Recent social media posts
12/08/2026
The Donnini’s table, wherever you are.
We’re excited to introduce Donnini’s Catering — bringing the food, handmade tradition and hospitality you know from Lygon Street to your next event.
From intimate gatherings and corporate lunches to celebrations and full-scale events.
Your event. Our food. Donnini’s hospitality.
Enquire with our team to start planning.
07/08/2026
👉 SWIPE RIGHT TO SEE THIS WEEKEND’S SPECIALS
Today marks 24 years since Donnini’s opened the doors at 320 Lygon Street.
This weekend, we’re celebrating the best way we know how — through our food.
Three beautiful traditional dishes that represent the flavours, cooking and history that have been part of our kitchen over the past two decades and beyond.
Vitellino — slow-roasted milk-fed veal shoulder, Nicola potato mash & rosemary.
Lasagne Donnini — our traditional lasagne, made the way it has been for generations.
Tortellini in Brodo — handmade tortellini in brodo (Sat/Sun)
Come and celebrate with us this weekend. See you at Donnini’s.
06/08/2026
KNOWN FOR PASTA. BUILT ON COFFEE.
Donnini’s may be known today for its handmade pasta, but coffee has always been an important part of our story.
Fernando Donnini stands behind one of Melbourne’s earliest Gaggia espresso machines at the original University Café on Lygon Street—helping introduce Italian espresso culture to Carlton.
Decades later, Fernando returned to the Gaggia machine at Marco’s and Kim’s wedding at Donnini’s on Lygon Street.
Two moments, many years apart.
The same hands.
The same passion.
The same commitment to hospitality.
29/07/2026
Carb-loading for 250
Patrick Cripps
Carlton Football Club
28/07/2026
Join us on Tuesday, 25 August for a very special collaboration between Donnini’s × Soumah of Yarra Valley.
Together, we’ll present a beautifully crafted multi-course menu, each course thoughtfully paired with some of Soumah’s finest wines. It’s an evening celebrating exceptional produce, outstanding wines and a partnership that has spanned more than 15 years.
Swipe through to discover the menu, wine pairings and all the event details.
$150 per person – Wine Dinner
$175 per person – Wine Dinner + Exclusive Soumah Gift Bag
Places are strictly limited.
Please reserve your table through OpenTable and include “Wine Night” (or “Wine Night Gift”) in your booking notes.
If you’re unable to book through OpenTable, please call us directly on (03) 9347 3128 and we’ll happily make your reservation.
We look forward to sharing a truly memorable evening with you.
21/07/2026
There is something truly special about watching pasta being made by hand and tortelli may be the most beautiful of all.
Every fold, every seal and every tortello reflects decades of tradition, patience and skill.
It is a reminder that some things are worth taking the time to do properly. Made by hand, with care and experience, the difference is something you can see and taste, it simply cannot be beaten.
13/07/2026
Should We Bring It Back?
One of the biggest surprises from our Have You Been Part of Our History? newsletter has been discovering how many of you still have Dad’s cookbook, “Donnini’s Pasta”, first published in 1984.
Seeing well-loved copies on customers’ bookshelves is incredibly special. It reminds us that our family’s recipes have become part of yours.
As we celebrate 75 years of Donnini’s next year, we’re thinking about bringing it back with a beautifully updated anniversary edition, featuring the original recipes, family stories, photographs and a couple photo’s of Riccardo. Leave a comment below if you or a family member still has one—we’d love to hear your story.
01/07/2026
School Holidays, Family & Lasagne.
School holidays have a special way of bringing generations together.
Across Melbourne, grandparents are once again stepping in— keeping the little ones entertained over the school holidays,
sharing stories from their past and creating new memories.
It’s one of life’s great traditions and one we truly admire. So while you’re looking after the grandchildren, let us look after
you. We’ll take care of the cooking, the dishes and everything in between, so you can simply enjoy each other’s company. Some of the best family conversations have always happened
over a lasagne and during these school holidays.
Bring the kiddies, bring the stories and leave the rest to us. From our family to yours, we look forward to welcoming every
generation through our doors.
See you at Donnini’s
27/06/2026
“Tortellini in Brodo, All Winter Long”.
What began as a special winter weekend offering has quickly become something much more.
Our traditional Tortellini in Brodo has been met with such a beautiful response that we believe it deserves to stay with us for the rest of winter.
Handmade tortellini, served in brodo, is one of those dishes that speaks to tradition, patience and comfort. It is the kind of food that has warmed tables in Modena for generations, and over the past few weeks, it has clearly found a special place here on Lygon Street too.
As the Melbourne winter settles in, we invite you to join us for a little bit of Modena at Donnini’s.
Traditional Tortellini in Brodo. Available throughout winter weekends.
Numbers will remain limited each week due to the time and care required to make every tortellino by hand.
When making your reservation, simply write “Tortellini” in the booking notes and we will do our best to reserve a serve for your table.
We look forward to welcoming you in from the cold.
26/06/2026
Carlton Forever Donnini's 💙 Carlton Football Club
Address
320 Lygon Street
Carlton, VIC
3053
To get to Lygon Street, you can take the tram which runs along the street. You can catch tram numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 16 to Lygon Street from various parts of Melbourne.
If you prefer to drive, there are street parking options available, but it can be quite busy during peak times. Alternatively, there is a public car park located on Faraday Street which is just a short walk away.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
12pm - 10pm |
| Tuesday |
12pm - 10pm |
| Wednesday |
12pm - 10pm |
| Thursday |
12pm - 10pm |
| Friday |
12pm - 10pm |
| Saturday |
12pm - 10pm |
| Sunday |
12pm - 10pm |
Alerts
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What people say
Italian restaurants are known for their authentic and delicious cuisine, and Donnini's Restaurant on Lygon Street in Melbourne is no exception. This generational Italian eatery has a sincere focus on handmade pasta, real food, and generosity. Donnini's is a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian food.
One of the standout dishes at Donnini's is the Pumpkin & Almond Ravioli with butter, sage, and toasted almond. The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the handmade pasta is cooked to perfection. Another must-try dish is the Gragnano Rigatoni with veal osso buco ragu and gremolata. The meat is tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and hearty.
Donnini's also offers unique dishes like Ravioli Tartufo made with pine mushroom, ricotta, and truffle ravioli. This dish is very limited but worth trying if it's available during your visit.
The restaurant also offers dining vouchers that make excellent gifts for special occasions like Mother's Day. These vouchers are beautifully designed by a local artist.
Despite facing challenges like a kitchen flood, Donnini's managed to look after their reservations with a limited menu thanks to their dedicated staff. The restaurant has received positive feedback from customers who appreciate their efforts to provide an exceptional dining experience.
Overall, Donnini's Restaurant on Lygon Street in Melbourne is an excellent choice for anyone looking for authentic Italian cuisine made with love and care.
