Restaurant
Il Bacaro
168-170 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Il Bacaro
168-170 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Il Bacaro
Tucked along Little Collins Street, this thirty-year Italian stalwart pairs suited hospitality and crisp white linens with the regional cooking of the Veneto. An encyclopedic cellar of Italian varietals lines the marble bar. Regulars lean on the Moreton Bay bug spaghettini—silky pasta balancing rich shellfish sweetness with savoury depth, divided neatly onto individual plates by the kitchen when shared. Follow it with quail or slow-braised cuts, mopping up the pan juices with warm house bread before finishing on the kumquat chocolate cake.
- Moreton Bay Bug Spaghettini: Handmade strands tossed with sweet bug meat and savoury depth, routinely split onto separate plates by the kitchen when shared.
- Three Decades on Little Collins: Thirty years of old-school European hospitality, suited staff, and white linen tables in a lively, intimate CBD dining room.
- Veneto Cuisine & Regional Cellar: Regional northern Adriatic culinary focus complemented by an encyclopedic cellar of Italian varietals poured by the glass.
What's On at Il Bacaro
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at Il Bacaro
Why diners choose this Little Collins Street institution for milestone occasions and authentic Venetian dining
Effortless split-course plating
The kitchen automatically divides shared dishes such as pasta and seafood stew onto individual plates without guests needing to ask.
the kitchen plated the Spaghettini dish onto separate plates so we could share it with ease
Clare D Flawless milestone execution
Professional staff coordinate seamless pacing and thoughtful details for anniversaries and major family celebrations.
From the moment we arrived, the service was warm, attentive, and efficient, making us feel truly welcomed.
Jack Achilles Food Old-school Italian charm
An intimate Little Collins Street dining room where suited waitstaff and classic Italian warmth make occasions feel pampered.
The service has that old school Italian charm and the food is fun and well executed.
Quincy Reassuring celebration hospitality
A lively, welcoming dining room where attentive floor staff ensure celebrations feel genuinely celebratory and cared for.
The team at Il Bacaro go above and beyond! Had an absolutely spectacular night celebrating a family members 60th birthday.
Kirra Venetian regional culinary focus
Showcases the distinctive culinary heritage of Veneto with Moreton Bay bug pasta, game meats, and curated Italian wines.
what makes Il Bacaro so special is its focus on the cuisine of Veneto.
Clare D Exceptional signature pasta dishes
Signature preparations like Moreton Bay bug spaghettini highlight deep umami flavours balanced by delicate seafood sweetness.
The Moreton Bay Bug pasta was exceptional; deep, umami flavours yet balanced by buttery sweetness of the bug.
Silva Star
Most popular items
Classic regional highlights and celebrated institution staples
Moreton Bay Bug Spaghettini
The Moreton Bay Bug pasta was exceptional; deep, umami flavours yet balanced by buttery sweetness of the bug.
Silva Star Duck Course
also the Duck dish was to die for!
Emily Hunt Fish of the Day Seafood Stew
For our main, we enjoyed the fish of the day: a beautiful Italian seafood stew with wild barramundi, cuttlefish, vongole and prawns.
Clare D Veal Tonnato
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner especially the veal tonnato, lamb loin, roasted potatoes, radicchio salad and roasted peach, amaretti and vanilla gelato desert.
Mi Gray
Other favorites
Starters and sweet finishes complementing your meal
Zucchini Flowers with Truffle Filling
The zucchini flowers with truffle filling were a standout, delicate yet rich in flavour.
Jack Achilles Food Torta di Formaggio e Agave
The Torta di formaggio e agave with blueberry sorbet (cheesecake) contained popping candy, creating a delightful crackling sensation, while the blueberry sorbet refreshed the palate.
Winnie Lei Rhubarb Tart
The Rhubarb tart with meringue, puff pastry, and gelato was tangy, crisp, and refreshing, ending the meal on a high note.
Winnie Lei Roasted Peach with Amaretti and Vanilla Gelato
roasted peach, amaretti and vanilla gelato desert
Mi Gray
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality gestures and tailored services observed by diners at Il Bacaro.
Proactive Split Plating
When guests choose to share pasta or mains, the kitchen proactively divides and plates portions onto separate dishes without being asked.
Freshly Re-Fired Dishes
When diners step away to converse with fellow patrons and their meal cools, the kitchen re-fires the main course to perfection without hesitation.
Custom Celebration Dessert Inscriptions
Guests celebrating milestones can have custom celebratory messages inscribed onto dessert presentation plates.
Dedicated Gluten-Free Dining Accommodations
Guests with dietary requirements receive thoughtful individual accommodations, including dedicated special gluten-free bread rolls and extensive tailored menu options.
Before you head over
Helpful dining tips and planning advice for your visit to Il Bacaro.
Reserve in Advance or Try the Bar
Il Bacaro operates in an intimate CBD space where tables fill quickly for milestones and business meals; plan ahead and secure reservations well in advance, though walk-ins can sometimes grab counter seating at the bar.
Opt for Kitchen Split-Plating
If you plan to share pasta or main courses, let the staff know—the kitchen thoughtfully splits and plates shared selections onto separate dishes so you can dine effortlessly.
Inquire About Gluten-Free Offerings
Diners with coeliac disease or gluten intolerances are accommodated with dedicated gluten-free bread rolls and multiple tailored menu options.
Explore more places in Melbourne
Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.
Similar places
More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.
- Pizza BarGeelong West · Pizza, Italian, Restaurant, Bar
- Beletti Restaurant Cafe Bar ~ Italian Restaurant DandenongDandenong · Italian, Coffee, Restaurant, Bar, Cafe, Takeaway
- Bar IddaBrunswick East · Italian, Restaurant, Bar
- Left Bank Melbourne Restaurant & Cocktail BarSouthbank · Australian, Italian, Restaurant, Bar, Cafe, Cocktail Bar
- Capitano CarltonCarlton · Italian, Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar
- Topolino'sSt Kilda · Italian, Pizza, Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Takeaway, Wine Bar
Discover more in Melbourne
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- SANTUCCI‘sCamberwell · Coffee, Cafe
- Mad Ram CafeCroydon · Coffee, Cafe
- Hotel Esplanade (The Espy)St Kilda · Cantonese, Pub, Restaurant
- Particle CafeAvondale Heights · Vegan, Restaurant, Cafe
- The Rocks MorningtonMornington · Cocktail, Seafood, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar
- Hakata Gensuke Ramen LygonCarlton · Japanese, Restaurant
- CirclMelbourne · European, Restaurant
- Cafe ZooDrysdale · Coffee, Cafe, Restaurant
- Plough HotelFootscray · Gastropub, Pub, Restaurant
- Nahm Tao Thai KitchenNorth Melbourne · Thai, Restaurant
- ONDA Bar & Eatery - RichmondRichmond · American, Vegan, Vegetarian, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar
- FT Local Kitchen and BarFerntree Gully · Burger, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar
