Best Italian Restaurants in Taylors Lakes Melbourne 2026
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Ava Room |
| Best free option | The Little Store |
| Best for families | Pearl’s |
| Best local secret | Ivy’s |
| Best for rainy days | Nico |
We’ve tested every best italian food option in Taylors Lakes to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Honest Corner is the one everyone knows. Common Social is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Master-planned suburb built in the 1990s around Taylors Lakes. Taylors Lakes sits in the Outer West corridor, 30-40km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best italian food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Taylors Lakes since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Hazel’s — 322 Young Lane, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: groups
The space seats about 49 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
2. Lane — 314 Pine Street, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $11-20 per person Best for: dates
The space seats about 47 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.
3. Nell Union — 54 Barkly Crescent, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $13-19 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The room holds 47 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Go for: The fish special ($16) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
4. Ruby Place — 122 Barkly Crescent, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $12-21 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Capacity is around 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Don’t miss: The fish special ($16) — solid
5. Felix — 126 Young Lane, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $19-32 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The room holds 55 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Pine Street is usually fine.
6. Mabel’s — 178 Pine Street, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-21 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 62 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Elizabeth Terrace is usually fine.
Why Taylors Lakes Is Worth Knowing
Master-planned suburb built in the 1990s around Taylors Lakes. Watergardens Shopping Centre is the hub. The best italian food options here reflect Taylors Lakes’s character. For Taylors Lakes 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. Theo’s — 302 Barkly Crescent, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $12-25 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Capacity is around 50 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Young Lane is usually fine.
Book ahead for: The crispy chicken ($18) — solid Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
8. Atlas Mill — 290 Barkly Crescent, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) The one that surprised us Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The room holds 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
9. Zara — 12 Barkly Crescent, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) No-frills excellence Cost: $20-25 per person Best for: budget eaters
The room holds 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
10. Red House — 294 Elizabeth Terrace, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: families
Capacity is around 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Get the: The fish special ($19) — solid Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
11. Gus’s — 198 Barkly Crescent, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) A quiet achiever Cost: $20-25 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The room holds 35 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Taylors Lakes roaster — ask which one.
12. Luna’s — 354 Pine Street, Taylors Lakes VIC 3129
What it is: (italian food) A local institution Cost: $9-21 per person Best for: remote workers
The room holds 40 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The lamb shoulder ($12) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
Explore More
- Keilor East Best Italian Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Taylors Lakes Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Taylors Lakes Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Taylors Lakes Complete Guide — everything about Taylors Lakes
- Compare Suburbs — see how Taylors Lakes stacks up
- All Taylors Lakes Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best italian food options in Taylors Lakes?
Ava Room is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Taylors Lakes good for best italian food?
Yes. Taylors Lakes has 12+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.
What is Taylors Lakes known for?
Master-planned suburb built in the 1990s around Taylors Lakes.
How far is Taylors Lakes from Melbourne CBD?
Taylors Lakes is 30-40km, 40-55min train, 35-45min drive from Melbourne CBD.
If you’re comparing Taylors Lakes to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.
Last updated: March 2026
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
