San Marino

San Marino is one of those trusty, unpretentious, family-run Italian restaurants that neighbourhoods without are begging for. Melbourne’s Rowville is in luck with San Marino, sitting pretty in among the clutch of restaurants at The Stud Park Shopping Centre, easily accessed from Stud Road and Wellington Road. Boasting a modern interior backed up by traditional, rustic Italian fare, San Marino’s six days of operation regularly sees the restaurant packed to the rafters with families enjoying a good night out. Be sure to book.

San Marino is a family affair that takes delight in catering to Rowville’s families, serving up freshly made Italian cuisine consisting of ingredients meticulously sourced from local suppliers. San Marino’s proprietors now cover two generations, with husband and wife duo Neil and Naz helping out front of house and in the kitchen respectively, and daughter Jessica acting as an administrator – quite the job at this busy spot along Stud Road, despite being some way out of Melbourne city centre.

Many of the dishes on offer at San Marino are made according to family recipes that have been handed down for generations. One of the best ways to get the hang of San Marino’s extensive and all-Italian offering is to book in for a set meal with a large group of friends and family. We’re talking a minimum of 20 people, but that’s the best way to dine Italian, right? The most lavish of these banquets includes garlic and herb pizza to begin, followed by a main event of chicken avocado or fish of the day served with chips and salad. For a delectable finish at this Italian restaurant in Melbourne’s Rowville, San Marino brings out the gelati in force – but we always recommend the tiramisu.