Best Italian Restaurants in Altona Melbourne 2026

We’ve tested every best italian food option in Altona to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Half Place is the one everyone knows. Ava is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Beach suburb with Altona Pier and Louis Joel Arts Centre. Altona sits in the Inner West corridor, 13km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best italian food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Altona since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Golden Union — 187 Barkly Terrace, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-24 per person Best for: solo diners

Golden Union has been operating in Altona for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($11) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 46 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Collins Parade is usually fine.

Order this: The daily soup ($12) — the best version in Altona Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

2. Table — 330 Barkly Terrace, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Table has been operating in Altona for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($22) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The sourdough bread ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

3. Union — 292 Barkly Terrace, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $18-33 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Union has been operating in Altona for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($22) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The fish special ($23) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

4. Mabel’s — 314 Elizabeth Avenue, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $17-26 per person Best for: families

Mabel’s has been operating in Altona for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 62 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

5. Common Press — 260 Thomas Avenue, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) A local institution Cost: $11-17 per person Best for: families

Common Press has been operating in Altona for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Barkly Terrace is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The sourdough bread ($16) — the best version in Altona Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

6. Leo’s — 214 Collins Parade, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) A local institution Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Leo’s has been operating in Altona for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 41 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($16) — the best version in Altona Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Altona roaster — ask which one.

What Makes Altona Different

Beach suburb with Altona Pier and Louis Joel Arts Centre. Strong community identity. The best italian food options here reflect Altona’s character. For Altona locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

7. Humble House — 192 Elizabeth Avenue, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $15-25 per person Best for: dates

Humble House has been operating in Altona for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 47 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The crispy chicken ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

8. The Honest Social — 16 Collins Parade, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) A local institution Cost: $15-21 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

The Honest Social has been operating in Altona for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($18) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 56 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The lamb shoulder ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

9. Otto Cellar — 361 Collins Parade, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $11-22 per person Best for: the whole crew

Otto Cellar has been operating in Altona for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 47 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Elizabeth Avenue is usually fine.

Come back for: The daily soup ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

10. Nell’s — 203 Elizabeth Avenue, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $17-30 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Nell’s has been operating in Altona for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($18) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The lamb shoulder ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

11. The Southern Place — 294 Thomas Avenue, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: families

The Southern Place has been operating in Altona for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($20) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 50 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The fish special ($21) — the best version in Altona Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Altona roaster — ask which one.

12. Zara’s — 163 Station Street, Altona VIC 3024

What it is: (italian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $22-37 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Zara’s has been operating in Altona for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($25) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The lamb shoulder ($28) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Altona farmers market when it runs.

Explore More

• Altona North Best Italian Food — same vibe, different suburb
• Altona Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Altona Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Altona Complete Guide — everything about Altona
• Compare Suburbs — see how Altona stacks up
• All Altona Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best italian food options in Altona?

The Good Pantry is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Altona good for best italian food?

Yes. Altona has 12+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.

What is Altona known for?

Beach suburb with Altona Pier and Louis Joel Arts Centre.

How far is Altona from Melbourne CBD?

Altona is 13km, 25min train, 20min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Altona won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.

Last updated: March 2026