Bar Novanta — Restaurant in Melbourne

I really wanted to like this place... but unfortunately I didn’t even taste the food because it took too long to come out. And no, it wasn’t busy at all.

So this is how it went:

Booked a table for 7pm.

6.50- Got there a little early and we’re greatest and sat straight away. Then the polite and softly spoken waiter took our drink order.

7.05- Drinks came out

7.15- Same timid and softly spoken waiter took our order. 2 pizzas. 1x potato and 1x margarita.

7.30- Waiter asked if we wanted another drink. We politely declined.

7.45- We asked another waiter when our food would be ready, he wasn’t sure and that he’d find out. Being that it wasn’t busy is told him it had been a while and he rudely just shrugged his shoulders in a “not my problem” kind of way.

7.55- Our waiter came to us and said I’ll see what’s going on with your food.

8.05- Other waiter said it’d be 5 mins

8.15- food hadn’t been served so we left.

The only upside is that they comped our drinks and said they’d give us our pizzas for free. I offered a few times to pay for my drinks but they said not to worry about it so we just said thank you and left.

I’ll reiterate that the restaurant was not busy at all!

There was another table that had just got their food when we were leaving and they had got there at 6.30!

Service wasn’t great and needs work. Communication and attentiveness from staff is at best a 2/10. Looking at Google reviews a lot of people have experienced the same thing. I think proper training and better time management for back of house is needed. How does it take and hour to cook two woodfire pizzas? Also we didn’t even get as much as an apology.

Just as a side note, a customer came in and sat behind us at about 7.45 (someone one of the staff knew) and 15 minutes later his pizza came out.

Really disappointed as I very really wanted to like and support this place. 0/10 (cocktails were terrible)

Went to Halas Woodfire Pizza nearby, got a couple of takeaways, and ate their AMAZING pizza’s at home. The lady there was very welcoming, personable, and hilariously funny. From order to ready she took 10 minutes. They were also really cheap and know how to make a proper Italian Woodfire pizza. So do yourself a favour and go...

My family and l went to dinner at Bar Novanta on Tuesday night because, l admit, l didn't want to cook on my birthday!!! This place had been recommended to us and l am so glad that we decided to come here. Everything was delicious 😋 We started off with the Bruschetta & Bocconcini and it was a perfect way to commence the meal because it was so fresh and light. My son was feeling adventurous so he ordered the Squid Ink Fettuccine with Calamari & Prawns. He absolutely loved it and was so grateful that it came with some warm bread so that you could mop up the beautiful sauce at the bottom of the plate. I had the Gnocchi with mushrooms in a creamy Gorgonzola Sauce..... OMG! I was in heaven..... the Gnocchi were little pillows of bliss but as delicious as they were, l had to ask my sons to help me finish them because the serving was HUGE! My other son and husband ordered pizzas and what can l say..... they were both very happy 😊 We didn't get to try any dessert because we had a birthday cake waiting at home but we will definitely have some next time we come. Not only was the food amazing here, but so were the staff. We were greeted and farewelled by the two beautiful Front of House staff Barbara & Daniela. These gorgeous sisters made our evening so pleasant and relaxing and went out of their way to ensure that my meal was nut free when l pointed out that l had an allergy to Almonds. I am definitely not waiting for my next birthday to eat here again. The food is too good to wait...

For years I had always heard so many good things about Bar Novanta - even when it was located in Epping! I finally got to try it out for myself a couple of months ago and it was everything I expected and more!

Being Italian myself, I’m always a bit nervous to try Italian restaurants because nothing beats Nonna’s cooking right? Well, I think Bar Novanta comes pretty close.

There’s a huge menu of different Italian dishes - I had a hard time choosing because I wanted to try them all!

I ordered the Fettuccini Novanta; the pasta was cooked to perfection and the sauce was amazing. I also ordered a garlic and cheese focaccia for the table which was delectable - the flavours melted in my mouth.

My friends loved their meals and they looked delicious too! One of my friends ordered the lasagna, which was voted one of the best in Victoria by the Herald Sun in 2023. He could confirm it was the best lasagna he had ever had. We also ordered a cocktail each, which were made very well.

I think most of all, we enjoyed the staffs’ friendly service. They regularly checked in to see how we were going and joked around with us. I could tell that they genuinely enjoy their job and making each customers’ experience a great one.

I will definitely be returning to try the rest of the menu! I might even bring Nonna and Nonno next time!

Overall, fantastic little Italian restaurant located in Lalor. Ample parking and well worth...