Neighbourhood Pizza

The vibe of Neighbourhood Pizza (in the spot that used to be Pizza Religion) is in the name. The laid-back restaurant sits on a quaint cafe strip opposite Toorak Station, where you’ll usually find more diners than drivers. Many of them gather on the fairy-lit parklet outside the restaurant, tucking into puffy pizzas and on-point pastas.

The former are Neapolitan-style, each dressed with a base of San Marzano tomatoes. The team does classics with modern takes: the capricciosa is emboldened with anchovies, and the crowd-favourite pepperoni is supported by oozing stracciatella and honey.

The pastas include the fan-favourite spicy vodka rigatoni (with a generous clump of stracciatella in the middle) and a classic house-made gnocchi in lamb ragu. Meat-free options include a pizza topped with roast pumpkin and caramelised onion, and cassareccia pasta tossed through a mushroom-pesto sauce. For something more substantial, consider the lamb shoulder for two or, in a nod to traditional Italian flavours, cacciucco – a Tuscan seafood soup.

Like the food, the drinks are simple and traditional. The wine list features mostly Italian and Victorian wines alongside classic cocktails (a non-alc G&T or Negroni is also available). On certain nights you can bring your own bottle from neighbouring Toorak Cellars.

Reflecting the neighbourhood vibe, the red brick walls inside are lined with vintage photos and illustrations. Low-slung pendant lights and turquoise banquettes maintain the cosiness, or you can perch up at a window seat.

The spot is run by a swag of local hospo legends, including partners Emily Stribley and Michael Valentine (who also run Pony); Emily’s brother Matthew Stribley (Square and Compass, Lobbs); and siblings Elias, Matthew and Kael Sahley (St Pauls General Store, Vacation).