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Funghi e Tartufo is bringing a slice of Sicily to Melbourne CBD. This little laneway eatery is serving up a 100% vegan Italian menu comprising all the classics – from comforting pasta dishes to dreamy tiramisu.
If your idea of bliss involves twirling forkfuls of pasta at a table overflowing with an ambitious number of antipasti plates, Funghi e Tartufo is calling your name – loud, clear, and probably in a charming Italian accent.
Nestled in the heart of Melbourne on the vibrant Hardware Lane, this entirely vegan Italian restaurant is cooking up a culinary love letter to Sicily, no passport required (just an appetite for indulgent plant-based eats—and your stretchiest pants, because dessert is non-negotiable).
Authentic vegan Italian food in the heart of Melbourne
The restaurant’s name, Funghi e Tartufo, translates to “mushroom and truffle,” perfectly embodying the rich, earthy flavours that underpin much of its menu—including its standout signature dish, Pappardelle Funghi e Tartufo. But once you visit this iconic Melbourne venue, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with much more than fungi!
Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century warehouse, the space combines Melbourne’s buzzing laneway scene with intimate old-world charm. Picture white tablecloths, vintage wooden barrels, and rustic stone walls adorned with a carefully curated selection of Italian wines, as well as a lively outdoor terrace – an ideal spot for people-watching while you savour (or inhale) your pasta 👀
Behind the magic is chef Alessandra D’Angelo, who emigrated from Sicily to Australia in 2009 and has been perfecting vegan Italian recipes ever since:
My goal is to show that you can stay true to traditional Italian flavours without sacrificing taste or texture, using fresh, seasonal ingredients and alternative ones to craft wholesome and delicious dishes.
By blending tradition with innovation, Alessandra expertly honours all the classic tastes and textures of Italian cuisine, serving up plant-based twists so satisfying that they’ve got both vegans and meat-eaters raving.
On the menu at Funghi e Tartufo: plant-based flair & flavour
From the very first glance, the menu reads like a compilation of Italian comfort food’s greatest hits. But be warned—you’re gonna wanna have them all on repeat.
We recommend starting with their crispy mushroom and truffle arancini, hearty vegan meatballs, or show-stopping plant-based calamari (which is so spot-on texture-wise that even die-hard seafood lovers will do a double-take).
Pasta fiends will immediately find themselves struck with analysis paralysis when presented with Funghi e Tartufo’s main courses. A few of our highlights include:
🧡 Pumpkin-filled ravioli di zucca with butter, sage, and toasted almonds
🍄🟫 Pappardelle funghi e tartufo drenched in an irresistibly silky mushroom and truffle sauce (go with this one if you can’t decide – it’s their signature dish!)
🍝 Spaghetti carbonara infused with creamy, smoky decadence
🌿 Baked lasagne layered with vegan bolognese and bechamel
🍅 Gnocchi served with fresh basil, Napoli sauce, and vegan cheese
If you’re after something a little different, try the breadcrumb-crusted grilled swordfish (plant-based, of course!) brightened with lemon and mint, served with a traditional salad from Pantalleria Island.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll find yourself taking notes between courses so you can add a little Italian finesse to your home-cooked vegan pastas and seafood dishes.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and Funghi e Tartufo more than delivers: Velvety tiramisu, rich chocolate cheesecake, panna cotta that melts in your mouth, and a generous scoop (or three) of gelato to round it all off.
If there is such a thing as la dolce vita on a plate, this is it.
The verdict? One of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne
Aside from its mouthwatering plant-based menu, half of Funghi e Tartufo’s charm lies in its atmosphere. From the soft clink of wine glasses and the simmering scent of garlic wafting from the kitchen to the hum of Hardware Lane just beyond your plate, it really is like a plant-based pocket of Sicily tucked into Melbourne’s CBD.
Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious, or simply craving pasta like nonna used to make (but kinder), this vegan Italian restaurant is one laneway gem worth wandering into. 
📍Funghi e Tartufo is located at 60 Hardware Lane, Melbourne CBD. Get directions and opening hours here.
Keen to explore even more plant-based options? Don’t miss our round-up of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne for all the must-visit spots.
Header image: © Funghi e Tartufo
Meet Kelsie!
Kelsie is a writer, editor, and storyteller with a passion for plants, puns and making a difference. A longtime vegan, animal advocate, and dedicated plant-based foodie, she loves wordplay almost as much as she loves tofu. When she’s not writing about (or eating) delicious vegan food, you’ll find her making music with her band, Damaged Goods Club, or playing with her two loveable rescue cats, Smol Cat and Pikachu.