I am biased, I love the LaScala restaurant experience, and it is well situated in civic.
which is the best Italian restaurant, in your opinion?
Sorry Maelinar, I just couldn’t resist…..
If you’re looking for some more great Italian restaurants, check out this article on the best Italian restaurants in Canberra for some recommendations.
Cafe Pronto seems to be for sale: allhomes
I vote for L’unico.
I have been very sceptical about Italian restaurants in Canberra after having so many disappointing experiences, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. I went there twice in the last two months, and everything I (and my friends had) there was very good. They have very yummy home made sausages and pickled vegetables, and their pizza was fabulous. I must say I was a bit worried to see that now they’ve put a sign “you can take away anything on the menu” or something along those lines. I hope they stay in business for a long time: I really like them.
Cafe Pronto’s still there? Gawd, we used to go there for work lunches decades ago. Well, that is impressive.
Might try L’Unico, ever on the hunt for great pizza!
I just noticed that L’Unico seems to have abandonned it’s “fine dining” thing – the pizza kitchen is back and the they’re offering everthing on the menue available to take away, same as when they were Ciprianni. Seems like trying to differentiate yourself in a fairly homogenous market diddn’t work for them.
I do like La Scala – especially for lunch: usually nice and quite and you get the whole place to yourselves.
I really like Cafe Pronto in Braddon for that authentic Italian cafe feel. I’m not a big pasta eater, but I’ll always order pasta there. Great pizzas too but just a really nice family restaurant.
L’unico in Kingston or Bella Vista in Belconnen
Bella Vista for a cheap and hearty, but very tasty meal. The service is good, the owners friendly and always a few great specdials on the black-board. The view out over the puddle isn’t too bad either.
L’Unico has some great menu items including a fantastic moreton bay bug and crab lasagne.
Belluci’s in Dickson wins for the coolest building.
Apparently it used to be the headquarters for the Daily Planet.
Another vote for Mezzalira!
My wife and I always go there for special occasions and one of the very few restaurants in Canberra that we have returned to over the years!
(Yes, it is expensive, but the food and service are well worth every cent!)
http://www.mezzalira.com.au/
Marinetti’s USED to be awesome in terms of food but the head chef has left there and opened his own restaurant called D’Browes at Narrabundah shops which is about the same prices but much much nicer establishment, so the food even seems better now even though it’s the same dude cooking it. He still makes the same awesome gorgonzola fettucine – I can never order anything else – mmm-mmm!
Add my vote to fnaah’s … Pinnochio’s is awesome. Great food, reasonable prices, friendly staff (family-run), and the most amazing collection of Pinnochio-themed stuff.
LaScala for me. Divine food and top service.
Mezzelira for that 5-star Italian wallet-deracinating experience. the food is always pretty incredible.
I also heard that Grandes in Manuka do very good pasta.
Marionetti’s. O’Connior shops I think. Or that cabret joint at the ANU, a little wog, more neavou(sp?) European Cuisine, minus the thump print on the obligatory plum.
Drawing a long bow, I think the only restaurant I have been to is Zeffers in Belco. Never had a problem with it. Not the greatest place to dine, but good for takeaway pizza.
Pinnochio’s, at the Torrens shops.