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Restaurant

Caffe e Cucina

581 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Recommended by 43 people

Updated

Find Caffe e Cucina

581 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

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+61 3 9827 4139
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Caffe e Cucina

A Chapel Street staple since 1988, Caffe e Cucina delivers moody European charm and classic Italian hospitality built for celebratory date nights. The dimly lit dining room hums with retro prints and energetic staff, though regulars often angle for the secluded Romeo and Juliet balcony upstairs—a dedicated two-seat perch above the bustle. The standout order remains the signature linguine di mare al cartoccio, baked inside parchment paper to trap the seafood juices before being unwrapped tableside. Crisp calamari Sant' Andrea, handmade pastas, and glasses of Montepulciano carry the meal through to a slice of house tiramisu and an espresso.

  • Linguine al Cartoccio: Seafood linguine baked in parchment paper to seal in rich juices, unwrapped tableside by the waitstaff.
  • Romeo & Juliet Balcony: An upstairs two-seater perch reserved specifically for intimate, secluded couple dining.
  • South Yarra Institution: Serving classic pasta dishes and regional Italian wines on Chapel Street since 1988.
RestaurantItalianRestaurantBar

What's On at Caffe e Cucina

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Caffe e Cucina

Discover why diners return to South Yarra's iconic Italian dining room for milestone celebrations and signature culinary traditions.

  • Parchment-Sealed Seafood Linguine

    The signature Linguine di Mare al Cartoccio is baked in parchment paper to seal in rich juices, unwrapped theatrically tableside for diners.

    The linguini comes wrapped in kitchen paper and even though I’ve seen it so many times, I still enjoy the theatrical unwrapping by the wait staff :).

    Bianca Melb

  • Flavor-Locked Seafood Artistry

    The culinary team locks in balanced seafood richness through parchment baking, keeping the sauce refined and the seafood exceptionally fresh.

    The seafood linguine is exceptional, baked in parchment paper to lock in all the flavour. The sauce is perfectly balanced - not too rich, allowing the freshness of the seafood to shine.

    Alicia Chan

  • Private Romeo & Juliet Balcony

    A private upstairs Romeo and Juliet balcony table provides an exclusive two-seater vantage point designed for couples celebrating milestones.

    the upstairs Romeo and Juliet balcony is perfect for a romantic date night.

    Alicia Chan

  • Secluded Two-Seater Setting

    Dedicated solely to single bookings of two diners, the intimate balcony space guarantees an isolated, elevated setting for special occasions.

    The Romeo & Juliette balcony is just outstanding!!!

    Kate Edwards

  • Intimate Date Night Ambience

    With warm low lighting and classic Italian prints, the restaurant sets an intimate, moody backdrop for romantic date nights and anniversaries.

    This little Italian cuisine gem was perfect for date night or a catch up with friends. They really pride themselves on excellent service and quality dishes, with a dark decor to sent the tone.

    Matthew Aitken

  • Attentive Milestone Celebrations

    Attentive, detail-oriented hospitality transports couples directly into a classic European café setting during milestone dinners.

    The staff were incredibly hospitable and paid attention to even the smallest details, which made our evening extra special. We chose to dine in for our anniversary, and it turned out to be a truly memorable fine dining experience.

    Shine

Signature savory courses and house specialties

  • Linguine di Mare al Cartoccio

    The seafood linguine is exceptional, baked in parchment paper to lock in all the flavour.

    Alicia Chan

  • Calamari Sant' Andrea

    I recommend the Calamari Sant' Andrea, Linguine di Mare al Cartoccio.

    Kevin Rodrigo

  • Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu

    If you visit, I highly recommend their signature Seafood Linguine ($59.90), the Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragu ($47), and their Calamari (available as a $35 entrée or $45 main).

    Alicia Chan

  • Zucchini Flowers

    The drinks, entree (zucchini flowers) mains: barramundi, seafood linguini and dessert- crème brûlée was outstanding.

    Danya Gamliel

Other favorites

Classic Italian desserts, antipasti, and curated wine pairings

  • Tiramisu

    We ordered the Seafood Linguine Pasta and Tiramisu, and both dishes were nothing short of phenomenal.

    Shine

  • Crème Brûlée

    The creme brulee was divine. It had a smokey flavor for the sugar candy.

    Dani Bhatt

  • Pinot Grigio

    We enjoyed our delicious meals with a lovely Italian Pinot Grigio wine topped off with an espresso before we finished and left

    Dennis Achtypis

  • Bruschetta

    We had the olives , bruschetta the fish and eye fillet !!! And OMG !!!!!!!

    Kate Edwards

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the house specialty dishes to order?

The standout signature is the seafood linguine (Linguine di Mare al Cartoccio), which comes baked in parchment paper to seal in flavors and is theatrically unwrapped tableside by staff. Other highly praised dishes include the beef carpaccio, calamari, tagliatelle with lamb ragu, and traditional tiramisu.

How does booking the private Romeo and Juliet balcony work?

The venue features a private upstairs 'Romeo and Juliet' balcony dedicated to two guests at a time. It requires reservations and carries a minimum spend requirement, making it popular for milestone date nights and anniversaries.

What should visitors know about parking near the restaurant?

Street parking along Chapel Street and nearby can be challenging to secure depending on traffic. Paid parking lot facilities, paid street parking, and free street parking options exist in the surrounding South Yarra area.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes, the restaurant serves vegetarian-friendly pasta dishes, which guests praise for flavor and texture, though there is no dedicated children's menu available.

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