Caffè Amatrice

THE VERDICT

It’s no secret that Italy’s cafe culture is top-notch. The melange of European charm, elegant aesthetics and community all bundled into your morning espresso is irresistible. 

Luckily for us, Melbourne has scored a(nother) taste of this prestige in the heart of Cremorne—Caffé Amatrice. Is it a cafe, or a love letter to Italian tradition? We’ll let you decide. 

Taking its name from a mountain village near Rome, you can expect passionate food, delivered in an easy-going, yet chic atmosphere. 

This multi-level dining haven is carefully situated within the up-and-coming Cubitt Place, and offers two separate venues: Caffè Amatrice located on the ground floor, and Amatrice rooftop restaurant, which is set to open later this spring—and you know we eat-up anything involving a rooftop and pasta.

A name that’s been rumbling behind some of Melbourne's most renowned designs, award winning designer Brahman Perera (Entrecôte & Henne), has curated a space that really sweetens the deal. 

Stepping into the cafe moves you to a Milanese train station, smothered in warm terracotta floor tiles, mustard yellow subway tiles and green marble tables—modern, retro and understated elegance seeping from every inch of the place. This, all wrapped-up in a cathedral ceiling with hand-blown glass pendant lights,  sculptures, vessels and more handmade lamps to finish. 

A place that delivers on its Italian design, must then deliver on its Italian food and boy this place does just that. Choose to keep things simple yet effective with their house-made focaccias, made fresh to order, and loaded with things like eggplant parmigiana, porchetta with apple, and prosciutto with buffalo mozarella. Or opt for a  classic pasta, think cacio e pepe and spaghetti all’amatriciana, providing a comforting touch. 

Last but definitely not least, at the very top of our must eat pile is the baked eggs, lathered in their celebrated amatriciana sauce, a sauce so revolutionary they even named themselves after it. 

Read more here, and we’ll keep you in the loop on the rooftop deets.

Images: Caffé Amatrice | Parker Blain
Words: Mika Gerrish