Centonove
Kew, Melbourne
Restaurant in Melbourne, Australia
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$100–150per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Kew's two-decade Italian holds 50–60 covers Tuesday through Saturday, delivering handmade pasta and Northern technique without CBD formality. Lunch books easier than dinner, and the generous portions often satisfy as mains rather than starters. At AUD 40–65 per head, it rewards those seeking consistency over spectacle: walk-ins work mid-week, but Friday and Saturday fill two weeks ahead.
About Centonove
Centonove is a Melbourne venue open Tuesday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner. The dress code is smart casual, making it a useful option to consider when you want a meal that is polished without requiring formal attire.
The Room and the Rhythm
Centonove is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 3 PM and again from 6 PM to 10 PM. It is closed on Monday and Sunday.
How the Menu Works
Diners with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergy, or other specific needs should contact Centonove before visiting to understand what may be possible during the relevant service.
Booking and Timing
Lunch and dinner are available Tuesday through Saturday, with no service listed on Monday or Sunday.
Compared with I Love Pho or Serotonin, Centonove offers its own distinct experience, with a Melbourne location, Tuesday-to-Saturday lunch and dinner hours, and a smart-casual dress code.
For visitors exploring Melbourne restaurants, Centonove operates Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, closes Monday and Sunday, and lists smart casual as the dress code.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: 11:30 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
- Location
- 109 Cotham Rd, Kew VIC 3101, Australia
- Website
- centonove.com.au
- Phone
- +61398176468
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Centonove presents a quietly refined suburban dining experience that favors calm over spectacle. Sitting on Cotham Road in Kew, the room leans into an unhurried rhythm: tables turn at a pace that suits long evenings, and the absence of tourist traffic keeps the atmosphere relaxed and discreet. Regulars include professionals, families and couples, so the place feels lived-in and dependable rather than performative. The result is an intimate, low-key setting where the focus stays on well-executed plates and lingering conversation rather than on theatrical service or a bustling scene.
Best For
This is a restaurant built for occasion dining without the fuss of headline fine dining. It works especially well for birthday dinners, family milestones and date nights, where guests want a deliberate, well-paced meal rather than rush. The room also suits business dinners and small group celebrations: the clientele and tone favour polite conversation and multi-course evenings. Because Centonove trades the flash of a CBD address for consistent, neighbourhood polish, it’s a reliable choice when you want a meaningful meal that reads as an event but remains comfortably familiar.
Ordering Tips
Approach dinner here expecting an unhurried evening and dishes that reward attention. Signature mains such as the Eye Fillet of Beef with Pecorino and Herb Crust, Beef Cheek on cauliflower purée and the Pan‑fried John Dory with celeriac rosti are natural choices to anchor a meal. For celebrations, plan the time rather than compressing a short meal: the venue’s pace suits lingering courses. While it doesn’t demand the lengthy planning of top-tier fine dining, reserving a table for special occasions is sensible to secure the right evening.
Venue details
Ambiance
Sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere with warm, attentive service; upstairs dining room noted as particularly elegant for groups; comfortable seating and well-appointed spaces.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Prix fixe
- Wine Program
- Deep wine list
- Drinks Focus
- Italian wine, Red wine
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options, Allergy accommodating
- Private Dining
- Available
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Pan-fried John Dory with celeriac rosti and kelp butter
- Eye Fillet of Beef with Pecorino and Herb Crust
- Beef Cheek on cauliflower puree
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 109 Cotham Rd, Kew VIC 3101, Australia
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 11:30 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:30 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
- Thursday
- 11:30 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
- Friday
- 11:30 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
- Saturday
- 11:30 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Minamishima, Japanese Sushi, Japanese Sushi
- I Love Pho, Notable alternative
- Serotonin, Notable alternative
- Berties Butchers & Little Bertie’s Cafe, Notable alternative
- Vasko Restaurant Functions, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Centonove occupies the suburban-quality tier alongside Al Dente but trades South Yarra's foot traffic for Kew's residential quiet, the result is easier booking and less hurried service, though both deliver comparable handmade pasta at similar price points. For splurge-worthy Italian, Minamishima commands a different category entirely (omakase precision, AUD 200+ per head, weeks-ahead reservations), while +39 Pizzeria and 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar offer better value if the priority is cost over space, both run AUD 30–50 per head but accept the trade-off of tighter quarters and faster turnover.
I Love Pho and Serotonin serve entirely different dining modes (Vietnamese quick-service and modern Australian tasting menus, respectively), making them poor comparisons for technique but useful alternatives if Centonove is fully booked, Serotonin's tasting format runs longer and pricier, while I Love Pho handles walk-ins and dietary restrictions with more flexibility. For consistent neighbourhood Italian without the CBD premium, Centonove and Al Dente share the top slot; choose Centonove if easier parking and quieter acoustics matter, Al Dente if proximity to city hotels simplifies logistics.
Berties Butchers & Little Bertie's Cafe and Vasko Restaurant Functions function as event venues rather than nightly dining, so they fall outside the decision set unless catering or group functions (10+ diners) are the goal. For travellers anchored in the CBD, 7 Alfred delivers steak-frites at comparable price and formality, with later opening hours that suit post-theatre or late arrivals better than Centonove's 10 PM close.
Explore Melbourne
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Centonove guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Centonove
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centonove | Melbourne | The Age Good Food Guide 2027: Full List of Hats (Victoria) | |
| Minamishima | Richmond | Japanese Sushi | No published awards |
| I Love Pho | Richmond | No published awards | |
| Serotonin | Burnley | No published awards | |
| Berties Butchers & Little Bertie’s Cafe | Richmond | No published awards | |
| Vasko Restaurant Functions | Melbourne | No published awards |
How Centonove Melbourne compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Centonove?
The dress code is smart casual. This is the clearest guidance for planning what to wear.
Is lunch or dinner better at Centonove?
Both lunch and dinner are served Tuesday through Saturday: 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM.
What are alternatives to Centonove in Melbourne?
Other options to consider include I Love Pho, Serotonin, Minamishima, Berties Butchers & Little Bertie’s Cafe, and Vasko Restaurant Functions, along with other Melbourne dining venues.
