Florentino is a landmark Italian restaurant at 80 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, in the city centre’s eastern theatre district. Established in 1928 and associated with the Grossi family since 1999, it combines an upstairs fine-dining room with a ground-floor Grill and Cellar Bar. Travelers come for handmade pasta, Italian wine and the upstairs room’s celebrated murals—a setting closely connected with Melbourne’s long Italian dining tradition.
What to Expect at Florentino
The upstairs Florentino dining room is the special-occasion choice: formal table settings, attentive service and richly coloured murals depicting Italian scenes. Its early-20th-century atmosphere distinguishes it from Melbourne’s more minimalist tasting-menu restaurants. Guy Grossi’s culinary identity joins Italian technique with Australian produce, particularly through handmade pasta and carefully prepared meat and seafood. Menus change seasonally; look for tortellini in brodo and chocolate soufflé among dishes closely associated with the restaurant rather than expecting an unchanging selection.
Downstairs, Grill offers a less ceremonial meal built around Italian cooking and grilled meats, while Cellar Bar suits coffee, pasta, wine and a more spontaneous stop. These are distinct dining experiences, so choose the room before reserving. The wine offering gives Italian regions substantial attention alongside Australian producers; asking for a pairing is particularly useful when ordering unfamiliar regional varieties. Vegetarian requests and other dietary needs should be discussed when booking, especially for a multi-course upstairs meal; handmade pasta does not automatically mean gluten-free alternatives are available.
- Historic upstairs murals: Italian landscapes and architectural scenes give the dining room its distinctive period character.
- Handmade pasta: A central expression of the kitchen’s Italian technique, with preparations changing through the seasons.
- Grill: The ground-floor option for a substantial Italian meal without the upstairs room’s full ceremony.
- Cellar Bar: A street-level choice for espresso, an aperitivo or a simpler meal on Bourke Street.
- Italian wine: Explore regional bottles with staff guidance, or request wines matched to your chosen courses.
Florentino at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 80 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Neighborhood / Area | Eastern CBD; Bourke Hill and the theatre district |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Saturday, 9am–10pm; Sunday closed. Individual dining-room service times differ. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$ overall; upstairs fine dining costs more than a casual Cellar Bar visit. See current menus before booking. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5–3 hours, depending on room and menu |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Parliament station; trams 86 and 96 on Bourke Street. Paid public garages around Exhibition and Little Bourke streets. |
| Official Website & Phone | Florentino official website; +61 3 9662 1811 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve upstairs in advance, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings, and identify the dining room explicitly through the official booking page. For theatre nights, give staff your curtain time rather than trying to compress a long menu. Smart clothing fits the upstairs atmosphere; downstairs is more relaxed. Mention allergies before arrival, and confirm current menu prices, card surcharges and cancellation terms while booking. Lunch is a practical choice when you want time to appreciate the murals without an evening performance deadline.
Parliament station’s Bourke Street end is a short walk away; trams 86 and 96 stop near Spring Street within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone. Driving usually means a paid garage rather than relying on tightly controlled kerbside spaces. The historic upstairs room is reached by stairs: travelers needing step-free seating should discuss the ground-floor options, entrance threshold and toilet access directly with the restaurant. Before or after eating, walk roughly five minutes to Parliament House and the Princess Theatre, or around ten minutes to Carlton Gardens. Chinatown’s Little Bourke Street is also close enough for a short post-dinner stroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Florentino’s hours, and when should I visit?
The overall opening window is Monday–Saturday, 9am–10pm, with Sunday closed. That does not mean upstairs dining runs continuously; check your chosen room’s lunch or dinner availability when reserving.
How expensive is Florentino, and do I need a reservation?
Plan on a $$$ dining experience, with upstairs the most expensive option and Cellar Bar offering a lighter commitment. Reserve for upstairs and popular Grill services; consult the official menus for current course prices and wine costs.
How long should I allow for a meal?
Allow around 90 minutes for a straightforward Grill meal and two to three hours for upstairs dining. A coffee or aperitivo at Cellar Bar can be much shorter, making it useful between city sights.
Is Florentino suitable for wheelchair users and families?
The upstairs staircase is an important access consideration; arrange suitable ground-floor seating and confirm bathroom access before booking. Families wanting a less formal meal will generally find the downstairs settings more practical than a lengthy upstairs experience.
When planning your Melbourne travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Melbourne, pair this stop with standout local spots including Urban Prime, Serai, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre (Museums Victoria), and Le Méridien Melbourne (0.1 km away).
