yarra. Your pasta really is so good, you can not stop eating! Its admirable service and attention
We booked this restaurant however our booking was not found. They were very helpful and server is. Great food and friendly staff. Not much more to say
Brilliant. The Italians do it better. You won’t get more authentic Italian than this place, it was superb, main and delicious dessert. The cheese wheel was amazing.
One of the best Italian in Melbourne. Small, charming little place with exceptional table service. Menu changes on a weekly basis.
We went in while the Parmesan Wheel Pasta week was on, and this dish was simply amazing. You thought it’d be overwhelming but it’s so well-balanced.
We started with Bruschetta and the freshness of the tomatoes won our hearts and bodies on a warm summer Sunday.
We followed the pasta with a grilled barramundi served with sautéed vegetables. Despite its simplicity, this dish was too good to describe in words.
I highly recommend dining here regardless of what’s up on their menu.
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Came to Cucinetta last night with my mama. The restaurant is busy, and bustling and cramped- in the best way! I was reminded of being back in a small eatery in Europe. The service was truly wonderful- the staff were friendly, warm and jovial. Our coats were taken upon arrival and when we left, they assisted us in putting our coats back on! It was like being greeted by family. We, naturally, came for the Cace e Pepe (cheese and pepper) pasta, served out of a wheel of Parmesan, and it did not disappoint! The pasta was perfect al dente and every bite was coated in delicious olive oil and Parmesan. I added a bit extra pepper as I think it was a touch light on that front, but I suppose that is to be considerate to those who don’t like as much pepper as others. We also got a delicious side salad of mixed leaves and fennel and were served some complimentary freshly baked bread! We also enjoyed some Bellinis with our meal and we finished with some coffees and a limoncello! Would definitely recommend this place and would love to come back!
Waitress was awesome, really explained menu thoroughly. Small menu but changed weekly so understandable. Produce was super fresh, pasta was amazing. Perfectly cooked with subtle flavours but seasoned to perfection.
Meaning "little kitchen", Cucinetta is a stunning little Italian eatery in South Yarra. If you are looking for a truly authentic and memorable Italian feasting experience, this cucina should be at the top of your list. The restaurant possesses a homely yet polished feel which retains a warm and familial character.
Translated directly as “Little Kitchen”, Cucinetta holds true to both their name and their Italian heritage.
Dishing up some authentic and rustic Italian dishes that were executed impeccably, combined with a weekly refresh of their carefully-designed, hand-written menu, Cucinetta magically transports a small piece of Italy to anybody who ventures into this charming little 12-seater.
Absolutely would recommend this little restaurant to anyone in the area looking for great food and great service. My wife and I have nothing bad or average to say about this little Italian restaurant. It's all class!
INCREDIBLE food, atmosphere and services! Seasonal produce with the menu changing weekly. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the family size banquet (6 people +) and taste-test almost all the menu (The only reason we didn't taste the complete menu was because we told them we were full, not because they wouldn't have served it all).
Highly recommend
IG: @hungrycookieee Happiness is cheese and pasta and you can find happiness at Cucinetta. The cosy Italian Osteria opened in 2017. Since then, the South Yarra osteria has transitioned to current owner, Giocomo of Caffe Cuccina. The ‘no fridge’, same day strategy is Cucinetta’s pizzazz. When there’s literally no room for frozen, you know it’s as fresh as Nonna’s. Head chef Attilio Nuscis, rotates his menu weekly, just like Nonna would. The only difference is the giant wine glasses – seriously, they’re hilariously large.
They say size matters but that's not the case for this little restaurant. I came here for the parmesan cheese wheel pasta and was blown away by the delectable flavour and freshness of the ingredients used. The passion emanating from the wait and kitchen staff was evident in the dishes they served. The parmesan pasta and lamb ragù linguini certainly wiped the floor with most of the places on Lygon street. Be sure to book in advance as there are only a handful of tables. #parmeDAYUM
Lovely little Italian joint in the neighborhood. Perfect for friends catch up or have a quiet dinner. Food is very authentic. My favorite is the salumi plate, the meat has been cured so well and long enough, it was so tasty. Also the beef ragu pasta is very good, rich and has a very intense flavor. I would definitely come back.
The service and food here were absolutely perfect. My friend and I wanted to share a couple of mains so the chef split the dishes up so we didn't have to do it ourselves, it was like having an extra course! The risotto all' amarano was delicious and the orrichiette with sausage was was so tasty and not too heavy. It was my friends birthday and the waiter and waitress were extremely sweet and put a candle in our tiramisu (possibly the best I've ever eaten!) and played Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday. The restaurant is so cosy and for a moment I could pretend I was back in Italy. I will definitely be back here and look forward to seeing what the next menu had to offer!
What a find! Cosy and intimate restaurant which serves authentic Italian food. The minute we walked through the door the service was outstanding. Felt like we were in Italy. Best part? The menu is displayed on a blackboard and changes weekly so you could never get sick of this place! Excellent value for money For the high quality of food served. We will definitely be back.
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Cucinetta is exactly the kind of place you’d love to have as your Italian local. With a weekly menu that changes each Wednesday, you’re guaranteed the freshest seasonal produce – and all at an affordable price. You could visit regularly without breaking the budget.
Meaning ‘little kitchen’, Cucinetta is perfectly named, offering an intimate dining space for up to 20 people. In fact, it’s so cosy that you feel as though you’re eating in someone’s kitchen. Thankfully, they do take bookings for groups of 4 or more, otherwise you’d be lucky to score a table. There are two sittings, 6pm or 8pm. We secured a later booking, so there was no sense of having to rush for the incoming diners. Given its central location in Murphy Street, just off bustling Toorak Road, there are plenty of places nearby for a pre-dinner drink.
As soon as you step through the door, you’ll be impressed by the super friendly service – efficient, knowledgeable and very personable. The wine list was extensive, but our waiter was quick to help us narrow down our preferences and make an appropriate suggestion – he could see that we were there for a midweek girls’ catch-up, and didn’t want to pause too long from our conversation.
The seasonal weekly menu is written in chalk on a central blackboard, and presented in such a way that makes the selection process straightforward – there is nothing complicated about Cucinetta. To start, we shared a couple of items from the antipasti section – olives, and the primavera vegetables served with almonds and ricotta. Simple yet delicious, and moreover, healthy! Complimentary warm, fresh bread arrived in a paper bag, and was served with flavoursome olive oil.
Paste e secondi menu items included two pasta dishes, plus a fish and a beef option. We shared the orechiette with roast pumpkin, sage and goats cheese and the beef cheeks with polenta and horseradish cream – both were bursting with flavour, and we devoured every last spoonful. Our waiter also suggested the frisee, blood orange and goats cheese salad to complement the beef, which was a great recommendation.
As it turned out, I was dining with two dieting friends who couldn’t be tempted by dessert, so I watched longingly as a neighbouring table plunged their spoons into the velvety blackberry and chocolate mousse. There was also a lemon mimosa and a cheese option available within the dessert menu, for the same reasonable price of $10. Perhaps I should’ve taken advantage of their takeaway menu, and slipped dessert into a box for later.
If you enjoy hosting lunches or dinners at home, it’s worth keeping in mind that Cucinetta also provides a catering service: the food can be prepared and delivered straight to your home (and you can pretend you cooked it all!), or you can hire a chef and wait staff to do all the preparation, serving and cleaning on site. The choice is yours – and based on our dining experience, you can rest assured that your guests will be impressed.
So next time you’re looking for great tasting, contemporary Italian food, without the fine dining price tag, then book a table at Cucinetta – you won’t be sorry. For more of our reviews visit sub-urban.net
Tiny place. Solid food. I had the duck and porcini tagliatelle and it was great. Panna cotta was nothing special. Overall an enjoyable evening.
A magnificent restaurant with lovely food and wonderful service. The choices are few, however the food is divine. Everything is fresh, simple and extremely tasty. Freshly baked bread, home made dips, e.g. broad bean dip is to die for, fish, chicken, lamb mains with the best gnocchi i have ever had. Lovely home style desserts with a modern flair. The menu changes weekly and the wines are well priced and excellent. You will need to book this popular little gem.
I would have never expected to have such a good pasta outside of Italy!
The place is very small and intimate, perfect for a casual lunch or a romantic dinner; the atmosphere is sophisticated but at the same time it doesn't make you feel uncomfortable if you are not dressed up; I guess the friendly staff helped in that :)
They have around 20 seats divided into four tables and the bar, it works well especially for groups of 2-4 people.
We tried two different pasta:
- orecchiette w broccoli, ricotta, and chilli
- fettuccine w napoli, basil, and mozzarella.
They were both incredibly tasty and perfectly cooked (al dente), and the mozzarella was simply a pleasure to eat. The portions were generous!
We also had Gorgonzola with Fig jam as dessert, cheese lovers go for it.
We didn't have wine this time, but next time we'll check that as well :)
So far it's definitely my favorite pasta place in Melbourne.
This is some of the best food I have ever eaten.
We arrived at this tiny restaurant on a Friday night and managed to score seats at the bar. Staff were friendly, knowledgable and a delight to interact with throughout the evening. Proseco kept us hydrated whiile we enjoyed olives, an incredible smoked trout dip and roasted mushrooms. Simple yet so flavoursome.
Mains were whole baby snapper with lemon caper sauce and a divine linguine with zucchini,lemon, chilli and mint is something I shall remember for a long time- the flavours worked so well together. A light salad with Parmesan and tangy dressing accompanied our mains. Inexpensive yet amazing food make this place a must to visit when in Melbourne.
Melbourniancritic (The Melbourne Experience)
+4.5
This intimate local Italian gem seats a maximum of 20 people & serves a delicious combination of classic & contemporary Italian cuisine that changes weekly, as well as a mouthwatering roast on Sundays. Full review on: melbourniancritic.com.au/cucinetta-south-yarra-2/
Cute little restaurant with a menu that changes weekly. I dined at Cucinetta for the first time tonight and loved the intimate atmosphere and delicious food. We ordered the brussel sprouts with pancetta and mayo for entree and then I ordered the chicken breast with rapa and mushroom trifolata for main. The brussel sprouts were nicely charred and worked well with with the salty bacon. My main was a particular highlight though- the chicken was beautiful and succulent and the mushrooms were well seasoned and generous. The complimentary bread we received was also superb-wonderfully soft and fresh. My friend ordered the pappardelle with wagyu and Parmesan and whilst she enjoyed it she felt it could be a bit more flavoursome. The staff were also very efficient however I did get the impression they were trying to kick us out as soon as we'd finished our meal which was a little off putting. Otherwise I really enjoyed my experience at Cucinetta.
Miguel Sanchez Robertson
+4.5
I have been meaning to eat here for at least 12 months and finally made it today. It was amazing - home made bread, pasta and amazing service. Will definitely be back - especially if the amatriciana comes aback on the menu
Me and my partner have tried to eat here so many times but the tiny place was always full and for a good reason.
Finally, I got there with a friend we both weren't really hungry and looked for small plated with drinks. We were so surprised but the quality of the food - just amazing! We had to order the desserts which were absolutely brilliant! Got to go back there and bring the lady asap for their pastas.
Came for lunch for the second time. I enjoyed their dishes a few month ago, and came back with high expectation.
Ordered
Casarecce with Broccoli & Anchovies, Fettuccine with Porcini mushroom Ragu, and Whole Snapper with Aioli, for three.
Casarecce was garlicky and balanced well with lemon juice and anchovies.
Fettuccine was very flavourful with a lot of fresh Porcini mushroom. The two pastas are a little too salty for me, but still very tasty. It would have matched perfectly with some white wine...
Snapper was fresh and perfectly cooked.
Service was friendly and quick as same as the last time. This place is definitely my go to Italian place.
Had the Mascarpone & spring onion dip and Penne Aglio e Olio.. Sensational. Delish. Great host, great food, can't miss this little local italian gem in South Yarra.
Fantastic little hidden gem in South Yarra. Ever changing menu and awesome food which keeps us going back for more . Staff and fun and friendly and make the experience 5 star!
Such a great find - this cosy, authentic Italian is some of the best food I've had in a long time.
We booked a table (which you can if your in a group of 4 or more) and on a busy Friday night enjoyed an incredible meal with great service.
The baked cauliflower (entree) is spectacular as well as my favorite dish of all - the gnocchi with sage and burnt butter. Just perfection!
The menu changes daily - I think you can check their Facebook for the specials/menu.
Highly recommend and can't wait to go again.
Delicious!!!
Freshest pasta I've ever eaten & watched the chef prepping it just prior to service. Absolutely fantastic vibe created by the owner too, who is a whiz @ managing a busy lil place & making everyone feel welcome.
Excellent decor too....love the lights!
I will be back... ;)
This is a very small place and the menu is very limited. They do a great job with whatever food they make! This is another favorite of mine. I absolutely love it!
My go to local Italian. The menu is small, like the venue itself - but there is always something for everyone. This is authentic Italian in a cosy little setting with friendly and attentive service. I've never had a bad dish here - each time better than the last. There's a new chef and you can tell. Everything is flavour plus +++. The pan fried rainbow trout with fennel and peppercorns was zingy with a punchy lemon sauce. My mate had beef with creamed spinach, kiplfler potatoes and horseradish cream. It was just as delicious. Cannot recommend this place enough!
We had a great meal at Cucinetta on Saturday, the slow roasted lamb seasoned with parmesan and roasted vegies was my favourite. A great spot for a bite to eat, I try to get here every time I am in Melbourne. Well done to the team, for another awesome meal
Great little place. I came here with a close friend who moved to the other side of the world, and who I only see once a year now. Was glad we chose Cucinetta for this occasion, as our dining experience was as memorable as our meetup warranted! Small menu but everything we ate was delicious. Excellent service too - the waiters took care of us while we waited for a seat. Don't overlook the desserts either - our salted caramel chocolate mousse was fantastic. Highly recommended!
Beautiful little restaurant. An excellent meal; fresh ingredients, great balance and flavours. The caramel panna cotta with currants was outstanding. Very good service in warm hospitable non pretentious atmosphere . No hesitation recommending Cucinetta.
Loved this place! Excellent service, fantastic food - highly recommend!
THANK YOU urbanspoon for presenting this wonderful place to me. So incredibly delightful!!
We were really impressed with the food and the ambience. Will definitely come back!
Great simple food. Great price. Lovely staff. Can't wait to go back soon.
AMAZING! I'd pay just to sit in this restaurant and enjoy the atmosphere. In an area where you could eat at a different italian 7 days a week this one is a standout. Ridiculously good food which you can see being cooked. Staff are lovely and make the time to talk to you while you eat, including the chef. My idea of heaven in a restaurant. Just don't come here or I might not get a table!
My new favourite. We ate at Cucinetta for the first time on Wednesday and it sure has changed from the Sushi bar it used to be. The transformation has been done beautifully by the owner Benny. We had the Pearl Barley Orzotto with Prawns and the Penne with Pork Ragu and I have to say that they were just perfect. We also tried a few starters and they didnt miss a beat. The size of the place is a strength, very small and intimate. Will be back for sure. Might just have to start going for lunch too as the menu constantly evolves.
Great find. Lovely simple Italian food, personal service and so much passion - you can't go wrong eating here. Highly recommend checking it out.
This is by far the best italian I have had this year. Fresh and creative menu, modern italian at its best, love the flavours!. Ambience is great, love the fit out. Host Benny has such a positive energy you can't help but enjoy! We will be back very soon.
Little Italian Gem. A few friends and I went to Cucinetta for dinner a few weeks back and had a fantastic night.
The staff (Benny in particular) were warm and engaging and the food was fabulous - very traditional and old style Italian (the Italian sausage, beef cheeks and Kale were AMAZING). The venue is really intimate and cosy so you feel really comfortable and at ease.
This place is only going to get better and better and we cannot wait to go back.
Amazing Food. A fabulous little restaurant.
Owner Ben makes an attentive host, and a tight menu of clever, seasonal foods meant we could order one of everything! Which was a relief, because everything was delicious.
The small touches in this petite restaurant make the big differences. I'll be back over and over.
By far the best italian i've had in Melbourne.
Menu is constantly changing to take advantage of what's best in season. Great local vibe, friendly service. Highly recommend. Great date spot!
Great locale. First time here, despite several walk-bys. Really enjoyed our evening, asparagus were very fresh, bean and pepper starter was yummy. Standout was gnocchi with walnuts and other stuff - Lyn thought it "best ever".
Sicilian red was very good choice.
Only quibble was the espresso - too hot, no crema.
But overall it's a terrific (small) restaurant. Apparently going to open for lunch Thursday and Friday plus an aperitivo hour around 4-6 on Fridays. Should be fun.
Perfect!. This hidden gem is wonderful - off the busy & noisy Toorak Rd, Cucinetta is the perfect place for authentic Italian & some very delicious wines.
The meals were full of flavour but still light, and the service was friendly & warm.
I'm a passionate Italian foodie, and i was really impressed with my Pork & Veal Meatball penne - it was a tomato base but not overpowering or too rich, and the meatballs were just divine.
My partner had the Orrechiette with ricotta, mint & peas and it was light, refreshing & delicious, and perfectly complimented by a fennel & raddichio salad.
They also have a great 2 course set menu (which we didn't try on the night)...will definitely be back!
Such a great addition to the Toorak/South Yarra food scene...hopefully they'll open up north-side soon!
Beautiful authentic yet light and innovate Italian food sets cucinetta apart from the competition. Wonderful flavour coupled with excellent value and warm and friendly service. Bellissimo.
$32 for 2 courses and a glass of wine, pasta mains. Perfect choices and snug seating, cozy, cute with awesome food
Lovely food. Sausage main was great. Service was friendly.
It's dress rehearsal week and the food was amazing; wine lovely and friendly service. Imagine what they will do when they open completely. Will come back for sure
The 29 cheese gnocchi was as one would expect: very cheesy, and very salty too. I love cheese and this dish definitely went above and beyond to satisfy my cravings, to the point where I was a little sick of it at the last few bites (but I finished it anyways!). The gnocchi itself was soft, plump, and chewy, and so was the bread roll given as an appetizer. The waiting staff was lovely and though the place is a bit small it's quite nice as it's naturally well lit.
Booked in for a lunch on the last day of the cheese wheel cacio e pepe dish- glad we did! Really tasty pasta dishes, totally full after. Wish we had been able to make a dinner as the wine list looked fab. It’s a tiny place but warm and efficient service (only counted 16 seats). Well worth booking into for a dinner date.
Everything was perfect!!
I went last night to see what the hype was about and safe to say this is one of my top 5 favourite dining experiences in Melbourne to date.
My partner and I shared the burrata, we then had the gnocchi and aragosta for mains, followed by pannacotta and tiramisu for dessert.
Service was amazing, the restaurant has a gorgeous romantic atmosphere, and the food is absolutely to die for.
This was a beautiful experience and I can't wait to come back again soon, thank you for having us ❤️
I visited on a Sunday night at 7pm with a booking for two. The place is tiny so definitely book ahead. We went for the 29 cheese gnocchi event, so we ordered that and the fettuccine ai funghi (both $39.99). The cheesy gnocchi was awesome, the gnocchi was very well made and the cheese was delicious. The fettuccine ai funghi was also really nice. There was one server who was super friendly, so it was very personal. They provided complimentary bread rolls at the beginning and orancello shots at the end. Overall, I highly recommend visiting for some excellent quality food, especially during the 29 cheese gnocchi event.
TOP SHELF PASTA. Yummiest risotto I've ever had. Caprese salad and Pepper Pasta were brilliant up. Flavour and freshness is unreal. (Note: cheese wheel pasta only at certain times so check dates online. It was disappointing because when searching "Cheese Wheel Pasta Melbourne" in Google Maps comes up with this restaurant alone. Which is picking up on the link to events at the venue but it's also not very clear.)
Staff were very attentive and it was an absolute home run.
Cucinetta
- Artisian Fettuccine ‘Cacio e Pepe’ w/ Truffle $36.99
- Button Mushrooms in Taleggio Fondue w/ Crutons $26.99
- Homemade Gnocchi w/ Porcini Mushroom & Truffle Oil $35.99
A hidden Italian gem in South Yarra. We had the mushroom fondue as the starter. The taleggio sauce was absolutely flavoursome. It was a mouthful of joy to taste the earthiness and richness of the mushrooms and cheese with the crunchy breadcrumbs. The fettuccine was textbook perfect. That cheese and pepper sauce wasn’t too heavy and it was finessed with a hint of truffle. Overall, a lovely Italian dinning experience. This is a super small and intimate restaurant. Remember to book in advance.
We couldn't fault anything at our visit to Cucinetta. We had to change the booking about 5 times due to Covid & other circumstances and had sent many emails re this, one of them being to ask for their dish (lobster pasta) to be available for a special dinner we were inviting our friends to and they remembered each time we communicated. The food is authentically Italian and the service was fantastic. This is like being in a tiny restaurant in some Italian side street. They even made a drinks reservation each time for us at a nearby bar and restaurant. This was our 2nd visit and we will definitely return
Gorgeous place with excellent food and really friendly service. We particularly loved the arancini entree and the cannoli. Fair warning though, if you tend towards claustrophobia, this is probably not the place for you - it’s tiny and intimate, and may be a squeeze!
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