Pinocchio - Kew

Pinocchio of Melbourne now serves handmade Italian food in three locations. This one can be found in the heart of Kew, just off High Street and, fortunately for us all, it’s open seven days for dining that is honest and warm. Established all the way back in 1971 and inspired by the Italian tradition of sharing food with friends and family, Pinocchio places its emphasis on big plates that are great for, yep, you guessed it, sharing. By this we mean a fantastic selection of pizzas can be sized and customised to diners preference – tomato base, cheese base, regular, half-metre or an entire metre long! A metre of pizza. It’s just inspired. Thanks, Pinocchio. Kew branch is stylish and uncluttered with an open kitchen so you can keep your eye on when the pizza is almost ready. Reserve a table now, this place is popular!

As Jiminy Cricket once said: ‘Always let your conscience be your guide.’ We feel this is apt, as your conscience will surely guide you to the Kew branch of Pinocchio once it has become aware of the top-class handmade Italian food that’s on offer. This charming restaurant is one of a family of three, extremely well known across Melbourne these days, and it certainly knows what it’s doing when it comes to simple, fresh and delicious plates of humble Italian cuisine. Sitting just off the bustle of High Street, Pinocchio’s interior is clean, crisp and the walls tell tales of Pinocchio, making it a hit with the little ones. There’s also an open kitchen so diners can watch the team of extremely passionate chefs working their doughy magic.

The food at Pinocchio’s Kew branch is ideal for sharing, and we weren’t lying when we said it was delicious. There’s antipasti in the form of arancini and bruschetta, classic pasta plates, risotto and some prime cuts of meat, the slow-cooked lamb shank being our pick of the bunch. As good as all that is, though, for us, Pinocchio’s really nail it with the pizza. There are traditional toppings to suit all tastes, a choice of base, then diners can get stretchy with their dough and take it to a half-metre, or even a full metre long. Yes, that’s right, a full metre of pizza! Last, but so far from least, the drinks menu at Pinocchio is longer than that famous wooden nose, with local or Italian wines, fine cocktails and artisan beers. Melbourne knows this place, and knows it well, so do book ahead.