Business Details
38 Years
experience
Authentic Italian Dining Experience in East Kew
At Di Palma's, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting authentic Italian cuisine since 1988. Our journey began with a vision to share the warmth of Italian culture through food, combining generations of family recipes with modern creativity. Over the decades, we have become a cherished part of Kew's vibrant food scene, known for our commitment to quality ingredients and exceptional service. Our menu reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, offering wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, and seasonal dishes that cater to diverse tastes. We take pride in creating a welcoming atmosphere where guests can enjoy memorable meals with loved ones. Our team sources the finest local and imported ingredients to ensure every dish honours Italian culinary heritage while embracing contemporary flair.Through years of experience, we have perfected our craft, earning recognition for our signature calamari, slow-cooked meats, and curated wine list. Our dedication to hospitality extends beyond dining, as we host private events and community gatherings that celebrate life's special moments. We maintain rigorous standards in food preparation and service, ensuring consistency and excellence in every aspect of our operations. This unwavering commitment to quality has established us as a trusted destination for both casual meals and celebratory occasions.
Services
Wood-fired pizzas
Handmade pasta
Private dining
Function catering
Wine pairing
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of expertise in authentic Italian cuisine
- Our menu features family recipes passed through generations
- We source premium local and imported Italian ingredients
- We provide award-winning wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta
- We host private events in elegant function spaces
What people say
Delicious food
Great ambiance
Fantastic service
Perfect wood-fired pizzas
Excellent wine selection
Services
Wood-fired pizzas
Our signature wood-fired pizzas feature house-made dough cooked in traditional stone ovens. Classic toppings include San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and imported Italian meats. The high-heat cooking creates perfect charred crusts with soft, airy centres. Each pizza combines authentic Neapolitan techniques with Melbourne-sourced ingredients for optimal freshness and flavour.
Handmade pasta
Daily-prepared pasta includes traditional shapes like ravioli, fettuccine, and house-made gnocchi. Signature dishes feature slow-braised lamb ragu and seafood marinara with locally caught fish. Our pasta dough uses premium Italian '00' flour and free-range eggs for superior texture and taste. Each portion is prepared to order for perfect al dente consistency.
Private dining
We offer three dedicated function rooms for events from 18 to 58 guests. The Cellar Room provides intimate wine cellar ambiance while the High Street Room accommodates larger celebrations. All spaces feature customisable menus with banquet-style sharing options and premium beverage packages. Our event coordinators assist with table settings, AV requirements, and seasonal decorations.
Wine pairing
Our extensive wine list features over 150 labels with emphasis on Italian varietals and Victorian producers. The cellar includes rare vintages and boutique wines from Barolo, Chianti, and Brunello regions. We offer curated wine flights to complement tasting menus, with sommelier recommendations for optimal food pairing. Local craft beers and signature cocktails are also available.
Function catering
We provide full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Menus include antipasto platters, shared mains, and dessert buffets with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Our team handles all aspects from table service to beverage management. Custom packages accommodate dietary requirements while maintaining authentic Italian presentation and portion sizes.
People
John Di Palma
Founder
John established Di Palma's in 1988 using family recipes from his Italian heritage. He oversees menu development and maintains quality standards across all operations. His leadership focuses on preserving traditional cooking methods while adapting to modern tastes. John personally sources ingredients from trusted suppliers to ensure authenticity. He remains actively involved in daily restaurant management and staff training.
Questions
What are your opening hours?
We serve dinner Wednesday-Saturday from 5:30pm and lunch on Fridays from 12:00pm. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Do you offer gluten-free options?
Yes, we provide gluten-free pasta, pizza bases, and bread. Our kitchen takes precautions to prevent cross-contamination, though we cannot guarantee 100% gluten-free environments.
Can I book a private function?
We have three function rooms accommodating 18-58 guests. Our event team assists with menu customisation, seating arrangements, and beverage packages for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.
Are reservations required?
While not mandatory, we strongly recommend bookings for weekends and special occasions. You can reserve a table through our website or by calling 03 9859 8999.
Do you have children's menu options?
Yes, our children's menu includes smaller portions of popular dishes like margherita pizza, spaghetti bolognese, and vanilla pannacotta. We also provide high chairs and activity packs.
Can I purchase wine to take away?
Yes, we offer a selection of Italian and Australian wines available for takeaway purchase. Our staff can recommend bottles to complement home-cooked meals.
Reviews (6)
Angie B.
Apr 07, 2019
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To get to Di Palma's for me on a Saturday night in traffic is almost a 45 minute drive, so I was really hoping it would be worth it. Guess what? It was. We found parking across the street (though it can be tough to find a space) and were greeted warmly at the door and shown to our table. It's a large restaurant with a few different "rooms" and even more private "rooms" if you're having a big birthday, or anniversary celebration. Needless to say, tables aren't all on top of each other and you can have a conversation and be heard. For entree, we shared
Ann M.
Mar 18, 2018
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This is one of our locals, albeit one of the pricier ones. Service can be a little slow but on our date nights this is a plus. The food is very good without trying to be too fancy. Full range of pastas and mains are their strengths. More desert options than many Italian places too. Their pizzas are seriously good and a great alternative to entree if you're hungry or part of a group. The large premises mean you can usually get a seat too. When I'm not watching my budget or for the odd indulgence, this is definitely one of my faves.
Mina J.
Feb 04, 2018
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Beautiful ambience, very nice staff, and great food. We had pizza and veal as main and some entree, all of which were great. Would cone back for sure!
Two S.
Dec 17, 2017
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Lots to like here. I had a rocket salad with pear, which was superbly supersized by the very able staff. My friend had the calamari with fries on the side. Mitchell riesling all round. The food was thrillingly fresh and very well cooked and presented. The staff were excellent here. Very polite, responsive and efficient. The space itself is very nice, and on a gorgeous Melbourne day sitting in the open at the front was near bliss.
Chris L.
Jul 20, 2015
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Not really a review of the food as we never got to eat! Came in on a week night and it all seemed pretty quiet but we were told it would be a 30 minute wait for a table ( seemed a bit odd, but hey who knows what is going out the back? ) We went away and came back and were seated. after waiting another 30 mins with no waiter or menus we asked if there was a problem. The waiter said they would be with us soon. 5 mins later we had had enough and left. Possibly there was something else going on but if they could not accommodate us they should have told us, we would have understood. Won't be
Emily C.
Jun 02, 2014
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Was surprised first up by the size of the place, apparently 4 shop fronts? The food was good, nothing mind blowing, duck main was a little dry and veal medallions were really two small schnitzels, although the thyme and parmesan crumb was crispy and had a good flavour. Typical suburban Italian. Maybe a little salty. Highlight was the garlic focaccia to start with, dough had a lovely flavour and texture, made me wish I'd ordered the pizza.
