Restaurant

Tiamo

303 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 23 people

Updated

Find Tiamo

303 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

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HoursMonday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Tiamo

Bypass the Lygon Street hawkers and slip into this dimly lit Carlton institution for hearty, unpretentious Italian comfort. The room buzzes with close quarters and thick accents, running with the quiet confidence of a decades-old trattoria that never bothered to chase design trends. Tables fill fast with carafes of house wine, complimentary ciabatta, and self-serve bowls of grated parmesan. Regulars point newcomers straight to the mushroom pizza and steaming bowls of spaghetti marinara in rich Napoli sauce, backed by massive plates of homemade parmigiana. Finish things off with an espresso and a bowl of velvety chocolate mousse or chilled lemon granita.

  • Generous Portions: Bountiful plates of pasta, mushroom pizza, and homemade-style parmigiana arrive in substantial portions meant to feed everyone well.
  • Unpretentious Trattoria Vibe: A casual, decades-old dining room delivers warm, efficient hospitality without fussy decor or modern pretense.
  • Table Starters Included: Meals start immediately with complimentary ciabatta, olive oil, and self-serve parmesan bowls set right on the table.
  • Traditional Dolci: Classic desserts round out the meal, from light tiramisu to chocolate mousse and icy lemon granitas.

What's On at Tiamo

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Tiamo

Why diners return to Carlton's long-standing Lygon Street institution

  • Complimentary Bread and Self-Serve Tableside Accompaniments

    Guests are welcomed with complimentary Italian ciabatta bread alongside bowls of parmesan and olive oil to season their dishes at their own discretion.

    Our meals came out together and quickly with Italian extras of Ciabatta bread, olive oil and Parmesan cheese bowl to add ourselves

    Bernadette Sutherland
  • Abundant Portions of Classic Comfort Dishes

    Generous, hearty servings across cannelloni, ragu, and pastas ensure everyone leaves completely satisfied without skimping on quality.

    The food was excellent and generous portions.

    Sam Todorovic
  • Unpretentious and Homely Trattoria Atmosphere

    Tiamo bypasses modern aesthetics and influencer trends in favor of an authentic, dimly lit, ego-free trattoria setting that feels just like stepping into an Italian home kitchen.

    It feels like a home kitchen that accidentally became famous and never bothered to update the decor.

    Baggage Claim Philosopher
  • Genuine Warmth That Feels Like Home

    Solo visitors and interstate travelers are greeted with personal warmth and generous hospitality from the team, leaving guests feeling instantly looked after.

    made me feel at home. What a warm place - I will definitely come back!

    Giulia B.
  • Unhurried Group Celebrations and Large Gatherings

    Large dining groups of up to fourteen enjoy unhurried service where plates and drinks arrive promptly while friends and family linger comfortably.

    We were a large group of 14, but the waiters were amazing. Gave us time to order and didn't rush us.

    G G
  • Platters and Pastas Made for Sharing

    Generously portioned share dishes, pizzas, and focaccias allow families and multi-generation parties to commemorate major milestones with ease.

    Both dishes were hearty, flavourful, and perfectly portioned for three to share.

    Debi Slinger

Other favorites

Traditional starters, sides, and sweet finales to round out your meal

  • Tiramisu

    The tiramisu was so perfectly textured, mix of sweet and soft.

    Charbel Tannous
  • Bruschetta

    The mushroom pasta, caprese pizza and bruschetta were all just amazing!!

    Jinali Jasani
  • Garlic Foccacia

    had the Garlic Foccacia as a starter. The meals were all amazing, packed with flavour and all very good serving sizes too

    Lee Wieden
  • Ciabatta bread

    Our meals came out together and quickly with Italian extras of Ciabatta bread, olive oil and Parmesan cheese bowl to add ourselves 😋

    Bernadette Sutherland

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches that elevate the dining experience at Tiamo

  • Complimentary Bread and Tabletop Parmesan Bowl

    Guests are welcomed with complimentary bread, olive oil, and a self-serve bowl of grated parmesan cheese set directly on the table.

  • Complimentary Birthday Celebrations

    Groups dining for birthdays are treated to thoughtful celebratory gestures, such as complimentary drinks served to the guest of honor.

  • Personalized Travel Advice from the Owner

    The owner personally engages with visiting patrons, offering tailored travel advice and road trip recommendations over dinner.

  • Heated Outdoor Dining Area

    The outdoor street dining area is equipped with full outdoor heating to keep patrons warm and comfortable during colder Carlton evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you book in advance or can you walk in?

Booking ahead is strongly recommended as the restaurant gets very busy during peak hours and weekend evenings. However, walk-in diners can often be accommodated, typically with a short wait of 5 to 20 minutes in line.

How are the portion sizes?

Portions at Tiamo are notably generous and filling across both pasta and main dishes. Sharing multiple dishes among guests is a common way to enjoy a meal without over-ordering.

Is outdoor seating available?

Yes, Tiamo provides both indoor dining and an outdoor seating area along Lygon Street, equipped with outdoor heaters for cooler days.

Does Tiamo split bills or apply weekend surcharges?

No, Tiamo does not split bills for groups, so dining parties should plan to settle the total bill together. Additionally, a 10% surcharge applies on weekends and 15% on public holidays.

Do meals come with complimentary bread?

Yes, complimentary bread (such as ciabatta) is served with your meal, alongside table olive oil and bowls of parmesan cheese to add to your liking.

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