Pizzicotto Pizzeria

There is hardly a day when I do not feel like trying another Italian pizzeria in Melbourne. For me, if a place is truly confident with Italian pizza, then the pasta should also be just as impressive. At Pizzicotto, I tried both — and honestly, both were excellent. As soon as you walk in, the smell coming from the large woodfired oven makes an impression straight away. Even before you sit down, you feel like you have come to the right place. I am not usually someone who goes for too many toppings or overly mixed flavours on pizza. But the eggplant pizza I tried here easily became one of my favourites. They also have a potato and meat pizza — I was a little biased against the idea of potato on pizza at first, but the potato made it a genuinely different and interesting experience, even if the meat felt slightly heavy for me personally. But if you ask me what my absolute favourite was, I would definitely say the pasta made with meat broth. I have shared a photo of it so you can see it for yourself, and the flavour was truly incredible. It was the dish that impressed me the most at this place, and I would not hesitate to order it again. I also believe the ingredients they use are high quality, and that is probably one of the reasons why everything tastes so good. Dessert should also be part of the experience if you are having Italian pizza and pasta here. I did try one, but we finished it so quickly that I did not even get the chance to take a photo — which I think says it all. As for pricing, I have included a photo of the menu in this post so you can get an idea of what to expect. The venue itself has both indoor seating and a semi-open area, so it does not feel stuffy or overwhelming. It is a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a meal, and I think it is even more enjoyable if you go with a group — when everyone orders something different, you get the chance to share and try several flavours, which is always a bonus. The noise level can get a little higher when the place is full, but not to a point where it bothered me or made it hard to talk with friends at the table. One time, we went there for a friend's birthday dinner. The staff brought out the cake we had brought with us while singing Happy Birthday, and then several other customers joined in as well. It turned into such a sweet and memorable moment that still makes us smile when we think about it. The owner and staff are genuinely warm, friendly, and attentive — and for me, that is a very important detail when deciding whether I would return to a place. There is a certain warmth that Mediterranean hospitality brings, and you can feel it here. What also stood out to me was how kind they were not only to dine-in guests, but also to people picking up takeaway orders and Uber Eats drivers. Even the way they greet people at the door creates a very positive feeling. One thing I should definitely mention before you plan your visit: trying this place in the evening without a booking might end in disappointment. I have experienced it three or four times, and it is always very busy at night. I personally go with a reservation every time, so if you are planning dinner here, booking in advance is really the way to go. You can book through the website, though personally I still think calling might be the better option. There is one more thing I cannot leave out. I tried the cheapest red wine on the menu and enjoyed it so much that I noted down the name and bought it later from a shop. When I tried it again at home, it was still nice — but it was not nearly as enjoyable as it was at the restaurant. That does not mean the wine was bad at all. I just think ambience can really change how a flavour feels. For those coming by car, there is no dedicated parking area. However, there are plenty of street parking spots around the venue, which I think is a big plus. If you live nearby, takeaway is also available. Pizzicotto is also a comfortable and family-friendly place to visit — there are enough options for children, and the space works well for families. In short, if you are thinking about dinner around Strathmore and feel like having pizza or pasta, Pizzicotto is absolutely worth trying. With its delicious food, warm atmosphere, and friendly team, it is one of those places I would happily go back to. Instagram: @pizzicotto.strathmore Website: https://www.pizzicotto.com.au/