Much has been said of Melbourne’s multicultural tradition, but with around 40% of all Australia’s residents with an Italian background living in Melbourne, there’s nowhere in Australia that’s better in quality Italian food!

The Italian Waiters Club is a Melbourne institution, having opened in the 1940s, as a place for waiters of Italian decent to meet up after work for a meal and a game of cards. And although they now let everyone in, in some ways not much has changed since the '40s.

The menu is a board on the wall, with specials chalked up next to it, wine comes in tumbler glasses, and there are certainly no tablecloths. But the food is great! Think hearty Italian dishes like your mother used to make (that is, if your mother happened to be Italian!), and prices that, while not super cheap, definitely don’t break the budget. Be warned, the prices are not on the menu board, so be sure to ask if you’re worried.

Once again like many of Melbourne’s top bars and restaurants, this place can be hard to find- it’s down a laneway, and up some stairs above a bar. But don’t be put off, once you get inside you’re ready for a taste of Italy.