Best Italian Restaurants in Upwey Melbourne 2026

The best italian food scene in Upwey is better than most people realise. Start at Pearl, then check out Kai’s. Dandenong Ranges town with a strong arts community. Located 35km from the CBD, Upwey is part of Melbourne’s Outer East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Upwey locals actually recommend.

1. Kai Local — 304 Church Drive, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $16-30 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Kai Local has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.

The room holds 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Church Drive is usually fine.

Order this: The house-made relish ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Nell — 34 Cecil Parade, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Nell has been operating in Upwey for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($21) 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 38 — 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 lamb shoulder ($25) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. Pearl Lane — 275 Main Lane, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $21-36 per person Best for: groups

Pearl Lane has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($21) 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 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The house-made relish ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

4. Ruby’s — 254 Main Lane, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Worth the detour Cost: $19-28 per person Best for: the whole crew

Ruby’s has been operating in Upwey for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($24) 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 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Cecil Parade is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The house-made relish ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

Why Locals Stay in Upwey

Dandenong Ranges town with a strong arts community. Upwey Village has independent shops and cafes. Belgrave rail line. The best italian food options here reflect Upwey’s character. Whether you’re based in Upwey or visiting from nearby, 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.

5. Old House — 207 Church Drive, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $21-26 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Old House has been operating in Upwey for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($21) 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 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Queen Avenue is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The house-made relish ($25) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

6. Max’s — 173 Church Drive, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $13-19 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Max’s has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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.

The room holds 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The seasonal special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

7. Pearl — 61 Cecil Parade, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-17 per person Best for: dates

Pearl has been operating in Upwey for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($10) 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 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The crispy chicken ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

8. The Good Cellar — 167 Cecil Parade, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (italian food) A solid local spot Cost: $19-27 per person Best for: the whole crew

The Good Cellar has been operating in Upwey for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($24) 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 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Cecil Parade is usually fine.

Start with: The fish special ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Main Street after 6pm.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best italian food options in Upwey?

Rex’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Upwey good for best italian food?

Yes. Upwey has 8+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Upwey known for?

Dandenong Ranges town with a strong arts community.

How far is Upwey from Melbourne CBD?

Upwey is 35km, 55min train, 40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Upwey 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