Ladro - Gertrude

Ladro is a restaurant with a reputation, and one to be proud of – incredible pizza. Restaurants have come and gone since the beginning of Melbourne's great love affair with the Italian staple, but this one has proven to be a consistent frontrunner.

The sleek operation has been around since 2003. With a simple black and white interior, tightly packed marble-topped tables and sophisticated staff kitted out in tidy red and black, it’s clean, uncomplicated and all about the flavours.

From pork to porcini, there’s a pizza for every taste, including gluten-free. They’re served whole with a cutting wheel, so you can determine the size of your slice (no judgments). The open kitchen provides a great show when it’s busy and the noisy clatter in the minimalist space creates a welcoming cacophony of happy diners.

You may come for pizza, but don’t overlook the specials menu written on the white tiled wood-fire pizza oven. Here you might find pasta, desserts or a roast of the day. The restaurant also offers brunch dishes such as granola and Italian French toast with panettone and ricotta on weekends.

Roll on in after work for a few local beers, or gather a group on Saturday night and pick a few bottles of wine from the progressive list. Just make sure to book – after all these years it’s as popular as ever. And remember, if you happen to live on the other side of the Yarra, there's always Ladro Tap.