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Restaurant

The Waiters Restaurant

20 Meyers Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 65 people

Updated

Find The Waiters Restaurant

20 Meyers Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9650 1508
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About The Waiters Restaurant

Up a steep flight of stairs in Meyers Place awaits an unpretentious trattoria serving classic homestyle Italian. No printed menus, no prices, and no tablecloths—just tight communal tables and chalkboards packed with cucina casalinga. City workers crowd in for hearty bowls of Rigatoni Amatriciana before an evening show, mopping up rich tomato sauce with warm herb bread. It gets loud and pleasantly chaotic, with house wine poured into water tumblers alongside a slice of coffee-dusted tiramisu.

  • Upstairs Laneway Classic: Past an unassuming laneway door, a steep staircase leads to a compact dining room running since the 1940s.
  • Chalkboard Menu: Dishes are written on wall chalkboards with no printed menus or prices displayed.
  • Communal Homestyle Dining: Generous pasta and veal mains share space on tight tables where parties often sit side by side.
RestaurantItalianRestaurant

What's On at The Waiters Restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Key Dining Advantages

Why diners choose The Waiters Restaurant for classic Italian in Melbourne's CBD

  • Hearty Homestyle Italian Cooking

    Classic pasta and hearty meat dishes are prepared simply with rich, consistent flavours.

    Great old school Italian restaurant with great homestyle food.

    Mark Pohl

  • Unpretentious Value and Portions

    Generous servings of fresh pasta and traditional mains deliver exceptional quality and value without unnecessary frills.

    food done extremely well with generous portions and great atmosphere.

    Zane Zhao

  • Storied Local Culinary Institution

    Dining here offers the satisfaction of stepping into a long-standing, storied Melbourne institution.

    A meal here connects you to a Melbourne culinary and cultural icon.

    Paul Taylor

  • Hidden Destination for Visiting Guests

    Tucked away in Meyers Place, it provides a distinctive, off-the-beaten-track dining experience to share with guests.

    I had dinner at The Waiters Restaurant (Italian Waiters Club) last night with some friends visiting from Sydney and it didn’t disappoint.

    Ben Robinson

  • Dependable Pre-Theatre Dining

    Its central location and prompt service make it a dependable stop for dinner before an evening out.

    Great place for a quick reliable meal before going elsewhere to enjoy your night’s entertainment.

    Patrizia Bordignon

  • Tucked-Away Upstairs Sanctuary

    An intimate second-floor dining room accessed via laneway stairs creates a cozy, transportive sanctuary above the CBD.

    after heading up a steep set of stairs you’re welcomed into the cosy sanctuary that is the restaurant.

    Tali Ane F

Homestyle pasta and classic main dishes from the chalkboard menu

  • Rigatoni Amatriciana

    Gorgeously delicious Rigatoni Amatriciana

    Jenn P

  • Tortellini Bolognese

    perfectly cooked pasta with rich, flavourful bolognaise that hit the spot

    Ben Adams

  • Gnocchi Gorgonzola

    Had the gnocchi Gorgonzola and it was amazing and a generous serve.

    Crystal Kranz

  • Saltimbocca

    I had the saltimbocca which which delicious.

    Patrizia Bordignon

Other favorites

Classic Italian starters, sides, and house-made desserts

  • Tiramisu

    Tiramisu’s a standout.

    Green Sea Shells Mag: Wellness by KK

  • Garlic Bread

    garlic bread

    Maneesha Singh

  • Herb Bread

    divine herb bread

    Jenn P

  • Panna Cotta

    The Panna Cotta is as rich as it is light - highly rate.

    Catherine Ponsana

Frequently Asked Questions

How does ordering work, and are prices displayed?

Food options are written directly on wall chalkboards rather than printed menus, and prices are generally unlisted, with pasta dishes around $30 and mains around $35–$40. Staff can explain any unfamiliar Italian terms and clarify item costs.

Is the dining room wheelchair accessible?

The dining room is located upstairs via a steep flight of stairs off Meyers Place. There is no elevator or step-free access, which can make entry difficult for anyone with mobility limitations.

Do you need a reservation, or can you share tables?

Table reservations can be booked in advance and are strongly recommended because the compact dining room fills quickly. Walk-ins may face a wait or need to share a table during busy times.

Can you get food delivered or bring your own wine?

The restaurant operates a dining room upstairs with dine-in table service for lunch and dinner, but it does not offer delivery. BYO wine is also welcomed by guests.

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