if your in melbourne CBD - a must!!
Haven't been here for a couple of years. Always like to sit at the table in the Kitchen and watch a Nonna cook the food, but you have to get there by about 12 noon to get a seat. Ideal place for a quick pasta and you always end up with a hearty and hot portion. Nothing too fancy but always a good, solid and tasty meal. Refreshingly, there are no pretensions with the food or decor. We had the Lasagne and two types of pasta with Amatriciana sauce. You are offered a selection of pasta types with Bolognese, Marinara, Carbonara or Amatriciana sauce. I noticed that a bit later, Meatballs and Ravioli were added. You don't get an itemized bill, but I think the pasta is about $20 per plate
Finally came here for the first time when all the other shops around had stopped serving coffee. The coffee is, admittedly, not great (although they do serve soy which is a plus). That said, the old-school atmosphere and friendly service made it all worth it. I would gladly visit again to try some food.
Loving this coffee shop since my first time visit to Melbourne 7 years ago. Its a must place to stop by. Have a sip here when you come down to Melbourne. All the food was great!!!!!
Looking for Melbourne's BEST Lasagna??? Well look no further! Just like Nonna's, if not even better! Forget about fancy schmancy presented dishes. What you'll find at Pellegrini's Espresso bar is nothing but pure love in every plate! Absolute soul food and so much flavour in every bite. If you are yet to have the Pellegrini's experience, you are truly missing out! Oh and the Granita is a must try!!
Amazing pasta, super authentic and friendly atmosphere. Was a bit hard to read the menu on the wall, but I assume that everything is just as delicious!
You don't go to Pellegrini's because the pasta's the best - it's probably not. You don't go here because the food/coffee is the cheapest - it's probably not. They are still very good though!
But you really go to Pellegrini's because your dad went to Pellegrini's when he was young, and he still goes, because his Nanna went, and she went because....
Pellegrini's doesn't have heritage - Pellegrini's *is* heritage.
Never change, and never close ❤️
Absolute must if you are in and around Melbourne CBD, a great coffee place that did not change over the past 30 years, not a sight of a hipster accessory, just great coffee, with old school service.
If available can't go past their granita
i came here because Hanson ate here when they were in melbourne, and Zach was right, its so good, just like your grandma would make (if your grandma was a good cook!). i had the lasagna and a short macchiato. the lasagna was delish, such soul food! and the macchiato had the yummiest coffee flavour! what i love about this place the most is the atmosphere! its so simple, no nonsense, cosy and friendly! it was such a great dining experience! possibly my fav ever place to eat pasta in melbourne! and i already loved this place when i looked up and saw that my fav Christy Turlington has eaten here! even better! :)
Thank you Pellegrinis for so many good times.
Your culture , food, coffee, everything is so good, and so much part of melbourne.
What a privilege to have you reflect what melbourne is
The Lasagne that I had for lunch today at Peligrini"s was absolutely delicious I did wait close to an hour and a half for my food to come out which was a little bit of a mood killer but understandable in a way as the place was full of customers so they were obviously really busy really nice coffee their as well I will defnitley be going back their again
Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+5
Had the most delicious vegan pesto tomato penne here! With fresh bread, and refreshing granita, it was the perfect dinner!!
Such a friendly vibe here, with staff welcoming locals and new guests alike. Will definitely be back for more!
You would come here for comfort old school pasta in particular their spaghetti bolognese or lasagna. Place has old charm and well worth a visit. Staffs are attentive and friendly too.
I’ve been living in Melbourne for nearly ten years and I FINALLY managed to visit Pellegrini’s. Now I’m kicking myself for for waiting this long. Relaxed and casual atmosphere, no formal menu, friendly service and wonderful home-style pasta - just like nonnas.
Every time I am in Melbourne there is always at least one stop at Pelligrini’s. Even if it’s just for coffee and crostata. I get transported back to Italy. The best coffee in Melbourne! #pelligrinis #macchiato #crostata
A great institution of Melbourne and homage to the late Sisto Malaspina. Pellegrini's have served almost everyone from all walks of life who has stepped foot into Melbourne, that is proven from the photographs you see of singers and actors and even politicians hanging on their wall. Their traditional pastas desserts and coffee all ready to go as soon as it's ordered and all decent sizes too. Coffees are made in the tradition of how they were use to be made, hot and frothy unlike the smooth textured milk we get nowa days.
Great place to eat and pay your respects at the same time.
The Wandering Reviewer
+4
Hasn’t changed in the forty years I’ve been coming here. Coffee is great. Atmosphere is amazing. I’m sure some of the decor is original.
Staff sound like they’ve just stepped off a plane from Italy. Service is great and everyone is so helpful and friendly.
This place is something of an icon in Melbourne and a must visit. The laneways around the area are also worth checking out.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Parking - well it’s Bourke Street, Melbourne so good luck with that.
Takeaway coffee available.
This is always worth a drop in when I’m in Melbourne.
Amazing amazing amazing! I have been coming to Pelligrini’s ever since I was little - coming from Sydney it is one of the first places on my ’to visit’ list whenever I’m in Melbourne. The atmosphere is incredible, the service is friendly and attentive and the spaghetti bolognese is unparalleled - the best in all of Melbourne.
Already looking forward to my next visit here...
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Date Visited: since 2013 - Newest: 30/09/20 18
I would like to say personally sorry for the loss of Sisto. A great loss to the people & city of Melbourne.
I was just about to do my review of Pellegrini's on the Wednesday before this horrible attack happening because it was long over due as I have been visiting this establishment since 2013.
Beautiful Italian food, always made like they love what they are creating. I am not a coffee person so never sampled their espresso's but I could tell by the way that the customers & locals enjoyed them.
My personal favourite was their Lasagna OMG rich, saucy, filling, the pasta soooo soft. This is the food that you TRY to make at home with all the ingredients but can not conquer because they have the resources of a full kitchen (& paying means you don't have to clean up). Nonna know here way :) $17 did not do this dish justice. Loved every bite & will to continue so every time I visit this friendly business.
THE FOOD IS MADE WITH REALNESS. 100%
Small stall-like restaurant but if you arrive at the right time there is always a welcoming seat for any one which is their pride.
One of the last old classy places in Melbourne built on pride & service.
This establishment is exactly that word & a icon to the people that have been lucky enough to have had visit.
Hope Sisto's family can find closure & hope friend Nino can please continue the same level of decadence we all love from Pellegrini's.
So sorry for your loss & I will miss Sisto's friendliness :(
Hope this review helps some one :)
Ratings:
FOOD: .9.0/10
STAFF: 9.0/10
ATMOSPHERE: 8.5/10
LOCATION: 7.5/10
PRICE: $$
OVERALL: 8.5/10 THANKYOU!
Very busy and vintage style restaurant.
I was attracted by the wonderful smell of pasta when I walked past and decided to try out this restaurant.
Great comfort food 🥘 I had their lasagna and it was great 👍 big portions too
Amazing fast service 😊
Great staff great atmosphere and great food.. but it’s italian so it was bound to be. the Minestrone is fantastic as is the polpette e lasagna. Buon appetito miei amici
Hungry Little Dinosaur
+4
This is exactly how I run my kitchen, no muss, no fuss eat your food! Nonnas in the kitchen churning out beautiful Italian comfort food. So good on a rainy day!
A Melbourne Icon!
I love coming here so much because of all the friendly owners and staff. The most welcoming place in Melbourne.
I always order the same thing... Lasagna! Lots of thin layers swimming in sauce.
Watermelon Granita is a Must Try.
Could I eat here every day? Highly reccomend Pellegrini’s if you are after traditional Italian cooking at its best. Pictured is the lasagne and spaghetti carbonara. So fresh and always cooked on the spot which you can visibly see via the kitchen. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere matches. Can’t wait to return.
If you're in Melbourne or visiting Melbourne you need to go to Pellegrini's Espresso Bar. The interior looks a bit like an american diner with stools and long benches alongside the walls and the menu is on a blackboard. We had the seafood spaghetti which had wonderfully cooked pasta - however, the flavors were a little lacking. The Lasagne was delicious and the must-have is their tiramisu - the perfect balance of coffee, sponge, and cream! Their famous watermelon granita pairs beautifully with their dishes!
I mean if you haven't been here, you haven't really eaten in Melbourne yet. The food is amazing comfort food. It's exactly what your faux Italian aunty would cook for you. its warm, it fills you up and you go away happy.
Be prepared to eat at benches on stools, but this in no way takes away from the experience in fact it adds to it.
We were on the hunt for some pasta and it lead us to Pellegrini's. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews of this institution and I can see why. The menu on the board was difficult to read, at times we'd think their were some off-menu items as we saw dishes come out that weren't displayed anywhere.
We were offered some drinks, coffee, granita or mineral water. Would have opted for a glass of wine but settled for the granita which was refreshing, sweet and sour. Three of us ordered varying pasta dishes, they all came out in either a simple bolognese or napolitana sauce. A piece of bread given to mop up the tomato based sauces. Simple and okay, not sure the price justifies the ingredients used.
May come back for a coffee and cake, wish they had a proper menu because I have no idea what's on offer. The place is timeless and its major drawcard.
Best pasta in Melbourne.
Filled to the brim with personality and stories. Wonderfully kind servers, who welcome everyone like friends and family. My favourite restaurant in Melbourne. Always well priced, weve never paid more than $25 For a meal, 2 drinks and often desert. Servers, Especially the owner is incredibly friendly and ready for a chat. Love this place, however I understand its not for everyone. Alot of the people thinking it should change with the times, need to understand that its lack of change is the very thing that makes this place special.
What makes this place unique is the authenticity surrounding it! The menu is fixed, not much variations, but if you are looking for some good Italian food, then you have enough options!
The staff is friendly and makes you understand their menu, and if you already have something in your mind, then they can guide you through!
I loved my medium spicy bolognese pasta and definitely going for it again!
P.S. :- Not missing the espresso the next time!
one of my favorite places in all of melbourne fresh pasta at a click of a button and awesome set up that like fine wine looks better with age
This place is a Melbourne icon, there is a lot of history here. I personally don’t think the pasta is the best you can find, but the atmosphere is pretty cool.
Never ever change i wanna be mopping up spag bol when I'm 90 years old. 👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕👌🏽💕
Spaghetti bolognese at pellegrinis for Australia Day. You can't get more Aussie than that. As usual, good homely Italian service, the same menu since forever.
Haven't been here for ages. They still make a consistently good spaghetti bolognese, served with a fresh thick piece of bread and butter. Service was very fast and we lived the lemon/watermelon granita.
Classic Italian espresso bar with brilliant food and typical Italian service. The lasagne was brilliant and cheesy with the right amount of beef and tomato sauce. The bread provided as a small entree is always a welcome side to soak up spare tomato sauce.
Love this place, the look and feel is old but feels so comforting when you’re inside. Service is great, the lovely older Italian men are really nice and the food come out fairly quick. Had the lasagne last night and it was so good! The pasta sheets were soft, sauce was great and there wasn’t a whole heap of cheese on it (which is great because usually I can’t stomach it) the real winner here though was the watermelon drink! It’s so perfect on a warm night like last night! Been a few times and will definitely be back again!
Friendly atmosphere with casual bar seating. Staff are friendly and can have a good conversation. Food was quick to come out. The Lasagne here was one of the best I’ve tasted in Melbourne!
A unique dinning experience, the food is good but not exceptional especially compared to the price. It’s definitely an institution in its own right though. A place I’d recommend to every tourist. The food is simple and very home cooked style, good for a quick work lunch. Great atmosphere.
Awesome little Italian coffee shop at the top end of the city. Flat white and cheese cake for Sunday afternoon Tran was great. Have been there several times and always good fast service
Pellegrinis is the definition of authentic Italian food. Served straight out of mamas kitchen, the pasta is Aldente and delicious! We highly recommend the granitas and apple strudel!
This restaurant has not changed since ever, everything there looks old & original. The food is really simple in a good way & I love the pink (watermelon?) drink
I've been going to Pellegrini's since I was a child with my parents and I have always loved it. It's always consistently good and never lets you down. The lasagna is my go to - it's a classic and honestly the best. I also love the way pellegrini's have never changed its atmosphere and is almost like being in a time warp. It's such a great experience in more ways than one !
Came here for lunch and tried the beef cannelloni. I was served bread with butter while waiting for the food. Bread was not good, could definitely be improved upon. The cannelloni was a pretty huge portion with generous amount of sauce. Flavours were good. I was quite satisfied. Granita was average. You get the home style cooking and homely vibe. I would like to try their other pastas. Definitely returning
It's a humble Italian affair with seating either along the counter or the wall but the best one in the house is in the kitchen, together with you authentic nona serving home made 🍝 pasta, spaghetti, lasagna & apple 🍎 crumble.
The service is quick & homely, the place has plenty of character but this isn't the place if you are looking to have a quiet meal with a few friends. You get in, inhale some delicious Italian feast and leave satisfied
You can do a 3 dish combo which I'm planning on next time, the spaghetti was fresh but my friends lasagna was the winner on the night.
The apple crumble didn't disappoint so definitely leave some room for coffee ☕️ & dessert 🍨
Lives up to its name of being an institution. Jam-packed pasta bar that is ran by an Italian family. Very busy, with matter-of-fact service. Pasta was nice, although fairly basic and the apple crumble and espresso was a delicious humble desert. Strangely, I found the watermelon granita to taste more like mandarin or cumquat. Well priced with a particular charm.
Nearly 3500 reviews at the time of writing means pretty much all is covered I would suspect.
I have been to Pellegrini's a number of times over the years and still enjoy it. The red sauce is so delicious and never fails to deliver.
I might only offer that it's best to accept the place for what it is not what you may expect it to be. It's been a time warp for years and has created it's own unique 'charm' that is particularly Italian. Embrace and delight in a place that probably wouldn't survive if it opened new today.
After a movie at Kino on Collins this was exactly what I felt like on a cold night, comfort food a busy vibrant community of people seeking nourishment from plenty of singles to larger groups they came. The welcoming smell of quality pasta was nearly overwhelming and I definitely didn't decide my meal, the efficient gentleman behind the counter said have the lasagna so I did. Bread and water were delivered without asking and the lasagna arrived 2 minutes later!! Within 20 minutes I had been fed and watered, no alcohol is served which was a novelty as most restaurants push the drinks so hard. I will come again as different days have different specialties eg Wednesday is cannelloni mmmmm
Pellegrinis serves the best basic no frills authentic Italian. Great coffee. Quick and easy service. Friendly. Relaxed. Cheerful. Ambience is diner.
Great coffee with fresh, home made Lasagna. The pasta was so light and delicate. Yum. Pellegrini's is an authentic Italian cafe. Specialising in coffee and home made pasta. Nonna cooking at the back of the Cafe.
For 18 dollars a plate of pasta with nearly no toppings, its the traditional noona style canteen you are after. They were good, bolognese and pesto were delish but its something you could whip up at home if you get fresh ingredients and good pasta. Not mind blowing but generous in portions with 2 pieces of buttered bread to keep your belly satisfied
What can I say hmmmm
Sitting in the kitchen is tops the chefs r so friendly the food is fast good quality cheap and they apple strudel in out of the world not over sweet but so good u will eat another bit service very friendly the pasta was tasy intalian express bar quality if I was to complain about anything I would only ask to watch the time on cooking pasta I just found it a bit 2 soft but the bread is so fresh I would highly recommend it to anyone get in early if u want 2 sit in kitchen as u get service quickly and its the best seat in Melbourne . Its a shared table friendly and u never know who you can meet there so guys keep up the good work .Just please don't comment on my dog again in the lane way my friend and I were a bit offended by the comments
Service 4.5
Staff 4.9
Food 4.8
Size 5
Quality 4.9
Positive foods shn bhd will be there again
Review from September 2016
There's a reason this place is a Melbourne institution. Generous plates of homestyle pasta, soft buttered bread on the side and a watermelon granita to wash it down. I took my Mum, who used to visit in the 80s when she worked in the city. She reckons the last time she was there she was pregnant with me. (I think this explains my pasta obsession?) This is Old Melbourne at her tastiest.
Pictured: spaghetti saltati
I was last at this iconic and simply fabulous Italian restaurant 44 years ago. Nothing has changed and co-owner Sisto is the consumate host. His staff are friendly efficient and make you feel so welcome, and of course the Italian fare is straight out of everyone's dream of eating in Italy. However one only has to get to 66 Bourke Street, Melbourne, and it's like you are in the heart of Italy. If you are in a hurry for lunch get yourself to Pelligrini's - the buzz is amazing ............... I mean amazing. Thank you Sisto !!! Arthur & Nellie McKinley, Gold Coast
An authentic gem, tucked away in Melbourne CBD. The menu is not extensive, and is focused purely on tomato based sauces. Service is excellent.
Love Pellegrinis 😍 - I'm pretty much living here at the moment.
This place is generally busy so I recommend to come with only one other person 👫 - if there is a wait it's never long... you can sit at the bar or in the kitchen.
There's not really a menu - you have the classics - bolognese, carbonara, aglio olio, minestrone, the best lasagne ever and then there's also specials like cannelloni with spinach and ricotta. - Friday they have handmade gnocchi
For drinks it's coffee or granita - if you ask for a Coke which I did - you will probably get the response "I'll get you a granita" ... which I did .. and it will probably be the best thing you drink all week.
Anyway - your choice of pasta with your choice of sauce will be at your table within 5 minutes.. just like nonna makes it....
Afterwards if you don't think that you hit your daily carb intake you have home made pie, cheesecake, strudel and creme brûlée to choose from...
2 mains, 2 drinks, and 2 desserts only costs about $60 xx
🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Very traditional Italian cuisine served in a relaxed authentic environment. Completely worth a visit. Sitting in the kitchen and hearing all of the back and forth is as good as the food itself which delivers quality at great prices.
Vanessa Espírito Santo
+4.5
Want to eat a true tasty cosy Italian meal in a place filled with character where staff will welcome you with a big smile? This is the right place, just step inside!! You'll probably find a line to wait to be seated but don't worry, it won't be long before you'll get your place at the bar and it will be totally worth it :D The lasagna is great and the blueberry pie will blow your mind
Absolutely the best Italian experience in Melbourne. You won't find more authentic, tastier Italian food and warm/friendly staff. I love the simplicity....We felt like we we back in Italy. Fun fact, they were the first in Melbourne to have a coffee machine! We fell in love with Pellegrini's, and you will too. Try the lasagna and carbonara, get a glass of granita and a coffee. Everything looks great.
We were immediately transported back to Italy from the minute we walked in. The pasta was delicious (lasagna and carbonara) lemon tart was great and the coffee was just like you get in Italy, strong and exactly how I like it! Sisto the owner was so much fun to chat with and absolutely spoilt us. We just love the experience of dining at Pellegrini's! Chris Gryg
I know a lot of people have a serious gripe about this place, I love it! Food is good, coffee is great and I really couldn't give a bollox about service with a smile. 👍
We came here for a late night hot chocolate, well around 9pm. The hot chocolates were pretty rich but not too sweet being dark chocolate. The hot chocolates were ready really quickly after we ordered. The minimum eftpos was $20 cash and we didn't have enough cash on us, so my friend said she would go to the ATM and come back and I would wait there while she did say. The guy was super nice about it and said to not worry about that and that we can just pay the next time we go there, so I paid for mine but I guess we will definitely be back after that!
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Consistency goes a long way. At Pellegrini's you always know what you're going to get – the servings are always the same generous size, the sauce recipes probably haven't changed since the place opened its doors in ????, and the bread is still free (and equally difficult to digest, though this doesn't matter too much when you're using it to mop up a plate's worth of delicious napoli). The granita is excellent and the coffee is ok, but sticking to straight espresso is the way to go here. Pellegrini's has always had a very appealing No Fuss, No Frills vibe – it's noisy inside, especially when the cramped interior is full – but the perfunctory shouting of staff behind the service bar rarely comes across as unfriendly. Unfortunately, with soaring popularity, prices have gone up, and paying $20 (or thereabouts) for a plate of spaghetti is a bit on the nose, considering a huge part of Pellegrini's appeal for a long time was the relatively low price of a meal – there are restaurants virtually next door doing more sophisticated Italian for similar prices – but having said that, Pellegrini's is still my number one port of call whenever I find myself craving a decent hit of comfort food in the city, especially on a cold day.
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The Godfather Bar haha :)!!
Was down in Melbourne for the greek festival so before i went oppppaa with the Greek food i had to go Pazzo at the Italian bar :).
Dad & cousin wanted great coffee us being from Sweden expectations are high, strong long blacks in Sydney is 7/11 coffees back home haha, dad got a flat white with a big scoop of Gelato on the side & cousin got a long black with a Ricotta cheese cake :D.
Dad loved the flat white & he said the Gelato was really tasty! Cousin was happy with his long black, said its not as bitter as most coffee shops that serve long blacks .. they possibly try to hard ;).
I was running on an Empty stomach so i had which i thought was an overly than usual big portion of Canneloni in a bowl compared to any other place I've been to & ordered that ... i aint complainin though lol!! 2 big rolls, plenty of cheesy tasty sauce .. i was huddled on my own with my bowl of canneloni, it was a heavenly 10 minute treat :D, all great things come to an end though ..
The inside of this place was perfect low light & not blinding bright.. perfect to walk in & unwind on the double :). It's the closest to an American diner yet slightly narrower :), row of seats along the bar & another row on the opposite side & the kitchen at the back where the Magic cooking happens :D!!
This place has been busy for 60 years for a reason, you could say Melbournians know where there is good coffee & good food :D!!
When i was there it was newly wed couple having their wedding photos in the laneway with a black Mustang & was telling me he'd been going here all his life :).
Then again there are a few that can't drink a coffee unless it has pretty chocolate sprinkled/milky pattern on top or eat the food if it isn't instagram worthy ;) lol.
That what makes Australia great though haha, old school is still up the top with the rest :)!!
The Domestic Traveller
+4
With the venue and service being unchanged for decades, the daily freshly baked Italian delights paired with fine Italian coffee is what makes this place so great. Nay. An institution. Consumed: Long Black. A stop along the famous The Domestic Traveller food tours, I ensured Louis got to enjoy this iconic venue. And even though we recently had breakfast at Journeyman, we still had space for a coffee. And what a great taste it was too.
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