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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take reservations or is it walk-in only?

The restaurant operates on a walk-in basis with no advance bookings. During busy periods, you can leave your name at the door and receive a text alert when a table is ready, with wait times often around 15 to 20 minutes.

What is the decor and dining atmosphere like?

The decor is styled like a 1970s Italian-Australian Nonna’s dining room, complete with lace tablecloths under clear plastic protectors, retro crockery, and vintage family artwork.

What set menu options are offered?

In addition to à la carte pasta, pinsa-style pizza, and mains, the kitchen offers a multi-course banquet option known as the Nonna Feed Me set menu for sharing.

Can the kitchen cater to allergies and dietary requirements?

Yes, the venue accommodates gluten-free diners, and staff are attentive to guest dietary needs such as egg allergies.

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