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Restaurant

Zita's Focaccia

16 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Recommended by 25 people

Updated

Find Zita's Focaccia

16 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9191 9092
HoursMonday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Zita's Focaccia

Expect thin, blistered Genovese-style focaccia fermented for up to 38 hours on South Yarra’s Toorak Road. The storefront sports a bright yellow trim and an AS Roma scarf on the wall, turning out crisp slabs that sidestep heavy doughiness. Regulars zero in on the Roman Empire—layered with mortadella, stracciatella, pistachios, and artichoke sauce—or the octopus-packed Too Hot To Last. Inside stools fill fast, but street tables give you room to pair lunch with a limoncello spritz in the sun.

  • Genovese-Style Crust: Fermented up to 38 hours, the Genovese-style bread is baked thin and crisp so fillings take center stage without feeling heavy.
  • Bold Roman Fillings: Signatures include the mortadella-heavy Roman Empire and the Too Hot To Last filled with tender octopus and rich sauces.
  • Daytime Spritzes: Rather than a sit-down cafe coffee menu, the counter pairs sandwiches with limoncello and grapefruit spritzes or Italian sodas.
  • Sunlit Street Seating: Seating inside is compact, making outdoor tables and takeaway the preferred path for quick weekday lunches.
RestaurantSandwich/SubsRestaurant

What's On at Zita's Focaccia

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Zita's Focaccia

Authentic Genovese focaccia, artisanal fillings, and daytime aperitivo spritzes on Toorak Road

  • Thin, Crisp Genovese-Style Focaccia

    Zita's bakes thin, crispy Genovese-style bread fermented up to 38 hours rather than serving thick, heavy slabs, letting the fillings shine without carb overload.

    The focaccia is thinner and crispier than the doughy slabs you see going around, prepared in a traditional Genovese style, and it’s all the better for it.

    Quincy

  • Artisan Fillings and Balanced Profiles

    Sandwiches are generously assembled with artisanal ingredients like mortadella, stracciatella, nduja, and cooked seafood for balanced bite and texture.

    In terms of a focaccia SANDWICH, Zita wins in terms of balance, flavour and quality.

    Mel B

  • Italian Seaside Nostalgia

    The authentic hospitality, Italian music, and flavours transport guests straight to a sunlit European coastal holiday during their midday meal.

    From the second you step in, you are transported to the Italian seaside.

    Regaleatsmelb

  • Light Yet Fully Satisfying Lunches

    Guests leave thoroughly satisfied by generous gourmet sandwich flavours without feeling weighed down by excessive, spongy bread.

    it’s the thin and crispy kind, so it never feels heavy or carb-loaded. Perfectly light and satisfying!

    Maru

  • Afternoon Spritz & Cocktail Culture

    Instead of operating as a standard coffee-focused cafe, the bar pairs savoury toasted focaccia with limoncello, aperol, and specialty spritzes.

    With no coffee on the menu, a limoncello spritz in hand is almost mandatory if dining in.

    Regaleatsmelb

  • Lively Aperitivo Atmosphere

    Vibrant yellow storefront decor and spirited Italian service create a cheerful, transportive holiday vibe right on Toorak Road.

    Cool Italian vibes and delicious foccacias.

    Vincent Lung

Signature Genovese-style focaccia sandwiches customer favorites

  • Roman Empire

    One of the best Focaccias that I have tried in Melbourne so far. I ordered the Roman Empire and it was very delicious, with lost of mortadella and stracciatella cheese inside, plus the pistachio added some extra flavour.

    Edo Madrid

  • Too Hot To Last

    complex flavours with perfectly cooked octopus & nduja, will literally blow your mind

    Mel B

  • Steak focaccia

    The Steak focaccia was unbelievably delicious - one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.

    Hamish Allpress

  • Luigi

    Truffle & mushroom cream elevates the salty umami flavour of that prosciutto just wow. Rocket gives it that nice freshness it needs.

    Mel B

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the focaccia prepared?

Zita's focaccia is baked thin and crisp in a Genovese style—fermented up to 38 hours—rather than served as thick, doughy slabs, giving it a crunchy toasted bite without feeling heavy or carb-loaded.

Is there dine-in seating available?

Indoor seating is limited to around 10 seats and can get cozy or loud, but outdoor street tables are available and takeaway is readily accommodated.

Do you need to wait or arrive early?

Expect lines during peak weekend lunch periods and around opening time, though the staff works quickly. Calling ahead can help secure popular options like the octopus focaccia before it sells out.

What drinks are served with lunch?

The drinks menu highlights Italian spritzes—such as limoncello and aperol cocktails—along with Italian sodas, rather than operating as a coffee bar.

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