Il Gambero - Italian Restaurant in Carlton

Visiting from Sydney, we found Ilgambero on google, so decided to try. We were amazed at the not only the service but the food. We were greeted immediately and our dietary requirements met with ease. Highly recommend this family run restaurant to anyone visited Melbourne.

Kamlah Farhat · 2026-01-20

We booked this place on a recommendation from a waiter at a fine dining restaurant in the cbd. Booked only a few hours before we wanted to sit a party of 7. No problem. Great table outside, something for everyone including the children. Delicious food. No wonder it’s survived 50 years Thanks guys keep going

Claire Wright · 2025-10-05

Had dinner here. The food is decent… we ordered a plate of Moreton Bay Bugs with Calamari and some greens; a spaghetti il gambero and a 4 cheese pizza. The flavors were ok, the bay bugs I realize is just the regular crayfish (I thought it was another species) but it tasted quite good, whilst the pizza was not bad. What was not fantastic was the signature il gambero pasta. Italian restaurants typically serve their noodles al dente. These noodles were overcooked and extremely soft and brittle. The sauce was acidic which probably means it lacked cooking duration and it lacks some fat. I asked the server whom I thought was Italian because he spoke with an Italian accent why the noodles were limp and he said Australians like soft noodles. Oh, and when I asked him which part of Italy he was from, he said he’s Lebanese; just sort of picked up the accent having worked there for many years. Made my day and made up for the not so good noodles. 3.5/5. I noticed something about servers in Australia… they almost always appear uninterested and just going through the motions. Not what I remembered from prior visits. Perhaps it’s the winter…

ctarheel · 2025-07-20

We were craving for Italian food and decided to go here as its close by and also has high ratings. The restaurant is cozy, quite spacious, the food was very good and tasty, except the pizza, it would taste better with a little more salt. I love the mushroom risotto, very delicious. Highly recommended to try!

Thuyen Vu · 2025-05-29

I recently dined at Il Gambero, and it was an enjoyable experience overall. They have a nice range of vegetarian options, which is always a plus, and the menu offers a great variety, making it easy to find something for everyone. The pasta was definitely a highlight — it was cooked well and had a comforting, homemade feel to it. The service was friendly and attentive, which made the experience pleasant. However, while the food was good, I found the flavors to be a bit subtle and lacking that extra punch that could elevate the dishes. If you enjoy mild flavors, it’s a solid choice, but for those looking for bold flavors, it may not fully hit the mark. Overall, Il Gambero is a good spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family.

Pranav Mulay · 2024-11-08