Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Il Caminetto FAQ, your one-stop for everything worth knowing before you visit us in Moonee Ponds. We've gathered the questions our guests ask most, from dietary options and bookings to functions in our backyard, catering at your place, cooking classes and gift vouchers, and answered them the way we'd answer you across the table. Have a read before you come in, and if there's something we haven't covered, call us on (03) 480 045 069, and we'll happily talk you through it.
FAQ
Dietary and the Menu
What's on the menu at Il Caminetto?
We serve authentic Italian, made properly. Our menu celebrates signature wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, fresh starters and mains, from fresh seafood to hearty meat dishes, all made with the freshest locally sourced ingredients. You can download the full menu from our menu page.
Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes. Traditional Italian food at Il Caminetto is made with your dietary restrictions in mind, and gluten-free options are part of the menu. Just let us know when you book or order.
Do you have vegan options?
Yes. Vegan dishes are on the menu alongside our traditional favourites, so there's something for everyone at the table.
Do you have dairy-free options?
Yes. Dairy-free options are available across the menu, so nobody misses out on the good part.
Are you halal friendly?
Yes. Our kitchen welcomes gluten-free, vegan, halal, and vegetarian guests without compromise, and our cooking classes also offer halal options.
Do you have vegetarian options?
Of course. Vegetarian guests are well catered for at Il Caminetto, with plenty to choose from across starters, pasta and pizza.
What makes your pizza special?
Patience, mostly. We make our wood-fired pizza the traditional way, with dough rested for a full 72 hours before it meets the flame. It's part of why we've held a place on the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific list every year since 2023.
Do you have a wine list?
Yes, an extensive one. We pour both local and Italian wines, so you're sure to find the perfect pairing for your meal.
Bookings and Visiting
Do I need to book a table?
Yes, we recommend it. To enjoy the best Italian cuisine in Moonee Ponds, reserve ahead using our online booking calendar. Just select your preferred date, time, and number of guests. We look forward to welcoming you.
How do I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation online by selecting your number of guests, seating option, and preferred date and time. We look forward to welcoming you.
What are your opening hours?
We are open Monday to Thursday from 5.00 pm to 9.30 pm, and Friday to Sunday from 12.00 pm to 9.30 pm.
Where is Il Caminetto?
Il Caminetto is located in 114 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039, right across from Queens Park in the heart of Moonee Ponds.
Where do I park?
Parking near Il Caminetto is easy. We're right across from Queens Park, with plenty of street parking, so finding a spot is simple.
Can I order online?
Yes, both pickup and delivery. Order online through our website, or come dine in with us and let the hospitality do its thing.
Functions and Private Events
Is Il Caminetto good for a special occasion?
That's our specialty. Whether you're after a romantic dinner for two, a family celebration, or a group function, Il Caminetto has you covered with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and attentive, friendly service that make every visit memorable.
Can you host my next function?
We'd love to. At Il Caminetto, we don't just host your event; we make you feel at home, whether it's a birthday party, an award ceremony, a family reunion, a corporate event, or any special occasion worth celebrating.
How many guests can a function hold?
A function at Il Caminetto suits both ends. Small groups fit in a cosy area inside the restaurant, and large groups take over our spacious backyard, which can host 60 to 70 of your guests.
Can functions cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, we cater for all dietary requirements, so no guest at your celebration is left out.
Do you offer a set menu for functions?
Yes, we have a set menu for functions. Get in touch, and we'll shape it around your occasion.
What if I need a different venue style?
If you need a different style of venue, we'd point you to our sister venue, Shop225 in Pascoe Vale South, Australia's Best Pizzeria. Same founders, same passion, same belief that every guest deserves a seat at the table.
Catering
Do you cater outside the restaurant?
Yes. Hosting an event and not sure what to feed everyone? We come to the rescue, right over to your house, to cook for you.
What food does your catering include?
Our catering includes pizza, Sicilian street food, arancini, gnocchi and much more from our menu. The Neapolitan pizza is the centrepiece.
Is your catered pizza the real Neapolitan deal?
Yes, the real kind. Soft, charred crust with a light, airy centre, made the way it has been in Naples for generations. We hand-stretch every base, every topping earns its spot, and we bring the same dough, the same fire, the same pizza you'd get sitting in our restaurant.
How do I book Il Caminetto catering?
To book Il Caminetto catering, just send us your event date, number of guests and event address through the enquiry form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Check our catering page for more info.
Cooking Classes and the Pizzaiolo Course
Do you run cooking classes?
Yes, we run cooking classes in Moonee Ponds where you learn how to cook with an award-winning restaurant, including a pizza-making class and a tiramisu masterclass, with gluten-free and vegan options available. Halal options are available too.
How do I book a cooking class?
You can book your cooking class in Il Caminetto through ClassBento. Head to our classes page, pick your session (pizza-making or the tiramisu masterclass), and lock in your spot; we'll handle the rest.
Can you run a cooking class at my event?
Yes, we can. Join our cooking classes and become a pizzaiolo, mastering the art of making your own pizza, right at your event.
What is the Art of Pizzaiolo course?
The Art of Pizzaiolo is Australia's first recognised pizzaiolo course, hosted by NSW Institute of Education and Training and based at Il Caminetto. It's an immersive short course covering everything from dough formulation and fermentation to perfect stretching and baking methods.
What qualification do I earn from the course?
From the course, you earn an internationally recognised certificate endorsed by FIP (Federazione Italiana Pizzaioli), a Statement of Attainment for units from the national SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, and the distinguished FIP badge, a mark of excellence in artisan pizza making.
What are the course details?
For more details, we run the course twice weekly at 5 hours per day, right here at Il Caminetto, 114 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds. The investment is $1,800, and participants must be 18 years or older.
Is the course available outside Melbourne?
No. Classes are currently scheduled in Melbourne, with future expansions planned for Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.
What is a pizzaiolo?
A pizzaiolo is a professional pizza chef trained in the traditional Italian art of pizza making. By the end of the course, that's you.
Gift Vouchers
Do you sell gift vouchers?
Yes. It would be great to gift someone a trip to Italy, but you can do the next best thing: a trip to Moonee Ponds to experience Italy right here at Il Caminetto. Vouchers are available as $60 or $100 gift cards, or a custom amount of your choice.
How do I use my gift voucher?
To use your gift voucher, simply reserve your table at Il Caminetto, and we'll turn your gift card into a proper Italian experience. You can also check your gift voucher balance on our vouchers page.
Awards and Recognition
What awards has Il Caminetto won?
Il Caminetto has held a place on the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific list every year since 2023, recognised as Top 3 in Melbourne and Top 10 in Australia for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and handmade pasta.
What do your guests say?
Our guests have made us a Moonee Ponds favourite, with 4.5 stars from more than 1,100 Google reviews.
