The best Italian restaurants in Darwin

In the hustle and bustle of Darwin’s lively Mitchell Street, lies an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria following recipes from the 17th century. Alfonsino’s uses the finest and freshest ingredients that Italian cuisine is renowned for, like San Marzano tomatoes in their pizza and pasta sauces. Their Neapolitan pizzas have the trademark spotted puffy crust and saucy centres. We can’t go past the traditional Regina margherita because, let’s face it, margherita pizza is the base-level assessment pizza everywhere. Also on the menu is a whole heap of authentic antipasti, handmade pastas and delish desserts. 

Address: 20/69 Mitchell St, Darwin City

Price: Mid-range

Hailing from Puglia, Valeria and Federico opened The Taste of Italy with no grand plans – just a simple passion for great Italian street food. After coming to Darwin as backpackers, Valeria spent almost a decade testing different recipes at markets and festivals, including homemade dry pasta. Her dream of opening a restaurant was realised in December 2023 in the form of a Mitchell Street shopfront (right across from Alfonsino’s). Today, The Taste of Italy is a popular lunch spot during the week and late-night dinner on weekends, selling pizza, arancini, lasagna and more. It's hard to pick favourites, but we rally around the freshly made pizza al trancio (by the slice). Don't miss the chance to try some cannoli – the filling is made in-house and the biscuit exterior is brought in from a Sicilian baker in Sydney.

Address: 3/52 Mitchell St, Darwin City

Price: Budget

Il Piatto, translating to 'the plate', is as close as you’ll get to dining on the Amalfi Coast right here in Darwin. Tucked behind Mindil Beach, this refined restaurant overlooks the Arafura Sea. Dine al fresco on the deck or enjoy watching the chefs at work in the open kitchen featuring a massive pizza oven. Il Piatto’s menu celebrates the culinary traditions of the entire boot-shaped country, rather than just one region. You’ll find all the classics – rosemary focaccia, mushroom arancini, antipasto and housemade pizza and pasta (with a ragu that’s nothing short of spectacular). But the real show-stopper? The Nuvole al Limone – a must-try dessert with meringue, lemon cream, lemon gel and lemon sorbet. Grab a spoon. 

Address: Mindil Beach Casino Resort, Gilruth Ave, Darwin City

Price: Mid-range

From the owners of Ray’s Café and Patisserie and Sweet Brew, Darlings Pasta Club is an unmissable fixture in Darwin’s Italian food scene. While not strictly traditional Italian, it honours authentic pasta-making techniques while putting its own twist on the sauces and ingredients – think kangaroo carpaccio and kanga ragu as well as the option to have a vegan bolognese. Start your meal with fluffy garlic focaccia, followed by prawn tagliatelle that’s served with a decadent butter sauce, succulent prawns and earthy mixed mushrooms. Pair it with a glass from their diverse wine list that spans South Africa, Italy and Australia.

Address: 66 Smith St, Darwin City

Price: Mid-range

Between Tuscany and Napoli lies Abruzzo, which is where chef Luigi Esposito of the eponymous Luigi’s Pizzeria has his roots. Operating out of a food truck with three small pizza ovens, Luigi’s is an integral part of the Nightcliff foreshore experience, operating on specific days and locations around Nightcliff jetty.  Luigi’s recipes use three styles of flour, two being finely ground Italian pizza flour, which is then fermented for 48 hours. Luigi’s pizza is not traditional, but not completely new either – it’s in the middle, like Abruzzo. If you can only order one thing, make it the Napoli – a classic tomato and mozzarella pizza with the ubiquitous Napoleon topping of anchovies. Collect your pizza and eat it on the lawn outside, overlooking the sea and jetty. Our tip? Don’t forget to bring insect repellent. 

Address: Nightcliff Jetty, Nightcliff

Price: Budget