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Restaurant

Capitano Carlton

421 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 16 people

Updated

Find Capitano Carlton

421 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9134 8555
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM Friday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Capitano Carlton

Carlton’s stretch of Rathdowne Street draws dough purists for a very specific craving: the square pie. It lands somewhere between Detroit pan and airy focaccia—baked thick with caramelized cheesy edges and a crisp parmesan rim. Tables balance the pan weight with plates of creamy vodka pasta clinging to ridged noodles, tender calamari spiked with pickled peppers, and crisp leaves showered in pangrattato. Low lighting and dark timber give the dining room an effortless pub warmth, while staff pour carafes of Barbera and navigate dietary adjustments without a hitch. The meal winds down over espresso tiramisu layered with toasted hazelnuts.

  • Grandma-Style Square Pies: Thick, airy focaccia-hybrid pan pizzas baked with crunchy caramelized cheese edges and a blistered parmesan rim.
  • Cult-Favorite Pastas: Diners consistently line up for the signature vodka rigatoni, prawn-tossed casarecce, and fresh pistachio pesto.
  • Cozy Carlton Dining Room: Moody, dim lighting and a relaxed modern pub feel designed for effortless catch-ups and lingering date nights.
  • Hands-On Hospitality: Informed, personable floor service with encyclopedic menu guidance, easy dietary adjustments, and solid Italian wine pours.
RestaurantItalianRestaurantBarCocktail Bar

What's On at Capitano Carlton

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Capitano Carlton

From caramelized square pies to shareable group feasts in a moody Carlton dining room, book your table for an exceptional Italian-American night out.

  • Focaccia-Style Square Pies

    Thick, airy focaccia-hybrid square pies baked with caramelized cheese crusts offer a distinct, deep-dish take on pizza.

    Loved the square 'roni pizza, with the crispy cheesy edges.

    tom ganly

  • Cult-Favorite Vodka Pasta

    Capitano's signature pasta delivers rich, balanced heat with a smooth, velvety sauce that diners consistently call out as an essential order.

    The Vodka Pasta is legendary for a reason—perfectly creamy with a subtle kick

    James P

  • Seamless Milestone Celebrations

    Accommodating group reservations with hands-on coordination makes Capitano an effortless choice for meaningful milestones.

    decided to celebrate a special occassion with a large group booking at Capitano and to no surprise, this restaurant continued to exceed our expectations!

    Ben Tassell

  • Effortless Feasting for Groups

    Thoughtfully paced multi-course set menus allow large parties to share a broad cross-section of square pies and house pastas without dining fatigue.

    Had the set menu for a table of 8 and not one menu item disappointed.

    Al Deany

  • Refined, Mood-Lit Dining Room

    Thoughtful interior details and flattering low lighting deliver an understated, modern pub environment suited for dates and close conversation.

    The dark tones, ambient lighting, and thoughtful layout create an atmosphere that feels classy yet unpretentious.

    Clare D

  • Intimate Neighborhood Retreat

    A cozy Rathdowne Street sanctuary gives guests a relaxed, unhurried space to unwind over drinks and comfort food.

    Unique pizza and pasta in an intimate dimly lit vibe, this place ticks all the boxes

    twilltastes

Most celebrated menu items ranked by guest acclaim

  • Square Pizza

    Have been waiting to try square pizza for a long time, and it didn't disappoint from these guys - think fresh backed focaccia x pizza.

    C Rich

  • Vodka Pasta

    The Vodka Pasta is legendary for a reason—perfectly creamy with a subtle kick

    James P

  • Casarecce

    the casarecce had a beautiful deep flavour.

    Ethan Wainwright

  • Tiramisu

    this has to be the most divine tiramisu I’ve had in a long time.

    Prue

Other favorites

Standout starters, drinks, and desserts that round out the table.

  • Calamari with Pickled Peppers

    The calamari was perfect with those pickled peppers (I could eat a jar of those).

    Andrea Reyes Sapina

  • Salad with Pangrattato

    The salad was beautifully dressed and the pangrattato was a great textual addition.

    Ethan Wainwright

  • Feijoa Ice Cream

    it was feijoa flavour and amazing!

    William

  • Tiramisu Cocktail

    Tiramisu cocktail is a must try, so good!!!!!!

    Al Deany

Beyond the menu

From attentive floor care to playful neighborhood quirks, these thoughtful details make every visit memorable—book your table today.

  • Expert Dietary and Pregnancy Guidance

    Floor staff demonstrate reassuring, detailed knowledge of the menu to seamlessly accommodate strict dietary needs and pregnancy requirements without fuss.

  • Hands-On Management Care for Celebrations

    Venue manager Alex personally coordinates large group reservations and floats across the floor to ensure celebrations run effortlessly.

  • Considerate Takeaway Condiment Packaging

    Takeout pan pies include thoughtful finishing touches, such as fresh basil and cheese packaged separately on the side to protect crust crispness.

  • Cheeky Pop-Culture Bathroom Artwork

    A framed portrait of Tony Soprano and his racehorse Pie-O-My in the restroom adds a playful, unpretentious nod to classic Italian-American culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What style of pizza does Capitano serve?

Capitano is known for its deep-dish square pan pizzas—often described as a hybrid of fresh baked focaccia with crunchy, cheesy caramelized borders, such as the Grandma square and double pepperoni. Given how thick and filling they are, sharing among the table is recommended.

Are menus viewed via QR code?

Yes, digital QR code menus are accessed on personal devices at the table instead of traditional physical printed menus, even with full table service.

Does Capitano cater to gluten-free dietary requirements?

The kitchen accommodates gluten-free diners, offering gluten-free pasta options such as GF lumache, with staff able to guide guests through suitable menu choices.

Is there parking available near the restaurant?

Street parking is available nearby, including 2-hour (2P) parking spots on the surrounding neighborhood streets. Paid and free street parking options exist in the vicinity.

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