Like the precinct’s spruikers, the choice really is overwhelming when it comes to Lygon Street restaurants. One will tell you they have the freshest carbonara in the southern hemisphere while the other will stake claim to a 400 cheese pizza. Both worthy options, but dig deeper and you’ll find a diverse culinary offering ranging from fiery ramen at one end and modern Australian at the other.
While this list begins with some very solid Italian, it’s worth keeping your options open when it comes to which suburb of the street you plan on visiting, and what cuisine you’re after, too.
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Here are the best restaurants on Lygon Street for 2025, from Italian to Chinese to Lebanese, the Carlton hotspot has all this in more:
Lagoon
263 Lygon Street, Carlton
Image credit: Lagoon | supplied
Lagoon has a hefty authentic Chinese-inspired menu. Exploring traditional techniques and combining them with contemporary spins, dishes include kimchi fried rice, stir-fried beef with fried potatoes and charred capsicum or steamed barramundi with shitake mushrooms and pork scratchings. There’s also an extensive wine and drink, so grab the team’s recommendation of what booze will work with your order at one of the best restaurants Carlton has to offer.
INSIDER INTEL
- Ask nicely to see if they're cooking up what is usually a staff-only meal, Lagoon's ever-so-slick take on mie goreng
- See if you can score the window seat by the neon light, it's a real vibe
- There's no shame in ordering their Feed Me menu—it's a real best-of-the-best situation
D.O.C
Various locations in Carlton
Image credit: DOC | supplied
No matter which arm of the D.O.C empire you’re visiting, it’s safe to say that they’re the authority of Italian in Melbourne, and the Lygon Street restaurants precinct offers three of its outposts.
Side by side is D.O.C Espresso which serves up fresh pasta and charcuterie along with the deli next door, while a short stroll around the corner will see you arrive at D.O.C Pizza & Mozzarella Bar.
INSIDER INTEL
- You should absolutely order the truffle-laden Pizza ai Porcini.
- Get there early if you haven't book. Seats fill up quick.
- The lasagne at their Lygon Street locale is a must.
Tiamo
303 Lygon Street, Carlton
Easily a contender for the best restaurant Lygon street is offering right now, and not to mention the best restaurants Carlton has to offer, Tiamo is another classic where you know you can’t go wrong. The price point is slightly higher than that of the cheap and cheerful pasta houses you’ll find littered along Lygon, but it’s certainly worth your weekend per diem given the heritage.
INSIDER INTEL
- The outside seats (under the heaters) are hot property all year 'round. Arrive early.
- The team here are generous with their parmesan. Lean into it.
- Try one of the three parmas—recipes no doubt passed on from many nonnas up the Tiamo family tree.
Hakata Gensuke
126 Lygon Street, Carlton
Image credit: Hakata Gensuke | supplied
A diamond in the mix of the Italian restaurants' cohort, Hakata Gensuke stands out from not just the other venues along the strip, but as one of the best restaurants on Lygon Street, too. Originating from Hakata in Japan, or more commonly known as Fukuoka to western nations, Hakata Gensuke serves up several traditional ramen recipes, ranging from the lighter char-siu style across to the real spicy stuff.
INSIDER INTEL
- Up for a challenge? Try the puncy Yatai Godfire ramen (in case you were wondering, it’s damn hot).
- The founder of Hakata Gensuke, Kousuke Yoshimura, has held the title of Ultimate Ramen Master twice throughout the last decade.
- Head to Hakata Gensuke for lunch Monday through Friday for their $25 lunch special, which includes a bowl of ramen, a side and a drink.
Heart Attack & Vine
329 Lygon Street, Carlton
Out of all the Lygon Street haunts, you’ll hear most say Heart Attack & Vine is a favourite of theirs. Its humble size is countered by the considered wine list and euro tapas selection that can just as easily be enjoyed with mates, on a date or alone.
- The editor’s pick here is their signature porchetta sub ordered mid-afternoon, paired with a good book from Readings just two doors up.
- Afternoon oysters at Heart Attack & Vine are also a great pick.
- If you're heading here on a date, opt for the seats out the front (and under the heater if it's a cool evening).
Etta
60 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Make your way past the typical Lygon Street restaurants of Carlton and you’ll find yourself in Brunswick East. The Italian influence dissipates as you cross into the suburb with Modern Aussie charmers like Etta. Walking into the contemporary diner feels like you’ve been invited into a good friend’s house, and that good friend happens to be really damn talented in the kitchen. Lauded as one of the best restaurants on Lygon Street, the contemporary diner focuses on local ingredients and bold, wholesome flavours—highlights include the stracciatella, and the raw beef and salted mushrooms, which you can order as a snack in the cosy front bar or as part of a full menu experience in the adjoining dining room.
INSIDER INTEL
- Etta has been home to some of Melbourne's best up-and-coming chefs, if you're keen on seeing new talent (Rosheen Kaul earned her chops here and Lorcan Kan is now heading things up) this is the spot.
- Wet your whistle with a cocktail, like a Salted Caramel Old Fashioned or a Milk & Honey with beeswax gin, yeehaw.
- Despite serving up haute cuisine, Etta is at heart a neighbourhood bar so don't be afraid to take your time and soak up the vibes.
Bar Idda
132 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Image: Bar Idda | Supplied
Contrary to what the name suggests, Bar Idda is a restaurant. It’s a cosy affair here, with enough seats for you, your mates and maybe your mates’ partners, too. The menu is loosely tied to Sicilian-style dining, with offerings occasionally straying into subtle Middle-Eastern influences. Definitely try one of their pasta, like the Tagliatelle with blue swimmer crab, zucchini, saffron and chilli.
INSIDER INTEL
- For just $70 and $45 matched wine pairing Bar Idda's Sicilian chef's menu is the biz.
- Their wine list has some awesome big bottles for sharing, like a 1L of Montepulciano (for when you're a little thirsty, you know).
- Sit out on the street and soak up all of Lygon Street's (the world's coolest street in 2023) ambiance.
400 Gradi
99 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
The year is 2025, and If you haven’t been to the original Carlton store, we’re pretty sure you’ve visited one of the 400 Gradi locations. Home to exquisite Italian food, with pizzas at the forefront. One of the best Neopolitan-style pizzas in Melbourne and a strong contender for the best restaurant on Lygon Street, here you can opt for something simple and still be completely mind blown—the ‘Frutti di Mare’ is a must for seafood lovers, covered with San Marzano tomato, Fior di latte, Queensland prawns, mussels, clams, scallops and rocket. Honestly, we’re pretty certain that whatever pizza you end up choosing, you’ll be pretty chuffed.
INSIDER INTEL
- You can now enjoy 400 Gradi's incredible pizzas from your own home with an awesome selection at your local supermarket.
- These pizza legends have won more awards globally than we can poke a stick at, and after you have a slice you'll understand why.
- Grab a terrace table, you'll almost think you're in a quaint Italian town. Almost.
Jimmy Watson’s
333 Lygon Street, Carlton
Jimmy Watson’s has been living on Lygon street since 1935 and it’s still a cutie. The small bar and bistro captures the essence of a European cafe and has a great courtyard for when the sun out. They’ve got a hefty collection of aperitifs, beers, ciders and spirits—but don’t fall short on the food end either. There are a ton of pizzas to try and also more Aussie-style pub dishes like their fish of the day or Scotch fillet steak. Our dish recommendation at one of the best restaurants in Carlton would have to be the Gnocchi Alla Funghi which comes with baby spinach and truffled ricotta.
INSIDER INTEL
- Jimmy Watson's is old school, and so is the service, that's why we love it, be prepared to be looked after.
- If it's hot, ask for a spot in the courtyard, it's a vibe.
- You can still get a Trumer Pils on tap here, if you know you know, and please enjoy.
Téta Mona
100A Lygon Street, Brunswick East
For fabulous Lebanese food on Lygon street and maybe one of the best falafels in Melbourne, make your way to Téta Mona. Other than their falafels try the Sambousek Bi Jebne, which are halloumi and feta pastries topped with pomegranate molasses. Their fried cauliflower is also a must-try.
INSIDER INTEL
- Get the chef's menu starting from $52, whatever's on it this week and settle yourself in for a feast of epic proportions.
- If you're not au fait with Lebanese wine, aquaint yourself. Bottles are very affordable and pair perfectly with everything that's on the menu.
- Book ahead, we repeat, book ahead, it gets *busy* at peak times.
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