Review Criniti's Carlton - Melbourne

I booked for three via Google as it asked my choice of Google or Fork. I kept getting notifications from Fork. The place was awesome and dimly lit. We couldn’t read the ingredients of pizzas as the fonts was probably written in size 9. Pizza looked great. I can not say the same for its taste. The middle section of the 50cm pizza was soggy and had the taste of a dough. Wedges were probably crispy but the chef decided to place sour cream and the sweet chilli sauce on top of it. In a matter of 10 minutes, wedges had no crisp what so ever. If these additions were placed in small dipping ceramic bowls, their crisp could have been saved.

The menu was huge and exciting! Loved the cocktails and food, have already decided I will definitely come back again as I want to try something different every time. Staff were lovely too, thanks for a great experience!

The service is really poor, tables not level and small to comfortably hold even three pizzas. The pizza dough tasteless and as if that were not enough the dinner bill was topped up by an additional 10% because on Sunday, in any case restaurant to be avoided.

Booking 5 people 1pm. Had to wait to be seated over 10 minutes, during that time different staff members walked past us 12 times. Yes 12 times (I counted)! Twice I got their attention only to be fobbed off. Eventually we were greeted and seated. We were there for friends birthday if we weren't I would have left. Very extensive menu, actually ridiculously long. 300 items I think. Shared warm olives, garlic bread and extra long mozzarella stick. Mains, spaghetti pachino (get it) napoli sauce, spaghetti marinara, penne pesto, meatball pizza and vegetarian pizza. Also side of chips and salad. OK so the menu had items with ridiculous names like pasta Frank Sinatra. The art was unbelievably bad think dire paintings grouping Italian pop culture icons together. The unisex toilets were a mess which call me crazy, I always find off-putting. Drinks were apple juice, coke, beer, red wine and Australian sparkling. Bizarrely only one Prosecco on offer but by the bottle. So an Italian restaurant with no Prosecco by the glass. All had a look at dessert menu which again was a ridiculous amount of choice. Only one of us ordered, ricotta cheesecake which unbelievably they didn't have. I think Crinitis is quite gimmicky with its decor and it also tries to be all things to all people (300 item menu). Restaurant would be better if they narrowed their food offerings, dropped the tackiness, cleaned the bathrooms and greeted people, who have actually booked, instead of ignoring them for over 10 minutes.

I came here with a group of 10. Very nice restaurant inside with a perfectly lit setting. The staff were friendly and attentive. I had the halloumi chicken parmigiana with a side of fries. Other than the presentation being below average and not very appealing, the chicken was completely covered in halloumi (and potentially mixed with another cheese to melt), and tasted just okay. The chips were placed in an oversized bowl that shadowed the main and hid the tasteless vegetable sides. I think this popular dish could be greatly improved.. The menu was extremely impressive, but also overwhelming. The popcorn prawns were tasty. Thanks 🙏🏼

Burnt pizza. Dirty disgusting serving boards. Very sad burger, the patty is so dry, chewy and cold. Burger meal was served without dips for the chips, not as promised in the menu. Unprofessional staff and poor service. Not recommended at all.

The pizza was the standout as well as the calamari. The rest of the meal was average, the wine was also great. Our table was very wobbly and nearly knocked our drinks over a couple times. Overall will definitely be back for the metre long pizza and the calamari. Staff were friendly, the drinks ect took too long. Some of our entre’ arrived after our main.

Great location with ambient outdoor seating. As it was quite busy on a Monday night, our food took a while to be ready. The pizza was fantastic. We loved our bbq ribs. However, the grilled seafood platter was a disappointment as it was bland and tasted not as fresh as expected. All in all a good dining experience if you're looking for a place to hang out with friends afterwork.

Visited Crinitis on a Saturday evening with a booking, the restaurant was extremely busy and we were seated shortly after our booking time. Location is convenient as it is just off Lygon street. <br/><br/>The extensive menu was a little overwhelming, however good for larger groups as there is something to please everyone. The pricing is around the medium range, but not surprising due to location and popular chain restuarant. <br/><br/>Service was underwhelming as we had to wait over an hour for our food, not surprisingly as it was peak time. Our waiter however was attentive and friendly, he checked on the progress of our food as requested. Was able to accomodate minor changes to the menu (swap out steamed vegetables for chips).<br/><br/>We ordered steaks, lamb chops, salmon pasta and killpatrick oysters. All dishes were very nicely cooked, the meat was tender, juicy and full of flavour. Everyone was extremely happy with their meals and could not fault the dishes.<br/><br/>Would probably reccomend Crinitis to others, however expect a long wait time if you are going during peak trading hours. If we were to revisit, we would try their pizzas!<br/><br/>Follow @crumbinyourpants for more content on Instagram

I have been here three times each with a benefit of doubt. However after this review and the last visit I will not be returning to a restaurant that has left plates with food eaten by customers for at least 20mins during NON PEAK hours (Wednesday 2-3pm). Additionally we waited for an unreasonably long time to order considering the manager was present at the bar and our table seated in front of the counter. <br/>During my second visit , a staff member handed me plates to hand out to the 6 other guests at the table...definitely not the best service <br/>Also , we watched our food sit at the serving station for a solid 15mins while staff walked past it a few times to go out and clean and it wasn’t until we asked if it was our that they served it to us.<br/><br/>It’s a shame that the service does the quality of food injustice

The menu is extensive covering from their famous pizza, pasta, and other main dishes like veal and steak. The buffalo wings are great, it's spicy and tangy. The pizzas are also great although the dough can get a little tough for our liking. The criniti pasta was average and on the bland side. Place is big with multiple rooms and also seating outside.

Amazing pasta

Pizza was good but staff not so much (they weren't all bad some were wonderful) but they just wanted to kick us out as soon. As we were done (or while we were STILL eating!) Asked for a dessert menu 3 times and no one gave one, and then after 30mins I was told I couldn't have dessert because we had to leave our table. So unfair! The Southbank one really set the bar high and I feel this restaurant will need to work to get up to their standard. The South bank one let us sit for 4+ hours on a busy night and the staff were SO welcoming and happy for us to be there! Rather than just trying to move us along and get out

Pizza was amazing however cannoli was full of cheese no spinach and no Napoli Sauce had to ask for it the edges was dry and no taste and more mozzarella cheese on top and a line of dried out Napoli sauce on top. left disappointed told manager.

Took over an hour to get our entree then another hour to get our main... we were only offered 7% off which is what they use for their VIP, which is already have.. So management wouldn’t bad an eyelid I guess.. the one in Southbank is 100x better .

The pizza is great, the meat platter is great as well<br/>The service is good; doens't take long time to be served even during the busy times, or weekend nights.<br/>I would give it at least a 4+ rates

Unfortunately our visit (for a birthday) was not a great experience. Our seating was extremely squished (9 people + 1 child crammed onto a table suited for about 6)<br/>There was about 1 foot between us and the next table which meant that every time people would pass by or staff would serve food, I needed to shift my seat forward or stand up completely (this happened almost every minute)<br/><br/>Upon booking, I was never told of a time restraint. When it came time to serving the cake, we were told that we would need to “hurry it up”. When the cake did come out to the table, a few of us missed it due to moving aside for another table of guests to pass.<br/>We also asked multiple staff for cutlery and plates that were not present at our table, only for them to forget about us.<br/>At one stage I asked if the high chair could be taken away to provide us with more room and this request took 10 minutes to happen.<br/><br/>The food (2m pizza) was absolutely delicious and really good value for money but unfortunately this is the only factor of the night that was enjoyable.

I am a big fan of the margarita pizza... Absolutely delicious and does disappoint....<br/>This place is a family-friendly environment, especially for large functions.. <br/><br/>There huge pizzas are awesome...

Came here with a group of people on the weekend. We all ordered pizza to share. Toppings and base were all enjoyable. Service was not the best.

went back to Crinitis tonight against everyone’s better judgement but my own, they had not had a pleasant experience last time but vowed to give it one more shot. We definitely enjoyed ourselves on this occasion. I stuck with my tried and true gnocchi pesto and it did not disappoint. I’m not sure they are necessarily coverts but there were no complaints (thankfully as it was my restaurant pick). I just think you can’t beat it from an atmosphere perspective <br/><br/><br/>Update<br/>We dined at Criniti’s following a film at cinema nova which was most convenient. The place was absolutely packed but we managed to get a spot in the back. The space here is huge and our area was really funkily decorated (even the bathrooms are all decked out). <br/><br/>The serves are definitely generous and reflect that Italian hospitality you expect of a restaurant near lygon st. Authenticity is a key component of their offerings with all the competition nearby. There is around ten varieties of pasta available and they are all handmade daily which is impressive. <br/><br/>There is also something like twenty different types of sauce to select from so you are definitely spoilt for choice which is why I probably almost always stick with pesto gnocchi- it’s delicious. The only fault was it’s no longer in the entertainment book <br/><br/>Original review <br/>I've been to Criniti's on numerous occasions in Sydney and after years of rumours that they were going to extend into Melbourne finally the Carlton branch arrived. Boy was I disappointed. The staff are actually horrendous, like beyond rude. <br/><br/>Dishes we ordered never arrived, water was requested multiple times and failed to make an appearance and the waiter we had was completely unapologetic. Zero farks given. <br/><br/>In saying that on this occasion I loved my gnocchi but others I was dining with were quite unimpressed. The menu appears to have expanded and they seem to have lost the execution with so many things on offer rather than focusing and specialising in fewer dishes. Three of the four I was with said they would not return so I think that's saying something.

We went last night, made a reservation for 6 and when we got there it was empty. I thought why are we booking? Seated it was nice and the ambience was dim lighting surrounded by memorabilia. <br/>The menu was a little confusing such as a picture what appears to be a can of soft drink $5.9 is actually a glass or a jug for more than double. I quickly chose a glass of Moscato. The food was delivered in a timely fashion and presented great. All eyes followed the seafood skewer come to my table. <br/>The staff we friendly however not in uniform, I feel like maybe there should be unity with the staff and it looked like anyone was serving as they were in casual attire. We didn't get bothered very much. Not sure if that's good or bad. There were a lot of children (school holidays) imagine the price of their bill for soft drink! <br/>The toilets are unisex and the basins are tires which is cool but you'll be trying to wash your hands quick awkwardly when you see the opposite sex. <br/>Didn't get asked about dessert because we knew there's a popular ice cream store across the road. <br/><br/>By the time we left just after the restaurant was full with a queue out the door. <br/><br/>All in all, despite all the terrible ratings it was pretty good food and yes expensive for drinks and sides. <br/>I would probably come back for a date or to spoil your parents.<br/>

Our first time at Criniti’s in Carlton and it was terrible. We ordered at 7:30, received our drinks at 7:55, Our entree which was a bruschetta platter came out at 8:20, and our mains which were just 3 burgers at 9:10. Entree was good but not much for 3 people to share (it was designed for 3 and had about 6 small pieces of bread) but as an entree I don’t expect much, it may have just seemed small considering we waited 50 minutes for it. The burgers were just not nice. Only one of us ate it because they were too hungry to not eat it. The beef wasn’t warm, it was like it had been sitting out for the 50 mins we were waiting for it after our entree! Overall it wasn’t a pleasant experience. We ended up getting 7% off the bill, which was a nice compensation but didn’t really seem like enough considering how long we had to wait for food that was cold and underwhelming. We ended up going home and making our own dinner, at 10pm.. sadly, we won’t be back.

Veal was overcooked and service rude. Menu is massive, which is normally a bad sign. Prices are high and do not match the quality and service. Give it a miss.

Absolutely shocking customer service, had a reservation for 7pm and still waited 2 hours for a table, a subpar pizza and experience. wouldn’t recommend.

Beware the Sunday surcharge!<br/>Criniti's Carlton add a 10% surcharge to the bill.  Nice surprise considering the food is average and the service is poor.<br/>The menu doesn't advise about the surcharge nor do the staff.  There is no signage in store that advises this.  I won't be back.

I have to say, $5.90 for a coffee, with Sunday Surcharge on top of that, is just ...<br/>RIDICULOUSLY overpriced...<br/>8 of us paid over $50.00 for coffee ...<br/>Never again

Average food with extreme prices. The 3m pizza is a novelty for a larger group but if that’s not your go, there are better options around. $6.50 for a glass of Diet Coke sums this place up.

What a disappointment this place was. Food was not traditional, very overpriced & very average. Pizza claims to be woodfired, but not. It was dry & hard, with more crust than toppings. The service was terrible, had to keep asking for drinks, food, etc & we were practically the only ones there on a Wednesday afternoon. Don't even get me started on the state of the unisex toilets! We were going to order coffees, but at $5.90 for a capuccino, based on the quality of food & service, thought not & went elsewhere. Do yourself a favour & dont bother.

Being in hospitality myself, coming to Melbourne from Adelaide this place used to be my oasis where I knew I was getting amazing food and good service (I used to tell all south Aussies to eat here) But this time down right horrible, garlic bread was burnt. I got a pasta which was horrible and bland. The staff have no idea what the food is or how to explain it. To top it off, I didn’t eat my meal because it was horrible and was expected to pay because I apparently didn’t send it back with the “correct” employee, still I refused. But, to be honest - I’m devastated my favourite place to eat in all of Australia just became dead to me..... obviously has changed owner ship With in the last year and needs to change back.

Will come back for:<br/>+ Buffalo Wings<br/>+ Spaghetti Marinara<br/><br/>Came here with some friends for a quick bite to eat. We shared some oyster kilpatrick which were good (although the oyster were on the small side), some buffalo wings which were tangy, spicy, sticky and moorish. We also had a couple of pastas to share; a penne and the spaghetti marinara (all the seafood in this one were perfectly cooked and flavoursome). A good and modern Italian eatery option in this stretch of pretty competitive strip. Service was prompt and friendly. Prices are above average but not fine dining level.

Got the 1 metre pizza, onion rings and chips. Pizza was really average. Prefer the crinitis at south bank. Service wasnt the best either. Onion rings were good though

Pizza was good but the other meals were not nice. The service was slow had to ask waiters to take our drinks and meal orders. Very overpriced.

Rude customer service. Ordered a 0.5m pizza and literally got a 30cm pizza - I’d rate this place a 1 star but the pizza was actually decent to eat, a bit soggy however.

Decided to go checkout Criniti’s as a different alternative from the usual’s to see how it was now. Previous encounter was pleasant.<br/><br/>Not long after ordering (around 3 minutes) was surprised to see the rigatoni already arriving at the table. The pasta was well underdone but decided against complaining, had also seen another table order the same 3 meats rigatoni whom sent it back post a few bites.<br/><br/>The 4 seasons pizza was good and crispy though. Overall experience lack lustre and not worth the price for the quality given.

Staff are welcoming and polite, food was delicious but a bit pricey. The incorrect meals were bought to our table. Staff were quick to resolve this issue though.<br/>Pizza was very yummy and chefs are happy to cater to any individual needs.<br/>

Pizza was pretty good especially their frank sinatra pasta. Unfortunately - the good stops there. Staff although making eye contact do not approach you. We had to wait a while to get served despite several waiters walking around. After dinner we asked for the dessert menu three times before it was given. Good for a big group - but wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again

Service is appalling, tables are sticky and dirty. We sat down and ordered a salad and lasagna at 5.15pm prior to going to movie and we were served after 6 pm. There were only 4 tables occupied when we sat down. The lasagna was AWFUL, tasteless and so overpriced. The $28 salad that supposedly had walnuts and a honey dressing came with none, just a bit of rocket, a tablespoon of ricotta and a few grapes . A very overpriced and tasteless menu and disgraceful service. Get better food at a food court. Will be choosing anywhere but Critinis in the future.

$4 for a babychino, and $6 for a coffee not worth finishing. I feel like I’ve been stolen from... I hope they at least make good food but I won’t be back to try.

Have you ever paid $14.96 for 2 coffees? Probably not unless you've been here. My husband and I stopped for a coffee and ordered a skinny latte and a decaf almond milk cappuccino. When we went to pay we were charged $14.96! Are you serious? I questioned the bill and the response I got was there's a surcharge, I was happy to pay the $1.36 surcharge - however charging $5.90 for a sit down coffee is ridiculous! You need to re-visit your pricing structure because that is not what a coffee is worth these days. I wouldn't recommend this place unless you want to be ripped off.

First of all I wish I could rate a 0 but unfortunately I have to give a 1. <br/>It took almost two hours for our food to come out, when we asked where our food was, we were told it was coming, they lied, it never was, because they forgot about our food. When it finally did arrive one meal was burnt, one was a pasta dish without the pasta (ok maybe a few pieces of pasta) and one tasted as if it had chemicals/dish soap in it. <br/>We then asked why our food took so long, 4 different waiters and not one of them could explain to us why. Can’t complain about the drinks, since they never arrived to the table, so we didn’t even bother asking about them. After two bites one person decided her food was not edible and we told the waiters, they looked confused and didn’t know what to say and said “we will talk to the next person”, well the next person said the same thing. We complained to the manager who said he would be right back to discuss my complaints further. He never came back so I had to call for him. When it came time to pay the bill, the manager said ok we will fix it up. Ok giving us the 7% discount I would’ve already received since I’m a member does not make up for the lack of service, terrible food and disaster experience we faced tonight. Used to enjoy going here but looks to me as if no one including the chefs in the back know what the hell they are doing.

This is there $30 puttanesca. Some how both dry and greasy and so sauceless that when I threw it out it was the shape of the box.<br/><br/>I specifically requested chilli which puttanesca should have anyway.<br/><br/>There was no chilli not a single olive, 3 capers and no sauce or confit.<br/><br/>It was just plain flavourless pasta with cheap oil on it. 🤢 NO BODY could eat this!<br/><br/>I got a pizza too. It was gross and soggy but edible.

The food is amazing esp.pizza, the service is horrible. We ordered 3 italian hot chocolate in cups, but they gave us two milk chocolate in two glasses. When we asked why they gave us different drinks, the staff explained without further looking into it said, they must just changed to glasses...... We had to show him the two drinks were actually different as in color and the taste... But how can you just try to solve the problem by just saying random things. Customers are stupid, but not that stupid!

Worst Restaurant. Will not recommend to anyone. Perhaps go to some other Italian restaurants.Food was really bad. Service staff was really rude. They won't even bother to serve you water unless you really ask for. Will never come to this place again.

Very great dinner at Criniti’s. Extensive menu, and the food is very delicious. Surrounded will be noisy, probably not recommended if you want to have a quiet chat. Overall, definitely recommended!! Service fantastic..

Disappointing <br/>Poor service from wait staff once you finally get them to come to the table, long wait for food, and the pleasant addition of a “Sunday surcharge” on our bill despite going on a Friday. <br/>Won’t be back

Fantastic food and service. Probably the best pizza I had in years! It’s a shame the atmosphere is ruined by the blatant ‘in your face’ marketing for Nutella!

Absolutely fantastic food and atmosphere,love the feel of the Italian culture!! Get down to one of their locations for an awesome dining experience!!

If you’re after that infamous photo of the long pizza then this is the right place for it! The food is average in my opinion. This restaurant is great for catering to larger groups. My favourite flavour of pizza was Nonna Caterina. The ricotta and rocket worked well on the pizza. It gives the pizza a fresh and healthier twist to the pizza. Would love to try other flavours on the menu.

Crinitis always serves high quality tasty food. I am a regular at this place and the pizza/pasta is always beautiful! Crinitis is always busy so you need a booking, definitely my favourite restaurant on Lygon!

I had an awesome time catching up with my friends at Criniti's it definitely brings family, friends together in this lovely place. The pizza was mouthwatering, the pasta was delightful and pretty flavoursome. Everything about this place is just authentic. I love seeing other people get their massive pizzas from here. Quite Attentitive here, I also love their plating it's just so colourful and says everything about their food, fun vibrant and awesome.

今天我和我朋友被两位印度小哥带来了这家餐厅吃饭～这家店不是在lygon st，但是在faraday靠近lygon的那边，规模挺大也挺好找的。我们下午2点去，主要还是吃甜品（卡路里）的老外多。<br/>我们四个人点了一个pizza，一份牛排，两份意面，还有乱七八糟饮料啥的。这家店的量真的是可以的，到最后bolognese的意面都没怎么动就撑得不行了，那根本不是一人份好嘛😂😂rib eye steak的味道还是棒棒的，要的medium-well肉质也很嫩。<br/>这家店唯一的吐槽点就是，上菜慢。其他都很好。价格方面，也lygon上意大利餐厅的均价吧。牛排～50，意面～30。我们四个人吃了大概170。

Crinitis Carlton<br/>198-204 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053<br/>@crinitis<br/><br/>Walking into Crinitis I had really low expectations as Zomato reviews were really bad. It was one of those cases where we wanted the novelty of long pizza so made a booking before checking reviews. <br/><br/>The menu is lengthy, with plenty to choose from which made it overwhelming. Ended up ordering Polenta Chips, Chicken and Beef Rib combo and a metre-long pizza with 3 different toppings.<br/><br/>Do not order the Polenta Chips, very underwhelming, they weren’t crispy and the sauce was just ok.<br/><br/>The chicken was soft, juicy and tasty with lots of flavour! The Beef Ribs didn’t fall off the bone and weren’t as soft as we would’ve liked, however the flavours were on point making it really tasty and enjoyable to eat. Like really enjoyable. <br/><br/>The metre-long Pizza was epic and heaps of fun! Very insta worthy and you’ll be spending a couple of minutes taking photos of it. With 3 different toppings you get a bit of variety and it was really good and enjoyable! <br/><br/>The family had a really fun night, and everyone walked out full and happy! We would highly recommend going to Crinitis as a family or in a big group and enjoying the spectacle that is the big pizza and sharing some BBQ meats while having fun. We wouldn’t recommend taking a date there as the menu prices are on the higher side and you may get distracted by the motorbike on display. Overall we would rate it 4/5 <br/><br/>#food #foodbeast #feast #eatingfortheinsta #foodporn #foodgasm #foodie #melbournefoodie #melbournefood #onthetable #tastingtable #eater #fatty #foodblog #buzzfeedfood #zomatoaus #foodblogfeed #instafoodie #instagood #yummy #cheatday #goodeats #2bytwoadventures #crinitis #pizza #metrepizza #bbq #ribs

Second time coming to Crinit’s Carlton. This time I was here for a friends birthday. Food was decent except the fries on the pizza were a bit dry. They told us they couldn’t do the two types of desserts that my friends chose so Cannoli was the decider and they were horrible! Service was average as there was a language barrier with some of the staff. Also there was a nice surprise at the end with the bill- A “Sunday surcharge” that no one cared to tell us about and they didn’t have it advertised anywhere at the front of the restaurant before you walk in!

• Crinitis • I was always very iffy coming here, I feel like the more popular a restaurant is the more overrated it is, but nevertheless I paid a little visit, and was not left disappointed. I guess I was a little broke that week and could only afford the pizza 😜😜 but I honestly loved it so much, the base was just cooked to perfection, thin and crusty, just how I like it, not toooooo much topping so you really taste the flavour the pizza, not a grocery list. Service was really fast, not really focusing on the customer but just trying to get the job done, but I can’t blame as it is packed to the max. Price is .... well as I said, I could only afford the pizza .... definitely give this pizza joint a visit!! - after pay day! #foodporn #foodblogger #italian #pizza #crinitis #dinner #lygonstreet

Service is atrocious. Cute decor though. Food is okay but I supposed after 45 minutes of waiting and wondering if the motorbike will fall on you, you really don’t care. Staff run around but don’t actually do anything. Oh, it’s overpriced too!

Decided to go out on a Saturday to Crinitis for dinner. It was a last minute plan and so we didn’t make a booking and was ready to wait for a table. However, when i arrived at Crinitis, I was asked to put my name and number down for a wait list, and so I did. I ask about how long it would be and she told me 30 minutes MAX. So, we waited for 20 and i went to ask again, hoping it would be another 10-15. She then tells me it’s going to be another 30 minutes and said that I would receive a text when a table opens up. <br/><br/>I waited for a total for 40 minutes and asked the staff at the front for the third time, they guy seemed frustrated and annoyed. Then asked me I could be seated anywhere? And i said yes, i don’t mind. He then walks me out to an outside table, to where he spoke to the guy in charge of that seating area. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but i was getting the vibe that he basically told the guy to put us in ‘there’. He pointed to he far corner table, where it was pouring outside and the shelter did not cover this table. The guy disrupted all other diners n asked then to stand up so we can get in. <br/><br/>At this point, it was too troublesome. We sat down at this corner table n it started to rain even more, I asked to move table and they told me no. And so, we left Crinitis, still very hungry and unhappy. Did they really expect me to pay $80 dinner while getting soaked by the pouring rain outside. It was ridiculous. <br/><br/>I understand making bookings, but they also take walk ins. Don’t tell me it’s going to be a 30 wait, then another 30 and another. Just let customers know you’re booked out, unless you know in advance there will be a vacancy. And the staff needs to be able to deal with situations like this, especially at a busy venue like this. It was terrible, i’ve been to Crinitis countless times before, but that was the last time, i’ll ever be going back there.

Very attentive service. This place is more for quantity. It seems quite pricey, but portions are large. Good for tourists. Large venue which can suit large groups.

Great place for events and birthdays especially the 1.5m and 3m Pizzas. Food quality is nice and mostly fresh which is great and the service is good, however can get quite busy and so make sure to book ahead on the weekends especially. However the thing that lets it down are the prices. Can get quite pricey for food that you would get from an average Italian place as well as a bit noise heavy. <br/>Would come back.

With an extensive menu, i recommend minimum 45 min of reading time alongside a b.y.o book light to accomodate the small text and mood lighting. The 1 metre pizza was great in taste and to share and that's as far as my compliments goes. My fellow eaters experienced sub par service where cutlery and condiments seemed like an after thought. I also question the meat they served as the steak was overcooked yet undercooked at the same time. It is hard to explain but the piece of meat did not look juicy or appealing while the texture resembled meatloaf. Pasta dishes were average, seafood tasted like it had been sitting there for some time, our coke drinks had lemon slices floating in them which i did not appreciate. Overall a less than mediocre eating experience. Pizza ok.

Underwhelming experience from the get go.<br/>We could see the man who appeared to be the manager rudely dismiss the waitress who was trying to help us find our booked table. We also lost count on the number of times the wrong order was taken to our table and how many times we had to ask for cutlery and sauce after our food had arrived.<br/>Food was below average. The worst dish being the steak which tasted dry & powdery (Powdery...How is that even possible?)<br/>I know a restaurant might have its good and bad days and I empathise but considering the price of each dish theres no excuse for low quality produce. With the combination of mistakes and poor service I can safely say that I wont be returning again.<br/>

Worst service ever asked so many time for sauces, knifes, drinks etc. food wasn’t that great either steak was over cooked and dry. Won’t be coming back here. No wonder why it is 2.5 in rating

Waiter miscount the plate and waited for a long time to get one. We asked for water since we sit down and served until our drinks arrived. Everything seems to take so long, and the food is just ok.

Came here for first time since Brunettis moved out. The pizzas were nice but pricey. Lots of food on the menu, you are spoiled for choice. What i didn't like was that i was charged 10% for dining on a Sunday. Why ? This charge is hidden in small writing on the menu. I will be back but never on a Sunday.

No sure why the low rating, the pasta is pretty good and massive portions. Great place to have larger groups , the 2or3 Meyer pizza seems to be a crown pleaser.

Great place for big groups! Their special pizzas by the meter is great for sharing with up to 6 flavours for the 2m pizza everyone gets to choose their favourite. The menu is extensive however the quality is quite average.

From a long time lover of this restaurant, we visited Criniti's for my partners birthday and not sure what was more disappointing.. the long wait to receive a gluten free pasta dish that had a gluten based sauce, or the lack of interest and concern from the waiters. This restaurant was once a stand out on lygon street, however the long waits and discern for customers has lowered its reputation. With such a busy atmosphere, staff really need to manage everyone professionally and punctually. Doubt I'll be returning anytime soon, very disappointed.

Ahhh where to start? Came here with my family, loved the decor and general feel. Sat at table for six and they handed us three menus..had to ask for more. These menu's you cant share. Menu might as well be a novel and the tiny writting and darkness made it near impossible to read. Soooo many options.. too confusing. Waitresses were few and far between.. the one looking after our section was often looking away from tables and its so loud she couldn't hear anyones calls. Us including many of the tables around us were getting increasingly annoyed.<br/><br/>We ordered and drinks came out quickly. Given we were starving and it seemed busy we asked for a bowl of chips to start. They took 40 minutes to arrive. Two tables around us were also getting quite vocal with mix up or orders, length of wait time, poor service ect.<br/><br/>Finally food came out. I ordered 4 cheese gnocchi.. don't ask me how but they managed to make it bland. No flavour, no seasoning, no parsley.<br/><br/>My sister ordered spaghetti marinara.. was mainly calamari. Some muscles and a bunch of pipi shells with no pipis in sight in the dish.<br/><br/>Dad ordered vegetarian penne which he enjoyed and we had two pizzas which were ok.<br/><br/>Heres something else that really annoyed me. Just an example of the ridiculous level of service. When we sat down there were 6 empty glasses on the table. We requested table water.. which came with another 6 glasses. We then ordered a jug of coke.. and out came another 6 glasses.. all the while.. not one waiter or waitress thought to remove any of the 18 glasses on our table for 6. No jokes... even when the food wouldn't fit on the table.<br/><br/>Disappointing.. i really thought based on prices we were in for a treat.. but it wasn't the case.

Not the first time I’ve been here but definitely the last. Had a booking for 14ppl at 830- got seated at 9 after lining up outside for 30mins as if we were at a club. The table was only for 10ppl so we then had to wait another 15mins until the group next to us finished so their table could get added to ours. The menu could be mistaken for a book, it’s huge. And $37 for a chicken parma!? Must be made of gold. Food took quite a while to come too and my order never arrived... when it finally did it wasn’t even hot. It’s not bad food, but it’s not great either. Staff were good considering it was a really busy night but just very poor organisation skills.

I'm very disappointed in the service and in the quality of the food. I waited for my food for over an hour and it finally arrived after everybody finished eating. When the food did come out it was soggy and you could tell that it was not fresh. after asking the waiter for it 4 times they realised that they forgot to put the order through. The quality of the food is not worth the price you pay. Really disappointed

The service has been on the way down over the last year. Unhelpful staff who don’t know the menu and couldn’t answer basic questions to help my gluten free girlfriend. Asked for slight changes to avoid intolerances (easily done things) and nothing was changed. Also slow to bring out the food or water that was asked for 6 times but extremely quick to bring out the eftpos when done. Then wouldn’t split bills which they do during the week and added credit card surcharge without any notices. Not going back.<br/><br/>

I love the atmosphere of this place, it can get quite busy so get a reservation. It is not a classical Italian restaurant but the food is decent and portions are, I must say, massive. You won't leave this place hungry that is for sure. Their special pink sauce is really good. However, some dishes are quite inconsistent. Staff is always friendly but service can get crazy during busy hours.

One of the best pizza places in town!! Having the metre long pizza boards for a night out with friends is a really fun and enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend! Still hanging out to try the pasta here so will definitely be returning 😍

Known for its 1,2 or 3 meter pizzas, It’s a authentic Italian restaurant that provides very nice tasting dishes. The pizza is a must although I did have carbonara and that was good, very big portion tho

Absolute Rubbish!!! <br/><br/>We only came here because the one in south bank was very nice. <br/><br/>Firstly the pricing is outrageous!! 2 little chicken schnitzels priced at nearly $40, my face dropped when it came out. Our food took over 40 minutes to arrive. The gnocchi was so bone dry it felt like I was eating rubber. <br/><br/>When we went to pay they asked how the food was and I told them it wasn’t the best to which he then completely ignored it and threw the receipt at me.<br/><br/>!!DO NOT EAT HERE!!

We were there in a quiet afternoon, the waiter was very friendly. We ordered pork belly pizza which is nice but I personally don't like fruit (pear) on pizza. The Mediterranean salad was okay. The only thing I didn't enjoy was my cocktail, I ordered "dillinger", the watermelon is in small chunks so I couldn't drink with the straw. I would rate this place 3.5/5, but now there's not an option for point 5 (a bit disappointing).

You must take photos of the giant long pizza! Obviously bring a large group of people to finish it. Staff was friendly and attentive . Food was delicious too .

The quality of food isn't that great for the price you pay, we had a couple of pizzas where it looked like they just added what ever was lying around the kitchen, the ham that was on it was so salty, crust was so think it felt like we were just eating bread, little topping, no cheese and little sauce. ALSO be aware that there is a 10 percent surcharge on Sundays which was not made clear to us when we booked, or when we arrived so we were alittle surprised to see the extra charges on the bill. Honestly it wasn't worth it.

Pretty bad quality food. Italians would be too embarrassed to see their food being trashed at Crinitis South Bank.  Din't find the staff to be friendly. Infact they were pretty much trying to get us to leave. Why would someone go to a restaurant and feel unwelcomed?

The 1m pizza was quite spectacular (you can get three different types of flavours and toppings). The portion size of the spaghetti was huge. Prawn and avo salad was alright.

Have been here a few times now. Huge menu- it’s almost confusing. Pizza is great but other meals inconsistent... sometimes good and sometimes average. A little pricy but servings are big that you could share mains. Even the kids meals are big. Customer service is okay but need to focus on cleanliness of tables.

Criniti’s Carlton has a lot to offer! We have walked in as a big group and staff was attentive throughout our whole dining experience. Their pizzas are a must do, although the 1 metre pizza is huge so make sure you are changing between a few people! I personally ordered the frank Sinatra pasta which is a seafood linguini and i must recommend it! The seafood was fresh and well seasoned. <br/>If you are around carlton and you’re after a good atmosphere and good Italian food, this is the place for you!

Been here with friend's last Tuesday. We seated inside because of the cold weather and the ambiance inside the place is good.<br/>We ordered pork ribs, pasta marinara, traditional pizza and 3 different kinds of burger.<br/>I must say that it's really not a good decision to order a burger in an Italian place, the patty is so dry and they put too much bbq sauce (I had their pizza burger).<br/>We were disappointed with the waiter as well by giving us 1 glass each for lemon lime bitter and water.

Went here for date-night minus child. The maître d was lovely in catering for us (since we didn’t want to share a table). We got a 0.5m pizza (Margherita & pollo bbq) which was delicious and well presented on a wooden board. Would love to go back as a large group so we can order a 3 metre pizza! The only downfall is that it’s pricey

I came here Monday night for dinner with friends. First off, we were served all night by a lovely young lady (didn't get her name) and a hound gentleman names Ivaldo. Shout out to them for the excellent service! The food we ordered were all in generous portions, and the flavour in all meals was just devine. I would recommend anyone to come here!

Theres nothing special about the food considering its high price. Great ambience though! The food took a while to come out. Also I wouldn’t recommend sitting outside as the floor is slightly slanted.

I was here with a friend for an early pre-movie dinner. There were no hiccups - the staff were friendly, we were shown to the table, the food arrived timely. I raised my eyebrows at the food prices - pizzas starting at $24.90 and pastas starting at $26.90. Is this Sydney’s Leichhardt prices in Melbourne’s Carlton? At those prices, our pizza and lasagne were just ok - competent but nothing to write home about. Then came the 10% Sunday surcharge and the 1% service fee for having the luxury of the cashier punch a few numbers on the machine. For the same price, we could have gone to 38 Chairs on Rathdowne St instead for superior food, service and ambience. But why not turn it into something positive and whinge about it on Zomato.

Smoke and mirrors<br/>The look of the place is really amazing. Well decorated and warm. Waiters were always friendly and most were Italian accented which was nice. <br/><br/>Unfortunately the food is a little hit and miss. I’ve been here a few times and tried a few different items. The menu is one of the more expensive on Lygon and usually the price is justified with great taste and reasonable portions. <br/><br/>Unfortunately, the recent time we visited the portions were less then impressive. A friends Pasta was petite compared to previously and most upsetting, the grilled seafood platter was not worth the $50+ price tag. One prawn, one small piece of fish, 4 baby octopus and 6 tiny calamari rings with some chips and and a salad. $35 meal - max, shouldn’t have been 50..<br/><br/>Really debating on returning. Lygon Street is a mixing pot of amazing Italian food at pretty reasonable prices. Competition is high. Paying a premium in this coveted area, you’d expect much much more. Sadly Crinitis has taken a isn’t hitting the spot and has taken a downturn.

Amazing location for events! Had my 18th birthday dinner here, and was lucky enough to get a few 1metre pizzas! Exceptional service for 20+ guests and very affordable.

We had pre-made a booking for 6 and were surprised to be seating outside without being asked first. It was cosy & heated but it does rain sideways in Melbourne 😣<br/>Over the night drinks were slow, often forgotten to be ordered and when we ordered 3 x jam donut shots... 3 actual jam donuts arrived (we laughed about this for ages).<br/>The food was timely & well spaced out as we were getting fuller & fuller as the generous serves kept coming!<br/>I had the olive & mozzeralla brushetta, gnocchi 4 cheese & the ricotta pizza pockets for desert. The food was AMAZING and cannot be faulted at all! My partner also had pizza & pasta and could not fault anything!<br/>A free round of lemoncello for all was unexpected & a great refresher between main and desert.<br/>We will definitely be going back - even though the service was abit lacking they fixed what they could as quickly as possible.<br/>If you love Italian food - definitely visit!

Food quality at Criniti’s is average but the portions are huge. We ordered pizza in the past and the base was soggy. Last night we went to Criniti’s for a snack and ordered what was listed as potato fries on the menu and a watermelon drink. When the potato fries came out, it wasn’t fries. I thought fries were meant to be thin? They came out looking like normal size potato chips. The portion was generous & the chips were crunchy so we weren’t complaining.

TERRIBLE! <br/><br/>They started off with giving me the wrong drink and thought that I wouldn't know any different. The menu is so long and complicated I didn't know whether I was at an italian restaurant or an american diner. They were serving protein shakes and triple stacked burgers! Then we asked for water ... three times before they finally decided to bring it out. The staff were rude and unhelpful and the overall dining experience was awful. The food was just reheated pasta, I could have made better myself. Don't even waste your time with this place.

Lovely atmosphere in such a great location! The menu is upper extensive and able to cater to vegans, and GF, as well as many other dietary requirements. Definitely worth a visit

Yeah sure, the service isn't gr8 but come on guys- we cannot see pass the fact that this place serves up amazeballs carbonara and calamari???? literally my go to place for kick ass carbonara. <br/>As much as people go there for the instagram worthy pizza, my advice is usually to pass in those.

Food is delightful.. Meter pizzas are good.the dough was burnt in places, but the toppings were nice... Service could use a bit of work. Almost ended up making the payment until the next round of drinks arrived. . Not worth too many visits for the price.. But yeah, definitely worth a try.

We always come here with family! Last night we had a booking at 7:30pm for my sisters birthday. Ofcourse it was ruined by the rude management and our stupid waiter. <br/>We ordered our food and at 9:20pm still haven’t received our food, we try to get our waiters attention to order drinks or get water but he kept ignoring us ( he looked like he didnt want to work) such a shit customer service the waiters are so arrogant they think like theyre better than you! Anyways so we decided to speak to the manager and she was so rude had no idea how to deal with complaints. Our pizza arrived at 9:15pm and dad had to eat ( we were all starving). The managers excuse was that “they were busy”. Anyways so we decided we dont want to stay there anymore they have ruined our experience and my sisters birthday! The manager kept insisting that we pay for the shit pizza with anchovies (that we asked without) and we said no we’re not paying! She said in my culture we would pay for something we eat! So not only did she not know how to manage the place she also insulted us by saying her culture is better? Like seriously never had an experience like this before in any restaurants in Melbourne! So disgusting! Never coming back again!!

Criniti’s more like Cheapeaties.<br/>Ordered the 3 metre pizza but I only stepped out approximately 2.75 metres. I spoke to management to raise my concerns and they explained that whilst the pizza started at 3 metres after the cooking process the pizza shrinks to 2.75 metres. I asked them to maybe consider these ratios prior to advertising their measurements to the public to avoid any further disappointment.<br/>The pizza tasted great despite this issue.

I went to Criniti's Lygon on Christmas Eve with my partner for what we thought would be a nice brunch. To start with, the service was slow and mediocre. We ordered "the healthy breakfast" and was sore...ly disappointed: it came with fries (not healthy at all?), dry bread, and a dollop of cottage cheese - not seasoned or anything, just cottage cheese. I'm not sure where Criniti's got the idea that cottage cheese tastes good alongside breakfast food. Two "healthy" breakfasts and two iced coffees came to ~$65, ABSURDLY overpriced for the pitiful quality of food. Furthermore, we were then charged 0.50c just to use a debit card. Considering how expensive the food is, it was baffling to me that I was being charged a fee that any restaurant with a shred of integrity would cover the cost of themselves. I asked to speak to a manager, my request was denied and I spoke to just another staff member who told me "it was the bank and there was nothing they could do". It is ILLEGAL for a business to charge excessive fees for debit cards, the maximum is 0.5% per transaction. I strongly suggest you consult the ACCC on your practices. I, nor any of my friends and acquaintances, will never be spending another cent in this poor excuse for an establishment - terrible service with aloof, rude waiters and mediocre, tasteless food.

Friendly, helpful service. It’s chaotic but they all seem to know what’s going on. Prompt service, food is excellent as are the cocktails. Would highly recommend.

my friend had made a booking, we came 15 minutes early and were told we had to wait exactly 15 minutes for our booking time to be seated. That was fine as we could see the restaurant was clearly overbooked and looked like you would have to strangle the next person for oxygen. When we finally got seated by the incompetent staff member who clearly saw i had a PRAM and my 4 month old baby, gave us a table at the WINDOW at the far end of the restaurant. Am I suppose to fly my pram to the other end because there was no SPACE for me to even move it past any table as people were seated and would have been an inconvenience to them. there were empty table spaces right next to the counter and enough room for me to park my pram there. So then the staff member tells me to LEAVE MY PRAM AT THE BACK of the restaurant because apparently she reckons i’m going to sit with my 4 month old on my lap in the back corner and be able to eat comfortably. I immediately told her I will NOT do that and that’s just not ok. She realises this and agrees, can’t believe she suggested it in the first place, obviously does not have kids and manners or effective management of table seating for patrons. Staff almost had a panic attack when we requested a change of table due to lack of space. They did organise it, however took a chair away even though we booked for 6 people. Had to ask for the chair back. Unbelievable. what sort of restaurant are you running ?