Best Italian Restaurants in Mckinnon Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | The Southern Press |
| Free highlight | Luna’s |
| Family-friendly | The Tall Kitchen |
| Locals only | Max House |
| Indoor option | The Blue Social |
1. Ada Place — 348 Margaret Grove, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $15-23 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($17) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Mckinnon roaster — ask which one.
2. Bright Mill — 145 Church Place, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) A solid local spot Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: dates
The space seats about 37 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
3. Works — 205 Ash Avenue, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $13-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
4. The Sunny Cellar — 7 Willow Lane, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $11-25 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The room holds 44 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
5. Leo — 239 Church Place, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Capacity is around 64 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They source produce from Mckinnon farmers market when it runs.
6. Blue Commons — 297 Queen Parade, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: families
The space seats about 56 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Willow Lane is usually fine.
Ask for: The fish special ($17) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
What Nobody Tells You About Mckinnon
McKinnon Road village has independent cafes. McKinnon Secondary College is highly rated. The best italian food options here reflect Mckinnon’s character. For Mckinnon 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. The Red Room — 123 Church Place, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $21-31 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The space seats about 57 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
8. Blue Kitchen — 104 Ash Avenue, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $18-32 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Capacity is around 56 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
9. Sunny Works — 105 Church Place, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $16-25 per person Best for: dates
The room holds 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
10. Finn Commons — 32 Queen Parade, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $8-18 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Capacity is around 31 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Willow Lane is usually fine.
11. Mabel — 71 Willow Lane, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The room holds 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
12. The Common House — 312 Margaret Grove, Mckinnon VIC 3164
What it is: (italian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Mckinnon farmers market when it runs.
Explore More
- Bentleigh East Best Italian Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Mckinnon Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Mckinnon Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Mckinnon Complete Guide — everything about Mckinnon
- Compare Suburbs — see how Mckinnon stacks up
- All Mckinnon Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best italian food options in Mckinnon?
The Southern Press is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Mckinnon good for best italian food?
Yes. Mckinnon has 12+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.
What is Mckinnon known for?
McKinnon Road village has independent cafes.
How far is Mckinnon from Melbourne CBD?
Mckinnon is 12-18km, 20-30min train, 18-25min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Mckinnon isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.
Last updated: March 2026