The Code Pizza Bar

There’s a new pizza joint that’s cracked the code of the Melbourne foodie scene. A local favourite, The Code opened up during lockdown in Collingwood, under the guidance of founder Alessio Albano. 

Albano is no newbie to the restaurant scene, having worked as head chef at Melbourne institution DOC Carlton. His love for food is closely tied to his heritage. Albano is from Lecce, Puglia, in the heel of Italy. The region is famous for La Cucina Povera (the poor cuisine). For Albano, this means simple food with the highest quality ingredients. 

You can find him most mornings at the markets sourcing fresh produce, his latest delight has been purple basil, an ingredient that took months to find. But there’s a strict protocol when it comes to sourcing certain ingredients.The tomatoes must be from San Marzano and the Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy, no exceptions.

The pizza bar is on the ground floor of an art deco building and is architecturally designed. It’s no surprise so much attention to detail went into The Code, with Albano also working as a consultant at popular eateries including Rita’s Abbotsford. 

If you dine in at The Code, expect premium food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The team wants to make you feel at home—you may even get a complimentary panettone or limoncello on the way out.

Image credit: Alex Jovanovic