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Restaurant

Pausa Pranzo

166/168 High St, Preston VIC 3072, Australia

Recommended by 25 people

Updated

Find Pausa Pranzo

166/168 High St, Preston VIC 3072, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 8456 1018
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Pausa Pranzo

Preston’s midday stop builds authentic Italian lunch breaks on crisp ciabatta, espresso, and Sardinian handmade pasta. Regulars drop in for made-to-order panini layered with mortadella, grilled zucchini, and goat cheese—or tuck into comforting plates of house-made culurgiones. Weekends bring sweet cream maritozzi to the pastry counter, alongside shelves stocked with imported Italian pantry goods.

  • Regional Sardinian specialties: Offers regional specialties rarely seen in standard cafes, including handmade culurgiones and fregola.
  • Traditional Italian panini: Fresh ciabatta panini made to order with traditional fillings like mortadella, prosciutto, and meatballs.
  • Weekend-only maritozzi: Bakes limited weekend batches of brioche buns generously filled with sweet cream.
RestaurantCoffeeItalianCafeRestaurantSandwich Shop

What's On at Pausa Pranzo

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Pausa Pranzo

Discover why locals choose Pausa Pranzo for regional Sardinian flavors, traditional panini, and heartfelt Italian hospitality.

  • Traditional Made-to-Order Lunch

    Guests seeking a midday meal enjoy authentic made-to-order panini featuring fresh crusty bread, premium cold cuts, and homemade pastas.

    They serve up freshly made-to-order panini’s and now pasta options for lunch.

    For the Love of Food

  • Authentic Sardinian Specialties

    Diners can experience handmade Sardinian specialties like culurgiones and fregola crafted using traditional regional techniques.

    traditional home made pasta from Sardegna (culurgiones) and that was amazing

    fabio vivarini

  • Artisan Coffee and Morning Sweets

    Customers start their day with carefully prepared espresso drinks, cappuccini, and fresh Italian morning sweets.

    The cappuccini were great and the staff were very friendly and quick. Panino was also really fresh and simple.

    RiRhi

  • Weekend-Exclusive Maritozzi

    Weekend guests can enjoy exclusive house-special maritozzi sweet cream brioche buns made fresh for weekend visits.

    their house special maritozzi, a sweet cream bun in a brioche roll, only available on the weekends.

    Normandy C Jr

  • Transportive Italian Atmosphere

    Visitors experience the genuine warmth, hospitality, and charm reminiscent of a neighborhood cafe in an Italian town.

    It feels like you've stepped into Italy. Amazing coffee, 10 stars, doesn't matter what time of the day or how busy it is

    Emma Balderson

  • Warm Personal Hospitality

    Owners and staff create genuine personal connections with guests, greeting regulars with thoughtful care and welcoming smiles.

    The staff remembers you even after months and they look out for my dad who has Alzheimers, stopping to talk to him and having a laugh.

    Katrina Loprete

Handcrafted Sardinian pasta, signature crusty panini, and roasted meats

  • Culurgiones

    traditional home made pasta from Sardegna (culurgiones) and that was amazing

    fabio vivarini

  • Meatball Panini

    The house made Napoli sauce is flavorful, the panini is crispy outside and soft inside.

    Lee Dyman

  • Il Caprino Panino

    I ordered the Il Caprino - fresh ciabatta, mortadella, grilled zucchini, goats cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. Whilst I’ve only tried one, I’m confident in saying there’s nothing to fault here.

    For the Love of Food

  • Porchetta

    The Porchetta was a massive favourite, it was so good

    Gabriella Gomersall Hubbard

Other favorites

Traditional Italian sweets, weekend baked specialties, and treats to pair with espresso

  • Tiramisu

    the tiramisu was one of the best we’ve ever had

    Foodie Queen21

  • Maritozzi

    their house special maritozzi, a sweet cream bun in a brioche roll, only available on the weekends

    Normandy C Jr

  • Cannoli

    We all also loved the cannoli.

    Gabriella Gomersall Hubbard

  • Cornetto

    They offered us a flavour of cornetto that they don't normally have which added to our experience.

    RiRhi

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful personal gestures and regional culinary hospitality that elevate every visit

  • Complimentary Coffee While You Wait

    Guests waiting for freshly prepared panini or takeaway orders are warmly offered a complimentary coffee on the house.

  • Tailored Cornetto Offerings

    Staff actively cater to individual pastry preferences by offering special off-menu cornetto flavors not normally displayed.

  • Attentive Multi-Generational Hospitality

    Owners Mauro and Diana provide heartfelt personal connection, remembering regulars across months and sharing laughs with vulnerable family members.

  • Personalized Celebration Platters

    During private catered events, Mauro and the team prepare tailored celebratory spreads featuring porchetta, fregola salads, and antipasto boards.

Before you head over

Practical tips on arrival times, weekend specials, and parking for your visit.

  • Arrive Early for Bakery Items

    If you are visiting for baked goods, aim to arrive before 9am on weekends, as popular morning bakery items can sell out early.

  • Visit on Weekends for Maritozzi

    Plan your visit on Saturday or Sunday if you want to try the house special maritozzi, a sweet cream brioche roll served exclusively on weekends.

  • Take Advantage of High Street Parking

    The cafe is situated at a less busy stretch of High Street, offering accessible street parking options nearby.

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