Lygon Street
Lygon Street
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Lygon Street and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Lygon Street
If you want real parmesan, cut from the block, grated over your pasta with a twist of style, this is the place. Until recently, this neighborhood was home to the notorious ‘Carlton Crew,’ a pseudo mafia who started their day with a local espresso. They are gone, but the espresso still runs strong in this Little Italy which has something for everyone. Starched white tablecloths, candles, pizza the way they do it "back home" and maybe even a bit of amore. The number of gelato choices will leave you in a state of indecision and wide footpaths, big awnings and a sea of packed tables makes this al fresco dining experience a continental buzz. Even if you’re not eating, it’s worth the stroll just for the people-watching, which, of course, is an Italian tradition.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
5,976 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,645 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.2
1,166 reviews
Excellent
557
Very good
408
Average
150
Poor
37
Terrible
14
Emily R
Melbourne, Australia14 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Lygon Street is a great place to visit for Melbourne natives and visitors alike.
It's no longer the Italian heartland but still plenty of Italian places. I'd recommend visiting Pudapipo for gelato, King and Godfrey for lunch and Masanj for a fancy dinner as well nearby La Mama Theatre
It's no longer the Italian heartland but still plenty of Italian places. I'd recommend visiting Pudapipo for gelato, King and Godfrey for lunch and Masanj for a fancy dinner as well nearby La Mama Theatre
Written May 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,734 contributions
Apr 2022
Lydon Street is the heart of Melbourne's vibant Italian community, full of Italian restaurants and cafes. Best way to get there is to take the tran along Elgin St. The bottom end of Lygon St is full of Asian restaurants. Lygon St also houses Readings Bookshop and Readings Kids, two of the city's best-loved bookshops. If you walk down Lygon St, you will find much to tempt you. It's best to walk, you never know what you will find. Brunetti is famous for its authentic Italian coffee and delicious cakes.
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GracePoppins
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Lygon Street is very Melbourne - the people, the shops, the restaurants, the bookshops, the cinemas - Cinema Nova. It’s easy to find a good place to eat down here - just follow the crowds. We ate at Tiamo and found the food great and affordable. Loved the energy of the staff, very quick, helpful and friendly. Loads of pizza places that would suit families or large groups and heaps of gelato places to choose from. Again, we went to the one with the biggest line and were not disappointed. Probably the best part was strolling down the street. The people around are quite diverse, we appreciated some of the stylishly dressed people that appeared to be locals. Reminds me of being in Italy where people dress well to stroll a piazza. The night was cold but our restaurant had outdoor heating so we were happy to be amongst the vibe of the street. Melbourne Must Do.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeffryb
Keysborough, Australia366 contributions
Aug 2020
Lygon Street is best known for being Melbourne's "Little Italy." These days, the city end is more Asian than Italian The restaurants are suffering in the lockdown. One of Austtralia's best bookshop, Readings, is still open on a "pick and collect" basis. The Nova, Melbourne's most popular art-house cinema, is also suffering. In all, when things pick up, so will Lygon Street. Jimmy Waston's, one of Melbourne's best-known wine bars and restaurants, is sadly missed.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
-_-Plane-_-nerd-_-77
Winchester, UK49 contributions
Feb 2021
I loved this street, beautiful on a weekday and bustling on a Saturday night. Make sure you have a reservation or you will get forced into going to one of the street whilst you try and read the menu. Tip - they won’t let you read the menu in peace!!
Written February 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,734 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Lygon St is known for its authentic pizza and gelato. Lygon St is called "Little Italy," it's a diverse range of restaurants, take your choice. The historic University Cafe launched Melbourne's first espresso machine. It serves some of Lygon St's best traditional Italian cuisine. The southern end of Lygon St is more Asian oriented.
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gen1977
Melbourne, Australia10 contributions
Nov 2020
As we hadn't been to Lygon Street for years, we thought we would dine there on Friday night. We drove up and down looking for parking which was impossible. There was no social distancing - all the restaurants were packed and had tables on the footpath packed too. I didn't even want to try getting in anywhere with all the crowding. We continued on to Fitzroy Street, St Kilda where we found a parking space opposite and dined at a nice Italian place which was uncrowded. Won't be going back to Lygon St, but good if you like crowds and a lively experience.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelbourneSeeTheWorld
Melbourne, Australia424 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
As a Melbourne local it is really, really disappointing to post this review. In the past, Lygon Street was a vibrant dining venue for local and international tourists. COVID has certainly had its impact but my experience is written when Melbourne enjoys the freedoms other cities wish for. Sadly I feel it has lost its way. Once it was a place to enjoy that Italian/Medierranean food experience however it is no longer the case. In part it reflects more of Melbourne‘s broader multicultural qualities which is great but not what I had anticipated. It is now far more cosmipolitan with Shisha bars filling outdoor dining areas with lagalised smoking in eating areas. Parking is extremely limited so get a taxi or Uber if you want to visit. To add to the vibrance and outdoor eating ambience of the area you have the local overenhanced testosterone junkies driving up and down the street in their noisy cars and bikes. Sorry, but the street needs to be closed to vehicle traffic or better policed. Lygon Street has seriously lost its way over the years and needs a rethink to create a better experience for local AND international visitors.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wtandy
Launceston, Australia1,302 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Lovely morning here yesterday. Appreciate the Cinema Nova, and cheap parking for cinema goers. Caught out, as an interstate traveller, to find that parking cash only in 2020 (cards not accepted). I had to surrender my licence until I could obtain cash through the supermarket (fortunately I found a 15 minute park to facilitate this)!
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia54,415 contributions
Apr 2021
We recently visited Lygon Street hoping to enjoy our time there just like we had during our previous visits. Unfortunately we could not recognise the place! Fewer visitors, fewer cafes and restaurants open and too many closed. What was on offer did not look very appealing. Perhaps we will revisit next time we travel to Melbourne.
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anyone have any recommendations for eating in Lygon street tonight ? So many to choose from!!!!
Written June 1, 2019
AlejaNZro
Auckland, New Zealand
2 contributions
Follow the queue. If there’s no queue, check the most crowded places.
Written July 23, 2019
From central pier Docklands,
do I buy a myki ticket?
Written February 28, 2019
Yes .... best to have a Myki anyway ..... trams are free in CBD only
Written February 28, 2019
From central pier Docklands to Lygon, do I need muji ticket?
Written February 28, 2019
Ideally yes you will need a myki but it would be an easy walk from the end of the free tram zone to Lygon St. about a 10 minute walk
Written February 28, 2019
Hope on the circle tram its free. you get off at the royal exhibition building and carlton gardrns in Rathdowne st then look for Queensbury st. Walk a short distance to next corner and your in Lygon. Or take the normal tram up Swanston and hop of at Queensbury but you will need a myki card once out of the free zone. Enjoy. Remember in the evening they're lots of good enticements such as free wine etc. To get you in. And of course there's Brunetti in the shopping mall.
Written July 27, 2015
A little bit late to respond to you know but anybody else reading this section should try Papa Ginos. Its authentic & tasty Italian came recommended by the locals.
The ambiance of the place screams traditional Italian restaurant and the food tastes just as traditional.
Written November 3, 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing