If you're looking for an authentic Italian restaurant near Melbourne that combines the heart of Italian cooking with the charm of country Victoria, Nuzza Wine Bar is the place for you. This elegant regional wine bar and restaurant offers a dining experience built on family, tradition, and a genuine love for food.
A Story That Begins With Nonna
Every plate at Nuzza carries a story - and the whole book starts with Nonna. The restaurant takes its name and inspiration from Xavier's grandmother, a strong, passionate woman who believed food was the purest way to show love. Her recipes, her warmth, and her spirit of generosity live on in every dish and every glass poured.
Step through the doors and you'll feel that sense of home immediately. The scent of slow-cooked sauces drifts through the air, laughter hums from the tables, and the staff greet you like family. It's not just dining - it's a tribute to heritage and heartfelt hospitality.
Italian Dining with Heart
At Nuzza Wine Bar, food is more than a menu, it's an expression of care. The dishes are inspired by traditional Italian recipes, crafted with seasonal local produce and modern creativity.
Start with warm focaccia with whipped garlic butter - which Chef Liam assures us is a crowd favourite, before indulging in house-made pasta, hand rolled every morning by Chef Bishal. Perhaps a delicious dish of delicate gnocchi bathed in sage brown butter, or ribbons of tagliatelle tangled in rich, slow-cooked ragù is the way to your heart? The pork belly is melt-in-the-mouth, and the tiramisu tastes like what we can only imagine heaven feels like.
Cocktails, Wine and the Art of Slow Living
Nuzza isn't only about the food - it's a destination for wine lovers and cocktail enthusiasts. The carefully curated wine list celebrates both Italian classics and local Victorian producers, with each bottle chosen to complement the flavours from the kitchen.
Even better, the espresso martinis are made with a mix of Inglewood coffee which has come straight from Ah Rafaelle, Xavier's café just a hop skip and jump away from the doors of Nuzza.
A Regional Escape Worth the Drive
Located in the heart of Kilmore, Nuzza has quickly become one of regional Victoria's most beloved dining destinations. The short drive up the Hume Freeway from Melbourne makes it part of the perfect weekend getaway or midweek escape.
Kilmore's historic charm - stone buildings, leafy streets, and country calm - pairs perfectly with Nuzza's relaxed, elegant dining experience. It's the kind of place where you can leave your phone on the table, lean into the conversation, and remember how good food is meant to feel.
