Refined Italian dining built around handmade pasta, regional wines and understated elegance.

Al Dente Enoteca: From Pop-Up to Institution

Al Dente Enoteca began as a lockdown delivery project by chefs Andrea Vignali and Davide Barbieri, two Italians who missed cooking for people. What started as a small-batch pasta business quickly grew into a full restaurant on Lygon Street, where their handmade pasta and genuine hospitality now anchor one of Melbourne’s most respected Italian dining rooms.

The interior is elegant yet approachable, with warm timber, marble benches and a glow that feels both intimate and confident. The open kitchen is the focal point, where dough is rolled, sauces are stirred and plates are finished with quiet precision. It’s not about theatre — it’s about care.

Pasta, Seasonality and Simplicity

The menu changes with the seasons but remains rooted in regional Italian tradition. Expect rich duck tortellini, saffron risotto with bone marrow, and delicate tagliolini with spanner crab and chilli. Each dish feels deeply familiar yet finely tuned, balancing flavour, texture and restraint. Ingredients do the talking, and the craftsmanship speaks for itself.

The wine list moves between small Italian producers and local Victorian labels that share the same philosophy of balance and honesty. There’s an ease to the pairing here — nothing forced, just a quiet understanding of what works together.

Elegant Dining Without the Fuss

Service at Al Dente mirrors the food: polished but unpretentious. Staff move gracefully through the room, sharing recommendations without a hint of arrogance. Desserts are simple and classic, from tiramisu to panna cotta, each prepared with the same discipline as the pasta. It’s comfort wrapped in refinement.

Al Dente Enoteca is proof that great Italian dining doesn’t need excess. It’s about skill, patience and knowing when to stop. This is Melbourne Italian food at its most confident — precise, warm and utterly timeless.