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Restaurant

La Taverna

222 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia

Recommended by 48 people

Updated

Find La Taverna

222 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9387 3132
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM Friday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About La Taverna

Skip the white-tablecloth scene on Lygon Street for this 1969 throwback, where slow-rise Italian flour dough yields a sturdy, homestyle crust loaded with generous toppings. Locals bypass the tourist strips for rustic tables and warm, unhurried hospitality. Kitchen hands pre-roast vegetables before baking so every bite stays intact on the slice. Expect classic, comforting fare without inflated prices—from tender veal dishes to fresh fettuccine marinara tossed with calamari, scallops, and herb butter.

  • Homestyle Pizza Craft: Dough made with Italian flour undergoes a slow rise for a sturdy, golden base, topped with pre-roasted vegetables that bite cleanly.
  • Vintage 1969 Charm: Wood-panelled retro interior and unpretentious seating untouched since 1969 deliver an authentic neighborhood trattoria feel.
RestaurantPizzaItalianRestaurantTakeaway

What's On at La Taverna

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Reasons to Choose La Taverna

Why diners choose La Taverna for classic Italian dining and homestyle takeaway

  • Unpretentious Vintage Dining Room

    The dining room preserves an authentic retro 1969 interior with rustic tables, offering a cozy traditional setting free from modern commercial pretension.

    the whole interior has not changed since 1969 but very cool it's like nonna home

    Renata

  • Classic Old-School Trattoria Ambience

    Diners experience a grounded, classic Italian eatery where nostalgic ambiance and generous traditional dishes take priority over white-tablecloth formality.

    I personally love the old school style and humble atmosphere.

    Robert Chambers

  • Unhurried and Gracious Hospitality

    Hospitality is unhurried and accommodating, allowing parties to enjoy their meals and finish dining comfortably without pressure to turn tables.

    let us stay to finish our meal even after they were trying to close without pressuring us which is a rarity.

    Steven Megaloudis

  • Warm Environment for Family and Friends

    The dining room cultivates a genuine, welcoming neighborhood environment that makes group gatherings and family dinners comfortable and warm.

    Very welcoming atmosphere that feels genuine and inviting.

    David Wild

  • Thoughtful Homestyle Pizza Preparation

    Pizzas are prepared with deliberate care, incorporating slow-rise dough and pre-roasted vegetables so toppings remain intact slice after slice.

    They take the time to pre-roast vegetables before putting them on the pizza, meaning that they are soft enough to actually bite through and therefore stay on your slice.

    Patrick R

  • Generously Topped, Structured Pizzas

    Pizzas deliver hearty portion sizes and dependable structural integrity, maintaining their composition and quality for dine-in or takeaway.

    Time after time La Taverna delivers a pizza that is extremely tasty, has structural integrity and is generous both in size and in toppings.

    Alex Psaltis

Signature Italian classics and house-made staples praised by guests

  • Pizza

    perfect pizza - light and crunchy base with delicious toppings.

    Damien Carroll

  • Gnocchi

    gnocchi melted in the mouth, so good.

    Stephen Whitmore

  • Marinara with fettuccine

    The pasta was so fresh and tasty with the butter and herb liquid. Calamari was perfect as were the prawns and scallops.

    Scott Watterson

  • Veal

    The veal was the best I’ve tasted.

    Robert Chambers

Beyond the menu

Memorable details and hospitality touches that define dining at La Taverna

  • Personal Dough Insights from the Capo

    The owner or head pizzaiolo takes the time to sit directly with diners to discuss his dough-making technique, the specific Italian flour he uses, and the importance of a slow rise.

  • Pre-Roasted Pizza Toppings

    Vegetables are systematically roasted before being arranged on pizzas so they are soft enough to bite cleanly through and hold firmly to each slice.

  • Unrushed Closing-Time Hospitality

    Staff deliberately permit patrons to stay and finish dining comfortably past closing time without any pressure to wrap up or leave.

  • Thoughtful Dietary Adaptability

    Waitstaff actively adapt recipes to accommodate food intolerances, ensuring guests with dietary requirements can dine comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

What style of pizza does La Taverna serve?

La Taverna serves home-style pizza rather than Neapolitan wood-fired style, featuring a well-seasoned, chewy crust with good rise and toppings like pre-roasted vegetables that stay intact on your slice. Sizes come in three tiers with a two-inch difference between each.

Should you book a table in advance?

Yes. While it is a compact dining room with limited floor staff during peak rushes, table reservations are accepted and recommended ahead of time on busy evenings.

What are the parking options nearby?

You can find street parking directly along Lygon Street as well as on surrounding side streets, with options including free and paid street parking nearby.

Are vegetarian and dietary-friendly dishes available?

The venue is very accommodating of dietary preferences, with dedicated vegetarian selections and staff who assist with food intolerances.

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