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Restaurant

Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant

161 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant

161 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 483 800 861
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant

Duck behind the curtain on Nicholson Street and hand the evening over to the room. Carlton’s Al Dente brings the pace of a modern wine bar with serious pasta craft—co-owners working the floor while the kitchen rolls dough in-house. The smart play is skipping the decisions entirely for the Chef’s Selection. Tables note unexpected turns like kangaroo or duck, but the tortelloni cacio e pepe remains the anchor—rich parcels made for doing scarpetta with warm bread. Bottle pours track each plate without stuffiness. Just save room at the finish for the sabbiosa cake with caramel cream.

  • Chef’s Selection & Pairings: Multi-course tasting progression guided course-by-course with tailored cellar pairings and proteins like kangaroo and duck.
  • Handmade Stuffed Pasta: Fresh pasta rolled in-house daily, headlined by rich Cacio e Pepe tortelloni and house-churned butter with warm bread.
  • Owner-Led Hospitality: Co-owners guide the dining room directly, steering wine selections and making solo diners and celebrations feel at home.
  • Standout Dolci: Traditional sweets anchored by the signature sabbiosa cake alongside latte e miele and classic tiramisu.
RestaurantAustralianItalianRestaurant

What's On at Al Dente Enoteca Restaurant

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

Why Diners Choose Al Dente Enoteca

Hand over the reins for handmade pasta, masterclass pairings, and heartfelt Carlton hospitality—reserve your table now.

  • Effortless Chef’s Selection Dining

    Entrusting dinner to the kitchen delivers an elevated multi-course journey that expertly handles unexpected proteins like kangaroo and duck.

    The Chef’s Selection was phenomenal. Even dishes I wouldn’t normally choose, like kangaroo and duck, completely won me over.

    Iris Moktan

  • Precision Table-Side Wine Pairings

    Knowledgeable floor staff and owners take full control of beverage pairings, aligning each pour seamlessly to elevate every plate.

    Each course, from the starters through to dessert, was perfectly curated and paired with exceptional wines.

    Jacqui Ryder

  • Artisanal Hand-Rolled Stuffed Pastas

    Crafted in-house daily, the signature stuffed pastas yield an unctuous, rich filling wrapped in tender handmade dough.

    their signature cacio e pepe tortelloni is a must - pillowy soft clouds of luscious, rich cheese encased in the most perfect and fresh pasta

    elisa m

  • Uncompromising In-House Texture

    The dedicated pasta program delivers a discernible textural difference with an unmistakable al dente bite in every shape.

    The pasta is handmade in-house and you can really tell. The texture is completely different from regular pasta, with that perfect bite.

    bhrmul

  • Heartfelt Milestone Celebrations

    Milestones and birthdays receive warm, high-touch hospitality, marked by thoughtful personal recognition that makes guests feel celebrated.

    They sang me happy birthday in Italian, and made me feel very special.

    F J

  • Owner-Led Warmth and Connection

    Direct floor engagement from co-owners Andrea and Michelle creates an inviting enoteca environment grounded in genuine personal connection.

    we even shared some wonderful conversations with Andrea and Michelle, the owners. They’re such an inspiring young couple – hardworking, passionate, and a true example of what genuine hospitality is all about.

    Jade H

Explore signature handmade pastas, curated multi-course journeys, and guided wine pairings—reserve your table to experience it firsthand.

  • Tortelloni Cacio e Pepe

    the stand out was the Tortellini cacio e pepe, we actually had to order it twice it was that good!

    Robert B

  • Wine Pairing

    taking the time to explain each course and the wine pairing that accompanied it.

    Andrea Khan

  • Duck

    the food was some of the most delicious I’ve ever had (I recommend the duck)

    eliza bennett

  • Chef's Selection

    The Chef’s Selection was phenomenal.

    Iris Moktan

Other favorites

From standout desserts to handcrafted cocktails and house-baked bread, these supporting touches complete the dining experience.

  • Torte Sabbiosa

    unique yet delicious, melt-in-the-mouth Torte Sabbiosa, which paired perfectly with the lemon curd base.

    elisa m

  • Tiramisu

    Their tiramisu is a must. Creamy, not overly sweet, and a perfect way to finish the meal.

    bhrmul

  • Amaretto Sour

    My amaretto sour was one of the best I’ve had — smooth, balanced, and perfectly made.

    Xavier Cabai

  • Homemade Bread and Salted Butter

    the standout was the homemade bread and butter. Such a simple touch, yet utterly exquisite; the salted butter on warm bread could have been a dish in itself.

    Xavier Cabai

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality details and tableside flourishes that elevate dining in Carlton—reserve your table to experience them firsthand.

  • Personalized Celebration Touches

    Milestone diners are treated to thoughtful personalized touches, from custom celebratory greetings scripted in chocolate on dessert plates to the dining room staff singing happy birthday in Italian.

  • Arrival Care and Bag Stools

    Guests are welcomed with considerate arrival hospitality right at the door, including taking coats upon entry and providing dedicated small stools for handbags at the table.

  • Tableside Dessert Shaving

    Dessert service features interactive tableside presentation, including chocolate truffle freshly shaved over confections directly in front of diners.

  • Hands-On Owner Course Delivery

    Co-owners Michelle and head chef Andrea actively work the dining room, personally greeting diners, sharing culinary craft details, and hand-delivering courses straight from the kitchen.

Before you head over

Insider guidance to help you navigate portioning, pacing, and table timing at Al Dente Enoteca.

  • Calibrate Pasta Portions

    The handmade pasta—especially the signature Cacio e Pepe tortelloni—delivers intense flavour in concentrated, delicate portions. If dining à la carte, balance your order with hearty starters and mains, or order extra portions for the table to satisfy larger appetites.

  • Hold Room for Dessert

    Guests repeatedly note that the sweets are an essential part of the experience rather than an afterthought. The sabbiosa cake, latte e miele, and tiramisu are rich and rewarding, so pace your savoury courses to leave dedicated room.

  • Book Ahead or Opt for Lunch

    Dinner seatings frequently run at capacity, requiring reservations well in advance. If you prefer a calmer, unhurried meal with multi-course set value, consider booking a midday lunch table instead. Lock in your booking online to secure your spot.

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