Vaporetto: A Spot We Keep Coming Back To, Warming Both Stomachs

🌟 The Vibe: Where “You’re Remembered” Feels Like Home Tucked away on a Hawthorn street, the restaurant skips flashy decor for something cozier: polished wooden tables, vintage Italian posters on the walls, and soft evening light that turns the space golden. The air smells like fresh bread and simmering sauces, and laughter the clink of glasses—pure comfort🏡. But the real magic is in the service. The cashier remembers our preferences like clockwork (“Extra parmesan again?”)😊. The new young waiter, with his endearingly accented English, greets us like old friends: “Welcome back! Want to try today’s fresh focaccia?” That feeling of being “seen”—it’s warmer than any fancy greeting. As my Italian friend put it: “This is authentic Italian hospitality. No pretense, just little acts that say, ‘You matter.’” 🍝 The Food: Every Bite Screams “Worth Repeating” Pasta Must-Tries: Approved by Actual Italians Vodka Pasta: The name made me expect a boozy kick, but it’s a gentle revelation. Tomato sauce swirled with a hint of cream, elevated by vodka into something rich yet subtle—like “sunshine folded into sauce”☀️. The pasta is fresh, hand-rolled, clinging to every drop of sauce. Even my pasta-averse friend polished off half the plate. Squid Ink Seafood Pasta: The signature lives up to the hype. Inky black noodles coat themselves in a briny seafood broth, piled high with shrimp, squid, and mussels. Each bite tastes of the ocean, the noodles soaking up every bit of flavor. By the end, our lips are stained black—grinning like idiots, messy and happy🤪. Main: Under $50 Chargrilled Beef, So Good It’s Speechless Controfiletto is non-negotiable. It arrives on a sizzling plate, a huge chargrilled steak with crispy edges. Cut into it, and juices spill—tender enough to melt without much chewing. The side fried potatoes are crispy outside, fluffy inside; mushrooms soak up the meaty goodness. Carb + meaty joy collides, and suddenly “ (too happy to speak) makes total sense🤤. And the kicker? It’s under $50. We wanted to cheer for the owner👏. Starters & Bites: Too Tempting to Stop at One Foie Gras Mousse with Raisin Bread: My secret favorite. The foie gras is silky as a cloud, laced with a hint of wine. Slathered on slightly charred raisin bread—sweet bread, rich foie, a whisper of alcohol—melts into a warm glow in your mouth. I ate three slices before my friend physically stopped me from grabbing more🤣. Truffle Arancini: Bite through the crispy exterior, and the rich truffle aroma explodes in your mouth. The center is melty mozzarella—so good, you’ll burn your tongue but keep eating🔥. Dessert: Tiramisu’s “Italian Warmth” We were too stuffed to order it this time, but it’s a must on every other visit. Ladyfingers soaked in coffee liqueur, layered with light mascarpone, dusted with cocoa (just bitter enough to balance the sweet). Spoon to the bottom, and you taste “Nonna’s kitchen” in every bite👵. 💰 Value: Easy on Students, Rich in Flavor $60–$80 per person gets you starters, mains, and dessert. Portions are huge enough to share—perfect for students craving a treat without breaking the bank💸. My Italian friend did the math: “This controfiletto would cost double in Milan. This place is generous.” Leaving, the waiter chased us out with two warm almond cookies: “For the road! See you soon!” The night air smelled of bread. Stomachs full, hearts light as air✨. The best restaurants aren’t about “shocking” you—they’re about “ah, this feels like home.” Vaporetto is that place: in Melbourne’s bustle, it serves up “belonging” on a plate. 📍 Address: Vaporetto Bar & Eatery Hawthorn Italian Restaurant (est 2014) #MelbourneFood #ItalianCuisine #MelbourneStudy #HiddenGemRestaurant #HandmadePasta #WarmMeals #MelbourneEats