Best Italian Restaurants in Nunawading Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Ava Mill |
| Best free option | Kai |
| Best for families | Depot |
| Best local secret | Leo Union |
| Best for rainy days | Zara Quarter |
1. High Mill — 6 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $8-20 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 42 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($11) — solid Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
2. The Half Lane — 372 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-30 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 41 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.
3. Nina Table — 24 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The space seats about 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The lamb shoulder ($16) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.
4. Golden Cellar — 208 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: dates
Capacity is around 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Barkly Crescent is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
5. Old Union — 29 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: groups
Capacity is around 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
6. Otto’s — 53 Blake Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $17-28 per person Best for: families
The space seats about 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Ask for: The fish special ($22) — solid
What Nunawading Actually Is
Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Eastern suburbs retail corridor. The best italian food options here reflect Nunawading’s character. If you’re living in or near Nunawading, 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. Marco Bench — 246 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: solo diners
The room holds 61 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
8. Southern House — 195 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $21-26 per person Best for: families
The room holds 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
9. Nico Social — 6 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The space seats about 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.
Come back for: The charcuterie board ($12) — solid Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.
10. Hazel’s — 184 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The room holds 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Barkly Crescent is usually fine.
Get the: The daily soup ($16) — solid Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.
11. Golden Table — 374 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-20 per person Best for: families
Capacity is around 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
12. The Bright Works — 293 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-21 per person Best for: families
The space seats about 60 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
Explore More
- Mitcham Best Italian Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Nunawading Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Nunawading Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Nunawading Complete Guide — everything about Nunawading
- Compare Suburbs — see how Nunawading stacks up
- All Nunawading Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best italian food options in Nunawading?
Ava Mill is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Nunawading good for best italian food?
Yes. Nunawading has 12+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.
What is Nunawading known for?
Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.
How far is Nunawading from Melbourne CBD?
Nunawading is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Nunawading 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
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
