A rare few restaurants become part of a city's story.

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Since 1952, Donnini's has been feeding Melbourne from the same street, with the same commitment, and the same belief that great Italian food begins long before it reaches the table.

 

Fernando and Elena opened their doors on Lygon Street when Carlton was the heart of Melbourne's Italian community - and a meal shared was more than a meal.

 

It was a declaration of belonging.

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More than seventy years later, their grandchildren still run the Donnini's you know and love.

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In 1982, the Italian President awarded us the Ciao Italia Award - best Italian restaurant in Australasia.

 

In 2025, The Age Good Food Guide awarded us a Hat.

 

The decades between those two moments tell the same story:

 

A family that has never chased trends, never cut corners, and never stopped caring about what lands on your plate.

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The pasta is handmade.

 

The sauces are slow-cooked.

 

The carbonara is made with guanciale, egg and parmigiano - not cream.

 

Just the same traditional recipes, done properly, the way Nonna always made them.