Homemade pasta is the only option. Once you’ve tried homemade pasta there’s no going back. To get it right, homemade pasta takes an immeasurable amount of skill, patience and care, but when it’s done well; you really can’t compare it.
Angus Cadden churns out some bloody impressive handmade pasta at Park Street Pasta & Wine. With his esteemed knowledge in the art of making pasta, he shares with us some other places to try killer homemade pasta in Melbourne.
Tipo 00
Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tipo 00 is pretty well-known for its incredible pasta here in Melbourne. Although it’s only a small restaurant, its reputation is impressive, and with good reason.
“As a pasta-lover, this place is unmissable. A friend of mine worked there and I was lucky enough to get a table for lunch one day. I fell in love straight away.”
“Their pasta is not only delicious, but it’s smart and creative. They have a clear knowledge and passion for what they do.”
The energy inside Tipo 00 is warm, cozy and approachable, while still managing to feel like a high-end restaurant. People come from all over Australia and the world to try their incredible homemade pasta and perfect sauce combinations that are sometimes unexpected and always delicious.
Chef Angus Cadden’s recommendation: Smoked eel carbonara with spaghetti Chitarra.
How to book: You’ll definitely need a booking. You can book via the Tipo 00 website or call +61 3 9942 3946
Osteria Ilaria
Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Right next door to Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria doesn’t disappoint. A sister to Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria offers a slightly more casual fine-dining setting, with a bigger menu, an incredible wine list and of course, fantastic homemade pasta.
“The pasta at Osteria Ilaria is cooked perfectly. It’s casual and tasty, with really great flavour combinations that just make sense. The venue is beautiful but also has a super relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that you always have a good time at and leave feeling satisfied.”
Chef Angus Cadden’s recommendation: The Paccheri with prawns, sorrel, tomato and prawn oil. Yum!
How to book: They welcome walk-ins, but you’re also able to book via their website.
Bar Romantica
Brunswick East
Bar Romantica may be Brunswick East’s favourite late-night dive bar, but their food is not to be overlooked. They home-make pizza dough as well as pasta, and both are actually incredible. You can dine in amongst the indoor plants, low-lit lamps and red curved booths, or order takeaway. With great classic euro combinations, Bar Romantica serves up some of the best comfort pasta you could dream up.
“Both their approach to pasta and their menu is ever-changing, which is what I love about it. The chefs are so creative and care about what they do. The menu frequently changes, and the chefs are always playing around with different styles and flavours, which is a really fun thing to experience as a customer.”
Chef Angus Cadden’s recommendation: Tagliolini Al Nero.
How to book: You can book via their website, as well as order takeaway. You’re also very welcome to just walk-in.
The Hardware Club
Hardware Lane, CBD
The Hardware Club is found on Hardware Lane (shocking, we know), upstairs in a beautiful old building. It’s very euro-centric and you honestly feel as though you’ve stepped into a classic eatery in Rome. All of the food is pretty on point, but the pasta is particularly delicious, made in-house.
“I don’t even know if I could choose the best dish on this menu, it’s honestly all so good. I discovered The Hardware Club soon after it opened, and became friends with the chef. Their pasta is always 10/10; it’s explosive and amazing.”
“Their pasta chefs have brilliant skills and decades of knowledge, which obviously makes their pasta pretty flawless. It’s also just a fantastic dining experience that makes you feel at home right away, which is always very fitting when it comes to pasta.”
Chef Angus Cadden’s recommendation: The Ossobuco Ravioli.
How to book: It gets pretty busy, so we’d recommend booking through their website.
Rosa’s Canteen
Thompson Street, Melbourne
Situated in the heart of Little Bourke Street’s business end, Rosa’s Canteen overlooks beautiful London Plane trees, and across into the business district of Melbourne’s CBD. Being from the east coast of Sicily, Rosa serves up Italian food with a major Sicilian focus, and everything is made with seasonal produce and in-house.
“My staff party was actually held here, and I’m so glad it was. I re-booked not long after. The pasta at Rosa’s is classic, traditional and amazing, and the staff and Rosa have clear knowledge and dedication to what they do.”
“The space itself is big and beautifully lit. The menu changes seasonally which makes it difficult to have a favourite dish but I kind of love that, you’re always getting to try new things and you also know that they’re using the freshest local produce.”
Chef Angus Cadden’s recommendation: The Rigatoni with Traditional Ragu. I can’t guarantee it’ll still be on the menu, but you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.
How to book: Rosa’s is open from lunch through to dinner, Monday – Friday and you’re welcome to walk in at any time of day. Bookings can be made here.
Park Street Pasta & Wine
South Melbourne
Although this wasn’t on Chef Angus’s list, it’s most certainly on ours. Set in a beautiful two-storey shop front in South Melbourne, Park Street Pasta & Wine serve some of Melbourne’s most divine authentic homemade pasta that you’ve probably never heard of like Mafaldine, Agnolotti, Conchiglie and Maltagliate. It’s more than a restaurant, it’s an education.
Chef Angus Cadden has recently added new winter warmer dishes to the popular menu including smaller plates and classic pasta dishes made in-house ‘fatto a mano’, and with a beautifully warm indoor and outdoor setting, if you haven’t been before, it’s the perfect time to check it out.
How to book: You can book via their website or call (03) 9042 8871
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