🔍

Melbourne’s long-standing obsession with Italian cuisine has evolved alongside its growing appetite for plant-based dining. When those two passions meet, the result is something genuinely exciting.

Tucked down Hardware Lane inside a restored 19th-century warehouse, Funghi e Tartufo is a fully vegan restaurant that reimagines classic Sicilian cooking. Created by the team behind Osteria Italiana, the venue takes its name, meaning “mushrooms and truffle” from its signature flavours and guiding philosophy.

At the heart of the kitchen is owner-chef Alessandra D’Angelo, who moved from Sicily to Australia in 2009. Since then, she has focused on translating the dishes of her childhood into plant-based versions without losing their essence. Her goal has been to honour traditional flavours while adapting them thoughtfully, and the menu reflects that balance between authenticity and innovation.

The drinks list complements the food with a strong focus on Italian wines, particularly organic and natural varieties, reinforcing the restaurant’s thoughtful and modern approach to dining.

Altogether, Funghi e Tartufo presents a compelling take on vegan Italian food, one that respects tradition while confidently stepping into new territory. It’s the kind of place that reflects where Melbourne’s dining scene is heading: conscious, creative, and deeply rooted in flavour.