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When Brunswick East institution Cafe Romantica closed in 2017, many believed it was the end of more than thirty years of parties, pizza and pool games for the 24-hour diner. But the good times would be far from over.

These days, it’s known as Bar Romantica, an Italian pizza joint and bar that doesn’t compete with its predecessor’s legacy. The vibe is still romantic – picture booth seating upholstered in valentine-red vinyl, and a beautiful American Oak bar commanding the front room.

Cafe Romantica’s original woodfired pizza oven is still working hard, firing out the signature Pizza Romantica topped with passata, fior di latte and basil. Otherwise, head chef Ben Wallace serves a tight pizza offering, with highlights including brassicas with fior di latte and lemon; and mushrooms with gorgonzola and garlic. Dough is fermented over three days using the kitchen's own house culture.

The rest of the menu spans snacks, house-made pastas and sides, with a focus on top-quality seasonal ingredients and local suppliers. You might start with appellation oysters, followed by prawns with aleppo butter. Then, it’s pasta (hand-rolled or extruded in-house) such as casarecce with pork ragu and capers. Finish with classic tiramisu.

From the wine list, expect around 10 drops by the glass and 200-plus bottles from the cellar. Victorian beers are offered on tap, along with a few interstate sours by the bottle. Cocktails are classic, well-made and naturally Italian.