From pre-dinner Aperol Spritzes in the bar to long, multi-course dinners, Italian restaurants are destined to feature heavily in our overdue catch-ups. Though the cuisine is varied, each restaurant has one thing in common: they’re all grand centerpieces to reconnecting with our friends and family.

Here’s where to sit back, take it slow and enjoy someone else finally cooking a hearty meal for you.

Di Stasio Citta
At the self-described ‘Milan end’ of the city is Di Stasio Città. Behind the brutalist architecture and artistic video installations is a space built for long lunches and dinners. Meals are designed to play out slowly; multiple courses and old stories aided by a cocktail (or two). Rinaldo Di Stasio’s menu is a mix of classics from his classic St Kilda spot Cafe Di Stasio and some new additions that stay close to his love of handmade pasta. Highlights include the crustless veal schnitzel “after school sandwich” and the cappellini con granchio, a dish of briney crab and long, thin pasta.

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Tipo 00
Andreas Papadakis’ perpetually popular CBD pasta bar is as ideal for an Aperol Spritz in the bar as it is for a long lunch. The “00” in the name refers to the finely ground flour prized for its pizza and pasta – and pasta here is the star of the show. Squid ink tagliolini topped with bottarga; gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and braised Gippsland duck, and saffron and broad bean tortelloni are a few favourites. For those taking it slow, entrust your tastebuds to the chef’s menu.

Agostino
The final addition to the King and Godfree troupe of venues in Carlton, Agostino is a wine bar that focuses on simple Italian food. There’s an extensive drinks list (as well as plenty available at the bottle shop next door), perfectly aligned with Agostino’s salumi selection. Keep it light with a glass of something crisp and salami sarda – Sardinia’s famed cured sausage – or make a feast of it. Picks of the bigger ticket fare include risotto with asparagus and king prawns, and a mortadella tortellini “in brodo” (in broth).

Mario’s
Serving the Fitzroy community since 1986, Mario’s is an institution famed for its simple, accessible approach to Italian cuisine. The cafe – serving breakfast up until 5pm everyday – is a homey spot, offering classic pasta without pretension. There’s your staple red-sauce spaghetti Napoli; anchovy and caper-laden penne puttanesca, and mussels with spaghetti, tomato and chilli. A perfect spot for those who like to take their time.

Florentino
Guy Grossi’s Florentino is the sort of treat-yourself Italian restaurant for special occasions. The service is as classic as the black marble and leather-upholstery of the grand dining room, and the food is even better. Menu options are either three or five courses, truly giving diners the space to make a night of it. Take up the matched-wine option and relax into dishes like smoked swordfish with mugolio (an Italian pine-cone syrup), sopressini pasta with rabbit ragu, and veal shank with marrow and polenta.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Aperol. With 100,000 Aperol Spritzes up for grabs this summer to help celebrate being together again, find out how to claim yours.