Hi Italy Pizzeria — Restaurant in Melbourne

This place really is a hidden gem, and I do mean hidden. Situated in a block of rundown looking neighbourhood shops on Gertz Avenue, Reservoir, Hi Italy isn’t exactly grabbing a lot of attention. But for those lucky enough to stumble into this intimate restaurant, a true delight awaits. The unassuming shop front might not look like much to the uninitiated, but the service and food here is outstanding. The woodfire pizzas are soft and chewy with a slight crunch and just the right amount of charred smokiness. They offer a range of simple toppings to suit most tastes and there’s a good selection of Italian wines on offer that pair perfectly with the food. The only small criticism I have is that the pizzas are served with mozzarella rather than Fiori de latte, which would take them to the next level. But wait, there’s more…if you’re a lover of Bistecca Fiorentina done to perfection, this place serves one of the best in Melbourne, probably Australia. It’s a special, so I’m not sure if it’s on the menu every day, but if you’re a steak lover, you absolutely can’t pass this one up. Done in a skillet with roast potatoes, accompanied by a simple lettuce and radicchio salad and rich buttery sauce, it’s served on the rarer side and every bite just melts in your mouth. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely worth it. Most of the clientele appear to be locals and in particular older Italians, which speaks to the authenticity of the food here. If you’re local, consider yourself very lucky. If you’re not, this place is definitely worth...

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Hi Italy who made my Mum’s 60th birthday celebration so memorable. Marco, Macarena, Chef Marco and our head waiter Carmelo went above and beyond to provide impeccable service for our private luncheon. The planning in the lead up to the day was so seamless, and Marco and his team were so accommodating. We trusted the team to take care of us, and true to their word they delivered! The absolute standout on the day was their show stopping grazing table, which left our guests in awe and so impressed. There was an abundance of food and variety that continuously kept flowing through the afternoon which catered to all our dietary needs and requirements. The atmosphere in the restaurant felt so welcoming and homely and we were especially able to set up and decorate the space to our liking. The afternoon ran so smoothly, and the team demonstrated attention to detail making sure that our guests were taken care of and accommodated to. We would highly recommend this hidden gem for a small private function or just to enjoy a traditional Italian meal. Thank you Marco, Macarena, Chef Marco and Carmelo for making my Mum’s special milestone birthday an unforgettable experience. We look forward to returning to share many more fun times at your restaurant. ...

Reservoir is not exactly a place people travel to for epic dining experiences, so I was intrigued and excited by the positive reviews for Hi Italy. Sadly, it didn't meet my expectations, which were perhaps artificially elevated because of these reviews.

Firstly, despite being a balmy evening, there was no outdoor seating, so we had to sit inside, where there was no ambience whatsoever, and it was incredibly loud even though there were only 4 or 5 tables of people. To be clear, there is an outdoor seating area, but there were no seats there. Maybe that area is only used on the weekends.

Secondly, the pasta was below average both in taste and presentation - I could have cooked something better myself. This is pretty poor given the dish cost more than $30. The pizza was pretty good, but not exceptional.

The positives were the service and the wine. The staff were really lovely and the food came out quite quickly. The wines were served in beautiful glasses and...