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Restaurant

Papa Gino's

221 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 77 people

Updated

Find Papa Gino's

221 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9347 5758
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Papa Gino's

Old-school Lygon Street comfort hits right away at Papa Gino's, dishing up oversized thin-crust pies and hearty pasta bowls without modern markup. Regulars step right into the warm clatter of a timeless Carlton fixture where baked crust and garlic sugo fill the dining room. Pizzas arrive with blistered, crispy edges and tender centers—built to split half-and-half across hearty toppings. A mammoth fifteen-inch Seafood Marinara comes landed on a metal tray loaded with large prawns, alongside three-pasta tasting combinations and light clam spaghetti. Tables turn fast under quick staff, bills remain remarkably gentle, and weekend surcharges never make it onto the check.

  • Oversized Classic Pizzas: Thin-crust pizzas arrive on large metal trays loaded with toppings like prawns, built easily to share with half-and-half or multi-flavor splits.
  • Nostalgic Lygon Street Institution: A Carlton staple retaining its timeless, unpretentious charm, lively room, and comforting aromas for generations of diners.
  • Zero Weekend Surcharges: Generous portions come at approachable price points with no surcharge tacked on for weekends or public holidays.
RestaurantItalianRestaurant

What's On at Papa Gino's

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Papa Gino's

Why diners rely on Papa Gino's for classic Italian comfort on Lygon Street

  • Generous Portions for Group Feasts

    Oversized pizzas and hearty pasta bowls are packed with toppings and served in giant portions made for sharing at accessible prices.

    The servings are generous, the prices are affordable and it’s perfect for sharing with family or friends.

    Sandra Nguyen

  • Multi-Flavour Pizza & Pasta Combos

    Guests can order flexible half-and-half pizzas, four-flavour split pies, or three-pasta combination platters to sample multiple dishes easily.

    Loved that you can do half & half pizzas (we did Meat Lover + Gino Special, both amazing!) and the 3-pasta combo was a dream for indecisive eaters.

    Jenny Zhou

  • Nostalgic Old-School Atmosphere

    Diners step into an authentic Lygon Street institution that retains its beloved vintage decor, traditional aromas, and unpretentious character.

    the atmosphere, the smell, and - thankfully - the pizzas, were just as I remembered. And it was nice to take a trip back in time.

    Nick Rech

  • Lively Heritage Dining Vibe

    An open, vibrant setting where guests can watch pizzaiolos tossing dough while enjoying warm hospitality and classic Italian comfort fare.

    restaurant has great vibe, you can see chefs making pizza as you dine.

    Bidhya bishwokarma

  • Zero Weekend or Holiday Surcharges

    Unlike most Melbourne eateries, weekends and public holidays do not incur any bill surcharges, preserving genuine value every day.

    Another big plus — no weekend surcharge, which is pretty rare these days 👍

    AILEE

  • Fast Turnaround During Peak Hours

    Even during peak weekend rushes with dining rooms packed, freshly prepared pizzas and pastas arrive swiftly at the table or ready for takeaway.

    The service was friendly and efficient, and the food came out delicious as always.

    Dni

Generous, time-tested Carlton favourites made for sharing

  • Super Special Pizza

    Love the pizzas here. Very generous servings especially the Super Special (with abundant prawns).

    David C

  • Carbonara

    creamy, comforting and served in a huge portion.

    Sandra Nguyen

  • Lasagna

    The ultimate comfort food! Rich, cheesy, and baked to perfection. A must-try.

    Ellie FENG

  • Seafood Marinara Pizza

    comes with generous toppings including large prawns, and the portion is easily enough for 3 to 4 people.

    Rachel Lu

Other favorites

Starters and classic Italian desserts to complement your feast

  • Fried Calamari

    golden, crispy and tender on the inside. A great starter before the mains.

    Sandra Nguyen

  • Tiramisu

    Incredibly creamy and perfectly balanced. The best way to end the meal!

    Ellie FENG

  • Homemade Tartufo

    Also loved the homemade tartufo for dessert.

    clover cheng

  • Cheesecake

    Dessert — tiramisu and cheesecake — was the perfect ending to a lovely meal

    Mai Hua

Before you head over

Practical dining advice for ordering, sharing, and timing your visit to Lygon Street.

  • Peak Times & Fast Turnaround

    Plan around high-volume dinner rushes and weekend lineups; staff maintain fast kitchen turnaround and takeout prep if you are on a tight schedule.

  • Ordering Multi-Flavour Platters

    Take advantage of multi-flavor pizza splits and three-pasta combination platters to sample different classic recipes across your table.

  • Weekend & Holiday Dining

    Dine during weekends or public holidays without factoring in typical Melbourne hospitality penalty surcharges onto your bill.

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