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Restaurant

Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante

306-308 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 16 people

Updated

Find Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante

306-308 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9021 9995
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante

Step into Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante for hearty Italian comfort served in a full-tilt 1970s Nonna dining room. Lace tablecloths under clear plastic protectors set the scene along Lygon Street, while the floor runs on lively, familial chatter and spontaneous rounds of applause for birthday tables. The kitchen delivers on old-school warmth without novelty pretension—turning out crispy-edged pasta al forno, al dente cacio e pepe, and golden arancini. Guests join an on-site queue for tables before digging into multi-course platters or finishing with classic tiramisu.

  • Nostalgic Nonna setting: Decorated with vintage wallpaper, retro crockery, and plastic-covered lace tablecloths reminiscent of a 1970s family dining room.
  • Walk-in dining model: Operates without advance bookings, running an on-site queue and message paging system for tables.
  • Homestyle feast menu: Offers multi-course communal spreads alongside homestyle staples like crispy pasta al forno, cacio e pepe, and arancini.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at Johnny, Vince and Sam’s Ristorante

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Johnny, Vince and Sam’s

Discover why diners choose Johnny, Vince and Sam’s for nostalgic Italian dining and festive gatherings on Lygon Street.

  • Transportive Nonna-Inspired Decor

    From lace tablecloths protected by clear plastic to retro crockery and vintage wallpaper, the dining room recreates an authentic 1970s Italian-Australian family home.

    I genuinely felt like I was sitting in my nonna’s dining room. Every detail has clearly been carefully thought out, right down to the tablecloths, and it was all executed beautifully.

    Alana Rayner

  • Authentic Homestyle Cooking Over Gimmick

    The dining room delivers genuine home-cooked depth, rustic sauces, and freshly made pasta that surpass expectations of a novelty venue.

    A top spot that is definitely no gimmick, offering no-bullshit, generous, home-style italian food.

    STEPH • MELB FOOD & TRAVEL

  • Spontaneous Walk-In Dining with Table Paging

    A dedicated walk-in only policy paired with an active paging system lets guests check in and explore Lygon Street while tables turn briskly.

    Also loved the message system to wait for a table, got to go for a before dinner walk.

    Max DAmbrosio

  • The 'Nonna Feed Me' Communal Banquet

    A complete four-course banquet option designed for the table provides generous, effortless sharing without tedious decision-making.

    You can order a la carte, or opt for the 4 course “Nonna Feed Me” for $75pp.

    STEPH • MELB FOOD & TRAVEL

  • Communal Birthday Celebrations

    Family milestone celebrations and birthdays bring enthusiastic participation from waitstaff and surrounding tables in a warm communal environment.

    Couple of birthdays celebrated and the whole restaurant clapped. Wonderful familial atmosphere.

    Brett Marshall

  • Multi-Generational Family Gatherings

    Multi-generational families connect across decades as grandparents, parents, and grandchildren share nostalgia and celebratory dinners together.

    We had a table of 10 for my mum's 70th and were well looked after in every regard. Even a birthday song and music.

    Gemma Denton

Homestyle Italian classics crafted to taste just like Nonna's cooking

  • Lasagne

    Pasta mains of lasagne (homemade pasta makes the biggest difference with this dish, delish)

    Brett Marshall

  • Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

    spaghetti cacio e pepe (like the Roma one😀) - also outstanding.

    Brett Marshall

  • Pino’s Polpette

    Pino’s Polpette - perfect, tender, juicy meatballs in a tomato sauce almost identical to my Nonna’s.

    STEPH • MELB FOOD & TRAVEL

  • Gouseppina's Gnocchi

    best dish was Gouseppina's Gnocchi

    Tass karagiozis

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches that define the retro dining experience

  • Dining Room Birthday Celebrations

    When guests celebrate birthdays, the staff and entire dining room spontaneously join in singing happy birthday with celebratory music playing.

  • Vintage Domestic Table Settings

    Every table is styled with authentic lace tablecloths protected by clear plastic covers, vintage wallpaper, and retro domestic crockery.

  • SMS Queue Paging System

    Rather than keeping guests stranded in a physical line, the venue runs an SMS messaging system that notifies diners when their table is ready.

  • The 'Nonna Feed Me' Feast

    Groups can choose a dedicated four-course communal feast designed around family-style homestyle courses.

Before you head over

Practical advice on walk-ins, wait times, and dietary needs for your visit

  • Arrive early to avoid peak waits

    Because the venue operates on a walk-in-only basis and does not take reservations, queues can build up during peak dining rushes. Arriving early or outside peak dinner times helps minimise your wait at the door.

  • Use the waitlist paging system

    When wait times do occur, staff run a digital message paging system. Leave your name at the door and you can freely stroll along Lygon Street until notified that your table is ready.

  • Ask for gluten-free options

    Those visiting with coeliac or gluten sensitivities can dine comfortably, with reviewers noting that gluten-free dietary needs are thoughtfully and seamlessly catered for rather than treated as an afterthought.

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