Sassy Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

Title: Sassy Italian Bistro: A Scenic Haven of Italian Delights in West Melbourne's Docklands

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of West Melbourne, Sassy Italian Bistro is a culinary gem that offers not only a delectable taste of Italy but also breathtaking views of the iconic Docklands. From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was enthralled by the combination of elegant surroundings, authentic flavors, and the picturesque vistas that awaited me.

Perched in West Melbourne with stunning views of the Docklands, Sassy Italian Bistro provides a unique dining experience where the beauty of the waterfront seamlessly blends with the ambiance of the restaurant. As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but be captivated by the panoramic scenes of the glistening waters, modern architecture, and bustling energy that unfolded before me. The enchanting views served as the perfect backdrop to an unforgettable meal.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of being attended to by the attentive and knowledgeable staff at Sassy Italian Bistro. From the moment I was seated, my waiter, Josep, provided exemplary service, ensuring that my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. Josep's warm demeanor, passion for Italian cuisine, and attention to detail added an extra touch of charm to the evening.

The menu at Sassy Italian Bistro is a celebration of traditional Italian flavors infused with modern creativity. Each dish presented a harmonious blend of high-quality ingredients, expert techniques, and innovative twists. From the first bite to the last, the culinary offerings delighted my taste buds, reflecting the culinary expertise and commitment to excellence of the chefs.

Whether indulging in the perfectly cooked pasta dishes, savoring the rich flavors of slow-cooked meat, or delighting in the wood-fired pizzas adorned with fresh and flavorful toppings, every dish at Sassy Italian Bistro transported me to the heart of Italy. The dedication to authenticity was evident, and each plate was a work of art that delighted both the eyes and the palate.

The inviting and stylish ambiance of Sassy Italian Bistro added another layer of enjoyment to the dining experience. The thoughtfully designed interior, with its tasteful decor and warm lighting, created an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and welcoming. The combination of comfortable seating and the captivating views of the Docklands made for an unforgettable setting that complemented the culinary delights.

In conclusion, Sassy Italian Bistro is a hidden gem in West Melbourne that combines scenic vistas of the Docklands with an extraordinary culinary journey through Italy. With attentive service from the likes of Josep, an exquisite menu that showcases the finest Italian flavors, and a captivating setting that embraces the beauty of the waterfront, Sassy Italian Bistro offers an unparalleled dining experience. Whether for a romantic evening, a celebration, or simply a delightful meal, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit for those seeking a perfect fusion of...

Sassy Italian 20/09/2025

This is an interesting place in West Melbourne and one that isn’t overly popular on Saturday nights it seems. It is supposedly an “Italian restaurant” however I didn’t see a single Italian and the head chef is “Trent” – so not very Italian!

Atmosphere – quite poor really. The windows overlook the North Melbourne train station which is undergoing redevelopment so all we looked at was machinery. Inside the tables are quite spread out and it feels somewhat empty (which is good for noise) so there’s no nice ambiance or vibe. There was a lack of heating (I asked twice for more heat) so the whole place was cold. There are three ambulant toilets located along a corridor that feels more like you’re in a hospital and I went to open one only to find a man sitting on the toilet, so that wasn’t a nice surprise. I finally found a toilet and the floor was filthy so quite unpleasant. There was a band on the night we were there which played good, modern music.

Service – generally attentive, however requests to turn up heating were clearly ignored. Food service came out relatively quickly. The waitress we had for a table of 6 mucked up our order a little but we coped.

Food – this place is trying to be high-end with its prices but really, it’s the equivalent of going to La Porchetta. The prices are extortionate for what you get and the quality is questionable. We had the focaccia which was dry and hard, the entrée calamari was tasty but small portions, the arancini and croquettes were ok, but I think they came out of the freezer at Woolworths and weren’t homemade. For mains we ordered the specials of Barramundi ($48) and Lamb Rigatoni ($43). Both were fine but such small sizes that they were equivalent of entrees. The main calamari salad had a lot more cabbage than calamari. There is a lack of mains to choose from unless you want pizza or pasta which not everyone wants these days when wanting to reduce carbohydrates. The lava cake and panna cotta desserts, like the entrees, were clearly store bought from the Woolworths freezer and the pistachio ice-cream with the lava cake was made from some green food colouring as it was not genuine pistachio. The tiramisu dessert was the only dessert that looked ok. We ordered a few beers and a bottle of white wine too.

All up we spent $702 for 6 people which was an absolute rip off and believe we would have been better off at La Porchetta. The 15% surcharge for a Saturday was not needed. There is no atmosphere, despite the decent band and the food was below average for the prices paid. Won’t be returning or recommending to...

We chanced upon this place as we were driving from Brunswick and it was our best find in Melbourne ever! There’s so much to cover in this review but I’ll keep it as brief as I can.

The atmosphere was wonderful. Feels so homey with the wonderful staff. We had a lovely waitress with short brown hair who was so sweet, and the chef came out a few times to check on us all the time whether we needed water and whether the food was good. The views were excellent and I’d say we got the best table 🥹

The chef (I didn’t get his name 😔) really put his feelings onto the plates and you can taste it in every dish. He is so passionate about what he does as I saw him prepping the food behind the bench. We ordered the mushroom arancini, grilled king prawns, penne arrabbiata, king prawn risotto and tiramisu.

The homemade arancini wth truffle aioli was delicious and so flavourful. The grilled prawns were my favourite appetiser! The garlic herb sauce was to die for.

As for the mains, the king prawn risotto was so deliciously complex in flavour. I could taste multiple layers with each bite and the consistency of the risotto was spot on. There were hints of earthy but ocean flavours in there. Absolutely superb!! And next was the chef’s very own creation: the penne arrabbiata. Once again, the best arrabbiata I’ve ever had in my life. As a person of south East Asian descent, the spice elevated the dish and complemented it excellently! I told the chef himself it was the best one I’ve ever tasted and beat the ones I had while I was in Italy. I would say the arrabbiata is a MUST try when you’re here.

Lastly the tiramisu was the first of its kind I had. It had crunchy crumbed biscotti on top that added multiple layers of texture to the yummy fudge incorporated into the tiramisu. It was light but decadent at the same time.

We are definitely excited to come here again! The chef made our valentine’s weekend so memorable! We love...