Pronto 478 Is Bringing Roman-Style Pizza, Fried Pasta Bites And Limoncello Tiramisu To Bentleigh

When Shop 225 opened its doors in Pascoe Vale South in 2016, it quickly became a neighbourhood favourite. Last year, the beloved Italian local was named best pizza in Australia, and 28th best in the world. 

Also behind Il Caminetto in Moonee Ponds, the team running two northside favourites have now opened their first venue south of the Yarra: Pronto 478. 

Bringing Italian street food to Bentleigh’s Centre Road, Pronto 478 is a more casual counterpart to its award-winning sister venues. Built around fast and fresh takeaway, everything on the menu is under $25. 

“People are struggling to be able to eat out,” says co-owner Lorenzo Tron. “We wanted to find a place where they can still enjoy very high quality food, but not have the price tag of a restaurant.”

“For me, food is supposed to unify people,” he says, adding that everyone deserves to experience food “like a family”. 

It’s a philosophy that Tron considers in all areas of his businesses, with the goal to make his menus as inclusive as possible; Shop 225 was the first pizzeria to be accredited by Coeliac Australia and certified by Vegan Australia. 

Pronto 478 prioritises the same inclusivity, with vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy-free options across the menu. 

For snacks on the go, expect pizza sold by the slice, golden arancini, crispy calamari, and fried pasta bites. For something a little more substantial, the team are cooking up pasta by the bowl, lasagna, salads and—the main event—sorrisi. 

Image: Pronto 478 | Supplied

“The hero is something that Melbourne hasn’t really seen done yet,” says Tron.

“In Italian, sorissi means smile, and if you look at the product you’ll understand why.”

“It’s like a half-moon, pizza-bread, panini,” he explains. “It’s not a calzone, it’s not a closed pizza—it’s a pizza base folded in half, filled like a panini.” 

Sorissi flavours come light and classic, like the Caprese with fresh sliced tomato, basil and burrata, and hearty, like the Porpetta with beef meatballs, napoli sauce and parmesan. 

Even with a signature main, Tron says he’s most excited about dessert. 

“I can never go past a good tiramisu—and there’s going to be so many different choices of tiramisu here,” he says. 

Those choices include limoncello, matcha and Biscoff variations alongside the classic, as well as vegan and gluten-free options, of course. 

As the sun goes down, Pronto’s focus shifts to Roman-style pizza. Thin bases with crispy edges and simple, quality toppings of both the sweet and savoury kind, designed for solo takeaway on the couch or loading up the dining table for an at-home family feast.

At its core, Pronto 478 is all about bringing people together over food—inclusive, casual, fast and fresh Italian for Bentleigh and beyond.

“We want to be local, we want to be part of the community,” Tron says. 

Pronto 478 is now open Tuesday to Sunday at 478 Centre Road, Bentleigh. 

Main image credit: Pronto 478 | Supplied