The Moat

Name: The Moat
Address: 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC, Australia, 3000
Telephone: (03) 9094 7820
Price range: $41 to $100
Rating: 4.9

4.9 (341)

$41 to $100

Italian

176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Make a booking

2 people

17 May 2025

10:30 pm

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

Enjoy an Italian escape at The Moat, an intimate haven in the heart of Melbourne.
Set in the basement of the State Library.
Our new menu reflects the Italian heritage of our two owners, Paul and Rosie, and of our head chef Monica. Together, they have created authentic dishes that are hand-made with seasonal local produce, simplicity and love.
Our family welcomes yours to join us.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Italian, Cocktail Bar, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Wed–Fri 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(03) 9094 7820
Website
http://www.themoat.com.au/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
For Private Functions please Contact Rosie via email: info@themoat.com.au
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000
Area
Melbourne CBD
Cross Street
Swanston and Little Lonsdale
Parking details
Parking available at QV Centre
Public transit
Melbourne Central
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Gnocchi Night!
$40.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Join us every Wednesday for Gnocchi Night! Enjoy your choice of three pasta dishes, each featuring our handmade gnocchi, served with a side salad and a glass of red or white house wine for just $40 per person. It's the perfect mid-week treat!
Chef's feed me menu
$75.00 per person
Multiple dates available
for parties larger than 8 enjoy a family style feed me menu of the chefs favourite dishes. Let us know if we need to consider any special diets and we will make it happen
Group Booking 6 or more: Minimum spend $45pp
$45.00 per person
Multiple dates available
We have made our group bookings more flexible. for parties over six people, you can now get a table for large groups without having to have a set menu. This allows for people to order à la carte instead of having the chefs plate menu. For those who aren't looking for a three course meal or family style sharing menu. it also allow for you to have a small bite and a couple of our specialty cocktails or a glass or two of a local Pinot noir without the bigger spend. You can choose what your $45pp minimum spend goes on. Of course you are most welcome to spend more, we will never say no to that haha

What 341 people are saying

The Moat reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

City Centre
Best Overall
City Centre
Best Food
City Centre
Best Service
City Centre
Best Value
City Centre
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Moat shines as a "hidden gem" in Melbourne's heart, offering "delicious food" with "excellent service" and a "cosy atmosphere." Patrons praise its "imaginative menu," gluten-free options, and "great wine selection." The "friendly staff" enhance the dining experience, making it a perfect spot for both meals and drinks.

341 Reviews

D
Debra
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 9 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great meal and evening at The Moat, conveniently close to our Melb Writers Festival event!
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S
Sara
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 2 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A delightful restaurant below the State Library. Highly recommend the food and the service!
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B
Bec
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 26 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing restaurant, affordable and beautiful. Such a good hidden gem. My partner got the lamb and I got the mushroom risotto both were absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection! Would highly recommend
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A
Andy
Melbourne1 review
4.0
Dined on 10 April 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
An interesting menu, imaginative but not too many options that tend to make deciding tedious. Really lovely food.
The MoatResponded on 17 April 2025
Thanks so much, Andy! We're so happy you enjoyed dining with us and we hope to see you again soon.
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R
Rachael
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 5 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing and there was a good wine selection. We both had the mushroom ravioli…perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Happy hour 4-6pm. All the staff were super friendly and chatted with diners as they went about. Our server had a quick wit and made the night, attentive without hovering. We started at a great table near the entrance that felt like an old library (thanks to some clever styling), but ended up moving to the busier section due to a nearby diner with a voice like a fire alarm…bit much. No big deal though, we were early and it was easy to shift.
The MoatResponded on 17 April 2025
Rachael, thank you for your kind words and five star review! We are delighted to hear that you loved dining with us and to learn that our staff were able to suit you at a table of your choosing. We hope to see you again soon!
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L
Louise
Melbourne2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 4 April 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I love this place both for a drink and nibbles and for dinner. The location in the city and the atmosphere and service are great.
The MoatResponded on 17 April 2025
Thank you, Louise! We're so happy to hear that you love drinking and dining with us. We'll see you next time!
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J
Jenny
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We thoroughly enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Moat. The food was terrific with gluten free options for some of our group. What a quirky fab restaurant in the heart of the city! Noise level was minimal so we were able to engage in animated conversation without yelling. Music choice was very appropriate for the venue. All staff were friendly and our waiter was truly excellent . We probably "overstayed" our welcome but at no stage were we encouraged to leave! Would not hesitate to return or recommend to others .
The MoatResponded on 17 April 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Jenny. We are so happy to hear that you and your group loved dining at The Moat! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
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J
Jacinta
Melbourne2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great welcoming service, delicious food, lovely cosy atmosphere. There's a reason why this hidden gem is so popular!
The MoatResponded on 17 April 2025
Thank you for the five star review, Jacinta! We are so happy to hear that you loved your time with us and we hope to see you again soon!
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T
Tim
Melbourne1 review
5.0
Dined on 3 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Nice venue and terrific food for the price. Not too noisy.
The MoatResponded on 17 April 2025
Thank you for the five star review, Tim! We're thrilled to learn that you loved dining with us and we hope to see you again soon!
Is this helpful?
K
Kelle
Melbourne5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is one of Melbourne’s hidden gems. Beautiful fresh Italian food elevated by excellent service and a great wine list. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu and wines, and enjoy the cosy and friendly ambiance again.
The MoatResponded on 27 March 2025
Kelle, we are so happy to learn that you loved dining with us! Thank you for your lovely review. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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FAQs

The Moat offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (03) 9094 7820.

The Moat is rated 4.9 stars by 341 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

17 May 2025

10:30 pm

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Additional information

Cross Street
Swanston and Little Lonsdale
Area
Melbourne CBD
Hours of Operation
Wed–Fri 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Italian, Cocktail Bar, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking available at QV Centre
Public transit
Melbourne Central
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Website
http://www.themoat.com.au/
Phone number
(03) 9094 7820
Private party facilities
For Private Functions please Contact Rosie via email: info@themoat.com.au

The Moat

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Experiences

Gnocchi Night!

Chef's feed me menu

Group Booking 6 or more: Minimum spend $45pp

Menu

What 341 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does The Moat offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Moat restaurant rated?

Is The Moat currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information