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The Moat, Melbourne, AU-VIC

The Moat

4.9 (339)
$41 to $100
Italian
176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
Enjoy an Italian escape at The Moat, an intimate haven in the heart of Melbourne.
Set in the basement of the State Library.
Our new menu reflects the Italian heritage of our two owners, Paul and Rosie, and of our head chef Monica. Together, they have created authentic dishes that are hand-made with seasonal local produce, simplicity and love.
Our family welcomes yours to join us.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Cocktail Bar, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Fri 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    For Private Functions please Contact Rosie via email: info@themoat.com.au
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Melbourne CBD
  • Cross street
    Swanston and Little Lonsdale
  • Parking details
    Parking available at QV Centre
  • Public transit
    Melbourne Central
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Gnocchi Night!

    A$40.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Join us every Wednesday for Gnocchi Night! Enjoy your choice of three pasta dishes, each featuring our handmade gnocchi, served with a side salad and a glass of red or white house wine for just $40 per person. It's the perfect mid-week treat!
    Gnocchi Night! Photo
  • Lunch Special!

    A$35.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays enjoy our lunch special: a plate of our silky handmade pasta and a glass of wine for just $35.
    Lunch Special! Photo
  • Chef's feed me menu

    A$80.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    for parties larger than 8 enjoy a family style feed me menu of the chefs favourite dishes. Let us know if we need to consider any special diets and we will make it happen
    Chef's feed me menu Photo

What 339 people are saying

The Moat reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • City Centre

    Best Overall

  • City Centre

    Best Food

  • City Centre

    Best Service

  • City Centre

    Best Ambiance

  • City Centre

    Best Value

  • City Centre

    Romantic

  • City Centre

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Moat is a charming hidden gem in Melbourne, offering "delicious food" with "excellent service" and a "great wine list." Known for its welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff, it's a perfect spot for drinks or meals. Enjoy creative dishes like mushroom ravioli and gnocchi, all in a "cosy and friendly ambiance."
339 Reviews
  1. Sara

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A delightful restaurant below the State Library. Highly recommend the food and the service!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Andy

    Melbourne1 review

    4.0

    Dined on April 10, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    An interesting menu, imaginative but not too many options that tend to make deciding tedious. Really lovely food.
    The MoatResponded on April 17, 2025
    Thanks so much, Andy! We're so happy you enjoyed dining with us and we hope to see you again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Rachael

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was amazing and there was a good wine selection. We both had the mushroom ravioli…perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Happy hour 4-6pm. All the staff were super friendly and chatted with diners as they went about. Our server had a quick wit and made the night, attentive without hovering. We started at a great table near the entrance that felt like an old library (thanks to some clever styling), but ended up moving to the busier section due to a nearby diner with a voice like a fire alarm…bit much. No big deal though, we were early and it was easy to shift.
    The MoatResponded on April 17, 2025
    Rachael, thank you for your kind words and five star review! We are delighted to hear that you loved dining with us and to learn that our staff were able to suit you at a table of your choosing. We hope to see you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Louise

    Melbourne2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 4, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I love this place both for a drink and nibbles and for dinner. The location in the city and the atmosphere and service are great.
    The MoatResponded on April 17, 2025
    Thank you, Louise! We're so happy to hear that you love drinking and dining with us. We'll see you next time!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jenny

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We thoroughly enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Moat. The food was terrific with gluten free options for some of our group. What a quirky fab restaurant in the heart of the city! Noise level was minimal so we were able to engage in animated conversation without yelling. Music choice was very appropriate for the venue. All staff were friendly and our waiter was truly excellent . We probably "overstayed" our welcome but at no stage were we encouraged to leave! Would not hesitate to return or recommend to others .
    The MoatResponded on April 17, 2025
    Thank you so much for your lovely review, Jenny. We are so happy to hear that you and your group loved dining at The Moat! We look forward to seeing you again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jacinta

    Melbourne2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great welcoming service, delicious food, lovely cosy atmosphere. There's a reason why this hidden gem is so popular!
    The MoatResponded on April 17, 2025
    Thank you for the five star review, Jacinta! We are so happy to hear that you loved your time with us and we hope to see you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Tim

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice venue and terrific food for the price. Not too noisy.
    The MoatResponded on April 17, 2025
    Thank you for the five star review, Tim! We're thrilled to learn that you loved dining with us and we hope to see you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Kelle

    Melbourne5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is one of Melbourne’s hidden gems. Beautiful fresh Italian food elevated by excellent service and a great wine list. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu and wines, and enjoy the cosy and friendly ambiance again.
    The MoatResponded on March 27, 2025
    Kelle, we are so happy to learn that you loved dining with us! Thank you for your lovely review. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Pieris

    London2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very quaint restaurant with a limited menu, however the food is superb. Our waitress Annie, was cheerful, knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurant is fairly small so you may need to book. I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant..
    The MoatResponded on March 27, 2025
    Pieris, we are delighted to hear that you loved your time at The Moat! Thank you for your kind words about Annie and your meal; we hope you'll come dine with us again some day!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Georgia

    Victoria5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic lunch special - great value for money and the special of the day gnocchi with the lamb was to die for!
    The MoatResponded on March 27, 2025
    Georgia, we're delighted to hear that you loved lunching at The Moat! We hope you'll dine with us again soon.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Moat offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (03) 9094 7820.

The Moat is rated 4.9 stars by 339 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. Australia
  3. Melbourne
  4. City Centre
  5. Melbourne CBD

Make a reservation


Booked 8 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Moat

176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Swanston and Little Lonsdale
  • Neighborhood
    Melbourne CBD
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Fri 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Cocktail Bar, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking available at QV Centre
  • Public transit
    Melbourne Central
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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