Restaurant
Florentino
80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Florentino
80 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Florentino
A Bourke Street fixture for nearly a century, Florentino remains Melbourne’s benchmark rite of passage for milestone dining. Step inside and city noise gives way to heritage wall frescoes, crisp linen, and old-world sprezzatura. Regulars head straight upstairs for unhurried multi-course meals. The kitchen turns out serious classics: braised short rib tortellini swimming in clear chicken broth, tender ox cheek over polenta, and porchetta wrapped in crackling. Sommeliers pour regional Italian bottles with quiet precision, while floor staff preserve dining rituals long forgotten elsewhere—hot towels before dinner and dedicated stools for your handbag.
- Old-World Grandeur: Dining room walls and ceilings showcase heritage frescoes alongside crisp white tablecloths and classic architectural details.
- Heritage Italian Fare: Signature dishes highlight braised short rib tortellini in clear broth, slow-cooked ox cheek with polenta, and crackling porchetta.
- Regional Wine Pairings: Sommeliers curate custom wine matches by the glass and flight, introducing rare regional Italian selections across multi-course menus.
- Classic Floor Hospitality: Traditional service touches include dedicated handbag stools, pre-meal hot towels, and personalised greeting cards for celebrations.
What's On at Florentino
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
Event
Christmas Day lunch in the Florentino Dining Room
This Christmas, gather your loved ones in the Florentino Dining Room for a long, generous lunch in one of Melbourne’s most storied dining rooms and enjoy a one-day-only menu drawing on Florentino’s Italian heritage and the finest seasonal produce. W...
Event
Christmas Day lunch at Café Florentino
For a relaxed Christmas Day lunch, join us at Café Florentino where exceptional produce and considered cooking takes a more casual form, evoking the energy of a lively Tuscan trattoria and grill. Our five-course menu celebrates the simplicity of It...
Why Florentino Remains Melbourne's Definitive Rite of Passage
From heritage frescoed salons to bespoke wine pairings, discover why generations celebrate life's finest milestones on Bourke Street—reserve your table today.
Bespoke Milestone Celebrations
Milestones are honoured with warm, personalised touches, from handwritten greeting cards to celebratory dessert presentations that ensure anniversaries and birthdays feel singular.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a beautiful card that made us feel so special.
Carmen Zirafi Royalty-Grade Attentive Service
The dining room team provides deeply attentive, gentlemanly hospitality that accommodates guest preferences with grace and makes everyone feel genuinely cherished.
Tianna treated us like Princesses.
Caroline Clynes Curated Regional Italian Pairings
Skilled sommeliers craft custom wine pairings across regional Italian labels, expertly matching each course to guest inclinations.
our skilled Sommelier organised a custom wine pairing with each course as we wanted to try Italian wines.
Roja Siadja Thoughtful Degustation Artistry
Multi-course degustations showcase technical mastery and culinary heart, pacing each dish with intention and care.
Every course was thoughtful, precise, and full of heart.
Lucy N Cinematic Old-World Grandeur
The dining room envelops guests in high-class European drama and grandeur that evokes a timeless cinematic set.
A high-class dining experience enjoyed in an atmosphere that feels like a scene from a movie.
Hyunbin Go Heritage Frescoed Elegance
Historic murals, ceiling frescoes, and soft Italian background music cultivate an elegant, transportive dining sanctuary.
The atmosphere exudes pure elegance, with stunning wall and ceiling frescoes, thoughtfully arranged lighting, and beautifully set tables.
Peter Lac
Most popular items
Celebrated dishes praised by diners across Florentino's dining rooms
Tiramisu
Oh the tiramisu…omg. It’s THE BEST I have ever had.
Rona Boussac Grand Marnier Soufflé
Every dish we tried - from the delicate quail to the perfectly seared scallops and the exquisite Grand Marnier soufflé - was immaculate in both presentation and flavour, reflecting meticulous attention to detail.
Peter Lac Porchetta
Porchetta, juicy, tender and wrapped in a crispy layer of its own crackling.
S.T Ox Cheek with Polenta
ox cheek with polenta. I can’t wait to return just for that dish! It was so tender and packed with flavor.
Carmen Zirafi
Other favorites
Delightful accompaniments and sweet finales to round out the dining experience.
Semifreddo
All were delicious but my vote will have to go to the semifreddo, a combination of banana, hazelnut and then a fennel caramel.
S.T Dark Chocolate Terrine
the dark chocolate terrine was sublime (with 'Happy Birthday' written in chocolate and a lit candle)
Caroline Clynes Fennel Gratin
The fennel gratin was a delight to have.
The cunning slytherin Blood Orange Sorbetto
We capped off the evening with a refreshing blood orange sorbetto, which was the perfect finishing touch.
Carmen Zirafi
Beyond the menu
Attentive European hospitality rituals and personalized touches that elevate the dining experience.
Handbag Stools and Warm Towels
Service rituals include classic personal accommodations, such as dedicated small stools for handbags and warm towels delivered before the meal begins.
Personalized Milestone Greeting Cards
Diners visiting for anniversaries or birthdays are greeted at the table with commemorative cards prepared by the staff.
Celebratory Prosecco and Inscribed Desserts
Celebration bookings receive special touches including celebratory arrival glasses of prosecco and desserts inscribed with chocolate greetings and lit candles.
Customized Sommelier Wine Matches
Sommeliers craft custom wine pairings on request, tailoring rare Northern Italian varietals to match specific guest palates and multi-course menus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florentino offer different dining spaces under the same roof?
The multi-venue establishment houses distinct dining concepts under one address, including the formal upstairs dining room, Grossi Grill, and the Cellar Bar. Reviewers suggest ensuring you select and review the specific room or format that fits your plans.
Do you need a reservation, and how long does a meal take?
Yes, reservations are accepted, and walk-ins may encounter full rooms. For structured tasting menus or theatre dinners, guests note that experiences like multi-course menus can take around two and a half hours, while staff can accommodate tighter theatre timelines when advised.
Can dietary needs like gluten-free or vegetarian dining be accommodated?
Yes, the kitchen accommodates specific dietary requirements. Reviewers note seamless handling of dietary preferences, including dedicated gluten-free bread and guidance on desserts, as well as vegetarian pasta options and dairy-free sorbets.
What special service touches are provided for milestone celebrations?
Expect attentive touches such as complimentary bread or small palate cleansers, along with classic fine-dining details like pre-meal hot towels and dedicated handbag stools. Special celebrations like birthdays or anniversaries frequently receive custom greeting cards or celebratory dessert notes.
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