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Fine Dining · Italian

Al Dente Enoteca Menu Prices 2026: Full À La Carte & Best Dishes

Al Dente Enoteca sits at 161–163 Nicholson Street in Carlton, Melbourne's historic Italian precinct, serving modern Italian cuisine across two spaces: the formal Enoteca dining room and the more relaxed Sapori. Chef Andrea's team makes all pasta in-house from coarse semolina and egg yolks, pairing them with seasonal Australian produce and Italian pantry staples.

Carlton, MelbourneHandmade pastaÀ la carte diningTue–Sat lunch & dinner
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$$

Signature items

Tortelloni Cacio e Pepe$40
Kangaroo Tartare$30
Duck Breast$64
Spaghetti alla Chitarra$65
Jump to: Quick answers Full menu Cheapest items Most popular Compare prices About FAQ
Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Cheapest snack
Marinated olives $8
Most popular pasta
Tortelloni Cacio e Pepe $40
Best value starter
Panzerotti Provolone & Guanciale $6 each
Signature main
Spaghetti alla Chitarra frutti di mare $65
Full menu with prices

Al Dente Enoteca full menu and current prices

Prices are in Australian dollars (AUD) from the February 2026 à la carte menu. Menus change seasonally — verify current prices with the restaurant. A 15% public holiday surcharge applies; a 2.9% surcharge applies to credit card payments.
Snacks (Assaggini)5 itemsEntrée (Antipasti)3 itemsPasta (Primi)4 itemsMains (Secondi)3 itemsSides (Contorni)2 itemsDrinks & Wine8 items
Budget picks

Cheapest items on the Al Dente Enoteca menu

  1. 1Marinated olives$8
  2. 2Panzerotti Provolone & GuancialePriced per piece$6 each
  3. 3Abrolhos ScallopPriced per piece$11 each
  4. 4Sourdough with cultured balsamic butter$10
  5. 5Potatoes$13
  6. 6Rocket, pear & Grana Padano salad$14
  7. 7Stracciatella, pomodoro, peach, basil$28
  8. 8Kangaroo Tartare$30
Price by course

Al Dente Enoteca — price by course

Typical spend per course from the à la carte menu (AUD). Build your own degustation by combining a snack, entrée, pasta, and main.

CourseStarting fromTop of range
Snacks (Assaggini)$6 each$11 each
Entrée$28$32
Pasta (Primi)$39$65
Mains (Secondi)$52$150
Sides$13$14
Price comparison

How Al Dente Enoteca prices compare to similar Melbourne Italian restaurants

Approximate price comparison for similar fine-dining Italian venues in Melbourne. All prices in AUD.

CategoryAl Dente EnotecaTipo 00Grossi Florentino
Entrée / starter$28–$32$22–$30$28–$38
House-made pasta$39–$65$30–$44$38–$58
Meat main$64–$150$48–$90$55–$120
Sides$13–$14$10–$14$12–$16
About

About Al Dente Enoteca

Al Dente Enoteca opened at 161–163 Nicholson Street in Carlton, the suburb long considered the heartland of Italian-Australian culture in Melbourne. The name itself is a double reference: al dente for the correct bite of a properly cooked pasta, and enoteca for a wine-focused Italian eatery. The restaurant is split into two complementary spaces — the intimate Enoteca dining room for a more formal experience, and the relaxed Sapori room for casual lunches and walk-ins.

Chef Andrea drives the kitchen's philosophy around a single conviction: cook what the season dictates, and make as much as possible in-house. All pasta is rolled, cut, and filled on the premises using coarse semolina and egg-yolk-rich dough. The menu blends strictly Italian technique with Australian produce — Abrolhos Island scallops, Paroo kangaroo, and Stockyard Angus beef all appear alongside PDO-certified Italian pantry staples like Provolone Valpadana and Grana Padano. The resulting menu reads as genuinely bicultural rather than simply Italian food transplanted to the southern hemisphere.

Al Dente also offers a curated four-course 'leave it to us' menu for guests who want to surrender the decision-making to the kitchen. The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner services, with private dining available for functions. A weekly at-home program ships fresh pasta and prepared dishes via the Cookaborough platform on Saturdays, extending the kitchen's reach beyond the dining room.

1location, Carlton Melbourne
2026current menu year
$$$price range (AUD)

Ready to dine at Al Dente Enoteca?

Book a table, view the current seasonal menu, and confirm today's prices on the official website. The restaurant is open Tuesday–Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Visit Al Dente Enoteca's website
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where is Al Dente Enoteca located?

Al Dente Enoteca is at 161–163 Nicholson Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Melbourne, Australia — in Carlton's historic Italian precinct.

What are Al Dente Enoteca's opening hours?

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner service. Hours can vary, so check the official website or call ahead before visiting.

How much does a meal at Al Dente Enoteca cost?

A typical three-course à la carte meal — entrée, pasta, and a main — will run roughly AUD $130–$160 per person before drinks. Lighter visits starting with snacks and a pasta course can come in around AUD $50–$70. Prices are in Australian dollars and a 2.9% surcharge applies to credit card payments.

Does Al Dente Enoteca have vegetarian options?

Yes. Vegetarian dishes on the current menu include the Tortelloni Cacio e Pepe ($40), the Stracciatella with pomodoro, peach, and basil ($28), marinated olives ($8), house sourdough ($10), and the rocket, pear, and Grana Padano salad ($14).

Is there a tasting or degustation menu at Al Dente Enoteca?

Yes. In addition to à la carte ordering, Al Dente Enoteca offers a four-course 'leave it to us' curated menu where the kitchen selects the dishes. Contact the restaurant for current pricing and availability.

Does Al Dente Enoteca take bookings?

Yes, bookings are recommended, particularly for dinner service and for groups. Reservations can be made through the restaurant's website at aldenteenoteca.com.

Is there a public holiday surcharge?

Yes. A 15% surcharge is added to all dine-in bills on public holidays. A separate 2.9% surcharge applies to all credit card transactions on all days.

Can I order Al Dente Enoteca food at home?

Yes. The kitchen operates a weekly at-home program through the Cookaborough platform, delivering fresh pasta and prepared dishes on Saturdays. Check the official website for the current week's offering and ordering deadlines.

Does Al Dente Enoteca cater for private functions?

Yes. The restaurant has a private dining room and also offers off-site catering for events. Enquiries can be directed through the functions section of the official website.