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Restaurant

Hugo Dining Restaurant | Essendon

1116-1118 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon VIC 3040, Australia

Recommended by 72 people

Updated

Find Hugo Dining Restaurant | Essendon

1116-1118 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon VIC 3040, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9374 4194
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Hugo Dining Restaurant | Essendon

Essendon locals head to Hugo Dining for blistered, wood-fired crusts, celebratory tables, and energetic Italian hospitality. The dining room buzzes with birthday toasts and weekend cocktail pours, balanced by a quieter back pavilion. Plates lean hearty and theatrical—think Moreton Bay bug pappardelle, a stacked 100-layer lasagna, and creamy tiramisu dished out tableside straight from a communal bowl.

  • Tableside Tiramisu: Staff portion rich tiramisu tableside straight from a large communal bowl onto your plate.
  • 100-Layer Lasagna: Built with stacked pasta sheets, meat sauce, and cheese for a distinctive architectural take on a classic.
  • The Back Pavilion: A dedicated rear pavilion provides an intimate, quieter space set away from the energetic main dining room.
RestaurantItalianPizzaRestaurantCocktail BarTakeaway

What's On at Hugo Dining Restaurant | Essendon

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Hugo Dining

Why locals choose Hugo Dining for Italian classics, family milestones, and vibrant evenings.

  • Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza & Specialty Pastas

    Handcrafted pizzas baked with traditional airy crusts alongside rich seafood pastas like lobster fettuccine and Moreton Bay bug pappardelle.

    The pizza crust had the most beautiful, airy structure and perfect wood-fired char.

    ΤΟΝΥ KFOURY

  • Signature 100-Layer Lasagna

    A culinary specialty prepared with intricate technique to deliver an exceptionally rich, layered take on classic Italian comfort food.

    Ordered the much anticipated 100 layer Lasagna. Delicious.

    René _

  • Effortless Milestone Celebrations

    Accommodating team service and dedicated event planning that make birthdays, baptisms, and anniversaries seamless and memorable.

    The team went above and beyond to accommodate our group, making the planning process easy and stress-free.

    Michael Barbara

  • Dedicated Back Pavilion for Gatherings

    A dedicated rear pavilion providing an intimate, quieter space designed comfortably for gatherings and private occasions.

    The addition of the back pavilion area meant we had somewhere quieter to sit but it was warm and comfortable

    Kimberley Raspa

  • Theatrical Tableside Tiramisu Service

    A memorable tableside presentation dishing out fresh tiramisu directly from an oversized communal bowl right onto guest plates.

    We also had the tiramisu which was delicious, the serving very generous which they serve from a large bowl at the table.

    Jon Bonner

  • Vibrant & Stylish Evening Atmosphere

    A stylish dining room featuring ambient lighting, upbeat background music, and crafted cocktails for lively weekend dinners.

    The lighting, music, and table settings all create a lovely, relaxed mood that makes the dining experience feel classy yet comfortable.

    Ella Houssein

Signature house specialties that define the Hugo dining experience

  • Wood-Fired Pizza

    The pizza crust had the most beautiful, airy structure and perfect wood-fired char.

    ΤΟΝΥ KFOURY

  • 100-Layer Lasagna

    Ordered the much anticipated 100 layer Lasagna. Delicious.

    René _

  • Lobster Fettuccine

    The flavour, freshness, and portion size were next level.

    christopher nisiotis

  • Moreton Bay Bug Pappardelle

    Very generous size serve, we all struggled to eat it. Very generous amount of bug meat in it. Very delicious.

    Daniela Carpinteri

Other favorites

Indulgent desserts and starters to complement your dining experience

  • Tiramisu

    Tiramisu was a star, the way they serve it from a huge bowl on to a decorated plate and tastes amazing.

    Arundhati Kalamkar-Mhalgi

  • Focaccia

    focaccia

    Arundhati Kalamkar-Mhalgi

  • Crème Brûlée

    creme brulee that was absolutely divine, the caramel crack was spot on

    Jon Bonner

  • Rocky Road Cannoli

    rocky road canoli which was a tasty twist

    Jon Bonner

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches and standout service details at Hugo Dining

  • Tableside Tiramisu Presentation

    Servers dish out generous portions of tiramisu directly from a large communal bowl onto guest plates right at the dining table.

  • Dedicated Back Pavilion Enclosure

    Guests enjoy a dedicated, heated back pavilion section providing a comfortable, quieter retreat away from the energetic main floor.

  • Off-Menu Custom Cocktails

    Bartenders tailor off-menu and bespoke cocktail requests on demand, such as custom pornstar martinis.

  • Architectural 100-Layer Lasagna

    The kitchen showcases a signature multi-tiered 100-layer lasagna delivering an intricate architectural twist on homestyle baked pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book a table in advance?

Reservations are strongly recommended as the restaurant gets very busy and crowded, though walk-ins may occasionally be accommodated when space allows.

Is there a quieter seating area available?

Hugo Dining offers a dedicated back pavilion area that provides a quieter, comfortable, and warmer dining environment away from the bustling main room.

How is the tiramisu served?

The classic tiramisu is served generously tableside directly from a large communal bowl onto your plate, making it ideal for sharing.

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