Fremantle is certainly the place to go if you’re craving a hearty bowl of carbs. The port city could become its own ‘Little Italy’ with the abundance of incredible Italian eateries lining its streets. We’ve rounded up our favourite Italian joints to please all the pasta and pizza lovers out there.
Just make sure you arrive with an appetite, and perhaps some stretchy pants!
Without further ado, here are the best Italian restaurants in Fremantle.
Vin Populi
Fremantle
Brought to us by the same legends behind No Mafia, Vin Populi (Italian for 'wine for the people') is a light, breezy and sophisticated wine bar slash restaurant serving up antipasti, fresh made pasta and beautiful local meats alongside a cracking 160-bottle Italian-Australian wine list and sexy Italian cocktails. Start with a few tasty morsels to share then dive head first into a bowl of pasta before finishing with some Italian doughnuts and a nip of Frangelico.
Capri
Anywhere that serves complimentary soup with a main meal gets two ticks from us. Capri has been thriving since the 50s, providing the people of Fremantle with honest, hearty Italian meals and quality service. We highly recommend the minestrone soup, and don’t be afraid to pack on the parmesan.
La Sosta
Tucked upstairs away from the streetside action on Market Street, La Sosta is one of those places that if you don't know about it, you could miss it. But boy what a tragedy that would be. They serve up seriously silky handmade pasta and super fresh seafood, plus, they also boast charming service, absolutely stunning interiors and a killer balcony that is screaming out for an aperitivo hour drink.
Sandrino Cafe Pizzeria
Sandrino recently moved a few doors up along Market Street, but they’re still in a prime location on Freo’s Cappuccino Strip and are better than ever before. Rest assured, you’ll find something on the extensive menu to curb your pizza or pasta cravings. If you’re a seafood lover, do yourself a favour and order the chilli mussels, with extra bread to soak up all the spicey, tomatoey goodness.
Portorosa
This central Freo eatery dishes up all of our favourite Italian spreads, including a good deal of antipasti, homemade pasta, woodfired pizzas, scaloppine, scotch fillet, calamari—you name it. If you’re not feeling like a wine or beer, Portorosa has a nice range of classic cocktails, so you can pair a martini or negroni with your pizza. This is also a great place to sit alfresco if the weather’s good.
Ruocco's Pizzeria E Ristorante
Ruocco’s is on South Terrace, and you really can’t miss it, as it’s set in a beautiful heritage building with a large, wrap-around verandah. The inside of the restaurant is welcoming, bustling and filled with beautiful murals of Italy, so you can daydream about your next holiday while you sip on a glass of wine. In terms of food, we couldn't go past the pizzas and the Sweet Potato Gnocchi.
Salsa Rossa
George Street in East Freo has no shortage of incredible bars and restaurants, but Salsa Rossa is worth adding to your list. Sister restaurant to popular Limones Restaurant, they’re known for modern and delicious Italian food, using seasonal produce from local markets. They make their own bread and pasta, and you can finish the night off with a serving of sweet gelati.
Pizza Bella Roma
Serving up mouth-watering Italian food since 1972, Pizza Bella Roma has long been a local favourite. There are plenty of pasta and meat options to choose from, but it’s hard to draw your eyes away from their range of pizzas. They’ve got heaps of classic pizza combos, such as Meatlovers, The Works and Hawaiian, and if you can’t choose, just go for a half and half of your top two favourites. If you’re feeling a lil extra, there’s also a gourmet pizza menu to scope out.
Nunzio’s
Nunzio’s is hidden away on Essex Street, and from the outside, you’d be mistaken for thinking it’s just another pretty Fremantle home. But step inside and you’ll be treated to cosy restaurant vibes and incredible Italian fare. You’re going to want to order something from the insanely delish pasta menu—think duck ravioli, linguine with red emperor fish and squid ink spaghetti. Then if you’re keen to carry on the night, head to Whispers Wine Bar on the same street and have a wine in this 19th century limestone flour mill.
Pasta Addiction
As you would have guessed by the name, the Pasta Addiction team know a thing or two about handmade pasta. They also have soups, lasagna and cabinet goodies, but it would be a crime to miss their signature pastas which you can combine with your sauce of choice to build the perfect bowl. Start by picking your pasta style (such as fettuccine, spaghetti or spirals) then pick from sauces like pesto, bolognese, mushroom or creamy carbonara. They’re open until 6pm on weekdays, so they’re a great option for lunch or an easy dinner, enjoyed alfresco style surrounded by stunning heritage buildings in the West End.
Parlapa
Curb your lunchtime cravings and head to Parlapa for a hearty serve of pasta and gnocchi to get you through the rest of the afternoon. Their fluffy gnocchi is made daily and pairs wonderfully with their array of sauces. If you’re also after a superb cup of coffee, Parlapa won’t disappoint.
Chasing more carby goodness? Course you are. Work through our list of Perth's best Italian restaurants.
Image credit: Vin Populi, Elle Borgward, Portorosa, Nunzio's