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Restaurant

Il Gambero - Italian Restaurant in Carlton

166 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 75 people

Updated

Find Il Gambero - Italian Restaurant in Carlton

166 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9663 2246
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Il Gambero - Italian Restaurant in Carlton

Il Gambero delivers unpretentious, classic Italian comfort straight to the heart of Lygon Street. Long-time regulars head here for generous pasta platters and crisp pizzas without the typical strip posturing. In the kitchen, homestyle cooking takes center stage—think tender gnocchi bolognese, prawn-studded signature spaghetti, and comforting cannelloni. The dining room balances lively family gatherings with quick, accommodating service, easily fielding cheese-free orders and shifting outdoor tables when Melbourne squalls roll in. Bring your own favorite bottle of wine for the table, or pull up a chair for a draft pour alongside a piping-hot slice.

  • Classic Homestyle Italian: Serves crowd-pleasing pastas, pizzas, and house specials accommodating diverse tastes and custom dietary requests.
  • Dedicated Upstairs Function Room: Features a private bar, dance floor, and balcony space designed for milestone parties and work gatherings.
  • BYO Wine Friendly: Allows guests to bring their own wine to accompany meals alongside house pours by the glass.
RestaurantItalianRestaurantBar

What's On at Il Gambero - Italian Restaurant in Carlton

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

No events or specials listed right now.

The Il Gambero Advantage

Why diners and groups choose Il Gambero for everyday family meals and milestone celebrations on Lygon Street.

  • Classic Italian Crowd-Pleasers

    Generous traditional pasta dishes and wood-fired-style pizzas provide satisfying options for large family gatherings and multi-generational groups.

    Me and the family ate here tonight, ordered a range of pizzas and pasta’s.

    Dcw Electrical

  • Flexible Beverage and BYO Options

    Guests can enjoy a flexible drinks selection, with wines offered by the glass or the option to bring their own favorite bottles.

    Happy with the selection of wines by the glass, and byo is available.

    Jeanette

  • Dedicated Upstairs Function Space

    The private upstairs room features dedicated bar staff, music setup, a dancefloor, and balcony access suited for milestone celebrations.

    It was a big space with a TV to set up photos and we were able to set up our own music up there as well.

    Samantha H

  • Tailored Event and Party Hosting

    Organizers hosting work events and large milestone gatherings receive attentive bar and platter service in a private setting.

    We had our staff party in the function room, and it was fantastic! The food was delicious, the bar service was attentive

    Jessica Brewer

  • Attentive and Reassuring Care

    The floor team handles unexpected conditions and busy shifts with care, rearranging setups and seating guests comfortably.

    Despite being fully booked, the team went above and beyond to look after us.

    Kylie Hardie

  • Welcoming, Homestyle Comfort

    Diners experience the warmth and comfort of unpretentious, homestyle Italian cooking in a relaxed neighbourhood setting.

    Fantastic Italian food. Felt like home.

    Michael D'Alessandro

Customer-favorite signature pastas, seafood, and mains

  • Gnocchi Bolognese

    The gnocchi bolognese was a winner, soft home made pillowy goodness.

    Jeanette

  • Il Gambero Spaghetti

    I ordered the il gambero spaghetti as a main. It was absolutely delicious.

    Maggie Triantafillou

  • Seafood Platter

    The seafood platter is delicious and well worth the trip.

    Nick Bakai

  • Mushroom Risotto

    I love the mushroom risotto, very delicious.

    Thuyen Vu

Other favorites

Starters, desserts, and beverage choices to accompany your meal

  • Garlic Bread

    Ordered lasagne, spaghetti bolognese & garlic bread and was absolutely delicious.

    Stef Chetcuti

  • Bruschetta

    I shared a bruschetta to start which was very tasty

    Karen Edwards

  • Tiramisu

    The tiramisu is a must try!

    Rhythm Gupta

  • Wine by the Glass

    Happy with the selection of wines by the glass, and byo is available.

    Jeanette

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful touches and above-and-beyond care that elevate your visit to Il Gambero

  • Proactive Weather Relocation

    When outdoor diners encountered heavy rain and wind during a fully booked service, staff rearranged the outdoor tables for immediate shelter and relocated the entire party inside as soon as room opened up.

  • Expedited Priority Kitchen Timing

    Guests pressed for time had their meal orders expedited to the front of the queue by the team to ensure they could dine without delay.

  • Custom Dietary & Cheese-Free Baking

    The kitchen seamlessly modifies pizzas and dishes to satisfy specific dietary preferences, including custom cheese-free pizzas.

  • Dedicated Upstairs Milestone Support

    Hosts in the dedicated upstairs celebration room are provided with a TV for personal photo slideshows, custom audio setup for music, and dedicated bar staff who tray-pass dishes directly to mingling guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I book a table in advance?

Yes, Il Gambero accepts reservations and booking is strongly recommended, especially on busy evenings and for larger parties. Walk-ins can occasionally be accommodated when space allows.

Can I host a private function or group event upstairs?

Il Gambero features an upstairs function room suited for milestone events like 21st birthdays and staff parties. The private space accommodates group function menus and includes its own bar, dance floor, TV display setup, and an outdoor balcony.

Can I bring my own wine (BYO)?

Yes, you can bring your own wine. The restaurant permits BYO wine alongside an available selection of wines by the glass and other drinks from the bar.

Are vegetarian and special dietary requests accommodated?

Yes, the kitchen easily accommodates dietary preferences, offering a wide range of vegetarian pasta and pizza options as well as customized requests like cheese-free pizza.

Is outdoor seating available?

Yes, outdoor street-side dining is available. If rain or high winds occur, staff work to shelter guests and shift outdoor bookings inside as tables free up.

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