Apart from the fact that the manager is a Lazio supporter, I love the vibe, service and food. Especially the Roman style dishes. Forza Roma.đ
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Il Caminetto is a local Moonee Ponds Italian eatery offering authentic and homemade dishes at a reasonable price. The menu has a huge variety of starters, mains, sides, desserts and even simpler options for kids.
Once upon a time, local pizza dining entailed a run to one of the chains (you know which ones) or the local takeaway store for a family-sized, greasy pizza. Pineapples and all. The food scene around Melbourne suburbia has since evolved quite a bit, and there are now several eateries which offer quality wood fired pizzas. Iâve always been a fan of the chewy bites and the gorgeous char imparted from a wood fired oven since my first bite at +39 Pizzeria however many years ago, so Iâm quite stoked that I can now get my hands on a wood fired pizza without a trek into the city or beyond. Enter Il Caminetto in Moonee Ponds, a mere ten minutes drive from home.
Melbourne Lifestyle Blog
+4
Seeming Italian is not just about the accents⊠although it certainly helps. Il Caminetto is an authentic pizzeria and pasta bar on Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds. It is relaxed, but clean. Casual, but stylish. Great for kids, or couple wanting something romantic. Really it seems Il Caminetto ticks all the right boxes.
Itâs Il Caminettoâs clear passion for food and great service, in a casual but welcoming setting, which is what makes it the new fave. Value for Money: 4/5. Verdict: The New Fave â put it as number 1 on the to do. The New Fave dined courtesy of Il Caminetto. Post Comments (Atom)
I was invited to dine at Il Caminetto and review the food that this place has to offer. By the end of my meal, I had become a fan of their food. This was one of the best Italian meals that Iâve had in Melbourne. Il Caminetto is located on the corner of Pascoe Vale Road and Bent street. As you enter the restaurant you can see the kitchen and the beautiful pizzas cooking in the wood-fired oven. There is some seating in front of the restaurant and more at the back. The front of the restaurant is well-illuminated however I thought the lighting at the back was a bit dim. The interior of this place was simple and welcoming.
Everything about this restaurant is fantastic. The food is always quality and delicious. The staff are really friendly and accomodating. Highly recommended! :)
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We have been to the sister restaurant shop 225 numerous times so thought wed give this one a whirl. Firstly its a much bigger space with a woodfired oven and a separate other kitchen. This meant there was lots more choices on the menu. We decided that we were there for pizza but fancied an entree so we split a prawn risotto. There was enough prawn meat in it to make it worthwhile and mostly the flavour was good l just found they'd used a bit too much EV olive oil and it dominated the flavour. l also thought that even though it came on a huge plate the portion wasn't as big as ld like.
We tried the Capricciosa and added anchovies which were huge by the way and we also had the Diavola. Both pizzas were of excellent quality though the mushies on the Capricciosa had leaked a little juice sogging up the base of the Capricciosa underneath a bit. That was my only criticism of the pizzas. The roasted peppers on the Diavola were a delight.
Didnt try anything else but will probs go back when have more time and order up a bit and try some wines.
So lucky to have this amazing restaurant in the local area. Easily the best woodfired pizza in Melbourne. Several visits and each one has been excellent. Great service, no surcharge on Sundays (open lunch and dinner). Many pizzas can be made vegan. Nice little selection of drinks, ask for the lemon bellini or try the montenegro spritz! Specials menu changes including new pizza options. Sublime. âââââ
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I couldn't recommend this spot more! It absolutely deserves every star I've given it! From the service (which is so friendly and accomodating) to the food to the drinks selection, it really does tick all the boxes. I'm so glad I ventured to Moonee Ponds (a bit of a distance from where I'm based) in order to try this destination. I'll definitely be making the trip again!Â
My partner and I came here for a date night during the week. We were firstly struck by the gorgeous, cosy and intimate setting. It's very cool how you can watch the pizzas being made right in front of you! We ordered the eggplant dish as well as the garlic and herb pizza bread to start (with a couple of wines, of course).Â
Originally, we'd ordered two pizzas with some fries.. but we were encouraged to consider the lasagna too! After some contemplation, we decided we'd opt out one of our pizzas for the lasagna (I was told it was one of the best vegan lasagnas the waitress had ever tasted.. and I trusted her!). Thank goodness I did. It was one of the most sensational dishes we enjoyed that night. As a vegan myself, I'm always impressed when an authentically Italian destination like this is so willing to accomodate to my dietary preferences.Â
I truly can't wait to return!
We ordered take away from here twice. My son has a dairy allergy so we asked for vegan cheese and requested new gloves and washed equipment be used.
Our request was taken very seriously and my son enjoyed pizza with us for the first time. The pizza was also really delicious.
What can I say! Bon Appétit! Homemade pizza place can't get better then this. It's like you walked into someons home and they are ready to greet you. Lots of vege and vegan option. Bruschetta was tasteful, with fresh cut tomatoes and parsley. Spaghetti cooked with fresh tomatoes sauce topped with cheese. Fresh hand made pizza soft and crisp. And end with pavlova. Will be back to this place. Grazie
We enjoyed a casual dinner here. I thought the staff balanced the service really well managing to be attentive while still keeping a relaxing, casual atmosphere. It a busy and popular place so definitely worth booking a table if youâre visiting on a popular night. If youâre gluten free or vegan this place has an amazing menu with endless options. I had the lamb gnocchi. The gnocchi was perfectly light and the lamb melted in my mouth, while the touch of rosemary was a delicious addition to the flavouring. Added a focaccia on the side and this was covered with toppings and the dough was soft and tasty.
Dined with my mum at Il Caminetto after seeing a review on Postcards and my tastebuds were blown away.
The black ink pasta with snapper crab, zucchini, chilli and tomato confit was the most amazing pasta I have ever had, it was so delicious and felt really light yet so tasty.
The Napoletana pizza was mouth-watering with one of the best crusts I have had on a pizza.
And the Tiramisu completed this amazing experience, it was so creamy and heavenly, absolutely to die for.
I also have to give a big compliment to our waitress (I think her name was Chloe) she was excellent.
I canât wait to return again, it is a pity there are only 5 stars to give because it deserves more.
Hidden gem ! stopped here for a post lunch coffee and dessert. The staff was very friendly and warm. Had the best Vegan Tiramisu and the portion was huge for me , my partner and 4 year old to share. Cant wait to go back for lunch :)
4.5 Even early on a Sunday Il Caminetto is bustling. With a traditional Italian menu thatâs almost entirely available either Vegan or Gluten free, this...
Just finished up having the most amazing Italian dinner at this place. They have managed to combine great food, service and atmosphere. We waited about 5 mins for our table to be ready at the front bar which was made of the most beautiful terrazzo sipping on spitz. The restaurant is warm with an understated sense of class. Left happy and full. Definitely going back soon.
Being the sister venue of my favourite pizza place Shop 225 it's fair to say that my expectations were sky high. To my delight Il Caminetto did not dissappoint. The pizzas were absolutely amazing, and the vegan options at this menu are the best I have ever seen at any non-vegan pizza place, possibly any pizza place all together. The menu might be overwhelming but make sure to not miss out on the Zio Pino, it's the star of every dinner and I no visit to Il Caminetto will be complete without it. *free meal
Went here tonight for dinner as we couldn't be bothered travelling to the city for decent pasta and pizza. The restaurant was cosy, staff were lovely and the food was great. We ordered a pizza with mushrooms, truffle, nduja which came out perfectly. Love Neapolitan style pizzas! (IMO much better than gradi). Also had the squid ink pasta and tortelli filled with potato and leek. The pasta portions were really generous and we were stuffed.
Finished off with Tiramisu that was super Yum.
Will definitely be back!
Approximately $100 for 2 w drinks
An Italian restaurant is probably the last place you would think to take anyone whoâs gluten intolerant, however, Il Caminetto isnât your ordinary Italian restaurant. The restaurant itself, the staff, the food all undoubtedly authentic Italian, but the options for gluten-free pizzas, pasta as well as the wide range of vegetarian/vegan options on the menu has opened a whole new world for those with said dietary requirements.
Since the opening of Il Caminetto, the restaurant has truly established themselves as maestros of the Melbourne pizza scene. If you are looking for quality pizzas of the gourmet kind, this pizzeria should be at the top of your list.
The restaurant possesses a warm and familial character with its menu grounded in strong Italian heritage. What sets Il Caminetto apart is their ability to cater to this authentic Italian style of cooking whilst offering vegan and gluten free options without a single sacrifice to flavour.
Cruising around the area on a public holiday trying to find signs of life in one of the restaurants, we happened upon Il Caminetto and so glad we did. Canât praise this place enough - food was fresh, simple & delicious but the real highlight was the service. Every staff member was courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble for them and considering Melbourne has been lacking in great service lately (đ), this was highly appreciated. definitely going back for their gnocchi (pinched some off my 1 year old nephews plate... you do what you gotta do...) soon!
Offering an upmarket dining experience thatâs coupled with a classic and an authentic experience, Il Caminetto seemingly has it all. Delicious traditional Italian dishes like the Abbachip Alla Roma is a must, and of course, the pizzas too!
Round it off with such warm and friendly Italian hospitality and quality wines, this is the place you want to lounge around all afternoon.
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+4
The owners behind Shop 225 in Coburg have taken over Il Caminetto in Moonee Ponds, bringing across their famed pizzas and large vegan and gluten free range. Unlike Shop 225, it has a fully-licensed bar, and although the food menu is slightly more refined, it still retains the authentic flavours that theyâre so passionate about.
Great authentic Italian restaurant with friendly service. The look and vibe as you walk in feels like you've just walked into Italy. This place is relatively new but it was surprisingly bustling!
We started with an entree from the special menu; prosciutto, figs and rocket salad. The combination of salty, sweet and bitterness worked so well together.
The mains were a risotto with prawns, lime and rosemary and a salame wood fire pizza. I don't usually order risotto but this was amazing. The flavours from the prawn and rosemary were delicious. The wood fire pizza is as good as they come. The combination of light airy dough and generous toppings makes this place my new go to pizza joint.
Great experience, highly recommended
Il Caminetto in Moonee Ponds, a well-established Italian restaurant in the Northern Melbourne suburbs was one of the first wood-fired pizza restaurants in Melbourne! So it was unsurprising that they had perfected the authenticity of their Italian pizzas. I loved the layout of the restaurant, with so many bustling chefs around the massive wood-fired oven up front, friendly waitresses around, and a larger group space towards the back. The chefs were so kind to even let me try my own hand at handling the wood fired pizza pan! đ
Fantastic food. The best pizza ever. I love the zio pino made vegan and with olive oil instead of truffle oil.
We ordered vegan risotto balls and they accidentally gave us non vegan ones, but their customer service was amazing and they replaced them quickly with vegan ones, apologised and didn't charge us for them. No problem with the pizza at all. We ordered vegan nutella calzone and they accidentally gave us vegan nutella pizza but we didn't mind it was good too!
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We were invited for dinner to the newly opened Il Caminetto (The Fireplace) in Moonee Ponds and had no hesitation in accepting their invitation.
It was a Tuesday night and the place was packed â it doesnât take long, less than a month in fact for the news to travel â that this was a place to visit for good, authentic Italian food.
The first thing you notice is the beautiful wood fired oven next to the open kitchen, with crisp white walls and that beautiful smell of freshly cooked food and you know youâre in for a good night. The owners played a major role in decorating and renovating the restaurant, so itâs all done with love.
We ordered the Croquette di pesce which was potatoes and red snapper croquettes served with a leek puree, the Polenta Concia Con Porcini which was a soft polenta dish cooked with cheese, served with delicious Italian porcini mushrooms, the Gnocchi di palate which came with asparagus, smoked ricotta and pumpkin cream and the Quattro Formaggi.
The polenta dish was very tasty with subtle flavours and the mushrooms added the extra taste and it was delicious. The snapper and potato croquettes were unbelievable - crunchy on the outside and full of soft filling on the inside which was jam packed with flavour.
The gnocchi was incredible - super soft and they melted in your mouth like little soft pillows of pure joy. The pizza was incredibly cheesy and stringy and that wood fired oven flavour is simply the best. All the dishes were generous serves and we were most satisfied.
For dessert we ordered the hazelnut ice cream with strawberry and vanilla ice cream. This stunning dish was beautifully presented and was a great way to end an incredible meal and a most enjoyable dining experience.
Il Caminetto, is a vegan and gluten friendly restaurant (just like its predecessor - Shop 225), the service was spot on and it definitely warrants a return visit. For downright spectacular Italian food Il Caminetto produces the best and brings the warmth to The Fireplace.
Definitely our favourite pizza place in the area. We drive past several other local places to get our weekly indulgence from they lovely folks at Il Caminetto. Delicious pizza with a beautiful base puffed up from the wood fire and full of great toppings. Keep up the good work guys!
We ordered the vegan mushroom pizza which was very quick and smelt great! The pizza tasted amazing however would have like a little bit more mushrooms for the price. We also ordered the funghi al forno which was lovely and I couldnât fault it. The customer service was above average and would definitely come back again
Ok, I admit I have not eaten here for awhile. This review is only based if the original owner still runs this place.Â
Use to frequent this place when I lived in the area. In my opinion the "salsicce & fungi" pizza is the best pizza in the universe ! The mozzarella in carozza was red hot too !
Nice little restaurant, good service. Ordered chicken parmigiana, tasted good but not as good as I had hoped for. The chicken was made from scratch. My criticism was that it needed to be thicker and the Napoli sauce needed some garlic, salt and pepper as it was lacking in flavour. The pizza was really good, my only negative was that the vegetarian pizza needed some kalamata olives added. Next time I will try the pasta and get the pizza again + olives.
Fantastic pizza, flavors exploded in every bite, highly recommend, beautiful. I had the lot, it was quick, tasty, the only negative was the centre was a little soggy, made it hard to eat with your hands as a pizza should be eaten, but as for the flavors, really nice.
I ve been there Friday night with my boyfriend, and we had the best pizza with seafood ever!!! We had a really nice night, the staff was really friendly and we had the pleasure to meet Frank the manager, lovely person.
We will be back for sure!
A little corner place with very nice food and friendly service. Wood fire pizza, homemade pasta and fresh salads. The do what they do well.
Tried, true, reliable, local. Tick tick tick tick. Banging pizzas. TICK. We really rate these pizzas. Their pizza oven has got it all going on and their pizza dough has the perfect balance of salt and crisp. Dining space is not glamorous but the pizza is lush. Also their lemon sorbet in a lemon half is the shiz
It's difficult to know where to begin to praise Something Italian. Everything is great from the hospitality to the atmosphere, from the service to the food. Meals are outstanding. I've yet to have anything here that disappoints. A real knockout favourite is the bruschetta entree,  pizza basewith fresh  cherry tomato, rocket  and parmasen cheese. So simple but oh so very good. Everything is good: pizza, pasta, specials veal scaloppine in lemon. They do a wonderful Sweet calzone & Tiramusu dessert. It's out of the ordinary and just fabulous.There is nothing to dislike at this very traditional Italian experience. The food is consistently divine and service impeccable.so long as we remember to book! Before dining.see you soon.
This restaurant is a little gem. Not beset by all the razzle dazzle of the usual Lygon street eateries with their touts on the street trying to hustle a customer or two, this place survives and thrives on its own merits of providing an authentic Italian dining experience.. .A group of ten  of us visited this restaurant on  last Saturday. The service was extremely efficient and our waiteress  was very informative as to the food and wine that was available.we  decided on the calamari, focassica steva  for the entrée and the Vitello rosmariano veal and pizza for the main course.Both were perfectly cooked and presented. We then gave in to temptation and had the tiramisu. I'm so glad I did as it was excellent.I highly recommend this restaurant. Suggest you book ahead as they always seem to be very busy waited 20 mins to get table.we definitely come back and thanks for nice hospitality.
Pizza is always cooked to perfection. I have them on speed dial. đ
MELBOURNE'S BEST AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA & GNOCHHI SORENTINA. Staff were fantastic, super attentive without being overbearing. Relaxing atmosphere, the men behind the kitchen also made us feel very welcome. The pizzas were absolutely incredible , thankyou!
Standout for me would have to have been the delicate freshly made gnocchi Sorentina & Cannelloni- they were wonderfully Soft and delectable made for the perfect accompaniment to the special in board we ordered.A bit expensive but wouldn't complain about the price considering the quality of the restaurant but owner have to consider it.
All in all, great night thanks to some fine hospitality. Will definitely be back for more. Grazie, Julian :)
Will be back for More !. Haven't been there for many years and decided to try Il Caminetto Moonee Ponds last night ....originally was going to Woodstock but one look at the prices and decided to try a cheaper alternative. We had the chicken parma (Perfect !) ...my favourite of all pizzas a Margherita (amazing !) and a Capricciosa (Perfect !)...and they are BYO wine. The service was friendly and quick...although we were the only people there.
Would recommend this for anyone looking for great Pizza and great Parma's .
James
Such a delight!. Beautiful food, beautiful survive!
The Fettuccine Carbonara was one of the best I ever tasted, the Pumpkin Gnocchi was to die for!
Our waiter was so kind and friendly!
Fully recommend going, will be returning soon!
Best margherita pizza around this side of town!
Always delicious food and best gnocci ive had :)
As a regular customer, the food at il caminetto have always been delicious whether it is pizza or pasta! It is a pity to see such racist comment!!!! I believe its the skill and not the nationality who makes the pizza! I strongly recommend the food there!
Traditional Italian style service,fantastic pizzas, awesome seafood pasta and the other stuffs,friendly staffs,homely environment and much more!! Highly recommend the restaurant. You never get disappointment.
Fantastic pizza never get dissapointed.services excelent
Although sometimes staff have forgotten to prepare my take-away on arrival, the pizzas are outstanding. The best is the frutti di mare, but request it with a white base. It's not on the old menu. Go lads!
Very business cafe pizza restaurant which is always a sign of something good.
Suggest a booking as there are limited seating.
Meals are good with a variety on the menu.
Service is good with attentive staff.
As we come out of Covid expect prices to slowly increase and this venue is no different but still reasonable.
Very busy(And it had like 3 separate rooms)Very clean,Amazing food and amazing workers they were so kind and were always asking "Is there anything I can do for you" instead of you always having to tell them.The food took a while but it was perfectly fine because I understand that it was very packed and the food was amazing so it was a really lovely night You should definitely go to this place it is absolutely amazing.Delicious food,Splendid drinks and Yummy desserts.Definetly a 5 stars place.đđ
My favourite Italian restaurant in the North West side of Melbourne. Love the Woodfire pizzas. The scampy spaghetti is to die for!!! Also great cocktails too.
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đŠ Spaghetti Neri Alla Pescatore
đ Pumpkin Asparagus Risotto
đ Saporita Pizza
đ Lasagna
Il Caminetto (translating to âThe Fireplaceâ) is a newly renovated Italian pasta and pizza bar inspired by the beautiful, rocky city of Matera. They pride themselves on their traditional homemade fare and cater to everyone, impressively offering gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian options for almost every dish on the menu.
We visited this year for Motherâs Day and the venue was packed and buzzing. You can really tell how authentic they are and how much they love what they do. I couldnât go past the lasagna, one of my favourite italian dishes of all time. It was great, lots of layers and plenty of flavour, although it had the strange addition of what tasted like rosemary which I didnât love. The pizza had a perfect base but the cheese used was incredibly pungent and hard to ignore. My mother thoroughly enjoyed the seafood pasta, and as I looked around the room she wasnât the only one who did. Dish of the night was definitely the pumpkin and asparagus risotto, it was absolute perfection and exactly what a risotto should be.
Since dining the seasonal menu has slightly changed and some dishes may now be unavailable.
âïž 4/5
This place is absolutely amazing. Best Pizza / Italian place in Melbourne. I have eaten here so many times and every single time the quality of the food is consistent. The staff are really friendly and remember our order as well. Also have tasty vegan options. Highly recommend.
Delicious pizza, and friendly staff. They let my boy who was fascinated by the pizza oven look inside from a safe distance. Will definitely be back again and I recommend this place for a posh pizza as we call it in our family
The best Italian in all of Melbourne. The best Italian in the area. Absolutely adored this place. To top it off, the service was fantastic too. Canât wait to come back! Iâm just sorry the photos do not do this place justice.
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