Our Story

Italian Comfort Food – Cugini’s Fitzroy

It’s a well-kept secret in many Italian households that the best Italian food isn’t served up at any fancy restaurant but at nonna’s house on a noisy Sunday afternoon. Ossobucco, verdure cotta, polenta and broccoli – these are some of the most simple and flavoursome Italian dishes that exist but you won’t find them at Italian restaurants until now. Italian comfort food is the best there is and we’re serving it up at Cugini’s Fitzroy!

Italian food varies from region to region, and with nonni from the North and South of Italy, we’ve been fortunate enough to grow up with an enormous variety of delicious Italian food. On our menu you’ll find Aeolian and Venetian influences with dishes like pasta alla norma and pasta pescatore. Our dishes are made using family recipes passed down for generations from our sugo al pomodoro to our handmade agnolotti.

Our wood fired pizzas are prepared the only way we know how: Neapolitan-style. With a 72-hour rested dough, San Marzano tomatoes, creamy fior di latte and fresh basil, our Margherita is as traditional as they come! You’ll find something for everyone on our dinner menu and spritz cocktail menu!

Owner, Daniel Cester, opened his first pizzeria in 2018 in Dandenong North. Pizza Strada & Bar became a local favourite for high-quality and affordable wood-fired pizza. Cugini’s Fitzroy is his new venture, fulfilling a life-long dream of sharing traditional home-cooked Italian food with the world.

Our fresh produce is sourced from our favourite fruit shop, Dom's Balaclava Fruit Mart, and our meats and cheeses come from the best suppliers of authentic Italian ingredients in Melbourne. Come to Cugini’s Fitzroy and enjoy Italian comfort food – book your table today!