Il Gambero

authentic Italian Restaurant IN Carlton

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Serving Italian Soul in Carlton on Lygon Street Since 1975

Il Gambero has been serving authentic Italian food on Lygon Street since 1975, bringing the best of Italy to the heart of Carlton. Known as the best Italian Restaurant in Carlton, we’ve built our reputation on genuine hospitality, quality ingredients, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

From hand-stretched pizzas and classic pasta dishes to timeless Italian favourites, every plate reflects our passion for honest cooking and traditional Italian flavours. Join us for an enjoyable experience. We can't wait to welcome you.

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About Our Italian Restaurant in Carlton

Il Gambero crew

Il Gambero has been tempting the palates of Carlton diners for 50 years. The story began in the early 1970s when Frank and Angela Dimattina opened the doors to what would become a beloved family business. Their roots trace back to Stromboli, a small volcanic island off Sicily. Operating continuously for five decades, we offer authentic flavours, attentive service, and high-quality food at great value, which keeps generations of diners returning.

Your Private Function Space on Lygon Street

Function room in Il Gambero

NOW BOOKING · SPRING & END-OF-YEAR EVENTS

Celebrate where Carlton has celebrated since 1975. Our private function spaces host up to 80 guests seated or 140 standing, right in the heart of Lygon Street.

From milestone birthdays and corporate dinners to Christmas parties, every event comes with authentic Italian food prepared fresh for your group, seated or cocktail-style, and the warm hospitality we've been known for over 50 years.

Spring and Christmas dates book out early. Secure yours now

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Specials

Notes

Fully licensed Restaurant & B.Y.O. (wine only)

Corkage $12 per bottle - Cakeage $20 per cake.

Please pay bills in full at the front counter.

One of main dishes at Il Gambero

Halal at Il Gambero

Halal-friendly · chicken, beef & lamb halal-certified

Il Gambero is a traditional Italian restaurant in Carlton. While some of our dishes include alcohol in the cooking process and we do serve pork products, we are a halal-friendly restaurant: our chicken, beef and lamb are all halal-certified. Dishes containing pork are clearly marked on the menu, and our staff are always happy to assist. On request, meals can be prepared in separate pans to ensure they are not mixed with non-halal ingredients. Great care is taken to maintain these standards.

Dine with us

Ready to experience an authentic Italian restaurant in Carlton? Make a reservation at Il Gambero and join us for a meal filled with tradition, flavour, and warm hospitality. We recommend booking ahead so we can have the perfect table ready for you and your guests when you arrive.

What Our Guests Say About Us

Customer Reviews

For 50 years, Il Gambero, the trusted Italian Restaurant in Carlton, has been welcoming families, friends, and food lovers through our doors. Our guests keep coming back for the authentic Italian flavours, warm hospitality, and memorable dining experiences. Here's what some of our diners have to say about their experience at Carlton's favourite Italian restaurant.

  • Claire Wright

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    We booked this place on a recommendation from a waiter at a fine dining restaurant in the cbd. Booked only a few hours before we wanted to sit a party of 7. No problem. Great table outside, something for everyone including the children. Delicious food. No wonder it’s survived 50 years
    Thanks guys keep going


  • Hannah S

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    When catching a film at IMAX, I always come to Il Gambero for a meal with my Partner. The service is fast, the food is consistently good and its very reasonably priced for Carlton. I love this restaurant and will continue coming here!

  • Cheryl Lasse

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Great little place. Good food and wine. Perfect portions. We would have eaten inside where there was great atmosphere, but it was beautiful weather, so we ate outside. It's not fancy or pretentious, but it's the kind of local's place we prefer. They also accommodated my dietary restrictions and cheese-free pizza.

  • Mayii Evans

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    All the food we ordered was so delicious 😋
    Some entrees along with parma, pizzas & pasta's. Everything was all flavoursome, fresh and filling. Staff helpful and welcoming.
    Will definitely be going back!

  • Len Camer

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Il Gambero is a fantastic authentic Family Italian restaurant. The food is consistently brilliant, the service and staff are quick and polite and the prices are reasonable. Always busy so book well ahaed. Keep up the great work.

  • Geraldine Huang (Neru)

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    I'm just a new traveler to Australia but i was in love with my first try of Pollo fettuccine and also the Sticky date pudding which both me and my date LOVED so much. We've never had one before but we want to have it again and again. Ambience was wonderful, server was really friendly and kind as well.

  • Mehry Kioumarsi

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Amazing food, from the antipasto to the pizzas and pastas. We got really full but the desserts looked too delicious not to try. The Nutella one was specially yummy!

  • Dcw Electrical

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Me and the family ate here tonight, ordered a range of pizzas and pasta’s. The entrees were brilliant and a great introduction into the rest of the meal. The mains were delicious and the desserts were tasty and unique. I would recommend to anyone wanting to try authentic Italian food.

  • QQQ L

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    The gnocci was amazing, so fluffy and soft. The risotto and fettuccine were cooked to perfection. Everything was amazing. I recommended going at lunch, so you can take your time to enjoy the food

  • Kathy Sander

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Great to come back to Melbourne after several years and still find one of its authentic Italian restaurants still serving up delicious food with a very fair price point ! Top stuff Il Gambero

Il Gambero Gallery

Take a look inside Il Gambero and see what awaits you. From our signature dishes to the warm, inviting spaces that have welcomed generations of diners, our gallery captures the authentic Italian restaurant in Carlton atmosphere that makes every visit special. Want to see more? Follow us on social media for daily specials, behind-the-scenes moments, and the latest from our kitchen.

A chef cooking in Il Gambero
Pizza at Il Gambero
Pasta dish in Il Gambero
Variant menu at Il Gambero
Dish at Il Gambero

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We serve authentic Italian cuisine, including wood-fired pizzas, classic pasta dishes, seafood, chicken, veal, and steak. Our menu features timeless Italian favourites made with quality ingredients, from traditional spaghetti Bolognese to our signature Il Gambero with tiger prawns.

  • We welcome both reservations and walk-ins. However, we're often busy, so booking ahead is recommended to avoid disappointment, especially during peak dining times.

  • Absolutely. We're a family-friendly restaurant with plenty of options children love, including pizzas and pasta dishes.

  • Yes, we cater for gluten-free and vegetarian dietary requirements. Please let our staff know about any dietary needs when placing your order, and we'll be happy to help you find suitable options from our menu.

  • We're a traditional Italian restaurant, and we're halal-friendly. Our chicken, beef and lamb are all halal-certified. Some dishes use alcohol in the cooking process, and we do serve pork, which is clearly marked on the menu. On request, we'll prepare your meal in separate pans so it isn't mixed with non-halal ingredients, and our staff are always happy to guide you through the menu

  • Yes, we host functions and private events of all sizes. From intimate celebrations to large corporate gatherings, our function spaces can accommodate everything from small family dinners to big Christmas parties and special occasions.