Lagotto, Melbourne

Craving an authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Melbourne? Look no further than Lagotto, located at Little Italy, Carlton. This charming restaurant offers a warm and inviting ambience, perfect for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends and family. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, Lagotto provides a delightful escape with its traditional Italian cuisine and welcoming atmosphere. Prepare to be transported to Italy with every bite!

Menu Highlights

Antipasti

• Arancini (3 pieces): Crispy fried risotto balls filled with mozzarella and a rich ragu.
• Bruschetta al Pomodoro: Toasted Italian bread topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
• Calamari Fritti: Lightly battered and fried calamari, served with a lemon aioli.
• Prosciutto e Melone: Thinly sliced prosciutto paired with sweet cantaloupe, a classic combination.
• Olive Ascolane: Fried green olives stuffed with meat, a specialty from the Marche region.
• Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze.
• Polenta Fries: Crispy polenta fries served with a truffle aioli.
• Focaccia with Rosemary: Homemade focaccia bread infused with rosemary and olive oil.
• Burrata with Roasted Peppers: Creamy burrata cheese served with sweet roasted bell peppers.
• Antipasto Misto: A selection of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables.

Primi Piatti

• Spaghetti alla Carbonara: Spaghetti with egg yolks, guanciale, pecorino romano, and black pepper.
• Lasagna Bolognese: Classic layered pasta dish with meat sauce, béchamel, and parmesan cheese.
• Ravioli ai Funghi Porcini: Homemade ravioli filled with porcini mushrooms in a creamy sauce.
• Gnocchi al Pesto: Soft potato dumplings tossed in a vibrant basil pesto sauce.
• Risotto ai Frutti di Mare: Creamy risotto with a medley of fresh seafood, a taste of the sea.
• Pappardelle al Ragu di Cinghiale: Wide ribbon pasta with a rich wild boar ragu, hearty and flavorful.
• Tortellini in Brodo: Ring-shaped pasta filled with meat, served in a clear broth.
• Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa: Small ear-shaped pasta with broccoli rabe, garlic, and chili flakes.
• Linguine alle Vongole: Linguine with clams, garlic, white wine, and parsley, a coastal delight.
• Tagliatelle al Tartufo: Fresh tagliatelle pasta with black truffle shavings, luxurious and aromatic.

Secondi Piatti

• Osso Buco alla Milanese: Braised veal shanks in white wine, vegetables, and gremolata, tender and flavorful.
• Pollo alla Cacciatora: Chicken stewed with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and herbs, rustic and comforting.
• Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Grilled T-bone steak seasoned with salt and pepper, a Florentine classic.
• Salmone al Cartoccio: Salmon baked in parchment paper with herbs, lemon, and vegetables, light and healthy.
• Scaloppine al Limone: Veal cutlets pan-fried in a lemon and butter sauce, a citrusy delight.
• Costolette d’Agnello alla Griglia: Grilled lamb chops seasoned with rosemary and garlic, savory and tender.
• Branzino al Forno: Baked sea bass with potatoes, olives, and cherry tomatoes, a Mediterranean masterpiece.
• Involtini di Vitello: Veal rolls stuffed with prosciutto, cheese, and herbs, a delightful treat.
• Coniglio alla Ligure: Rabbit stewed with olives, pine nuts, and rosemary, a Ligurian specialty.
• Fegato alla Veneziana: Thinly sliced liver cooked with onions and white wine, Venetian style.

Dolci

• Tiramisu: Classic Italian dessert with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa.
• Panna Cotta: Smooth and creamy vanilla pudding served with berry sauce, a delicate delight.
• Cannoli Siciliani: Crispy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cheese and chocolate chips.
• Affogato: Vanilla ice cream “drowned” in a shot of hot espresso, a coffee lover’s dream.
• Semifreddo al Pistacchio: Frozen pistachio dessert, creamy and nutty.
• Zabaglione: Light and frothy custard made with egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine.
• Torta della Nonna: Custard tart with pine nuts, a traditional grandmother’s cake.
• Biscotti: Twice-baked almond cookies, perfect for dipping in coffee or Vin Santo.
• Gelato: A selection of homemade Italian ice cream flavors.
• Crostata di Frutta: Fruit tart with a buttery crust and fresh seasonal fruits.

Lagotto offers an intimate and rustic dining space, reminiscent of a traditional Italian trattoria. The warm lighting, exposed brick, and wooden furnishings create a cozy atmosphere. The service is attentive and friendly, with staff eager to guide you through the menu and offer recommendations. Expect moderate pricing, reflecting the quality of the ingredients and the care put into each dish. The vibe is relaxed and convivial, making it an ideal spot for both casual meals and special occasions. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a little slice of Italy.

Conclusion

Lagotto is definitely a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine in Melbourne. Their Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Lasagna Bolognese are particularly popular and well-loved. The restaurant is perfect for couples looking for a romantic dinner, families wanting a comforting meal, or groups of friends seeking a lively atmosphere. The friendly staff and delicious food create a memorable experience. If you appreciate classic Italian flavors and a warm, inviting setting, Lagotto is the place to be.

Restaurant Planning Notes

This guide is designed to help readers compare Lagotto Romagnolo in Melbourne with clearer visit planning, menu context, and practical ordering checks. Restaurant details can change quickly, so the final booking, menu, hours, and price details should always be confirmed through a current official source before visiting.

How to Use This Guide

Use this page as a starting point before you travel, book, or place an order. First, decide whether Lagotto Romagnolo fits the occasion: a quick meal, a casual catch-up, a family dinner, a date night, takeaway, or a more planned restaurant visit. Second, compare the likely menu style with what your group actually wants. Third, confirm the live details that can change: opening hours, booking rules, menu availability, prices, service fees, dietary handling, and delivery coverage.

This matters because restaurant pages become outdated quickly. A static page can still help when it explains how to think about the menu, what to verify, and how to avoid common ordering mistakes. Treat this guide as an editorial checklist, then use the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, or current delivery listing for final confirmation.

Practical Menu Notes

Lagotto Romagnolo is best approached as a restaurant dining option. Readers should look for mains, shareable plates, drinks, desserts, and visit-specific menu choices. If the current menu is long, avoid choosing only by the first dish name you recognise. A better method is to compare the main categories, then choose one anchor item, one supporting item, and one side or drink that balances the meal.

For first-time visitors, start with the dish category the restaurant is most clearly known for, then add one balancing side. For groups, order across categories instead of choosing several similar dishes. That gives everyone a better sense of the restaurant and usually makes the meal easier to share. If you are ordering takeaway or delivery, choose items that travel well and keep sauces, toppings, or delicate sides separate where possible.

Real-World Visit Checks

• Check current hours: restaurant trading times can change by season, staffing, holidays, and private events.
• Check booking rules: popular venues may need reservations, deposits, seating limits, or cancellation notice.
• Check the latest menu: dishes, prices, lunch specials, tasting menus, and delivery options can change without warning.
• Check the location: restaurants with similar names, branches, or old listings can cause confusion in maps and delivery apps.
• Check value before ordering: compare portion size, sharing style, service fees, and delivery charges rather than looking only at headline menu prices.

Dietary and Allergy Notes

Do not rely only on a third-party guide for allergy, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, or other dietary guarantees. Even when a menu item sounds suitable, preparation can involve shared fryers, shared utensils, dairy-based sauces, nuts, seafood, eggs, wheat, or other ingredients that are not obvious from a short menu title.

If a dietary requirement matters, ask the restaurant directly before ordering. Useful questions include whether the dish contains the ingredient, whether it is cooked on shared equipment, whether substitutions are possible, and whether staff can record the request clearly. That direct check is more reliable than assuming based on a menu category.

Editorial Note and Author Information

Author: MyReserveTable Editorial Team. This guide is prepared as a practical restaurant planning resource. Readers should confirm live restaurant details such as current menus, prices, hours, booking rules, and dietary handling directly with the restaurant before visiting or ordering.

Verification Notes

• Menus, prices, opening hours, bookings, delivery coverage, and dietary handling can change quickly.
• Before visiting, confirm current details through the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, map listing, or current delivery listing.
• If two public sources disagree, prefer the newest official restaurant source.