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Iconic Melbourne restaurant Cecconi's has launched an exciting takeaway menu which is available for both pickup and delivery.
We recently enjoyed a stunning Italian feast from the takeaway menu in the comfort of our own home washed down with Cecconi's signature Amalfi gin cocktails and a lovely bottle of Langhe Nebbiolo.
Highlights from our dining experience included the cotoletta which was simply to die for - a beautifully crispy crumbed layer encased tender veal and was served alongside a crisp apple and cabbage salad.
The dish of braised wagyu brisket served with charred leeks was yet another winner. Tender and flavoursome, the brisket simply melted in our mouths and was particularly noteworthy for its fragrant and complex beefy flavours.
A meal from Cecconi's would of course be incomplete without a plate of their stunning pasta. We adored both the pasta dishes we sampled which had us fighting over the last morsel.
The house-made Duck Gnocchi comprised of pillow soft homemade potato gnocchi served with an indulgent sauce and shredded duck and mixed mushrooms. It was absolutely stunning.
The Agnolotti del plin was similarly delicious. Al dente pasta with delicious fillings was tossed in luxurious sage and butter sauce. It was the stuff of dreams.
A wonderful duo of desserts concluded our dinner. Tiramisu and ricotta cannoli - both simply sensational.
A modern Italian restaurant where food, wine, service and atmosphere blend beautifully together, Cecconi’s boasts delicious Modern Australian cuisine while taking great pride in using only the freshest ingredients available. You can expect this same adherence to quality and precision with their takeaway menu. Go on, spoil yourself!
Met up with another couple after 20 years. Excellent food with above average service. Authentic vibe and experience but with pricey wine. Would definitely return on next Melbourne visit.
One of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne! Cecconi’s has absolutely delicious Italian food. Everything is full of flavour & tastes divine. It is perfect for special occasions as it is fine dining & can be intimate. We always love coming to Cecconi’s!
Fo0die dined as a guest of Cecconi’s and as such, the rating does not give any consideration to customer service.
Located on Flinders Lane and slightly below road level, we arrived at Cecconi’s on a Thursday evening. As we went down the stairs to the venue, there was a small area with some seats out the front with electric heaters which would be beautiful on a calm night.
This is such a great place for having a relaxing meal, enjoying some good wine and catching up with some good friends. The atmosphere and store outfit is right on the spot. Friendly and attentive staff. Loved the quail and gnocchi. So tender and tasty.
My friend had the earl grey cocktail and it was something special with tea flavour blended into a citrus flavour drink. Super refreshing. Will be back for sure.
One of the oldest establishments of Italian restaurant in the city. They have pasta, meat dishes along with a selection of entrees. The service is top notch as expected of a fine-dining restaurant. Dishes overall are average and personally not worth the price. Pasta are quite bland and the charcuterie meat selection also very normal. Basically you are paying for service and romantic vibe.
I’d never heard of Cecconi’s til they had reopened and everyone was talking about it. Upon a recommendation from a friend, we booked a table and I was eager to try what everyone was on about. The venue itself is beautiful, separated into the dining area and the more casual bar area. We ordered natural oysters, poached oyster with egg and caviar, prosciutto, prawn risotto, quail and lamb. The natural oysters were very fresh but the poached oyster blew my mind. I mean who eats oyster with egg? But this was amazing and very well put together. Creamy and fluffy at the same time with muted flavors and a kick of caviar. Bae really enjoyed the quail and lamb whilst I liked the prawn risotto although it was a little too lemony for my liking. Overall fantastic service and a romantic dinner. Will return time and time again.
Had a very lovely Italian dinner. The waiters were mostly attentive, and the food was all very good 😍🤤 Highly recommend their pappardelle (beef and pork ragu, red wine, tomato). Actually the crispy roasted duck was very good too 🤤
Basically a Melbourne institution, you will never leave unsatisfied from Cecconi’s. We have been here countless times for special occasions.
They have a very good variety of food (Italian inspired) and wine. My personal favourite is their tagliatelle with porcini ragu. The pasta is perfectly silky and chewy and texture of the mushrooms is almost ‘beefy’ like a true ragu. Very yummy and hearty.
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My husband and I celebrated my 50th birthday and his recent work success at Cecconi's last night. Prior to booking, we looked long and hard for a restaurant that would offer an inviting menu but also a warm, intimate ambience and a sense of occasion. We could not have asked for a better venue.
The moment we arrvied we were entranced. The hostess who greeted us was genuine in her friendliness and warm welcome. The waiters were knowledgeable, with the right balance of good humour, professionalism and attentiveness. The food was just as we hoped - tasty, generous, authentic and well presented. There was a great choice of wines and they were not outrageously marked up. I was even surprised with a complimentary 'happy birthday' sweet treat plate!
What really struck us, beyond the food, wine and service, was the warm, inviting decor and surrounds. Generous banquette seating, plush chocolate carpet and warm decor tones, tables for every group size, ornate lighting fixtures and an entrancing vertical hanging garden. It was a joy to behold. We literally spent the first fifteen minutes gazing around us, just taking the beauty in.
In stark contrast to many of the upmarket dining offerings, we were not to chose a set menu, charged a credit card surcharge or forced to chose from one of two inappropriately timed sittings (who eats at 6.30pm???). We were not shoehorned in to a tiny table and we didn't have to scream to be heard over noisy concrete/wood flooring. We could read the menu without needing a torch and we were able to remove our jackets because the room was appropriately heated.
Cecconi's reminded me of what dining used to be, can be and should be. We can't wait to return. In the meantime, keep up the great work and please don't change a thing!
I was taken here for dinner on a first date and it was the best first date I’ve ever been on. The food was amazing as was the ambience. Great service as well. I would definitely come back and recommend this place to anyone.
Informal yet stylish, Cecconi’s Cantina provides the perfect location for catching up with friends and colleagues. Relax with a coffee, cocktail, champagne or wine and enjoy a casual lunch or dinner either inside, or outside on the private Terrace. The Restaurant is one of the country’s premier dining destinations. We are at the forefront of cuisine, service and style – synonymous with fine food. It defines style with ease… Its glamorous and contemporary design creates an intimate and chic club-like ambience. With echoes of New York, and featuring the theatre of an exposed kitchen, dining at the Restaurant guarantees a remarkable dining experience
Dinner here last night was absolutely delicious and service was fantastic. We were after a quick meal due to going to a show and they made it happen without any fuss. We left very happy and satisfied. We even had time for a beautiful dessert.
This would have to be my favourite Italian restaurant in Melbourne. The restaurant is dimly lit, modern and very romantic with attentive Italian waiters and is busy every night of the week for a reason!! The seafood pasta is an absolute must, simple clean ingredients bursting with flavour. Overwhelming extensive drinks menu and knowledgeable staff that can help with it.
Cecconi’s has been a favourite and I’ve only been there once! Their service was nothing to fault and their food was just delicious with also nothing to fault! The oysters and calamari that we had were super fresh & tasty. The lava cake to finish it off was by far the best lava cake we’ve ever had! So much so, we had to order another one so we wouldn’t have to share!
Loved our night at Cecconi’s last week. Was there for a celebration and couldn’t have asked for a nicer environment or friendlier staff (they even gave us a special ‘congratulations’ desert at the end)
Service was brilliant. Our waiter was lovely and couldn’t have been better skills-wise. Not only provided perfect recommendations but was very knowledgeable of the menu and read our table wonderfully.
Food was insanely brilliant. Presented beautifully and just incredible. The sashimi special entree had to be a highlight of the evening (although it was closely challenged by that chocolate pudding desert!)
Thank you Cecconi’s for a great evening- can absolutely recommend for anyone else finding themselves in Flinders Lane!
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Having received one Chef’s Hat consistently every year since 2006, and again this year, you know Cecconi is doing something right.
The restaurant well known for championing forward-thinking Italian cuisine – you won’t find a typical carbonara here.
I love the use of fresh, new ingredients executed in a modern Italian way. The entire menu is achingly appetising, making it difficult to make a decision.
• When the complimentary bread is this good, you know you’re in for a treat. Even the bread was slighty warm, fresh and crusty.
• Beef Carpaccio – absolutely stunning dish, the earthy flavours of the chestnut, mushrooms and truffle work so well together, accented by little shavings of salty parmesan.
• Tagliatelle with Mushroom ragu – the texture of the tagliatelle was perfect, with a nice bite to it. The porcini mushroom ragu was just silky and almost beefy, with hints of herby freshness from the sage. Love the finishing with finely shaved parmesan.
The sleek interior and dim lighting makes the overall experience quite intimate.
Service was quite professional, though at times difficult to get attention.
Well-deserved accolades, Cecconi is definitely worth visiting for fine Italian cuisine.
Wonderful decor and very attentive service. My partner chose to take me here for my birthday dinner and we had a lovely night. To start we ordered the mushroom arancini and house olives. The arancini were crunchy on the outside and soft and flavoursome on the inside. For entree we shared the seafood linguine. The fresh seafood was delicately cooked and tender and the pasta was al dente. For mains we had the roasted lamb rack and pasta special spaghetti with Moreton Bay Bugs. The meat was tender and juicy and perfectly matched with a jus. The pasta had a lovely crunchy bread-like crumb on the top and the Moreton Bay Bugs were tender. I would have liked a touch more of the bugs or or another element on the dish. Overall a great dining experience and lovely food.
I had the soup of the day. Which had a very weird taste to it. Wasn’t a fan at all. My fiancé had the squid ravioli and he said it wasn’t too bad. My favourite was the beef and pork pappardelle for main! So yum. Flavours went well. My fiancé ordered tagliatelle duck and that was really good. Not enough on the plate though. I would recommend if you want good pasta la guido at lygon that’s my favourite thus far.
Great place for Fine Dining, went for one of my friends birthday and it’s very high quality. Pretty pricey but it’s a great place to go when looking for a high classed restaurant. They have a variety of flavours in their food which makes it unique.
⭐️4.5 stars⭐️
Came to Cecconis on a week night and it was bustling with warmth and cosiness. The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
What we ordered: for entree we had mushroom arancini balls and for mains we had Gnoochi with braised lamb, Duck and spinach pie, and of course, a side of fries!
The mushroom arancini balls legitimately melted in the mouth, some of the best we have had! The Gnoochi was authentic, fresh and light - definitely went down a treat. The duck and spinach pie ended up being a duck pie with spinach on the side! It was heavy on the duck, but none the less flavoursome. We ate in the bar section of Cecconis as you have the option to either eat in the bar or in the restaurant. The two sections have separate menus.
Fancy Italian food, fine wine and fondant come to mind when I think of Cecconi’s. They are well-known for their Italian food and wine in Melbourne and are located down Flinders lane near Exhibition street. They have mouth-watering pastas, quality meats and a comprehensive wine list you will be happy to peruse. It’s a classic restaurant for quality Italian food and a night of fine wine.
10/10. The best Italian restaurant I have been to in a long time. The food is brilliant and the service impeccable. There is so much variety on the menu it is hard to choose yet you can’t go wrong. I will be back for sure.
Cecconi’s is definitely one of Melbourne’s best Italian restaurants. Every time I come here I am blown away by the high quality of the dishes and great customer service. My most recent visit for dinner was superb. From the oysters and carpaccio for starters to the pasta everything was 10/10. If you haven’t been to Cecconi’s yet I definitely recommend you visit!
Wonderful restaurant! Amazing food and service with a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The scallops with wasabi was delicious. The buttery scallops, perfectly seared, balanced by the vibrant wasabi is an unbeatable combination. One of my fav spots in Melbourne. The gnocchi were fautless; feather light but firm. One of my favourite dining spots in Melbourne.
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I fell in love with this place from the moment I walked into the establishment. The venue is absolutely gorgeous, minimalistic yet opulent. We were acknowledged as soon as we walked in and quickly seated along the booth. I love booth seats however it's awkward when you have to interrupt the table next to you to awkwardly squeeze through to your seat. Fortunately, there was enough space for me to breeze through. I also noticed throughout the night that there was sufficient space between tables that we couldn't hear the conversations around us. We ordered some oysters and prosciutto for entree, and seafood linguine and lamb for mains. Everything was amazing. The prosciutto was the best I've ever had, I feel like I've been doing prosciutto wrong my whole life now. I was worried the linguine would be oily and bland but it was so tasty and filled with a variety of fresh seafood. The lamb was also amazing, perfectly cooked and so juicy. Everything was so full of flavour and the textures were all perfect. I look forward to returning and trying the rest of the menu.
A delight: great ambiance, decor, food and service. All the food was excellent, including the specials.
Not the cheapest, but certainly the best food I've tasted in a long, long time.
I'll try lunch next time!
Excellent food and friendly efficient and knowledgeable service. Had a great night here. Beautiful ambience too. Seafood pasta, Salmon and Arancini were beautiful. Highly recommended.
A treat night out.... something a little fancy with the girls. I enjoyed the salmon in vine leaf, it was coked to perfection but a touch salty for my liking. We shared a side of fries and broccolini. My friend had the crumbed veal cutlet and said it was wonderful! The pasta was relatively small.
I loved the lemon panna cotta for dessert, fresh, light and the perfect end! Apparently the tiramisu was good, even for a non-coffee lover and the torte delicious!
We managed to clock up a bill of $300 for 3 -a main and dessert each, two sides to share and s bottle of red.... definitely a treat in a beautiful atmosphere. A good place to bring someone special...
One of our favourites. Really like the elegant look
and feel, the food is always a delight and staff is welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable.
The wine list is wonderful
and… I’m having dinner there again tonight.
Cecconi’s is really delicious - I have been here several times and have enjoyed it each time. Nice vibe inside and great location on Flinders Lane. The food is lovely - the pappardelle with beef and pork ragu is my absolute favourite. Servings are a good size and suitable for the price. Lunchtime special is awesome - $40 for 2 courses and a glass of house wine - great value! Really authentic delicious Italian cuisine.
I haven’t been to Cecconi for quite a long time and was impressed all over again with the menu and the presentation of the various dishes as they arrived. The staff were amazingly helpful in terms of choosing wines to go with the food we had ordered. Special thanks to Ben. This is a lot more expensive than many of the Italian Restaurants in the area but boy is it worth it.
My friend and I came here for lunch during the week, a special treat and a catch up. They do a lunch deal, $39 for a two course lunch with a glass of wine. After trying this place, it is now one of my favourites in Melbourne. Impeccable service, very friendly and attentive. For the starters, my friend and I decided to share, we went for the mushroom arancini and the calamari. They were delicious, the mushroom arancini were seasoned to perfection and were full of of flavour. The calamari was fresh and cooked extremely well. For my main, I ordered the duck ragu gnocchi and it was sensational, it’s the best pasta dish I’ve ever had, I sincerely recommend it if you go to this amazing restaurant. I will be returning soon! Courtney Tozer
Cecconi has pretty much the best Italian food in Melbourne but their prices are sky high and their service is inattentive to the point of aggravation. Ive eaten there twice recently and both times had to keep calling over the waiter to bring menus, to take our orders, etc. The food is great tho with an extensive menu. Their parpadelle with veal and pork ragu is especially delicious.
His review @ corporate function:
Food: fantastic. Tiramisu (no photo) was yummy. Scallops were perfectly cooked and goats cheese ravioli was delightful. Very good Italian.
Ambience and decor is beautiful. Very elegant and warm feeling. Exceptional service, with friendly and professional stuff.
Ragu pasta and Moreton bay bugs were delicious. Fresh produce and perfectly cooked, with simple flavours. Think Grossi's!
Dessert was nice however super simple. Expected something with a point of difference (hence -1 point).
I recently visited this place after a movie at the Kino across the road. It was meant to be a quick meal so we didn’t need anything too fancy - so we popped into the Bistro section which is a little less fancy and more low key than the white tablecloths and big chairs of the wonderful restaurant. A different menu with a handful of mains, homemade fresh pastas and appetisers. I had the lasagne which was packed full of flavour. We also tried the polenta chips which were delicious, the homemade focaccia and the salami platter. Everything was impressive!
Looking for a great Italian meal in Melbourne a friend recommended Cecconis. The service and ambiance was fantastic and great location to celebrate a special occasion. The menu was not huge but the quality of the food was great. I ordered the Ragu and was advised the dish was a must have, once it arrived I could not fault it, it was simply superb! I highly recommend this dish! My partner enjoyed the seafood pasta which was also spot on. The desserts were decadent and memorable and overall it was a great dining experience. Thank you to the team at Cecconis! Wow what a meal, I will be back
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+4
It’s been 10 years since Cecconi’s moved to it’s current Flinders Lane location from Southbank, now hidden under street level. The family-run restaurant is under the headship of matriarch Olimpia Bortolotto, serving classic Italian food. Aside from the main restaurant, there’s also a private cellar bar, and the more casual and more affordable cantina which provide different dining experiences.
We went for a friends birthday and had the two course lunch. Service was very good and meal was excellent. I had the gnocchi with duck ragu and tiramisu. Add a glass of Shiraz for $39. Highly recommend.
I love the braised beef tortellini😍 it was so good and pretty filling~
My mom order the risotto of prawn~ she likes it! But she thinks it is kind of too sour somehow(?)
Overall it was a nice and pleasant dinner ❤️
Excellent food in elegant surroundings. Had a terrific dinner at Cecconis. Food was excellent and wine. Warm atmosphere and service was very attractive. The seared scallops and Kalahari gritting all outstanding. I cannot wait for my next Cecconis experience.
We came here for a friend's birthday celebration on a Saturday night . Our meal took more than an hour to arrive which by the time we have our main dish , it was around 9.45pm.
I had the suckling pig which was quite nice and the skin was crackling but a bit too fatty. The duck was flavorsome but far too salty. My friend really enjoyed the veal that she ordered. The steak was quite inconsistent. Some of them came out just nice (medium rare) but some are too overcooked and dry.
I really like the ambient of this restaurant and their open kitchen. Service was quite good as they constantly gave us more bread till our food arrive.
Cecconis is a smart and elegant restaurant with a suave fit out and gorgeous interior. Offering a great bar and fantastic Italian cuisine, cecconis is great for a special occasion or when needing to impress. Well appointed and extremely professional and attentive staff. The food is extremely flavoursome with gorgeous presentation. The oysters were fresh and succulent- we loved that they came with sashimi tuna too. The meat salad entree was exquisite with great texture. We shared a mushroom pasta and a truffle risotto both of which melted in our mouths and left a delicious flavour. Trout and duck main meals were fresh, soft and moist. Some seriously incredible main meals with beautiful accompaniments and flavours. For dessert we had a chocolate soufflé and Italian doughnuts which once again were fluffy and flavoursome. An overall fantastic experience which blew us away and we really recommend.
Lovely dinner for the first time at Cecconis last night. Had an 8:30pm booking but still had to wait by the bar for around 10 minutes before being seated. Aside from this, the ambiance was nice and the pasta was tasty. Love the open kitchen layout.
I love this place. I mostly go for work but I leave always wishing I could have one of those long lunches with my wife. The service here is excellent - its happy and efficient and not snooty as some places of its ilk can be. The food is excellent, my wild barramundi was a little over cooked but nothing too bad. Everyone else lived their meals - the tortellini looked fantastic. Wine list is wide and original. Overall very good value for money.
First time to visit Cecconi and definitely not the last. The fish was a stand out for me, soft, tasty with a brilliant overall texture. The steak which was cooked medium was juicy and full of flavor. Highly recommended
Amazing staff. Great atmosphere. Extensive wine list. Then there's the food. There was 7 of us sharing so we sampled most of the menu. Everything was just so delicious. The food was really something else. The mushroom aranchi and the seafood risotto was standout dishes.
Lived up to every expectation!
The service was superb. The space itself was lovely - I love the greenery on top of the entrance.
The food was great! Our entree from the specials was the pork belly with scallops and was delicious probably missing a sauce cause the sauce on the plate didn't really taste like anything.
The prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella was amazing I could eat it all day long.
For main we had the veal cutler and bug pasta they were both fantastic.
Would definitely recommend especially for a special event cause the space is just superb.
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We picked this place as you could walk there from the CBD hotel.
It is a downstairs and has a nice outdoor area for snacks. Cecconis is a huge restaurant but it has a warm feel about it. The staff are ultra-friendly and efficient. Friday night was filled with all ages. Tables are nicely spread apart and lighting is dim.
The menu is Italian and not the usual things you would find. There were open ravioli, poached scampi and my favourite rabbit.
They serve fresh bread with oil at first which was great. You can ask for as much bread as you like. We did as we had to soak up the juice from the rabbit.
The wine list is huge. As we were in an Italian restaurant we decided to go with an Italian white wine.
Entrée came out within ½ hour of seating and main about 15 min after we finished our entrée.
We were offered dessert which looked great but we decided not to and opted to have one of the amaro after dinner digestive drinks.
I love this place and will be adding it to my places to go when in Melbourne.
Very good food and service and good selection of drinks available.consistent standard of food and service every time we go there but it can get a bit pricey
Cecconi’s is undeniably a classy establishment and a popular one too and seems to be quite an attraction for the men in suits variety on a business lunch perhaps! Under the helm of head chef Maurice Esposito, the kitchen snapped into action producing great and flavoursome dishes. My personal favourite dish of the day was the wild mushroom risotto that was perfectly executed.
The food here is consistently good and we love stopping in for dinner. The service has always also been very good and the staff friendly. The desserts are also yummy!
Yourmelbournefoodguide
+4.5
Perfect date night or special occasion restaurant! It's refreshing that you can actually make a booking at this place and the food is amazing. And I have high standards for Italian food. My faves - entree: truffle mushroom arancini, main: spaghettini with Morton bay bugs and zucchini flowers and dessert: tiramisu or chocolate fondant with fior di latte ice cream
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Came here for a spontaneous bite on Saturday evening at around 20.30 after a show at the Comedy Festival. When we walked in we could see it's expensive, it lóóks expensive. Lots of dressed up groups of older people. We had two plastic Cooper glasses with us that we wanted to reuse in our camping kit (instead of throwing it out after one use). They asked if they could store our umbrella and if they could throw the glasses out. When I said we would like to keep the cups we received a very weird look which instantly knocked of points of the score. Surely we were not their normal, dressed up clientele, but that kind of look is a no-go at any restaurant but especially the better ones. Would never happen at a Michelin starred restaurant! We asked whether their meat was free range and the waiter answered no because it was all from farms and he left me confused. We had a discussion about this answer and figured the (Italian) waiter probably didn't understand what I meant and when I chose two dishes I liked we asked another waiter specifically for those. He said the pork and beef definitely were free range and checked in the kitchen about the rabbit, which was also free range. We ordered the baccala crocchete, the open ravioli with mishriim and rabbit ragu, and prawn risotto. The baccala crocchete were a joke. Three balls that weren't even the size of a croquette, I thought the flavour was nice, boyfriend didn't think it was special. Very very overpriced, absolute max price for this dish the way it was served would be $12, unless I am not aware of the fact the baccala is very expensive (very possible!).
The ravioli was very interesting with full flavours and yummy. It also had an egg in it which was interesting. Boyfriend liked the risotto, I didn't. It didn't look good, very pale and white, no colors and combined with the white tablecloths and white plates it just didn't do it. Also didn't like the flavours. Must say my boyfriend makes a mean risotto himself so I probably wpuldn't take it in a restaurant (he chose it).
Prices are very steep and I would say it's overpriced. Our food wasn't a full dinner, just a bite and we paid $76 (no drinks).
All and all, wouldn't recommend. Although if someone else pays it might be a nice place to experience italian food the way Italians do, small primi and then a secondi.
Tonight we ate Cecconi for a work dinner. Our 8 year old came with us. For entree we had oysters (i didn't have them but was told they were lovely), mushroom arrancini (soooo good!) & calamari and baby octopus deep fried. Yum.
I had the veal for a main and whilst delicious it needed a sauce. Hubby had a the seafood linguine and our awesome waiter organised gnocchi with napoli sauce for our daughter.
All the people who looked after our table were attentive without being intrusive.
Thanks to all at Cecconi for a lovely evening. The mere fact you made our daughter so welcome will bring us back. Grazi.
What a lovely restaurant. Great ambience down the stairs from flinders lane. Comfortable classy decor. Front doors a bit stiff though. Staff really friendly and so helpful. Wine options extensive and sommelier informative. I had the oysters and snapper days specials. Very nice. Others had some beautiful varieties to choose from. Open kitchen buzzing atmosphere but acoustics good for us oldies. Well done. Recommended.
Overall: Such an enjoyable evening! Amazing food. Lovely ambience. We went for our wedding anniversary, and will definitely return.
Food: We ordered two entrees and two mains, and we loved everything about them.The “Seared scallops with beetroot puree” was divine and perfectly cooked; the “Calamari Fritti” was excellent. I loved the "Moreton Bay bug spaghettini", it was delicious. M loved his "Pork cutlet with mushrooms, pear puree, etc". We really couldn't fault anything.
Service: Very attentive and everything you’d expect from a classy place.
Absolutely brilliant food. My entree of scallops were perfectly cooked, main of rib eye was rare as requested and dessert of blueberry mousse to die for. The service was impeccable. Can't wait to go back.
Renowned Italian restaurant serving up traditional fare in a basement setting on Flinders Lane. I had the Moreton Bay bug spaghettini and the roasted watermelon salad. Food was faultless in a textbook way. Clientele were mainly suits so not the hippest Italian in Melbourne. Staff were friendly and professional.
Lovely ambience and friendly attentive service can't disguise the fact that this is quite behind the times Italian. Standard dishes excuted well but without any flair or real interest.
Grossi does this much better
We love eating pasta and Cecconi's was recommended for us to try. A lot of people have compared Cecconi's to Tipo 00 (in favour of Cecconi's), and we'd have to disagree.
The pork dish was a little dry with the crackle being the only enjoyment. Pasta dish (special of the day) was ok, not bad nor great. Quite enjoyed their chips.
Maybe we went on an off night ?
We'd have to visit again in the new season.
The 4 weeks I spent travelling Italy in July did nothing to sate my relentless appetite for pasta. I mean really, why would it? You can never have enough! And this place was particularly good. Welcome to Cecconi's. Tucked below street level on Flinders Lane, swing open the doors and you'll find quite the hum of activity. The open kitchen sits front and centre where the chefs toss and taste, letting off dreamy aromas. The waiters bustle past with a grin and a 'ciao'. And the gentle chatter of the diners fills the air. Really, it's a lovely atmosphere to arrive to.
Vanessa: We recently returned from a five-day “Team FFS takes Melbourne” sojourn, that left our stomachs stretched, our wallets lighter and our lives enriched! Having spent the majority of our time eating our way through some of Melbourne’s best cafe’s and restaurants, I can confidently say that their dining scene gives Sydney’s a run for its money and I think Sydney’s scene is up there.
The 4 weeks I spent travelling Italy in July did nothing to sate my relentless appetite for pasta. I mean really, why would it? You can never have enough! And this place was particularly good. Welcome to Cecconi's. Tucked below street level on Flinders Lane, swing open the doors and you'll find quite the hum of activity. The open kitchen sits front and centre where the chefs toss and taste, letting off dreamy aromas. The waiters bustle past with a grin and a 'ciao'. And the gentle chatter of the diners fills the air. Really, it's a lovely atmosphere to arrive to.
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Hate to say it but I was expecting so much more from Cecconi's. I had read the reviews before booking so I had very high expectations and sure the food, service and venue was nice but it wasn't outstanding or impeccable (definitely not worth the price I paid). Starters were the octopus with Italian sausage and the beef carpaccio. The octopus needed more zing and I felt lacked the vinaigrette flavour as for the beef carpaccio in my opinion it was bland and tasteless. Mains ordered were the duck gnocchi and beef and pork pappardelle both mains were nice but I did have food envy when the pappardelle was served to my boyfriend. We did do a swapping of the plates and I did get to enjoy the pappardelle. I can say however, that the dessert was absolutely sensational - the chocolate pudding. Wow what a beautiful cake with oozing chocolate centre! The staff were very attentive but seemed very run off their feet and at times I had to sit patiently trying to wave them down. The wine was very good and the waiter was very helpful in choosing pairing wines.
A good option if you are looking for a high quality, fine dining experience. We tried the prosciutto plate, which was very fresh. The steak was cooked to perfection and the wagu dish was delicious. Quite expensive, but the service is wonderful.
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We still talk about memories of dining at Cecconi's years ago, before they moved to Flinders Lane. Being so memorable we booked a midweek dinner. On our recent visit the food was fantastic but wait staff were gruff. We were seated and pretty much dropped. No menus, water or offer of drinks. We sat there staring around for a while before our waiter for the night arrived with menus and water. From then on everything felt rushed. Our order was promptly taken and food arrived soon after. Some of the table was cleared whilst we were mid main course, which felt a bit intrusive. As soon as we finished our mains the dessert menu arrived. We certainly weren't ready to order another course, we'd barely finished the previous one! Wait staff were pushy for us to order dessert and order it now. I felt like leaving then and there. It was as if we were in the middle of the business lunch rush, not a mid week dinner sitting. The kitchen produced incredible dishes which is why I still rate Cecconi's highly. Twice cooked duck was superb. So was the duck gnocchi. Chocolate pudding was such a treat.
Got to join Cecconi's for the launch of their new winter breakfast menu.
My favourite was the polenta porridge with fruit. A beautiful restaurant and bar with plenty of options and a real italian family feel to it.
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Cecconi’s is run by 3 generations of the Bortolotto family. It was originally established by Lloyd Williams at Crown Casino in 1996, then revitalised by Olimpia Bortolotto 2 years later and brought to Flinders Lane in 2006. The restaurant also partakes in sustainability to close the food waste gap and partners with various organisations to achieve it. Their website is worth reading for more insight on their activities!
In a city like Melbourne, where traditional Italian food is everywhere, is it possible to deliver something modern and different? Cecconi's is aiming to achieve just that.
Food here is excellent, service is top notch. My wife and I had lunch, oysters were fresh and tasty, and the seafood linguine was cooked perfect. Nothing but good things to say, the open plan kitchen is a highlight of the venue, dress for the occasion.
One of the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne. Classic, elegant, unpretentious food on offer. Everything is high quality and delicious, in a lovely setting with just the right ambience.
Loved the decor of Cecconi's and the idea of it being below ground. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed and wasn't overly loud and crowded! The highlight was definitely the antipasto platter - everything on it was delicious and nothing was left! The mushroom gnocchi for mains were nice and light. Overall a nice dining experience!
If you're looking for a restaurant that is guaranteed not to disappoint this is the one. My favourite special occasion restaurant. Food, ambience and service is always 10 out of 10.
This is a fantastic restaurant with a cosy and romantic atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, nice wine and incredible food. We had the pappadelle with beef and pork ragu and the seafood linguine. Best pasta we have ever had in Melbourne. For dessert we had the apple crumble and chocolate pudding and couldn't fault either of them. Would definitely come back.
Nice Italian food with a cosy atmosphere. This place is what you would expect from Italian food and the wait staff are quite attentive. Haven't been back so I can't say it was extremely memorable but then again we are spoilt for choice in Melbourne.
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