Best italian place in Melbourne, we love this place and it’s around the corner!
Awesome place..friendly staff..good food
Will definitely go back..
Best pizza and Italian food this side of town .... Marco and the staff are spot on !!!!
Amazing food, even better people. Highly recommend giving this spot a try!
Visited last week & already planning to go back this week! Beautiful staff, fantastic food and at a great price.
Bellissimo !! Good menu and best Wood Fired pizza I've had in a while .. grazie!
Everything was perfect, asked us how our food was, didn't have to wait to long for the food. Has the best nutella donut I've ever laid my eyes upon. Definatly worth trying and 100% am going to come back again
Thank you to Bruno and staff for making my birthday dinner so very enjoyable with your excellent service, delicious food and most especially for the beautiful birthday cake. The best pizzas I have ever tasted. The coffee was perfect.👍👍👍👍👍
The food was amazing! The staff friendly! Highly recommend
Love this place! Staff are always friendly and food is amazing ! Always a pleasure to come back!
I'm very picky when it comes to pizza. It has to have a fresh base with flavours that leap off it. Il Desiderio does just that. I'll be back for some of the most delicious food in Melbourne.
Thank you Bruno and all the staff last night for an amazing spread of great food!! A special mention to Paul Raffa on pizza duty. Great job!! We will definitely be back soon!!
Been going here for nearly 3 years and can I just say amazing amazing amazing home-made Italian food! Never disappoints. Love sitting outside and enjoying their pasta dishes and pizza. Very new to Zomato and found myself a bit surprised reading the lower reviews about this restaurant. The staff here are so incredibly friendly - Amir and Shima! Anyways, the desserts are just as good as the mains and definely should be tried as they add new ones every few months. However the go to for me is the panacotta. Such a great quality restaurant for one that’s hidden in a local area. Definitely recommend to those who live in Wheelers Hill or who are visiting.
Came on a Saturday night and it was PACKED with steady streams coming and going as well as some take-aways. We ordered the Porkies pizza and the seafood spaghetti and both were delicious. The seafood pasta was cooked perfectly al dente with great flavouring between the seafood juices, olive oil and garlic. We were so excited when it was delivered to our table in an aluminium bundle. The presentation certainly belied the lovely feast that awaited. Very generous portions and price is reasonable.
Despite the super busy action happening, the front of house staff were superbly attentive, friendly and efficient. It was so packed and noisy that the staff had to step outside into the cold each time to take phone calls! Only gripe is the very limited parking but obviously that hasn’t stopped the masses from coming. Will definitely be back again to try other dishes and the Nutella pizza that’s a constant recommendation.
Best Nutella pizza I've ever had!! And for the price, you can't get better pasta in Melbourne. The staff are really lovely and always quick. Always a high level of customer service here.
We went there as a Groupon deal.
The place was empty, but we were shoved into a table at the back,near the back door.
The entree took 30 mins, the main another 30.
We could not fault the meals. We had a garlic pizza for starters, one parmigiana, and an antipasto platter, plus a calzones, and a glass of wine each. 30 bucks for 2, a bargain.
Service was a little slow and inattentive.
Otherwise, a very good meal.
We will go back!
The Hungry Hungry Hippo
+5
Best pizza in the area hands down. Amazing crust and authentic taste. Very reasonable prices for quality Italian food, can't wait to go back soon!
Went on a Sat night, not the fanciest lookong place but that doesn't matter when the pizza is good!! Bother pizzas were nice, calamari nice flavour and overall good value.
Great pizza and pasta with a generous serving size. I would definitely recommend the nutella and strawberry pizza! BYO wine is available for $5 a bottle.
Been to a few pizza restaurants nearby from Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley. I am glad a little restaurant in Wheelers Hill actually could compete with some of the other restaurants in the nearby areas. The 2 pasta we had Pesto and Aoli Oli with Prawns, are very satisfying. Decent size with fresh ingredients. The wood fired pizza is really good, thin crust and with of hint of burnt at the edges. Prices are not cheap, but authentic Italian food beats any of those Domino's (across the street). If you want to taste authentic Italian food, this is the place for people around this neighborhood.
P.S: If you drive too fast, you are gg to miss it.
We ordered the Frutti di mare, Capricciosa, Diavola and BM pizzas and all did not disappoint. The pizzas here are authentic and a cut above any 'gourmet' pizza in the area. A great alternative to travelling all the way to Carlton. We arrived at around 6pm on a Friday night and were the only ones there, but it quickly filled with customers. Wait staff were friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable and we'll definitely return!
Pleasantly surprised by this place. Would visit again. Very filling aswell a bit on the pricey side but I can see myself paying that again no problem.
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This is as traditional as I've found with original Napoletana style pizzas- it's actually run by Italians who have recently come to AUS to my knowledge. The Pizza base is like one you'd get in Italy (as similar as I've tasted) and the toppings are ok. The Cappriciosa is the best in my eyes. Although their Pizzas are good I think their 'Pizze Bianche' (white pizzas-no tomato sauce on base) need work as once we ordered a veggie one and the base was so bland and toppings tasteless. Also, some of their toppings are rather suspect, with their Diavola pizza having processed hot salami. One would expect it to have a gourmet selection like sorpressata or cacciatora for the price and venue. Moreover, I'd come here just for pizza, it's what I know them for. Now to value, which I think is good, as the prices aren't crazy and you're getting a decently sized pizza for that price. They also do a deal with a pizza and a beer for $20 (I think). Service is standard. A good alternative instead of going to waste your money in the CBD or at a winery for a woodfired pizza that will cost you an arm and leg.
Note: their desserts are good too, Nutella Calzone was real nice! Tiramisù was average.
For a wheelers hill based pizzeria, I have never left this place unhappy! The pizza is fantastic and the staff are always friendly. Have never waited long for the pizza here either! Definitely give it a shot if you like Wood fired pizzas!
Delicious wood fired pizza and kids Spag Bol, Gnocci could have been a bit saucier but was still good. Service was fantastic, with a little coloring in kit / gift for my 2 year old niece. Def recommend
Nice cosy place, minimal decoration required for the space available, suits this restaurant.
Absolutely fantastic pizza, crusty thin base, nice quality cheese, very thoughtful to choose, tiny prawns and mussells gives a good taste to the palate and not too bulky at the same time. I must say, I haven't had such a nice wood oven pizza for a long time. Full marks 10/10 to the chef
@ Inam
Very good italian food specially the wood fire pizza is the best! Really good job guys. Thanks & see you soon! Parking is on the weekend sometimes tricky, but woolworths ia close by to park.
The pizzas are delicious! Ate the BM and Patata and the flavours were perfect. We had the pizzas take away so by the time we got home it had cooled but didn't affect the taste. Loved the thin pizza dough. Will definitely come back and try pasta next time.
The service here is absolutely fantastic and the food is delish!! We had the Quattro formaggi pizza and the alla Norma (pasta in Napoli sauce, eggplant and basil). The size of the meals are substantial and the flavours are great, and a casual, relaxed local setting. Service with a smile, food came out in good time, and we left with full, content stomachs!
Pizza is the best in the area though that would t be hard - mount Waverley is terrible for traditional pizza . There dough is amazing - there toppings are ok - the share platters we had had to Ma h similar cheeses on them.
May i suggest adding a gamberi to the menu - something simple with big flavoursome tiger prawn marinated in lemon and garlic with tomato base and some door Di latte .
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Wheelers wish fulfilment. Desiderio means wish and in the wilds of Wheelers Hill, it's a lovely surprise. A double fronted spot in a small clutch of local shops hides very good food, and family-focused service.
Opposite the Monash Gallery of Art, near the buffet magnet of Paesano and the eponymous local pub, a wander well away from home for a family dinner really paid off. We shared an antipasto plate with more than the average combinations, including fresh chilli cheddar, baked cheese and five different cold cuts. A Sicilian pizza with great grilled vegies was substantial and tasty. A huge parmigiana fried in butter with crunchy chips was a hearty main that two of us shared, with another two sharing a simple salty pizza with olives and anchovies. The final main was a solo dish, a seafood pasta that got grunts of approval with each spoonful. The Sicilians are famous for their sweets, and the desserts in Il Desiderio's cake cabinet looked really authentic.
The place was packed on a weeknight and it's not hard to see why. Service was casual yet effective and interested. We had a lovely Italian waitress from Milan. They also had a busy takeaway trade. Prices are also very reasonable for the quantity and quality of food. Supper saturation for five of us who aren't small eaters, together with a beer each, dinner came to $136 before tip. Wish fulfilled.
The only authentic south Italian piza in Melbourne!Delicious and fresh!Very friendly owners!Bruno is the best!Loved the food ,the gelato and the service.
Il Desiderio is a great place to eat, fabulous pizza and main meals are also just as good. Can't wait to dine there again soon. Friedly staff and great atmosphere!!
I've tried a few wood fired pizza's and nothing compares to Il Desiderio! The food is so fresh and so beautifully presented! Great atmosphere! Best pizzas, wouldn't go anywhere else! Everything on the menu is to die for! I love it!
Was so excited to try this new upcoming pizzeria, and I was defiantly not let down!
I was so pleased with the amazing fresh food I was served. The service was absolutely wonderful and the atmosphere left you feeling like your in Italy!
Hands down the best pizzeria I've been to in months, I can't wait to come back and try more of the different varieties they have at Il Desiderio!
Biljana Belinda Kostic
+5
This would have to be one of the best pizza restaurants that i have been too. Beautiful fresh ingredients. We ordered a variety of pizzas and they were absolutely superb! Staff very friendly and helpful, they could not do enough for us we were even greeted by the pizza chef/owner. Highly recommended! Will definitely be back!
Was recommended to try this place & was not disappointed. Best pizzas I have ever tasted! So tasty & light. The Nutella or white chocolate pizza is a must.
Luisa Puliafito-Jakubicki
+5
Fantastic experience. Had a real Italian/Sicilian feel. The food sent me back to Italy the pizzas are the best pizzas in the south east. Definitely will be returning
This small gem is a gateway to italian heaven. We went as a group and it was one heavenly thing after the other. The pizza is out of this world and so is the pasta. My son who is usually very picky ate his kids meal without even chewing he was loving it that much, then started on tasting some of our food. The prices are very affordable and what tops it off is that the chief actually comes out and meets and greets with all the customers which is something u never see anymore. This guys have got it right!!!!! I would highly recommend ohhhhhh wait i almost forgot about the desserts nutella pizza and the white chocolate pizza OMG 😍😍😍😍 amazing.
Great family service and beautiful food! If it's authentic Italian pizza your after you'll get it for sure! Eaten there several times now, thanks for the consistently delicious food guys!!
Definitely would recommend this restaurant to all traditional Italian wood fire pizzas so good so yummy left the place still feeling nice and light in the good way
Service was excellent complimenting the authentic nature of all the dishes especially the wood fire pizza. Would recommend to anyone looking for quality authentic Sicilian dining.
Il Desiderio definitely takes me back to italy. The owners are from italy and there restaurant will not disappoint. The menu is Sicilian based and they definitely do offer an authentic italian cusine. There pizzas are made fresh (not pre baked) with the layout of the restaurant being open you can watch the pizzaiolo make the pizzas from scratch. The quality of the ingredients are nothing but the best and you can tell they use fresh ingredients. The dough is light and soft just how pizza is suppose to be. The pasta is to die for and the desserts are heaven!!!! Well done boys you have an amazing restaurant! I'll definitely be back!
My partner and I tried this place on a Friday night. Unfortunately we did not have a booking and they were packed out. Luckily for us the staff were kind enough to squeeze us in. And OMG am I glad they did! The woodfired pizza was beyond my expectations! I couldn't stop thinking about it after I got home later that night and was still fantasising about it the next day. We shared a bottle of delicious Italian wine over dinner, my partner ordered the quarto formaggi (four cheeses) - which was delish and I ordered the house special - the 'BM' which is has cheese, prosciutto and topped with fresh rocket. To be honest, I wasn't sure about how good the pizza would be, because I’m not that big on crust. BUT - The crust is actually hollow in the inside and crunchy on the outside. So when eaten together with softer - almost slightly gooey - thin base of the centre - it is just heaven! Try it! - You owe it to yourself lol :) But seriously - I can’t wait to go back!
Il Desiderio is newly renovated and under new management, Bruno and Marco Cincotta have done a wonderful job of transforming this establishment into a modern and sophisticated eatery. Five stars all the way, great tasting pizzas, wonderful fresh toppings with lovely crust cooked in a traditional Neopolitan wood fire oven, just fantastic. Topped off the meal with a complimentary Limoncello which was a really nice touch. Hats off to Bruno and Marco and also to our lovely Italian waitress Eliana who was a delight to meet.
Highly recommend Il Desiderio, the best wood fired pizzas in the area!!
Buona fortuna ragazzi e ci rivediamo senza dubbio!!
Had a great date night out at this restaurant!
Usually don’t give reviews but I just had to after the amazing custom service that we experienced! On top of that, food was delicious and authentic, will definitely be back again! Thank you for everything!
Got the alla zucca (pumpkin purée and prosciutto pizza), mushroom and truffle gnocchi and the chips. Everything was so good. Have been here more than a few times and will continue to do so. Highly recommend for anyone looking for top quality Italian food and bonus points for it being a family run restaurant.
Really charming place with a great cozy, authentic Italian feel. Pizza was cooked really well and is super thin but at the same time gives you a satisfying crunch. The staff are really friendly and chatty which is really nice to see.
The best ever italian food in Melbourne. Cooked with love and care, taste was just nice, blend very well in all the ingredients!
I try the Bufala Margherita everywhere I go. The Queen Margherita here was honestly as good as 'Emma' in Rome. Nowhere else in Melbourne has made me feel like that before, and I've tried woodfired pizzas all over the place. Honestly as good as you can get in Melbourne.
Great food, great portions for the price. Exceptional customer service!
Update on the second time I've visited this restaurant, blown away once again with the friendly staff and service even on a busy mother's Day. The specials of the day were spectacular, II Desiderio has earned the top spot on my favourite lists of restaurants in Melbourne.
Another hidden gem in a local Wheelers Hill. Dishes and pizzas made by real Italian flavours, reminded me of Napoli. Wood fired pizzas and pastas are true authentic italiano style. Pizzas are light with all my fav Italian flavours, one of my favourite is salsiccia e porcini.
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