The Best Restaurants in Thornbury
Thornbury is Northcote’s buzzy northern neighbour. Most of its restaurants are clustered along High Street, with easy tram and train access. Food-wise, there’s plenty of variety on the dense stretch between Darebin Road and Dundas Street, including Italian restaurants, family-run Greek kitchens and late-night American burger joints. If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a drink after dinner, head over to our guide to the Best Bars in Thornbury.
Cafe
Umberto Espresso Bar
A tribute to the owner’s Calabrian-born father, Umberto plates up cucina casalinga homestyle cooking and classic Italian aperitivi in a former shoe shop. It’s also home to Gigi, a rooftop bar where you can sip a Negroni with one-of-a-kind views.
Bar
Joanie's Baretto
At the Umberto team's bar, Italian wines, cocktails and aperitivi dominate the menu, but there are plenty of hearty mains for a proper dinner. Expect pasta, cotoletta, caprese salad and house-made tiramisu.
Restaurant
Pinche Cantina
A Melbourne pizzeria veteran has swapped his woodfired oven for a cabinet smoker and flat-top griddle. On spongy house-made tortillas, he’s dishing out slow-cooked beef birria, cochinita pibil pork, and rolled and deep-fried tacos dorados stuffed with potato.
Restaurant
Northern Git
From the outside, Northern Git might look like your average corner restaurant. But inside, it has all the offerings of a classic British pub. The Yorkshire-born owner-chef turns out pub classics like pork crackling, bubble and squeak, pies with mushy peas and gravy, and hearty Sunday roasts.
Restaurant
Farro Pizzeria Thornbury
Farro is named after the Italian word for “spelt”, which underpins many dishes at this homely pizzeria and pasta house. Go for its Italian appetisers before feasting on homemade spelt pastas and woodfired pizzas. Its inclusive menu has plenty of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, too.
Bar
Capers
A Greek neighbourhood bar inspired by yiayia’s house. Go for comforting home-style plates, including pickled calamari and gooey vegan moussaka, backed by a tight list of Greek beers and wines; stay for the retro setting and vibrant vibes.
Bar
Ballard’s
An all-vegan cosy local that’s committed to serving up affordable, plant-based dishes and wines. Go for its meat-free takes on pub classics, house-made gnocchi and small bites. Enjoy your meal and vegan vino at the bar, in a booth, or in the beer garden out the back.
Restaurant
Kustom Burgers
Kustom is one of Melbourne’s best takes on the American diner genre. Stop into this hot-rod-themed spot for burgers loaded with beef patties, buttermilk chicken, fried mushroom and more. Race electric slot cars or sip on an old-fashioned milkshake while you wait for your dinner.
Restaurant
Greek Street Food
This Greek family’s popular souva mobile found a permanent home on High Street. Here, you can create your own Greek spread of stacked souvas, crispy pita, meat skewers and Greek salads generously topped with salty feta – all served on old-school enamel plates.
Shop
Sandro Pasta & Wine
You could well make friends with the next table at this convivial Italian wine bar, where bottles of wine and handmade pastas can be had right there or taken home.
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