Neighbourhood Pizza

The Verdict

The team behind Neighbourhood Pizza (Kael, Matt and Elias Sahely) have a world of experience behind them when it comes to Melbourne’s food scene. Their food empire includes brunch institutions like Square and Compass, Vacation, Pillar of Salt, Barry, Touchwood and the more recently opened, Lobbs. And now, they’re serving up their take on classic Italian food.

Their aim for the menu was to keep it simple, approachable, tasty as well as ensuring they’re serving up good, healthy-sized portions while maintaining an abundance on the plate. Their menu boasts 13 pizzas and eight kinds of pasta, along with a solid selection of starters and sides including cured meats, burrata with confit tomatoes and basil and more.

Our top picks? For pizza, the spicy salsiccia with san marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, chilli, bouchier sausage, brocoletti and pancetta. It’s full of texture and the level of chilli is the kind that even those who don’t like it hot can still enjoy. And if you’re interested in turning up the heat, you can always reach for the tableside dried chilli flakes.

For pasta, their gnocchi with lamb ragu is a knockout. It’s a saucy number with gnocchi that’s as fluffy as a cloud and lamb that’s been shown a lot of tender, love and care.

Image credit: Mel Desa