I am a single today, and seat in the bar table. Everyone and each person including the Sirs and Bartender are super nice, and can understand what I would eat or order. Ciao!

The quail is very salty. I don't want to have a second bite. It's the most disgusting. The fish is not fresh and has a strong fishy smell. It's obviously frozen. The squid is very small. It's like eating fried flour. The salad has too much oil. The suckling pig is not tasty. It's cooked at a low temperature for a long time, but it has no texture and the skin is not crispy.

This place offers excellent wine and outstanding service. We were especially impressed by how polite and helpful the staff were - truly a pleasure. The food deserves its own praise: everything tasted fantastic, with the sauces standing out in particular. We went with the set menu, and it was absolutely amazing.

ORDERED: 🍄 Porcini, polenta, castagne, porro: porcini mushrooms, polenta, chestnut, leek ($32.00) 🍛 Risotto cacio e pepe, tartufo nero: Risotto, cacio e pepe, black truffle ($45.00 main size) 🍝 Spaghettini, cicale di mare, "olio visadi", rucola ($55.00 main size) 🥦 Broccoli e cavolfiore gratinati, prezzemolo: Broccoli & cauliflower gratin, parsley crust ($18.00) This came to $94.00pp which included a mocktail each. REVIEW: We were taken out by the sheer amount of food. We were almost able to finish everything, save for the last couple of bites. We were rolling out the door! Food: 🤎 1. Favourite was the porcini entree. It had everything I like - earthiness from the porcini mushroom, dreamy creamy polenta, snappy crispy leek. I'm big into textures and this was such a fantastic dish. 🥗 2. I haven't seen the broccoli and cauliflower gratin on the menu before. It was great because it seems like a uniquely VERY italian dish that hit all the carb notes from the decadent bechamel sauce. It's my sorry excuse for a salad that turns out to be much heavier than I expected! 3. Risotto congealed over time, so I would advise you to get to this dish as soon as possible! Service: ⭐⭐⭐ 1. I appreciated how the kitchen split up our spaghettini into 2 plates, and left the risotto as a plate to share. This was so thoughtful, and made our dining experience more efficient - bless!! 2. Other reviewers mention the attentiveness. Apart from seeing our waiters when taking our order and delivering the food with a jovial attitude, I didn't even see their shadow 🤣. Overall, Il Barcaro is worth visiting and I had a good time here. 😊

One of Melbourne’s best Italian spots Had an amazing dinner at Il Bacaro. I tried the truffle risotto, tagliatelle gamberi with artichoke sauce, and the duck breast — every dish was delicious, with the duck cooked to perfection. Staff were super friendly and the chef’s touch really shows. The menu isn’t huge and prices are a bit high, but the quality and location in the middle of the CBD make it absolutely worth it. Highly recommended if you’re after a good Italian with a touch of elegance in Melbourne.