Piccolo Vicolo

Warm hospitality, great coffee and excellent food. I had the chicken cotoletta roll, simple and tasty, it reminded me the afternoon snack my grandma would make when I was little. This little gem in Ascot vale represents what Italian hospitality is about, thank you!

Despite living close by, I had never been here before and was pleasantly surprised. My friend had the risotto and I had the polpette, both thoroughly delicious. The service was friendly, warm and especially like to hear the chef/owners’ story that was relayed to us. This added to the authenticity of the experience as well as listening to the beautiful Italian music.

Great food. Great vibes. Even greater service. Maria and her team are so warm and generous. Came for the meatball that Bangin Sangas made viral, but fell in love with their Breakfast Risotto that was so warm and slightly sweet & rich from the pancetta. Meatball baguette was made the most classic way, all with the perfect dimensions. Bread was toasted and crispy, spread with the right amount of meatball, sauce and roasted peppers. Even got to try the orange cake sample they have on the little plate at the counter to taste test which was so good. Little details that show that they care for the community. Will bring back!

Not only the best Meatball sub in Melbourne, the entire menu is full of homemade and passed down Italian fusion recipes. From the risotto to the lemon cake, I couldn't fault anything. A mamma of four with a heart of gold is the owner, creator and chef of this little alley cafe where the locals that know know! In the kitchen, everything from the meatballs to the chicken cotoletta to the lemon cake is made at home and made with love. The Morning Capricciosa with mushrooms, olives and ham on cheesy sourdough with perfectly poached eggs is what every pizza for breakfast loving bruncher needs in their life on the daily - Not a pizza, not your usual breakfast and not disappointing. And the Breakfast Risotto was made al dente and full of flavour (even if the colour doesn't scream must eat!). But it's that Meatball Sub in which sandwich goals are made. From the indescribable but "OMG you need this in your life" bread to the homemade polpette that are soft and so full of flavour, to the right ratio of toppings not to take away from those amazing meatballs - this panino is insanely good and OMG you need this in your life!

Local Eats in Ascot Vale, came when it was busy and they worked with it and got the food pumping. Only 1 chef but a good chef cooking some delicious Italian. Service here was exceptional, thanks to the lady who came and asked us how the food was and made it very welcoming. Favourite was the meatball sub, meatballs melted in the mouth coupled with the capsicum was a great combo. The sausage roll was also a good peckish dish on the side. Arancini balls were nothing special but I liked them. Only thing I’d say was my bread was a bit over toasted but not sure if that’s how it’s meant to be.

Such a gorgeous little authentic Italian cafe, tucked into a quiet corner, with plenty of covered outdoor seating too. With a passionate Italian chef in the kitchen, the food had to be good. We struggled to decide between the seafood pasta or risotto selections, but took her suggestion and tried the prawn risotto and it was perfect. Great coffee too, and we took some sweets and arancini home for later. Definitely worth finding. Lunch only. You'll love it.

Ordered the morning capricciosa—perfectly poached egg, ham, mushrooms, olives, and cheesy sourdough. Loved their take on turning a classic pizza into a breakfast dish! Next up was the breakfast risotto—creamy risotto , crispy bacon, melty cheese, pane grattato, all topped with a poached egg. It’s like they turned comfort food into a morning must-have! Then, the star of the show: the viral meatball sandwich made famous by @banginsangas. Fresh, crunchy, yet soft bread, packed with juicy meatballs bursting with flavor. Honestly, I could eat this every day! Plus, they had cut-up cake samples at the countertop —it’s those little touches that make this family-run cafe so special!