Restaurant
The Hardware Club
43 Hardware Lane Upstairs, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find The Hardware Club
43 Hardware Lane Upstairs, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout The Hardware Club
Tucked upstairs off Hardware Lane, this lively Italian haunt trades in blistered crusts, fiery pastas, and genuine hospitality. Regulars come for the spaghetti all'assassina—scorched in yesterday's sugo until deeply charred and spicy—alongside crab and squid ink croquettes pooled in lobster butter. The open kitchen keeps the dining room humming with energy while the floor crew works the room, snapping Polaroids and handing out handwritten cards for birthday tables over complimentary tiramisu. Squeeze in for a glass of wine and housemade habanero honey flatbread, and wrap up with Oscar's affogato.
- Personal Celebration Keepsakes: Staff celebrate birthdays with handwritten cards, complimentary tiramisu, and commemorative Polaroid photos.
- Charred Pan-Fried Pastas: Pan-scorched, intensely spicy spaghetti all'assassina stars alongside woodfired flatbreads and squid ink croquettes.
- Elevated Laneway Room: Perched above the laneway bustle, the dining room pairs an open kitchen with bar seating for wine and small plates.
What's On at The Hardware Club
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose The Hardware Club
Why diners choose The Hardware Club for milestone celebrations, punchy pastas, and spontaneous laneway aperitivi.
Celebrations Honored with Keepsakes
Guests celebrating birthdays receive thoughtful bespoke touches, including personalized handwritten cards, candles, and complimentary desserts.
They took a Polaroid photo of us, gave us a handwritten card, and surprised us with a complimentary tiramisu to celebrate our birthdays.
elma khan Dedicated Event Hospitality
Parties and birthday groups enjoy attentive event hospitality, custom desserts, and a festive environment tailored to special occasions.
There were decorations, they had made a scrumptious cake coupled with excellent food and brilliant service.
Geoff Simkiss Signature Charred Assassina Pasta
The kitchen is renowned for bold, fiery preparations like pan-charred Spaghetti all'Assassina paired with rich sugo and melted mozzarella.
Spaghetti Assassina, crispy very spicy, charred yesterday’s sugo with mozzarella
Meatloaf Muncher Inventive Italian Comfort Dishes
Inventive woodfired culinary techniques yield comforting, standout plates like cacio e pepe toasties and elevated pasta staples.
Cacio e pepe toastie, bone marrow on toast, spaghetti assassina and the pappardelle al limone were INCREDIBLE.
Emily Gilbert Welcoming Walk-In Bar Seating
Even when fully booked, the team accommodates walk-ins at the bar counter for spontaneous cocktails and Italian amaro.
Came here for dinner tonight with no reservations and they were fully booked but Lorenza still found a way to accommodate us and gave us a seating right at the bar.
Clariz Ramon Hidden Upstairs Laneway Dining
Tucked up a discrete laneway staircase, the elevated room provides an intimate escape overlooking the buzzy laneway with views into the kitchen.
There is a small door and stairs that leads off Hardware Lane to this wonderful restaurant.
John Selleck
Most popular items
Signature woodfired plates and punchy pasta dishes
Spaghetti Assassina
Spaghetti Assassina, crispy very spicy, charred yesterday’s sugo with mozzarella
Meatloaf Muncher Flatbread
The food was Ah- mazing that flatbread- 🤤.
fariha ahmed Cacio e pepe toastie
Cacio e pepe toastie, bone marrow on toast, spaghetti assassina and the pappardelle al limone were INCREDIBLE.
Emily Gilbert Veal Cotoletta
Special mention to their veal cotoletta.
Clariz Ramon
Other favorites
Indulgent desserts and after-dinner Italian digestifs
Classic Tiramisu
The tiramisu was beautifully balanced, light and creamy without being overly sweet
Steven Rushworth Panna Cotta
the panna cotta was silky smooth and an excellent way to finish the meal.
Steven Rushworth Limoncello
Don’t be shy to ask for the nightcap Limoncello.
Umberto Mecchi Affogato
Oscar also makes a delightful affogato.
Liam Genoway
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality gestures and personal keepsakes that elevate dining on Hardware Lane
Commemorative Polaroids and handwritten cards
For birthday celebrations, the team snaps an instant Polaroid photograph of your party and delivers a handwritten card to take home as a memento.
Celebratory birthday desserts
Milestone celebrations and birthday dinners are treated to surprise celebratory desserts, complete with candles and camera heads-ups from staff.
Nightcap Limoncello and amaro pours
Guests lingering after meals or dropping in for dinner are frequently treated to complimentary house-made limoncello or Montenegro shots.
Accommodating walk-in bar seating
Even when fully booked, front-of-house staff actively accommodate spontaneous drop-ins at the bar counter or fit walk-ins between reservations.
Before you head over
Practical planning advice on reservations, walk-ins, and ordering.
Walk In Early for Bar Seating
While bookings fill quickly, staff can often accommodate walk-in diners right at the bar counter or fit you in between reservations for drinks and small plates.
Mention Celebrations in Advance
Note special occasions and birthdays when booking; the team frequently surprises parties with handwritten cards, Polaroid keepsake photos, and celebratory desserts.
Expect Serious Spice on Signature Pastas
The kitchen prepares bold regional specialties like Spaghetti all'Assassina with genuine heat and charred sugo, making it ideal for serious chilli enthusiasts.
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