'Probably the best gnocchi I've ever eaten' said my friend. Really an amazing place with incredible staff. The food is so good, check the new mussle dish. Come for the golden happy hours from 4 till 6 drinks and stay for dinner. I would recommend for a hinge date to. 😉. Go try the Moat they will not dissapoint, comfort, class, service and food. (Drinks)

So good to have Melbourne open again!! We hadn't been to The Moat for about six months but as usual it didn't disappoint. For all you plant lovers, the menu has mouthwatering vegan options for entrée, mains and desert. The vegan lasagna is GOOD! The staff were friendly, courteous and lovely and the venue is amazing and romantic as ever. Thanks for a great night out. Rob n Tiff x

Can’t fault my experience here; great food, excellent vibe on a cold winter night, top service and delicious food & drinks. The old fashioned that I had was done and presented well. Every aspect was just done really well. I generally don’t eat gnocchi often but the one I had was tasty and had great consistency.

Great atmosphere, helpful staff and delicious food. What more could you want? Definitely worth trying.

Thank you for hosting us and our delegates for multiple events during our City of Literature Network Meeting 2022, The Moat! The Moat is a literary institution for good reason. Whenever we were there, they plied us with delicious food, drink and lots of warm smiles. The service was attentive, friendly and went beyond our (already high) expectations.

we were offered a "Caponata" beyond the menu and certainly, it was bland and very far from the original recipe. Expensive for what it offers. A bit dark and a bit noisy. A little disappointing. Friendly and attentive staff

We had the absolute pleasure of having our wedding reception at The Moat Bar & Grill in February 2020. Rosie and her team of warm, friendly staff present a delightful space that was easily adapted to create a beautiful and unique experience for us and our guests. We have also dined at The Moat previously, and were impressed at how fluidly The Moat transformed from an incredible fine dining space, to a personalised function space. The Moat were outstanding in their communication with us and made every effort to ensure the finest of details were attended to. Finally the food! Although The Moat is not a vegan restaurant, the chef met with us personally and created a plant-based menu that wowed even the most staunch steak-lover amongst our guests. The symbiosis between fresh whole foods and spices, was an explosion of flavour like nothing we have actually tasted before. We would recommend The Moat to anyone looking for a cosy, intimate place to host their wedding reception. Thanks again to Rosie, Ted, Paul and their team, for making our night magical!

Wonderful restaurant with a quiet but nice atmosphere. Friendly and attentive service. The food was delicious and they have an excellent cocktail menu. This place would be excellent for date night or celebrating a special occasion.

We held our engagement party here on Saturday evening and I cannot speak more highly of the venue, the staff and the food. Rosie was incredible during the planning process, Ted was exceptional with set up and anticipating all of our guest’s needs, and all of the kitchen staff made food that our guests could not stop raving about (as well as accomodating a number of dietary requirements). Thank you so much for a fabulous night, and if you’re thinking of holding a function here, I highly recommend!

This place has the most beautiful atmosphere-like a serene secret little spot tucked away from the hustle and bustle.A perfect mix of professional yet personable wait staff,food that simply cannot be faulted (and at a very affordable price for cuisine of such high calibre). I would reccomend this place, and have done, to anyone!You just coukd never be dissapointed-it is just perfect.

Lovely hidden gem with delicious coffee and a great menu and wine list.

finally, every time i passing this bar and never have the chance to get in. it’s lucky for us, it was a table for us. 😆 tried their tiramisu , sooo good , the waiter was soo nice and sweet, she is funny too what a lovely place and all the decorations are so cute!!

Cosy little joint underneath the State Library. The cocktails were decent and cheap during happy hour, but I've have had much better cocktails. Snacks were decent but I didn't come for the food. The beers on tap are definitely NOT good and should be changed. The actual space is decent and the vibe is nice. If there were nicer beers and improved cocktails this could be a really awesome place. Just fix the drinks menu and this place could easily improve from 3 stars to 5 stars.

The staff is very nice and friendly, the place is nice and cosy... The food wasn’t unfortunately the best. We had the special pork neck roast, lots of cooking twines were in the meat :( and the taste was bland. Maybe i picked the wrong dish. The wine was very good though.

Rosie and Paul have provided an amazing catering service for our event at the Wheeler Centre. The booking and communication was seamless. The service and timing was amazing. And the food was just fantastic - very yummy and so well presented and managed. We had less guests than anticipated and to avoid the wastage of food they even managed organising food donation on our behalf. Highly recommend it for your future events.

Great little discovery this one. The restaurant bar is located down stairs in a basement under the state library. Awesome eclectic relaxed vibe, staff are super friendly. We went for drinks, Awesome drinks selection. They know how to make cocktails. We must try for dinner.

What a wonderful restaurant! Absolutely top quality food and the best service from the staff who were very friendly and looked after us the whole time. One of the best places you absolutely have to go to! I had the veg Penang curry and it was just super top notch! The others had lentils dahl, eggplant veg dish and warm veg salad and we got to share a bit of each among 4 of us and everything was perfect tasting! We enjoyed some really top quality cocktails as well. Thank you to the lovely staff for your service and looking after us :) we can't wait to come back again! :)

Such lovely staff and delicious food. I enjoyed everything I tried. I had a Mexican-style chicken special with potatoes and asparagus as sides. The decor is also lovely, with a beautiful red/gold foil feature wall. Music isn't too loud.

We came here for a business meeting dinner and was pleasantly surprised. Great warm cosy ambience (it was winter then), the waitress was very knowledgeable and provided excellent service in terms of recommendations and serving. We tried a range of food from their roti and curry to lamb. All very delicious. Looking for a cool place for a drink (or meal although I haven’t had one) then this is highly recommended. It’s built into the vaults of the State Library enlivened by fake book shelves. Great atmosphere, attentive service, well priced. Would highly recommend.

If you are in Melbourne, and it is winter, you cannot miss a magnificent and delicious soup (Zuppa del Giorno) in this magical and cozy place. The impeccable attention, they make you feel like a princess. It is what I call Serendipity, a jewel of a place in the heart of the CBD. ❤️

Amazing. We have been passed here on many occasions and so pleased we finally booked. Everyone seemed happy which is a good sign of a good restaurant and it's fair to say the food didn't disappoint. Everything had that home made taste and was cooked to perfection. The staff were very chatty and always willing to please and serve. Thank you and can't wait to go back.

Looked for cozy restaurant, got cozy restaurant. If you want a nice place to have a chat with friends and have some delicious food then this is it. Got the swordfish, the two pasta specials, some drinks, and dessert, all were great. The waiters were attentive too.

Situated right next to the state library, this little hidden underground gem brings warmth and good food on a cold winters day. The atmosphere is super cosy with a library/bar vibe with warm fireplaces to keep you defrosted. While a small menu, the food offered was delicious and heart warming. Recommend the foccacia bread as starters along with the potato chats. It was a bit pricey, but the quality of food was splendid. Recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a cool place to eat or grab a drink!

Absolutely love the ambience, it’s nice and snug and the location couldn’t get any better. The outdoor area is well heated for those cold winter evenings. And the service is top notch. Now let’s talk about the food — absolutely delicious! Right from the entrees, to the mains, down to the dessert, just everything was delicious and my compliments to the chef. There was attention to detail, something as simple as the cornichons was nailed right! We had - the focaccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The focaccia was warm and honestly one of the best I’ve had, can’t get it out of my head - Mushroom and lentil pate with crostini and cornichons — damn those crostinis, were so delicate and the crispiest I’ve had - Ravioli filled with pumpkin. This dish was my highlight, the sweet but savoury flavours reminded me of Diwali back home! - Puttanesca was lovely too - Chocolate mousse — we thought we wouldn’t finish it coz we were quite full, but it was so smooth, silky and delicious that we wiped our plates clean! It came to around $75 per person. Would highly recommend this place!

The Moat is nestled within the Melbourne State Library, however they have a separate entrance along Little Lonsdale St. The ambience was fabulous and staff were all very friendly, particularly Paul who will always come along and check in on you. Their pasta is a must try as they make their own pasta.. the puttanesca and pappardelle is a must try. Their appetisers are not to be missed either. Cured king fish helps to open the palette and the burrata is a crowd pleaser. Many people were also seen ordering the lamb shoulder. They do have daily specials so do look out for it. Happy hour for drinks and some snacks is between 4-6pm. So go chill there till the kitchen opens at 5:30pm for dinner service. Don’t forget to make reservation before headed down or you likely will not be able to get a seat. Definitely must try if you are a pasta lover!!!

Our experience at The Moat was an absolute delight. I still have dreams about that melt-in-your-mouth ravioli. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted by the most amazing Italian aromas, and incredibly friendly staff. All of the team were attentive, professional and uniquely fun throughout the evening. The space had a gorgeous, cosy ambience and was intriguing for the eyes to explore. To our surprise, we'd arrived during happy hour, so naturally made the most of this, and enjoyed the tasty cocktails. The main event, however, was the food: all entrees and meals were of exceptional quality and I don't think I can ever go back to non-handmade pasta after this experience. I've since recommended this place to several people , and will back very soon!

The overall ambiance and smell of the kitchen from the moment I walked in had me very excited for the food that awaited. I ordered the Eggplant & provolone polpette, Ravioli and Panna Cotta. All excellent. The service from the team topped off the whole experience. Highly recommend and will return when I find myself back in Melbourne.

This is an excellent Italian restaurant in Central Melbourne. Located in the basement of a historic building, the vibre is very cosy and customer friendly. The main courses, small plates, pasta and wine are all good in very reasonable price. The food quality is super. Of interest in mentioning Jack, the serving staff in this restaurant is very knowledgeable and customer friendly. This is a restaurant that I highly recommend to any one who looks for a good Italian restaurant in central Melbourne. Need to book early for a table in weekend.

Love the handmade gnocchi lamb ragu!! Consistently good and a must have for me with my favourite wine. The staff are friendly and professional. Nikki and I are regulars for the gnocchi night on Wednesdays

Good food however 2 things we wanted from the menu were sold out. Considering its a very small menu, it would be better to make sure all options were available.

Friendly staff and a good happy hour

Incredible food! The staff are friendly and amazing, the head chef really knows what she is doing. Very punctual and always delivering sensational food whilst catering to all kinds. Would highly recommend!

The best part were the staff who were very nice, polite and friendly. Food was good too. I liked my lamb shoulder. But the potato was just OK. Desert was just OK as well and nothing wow. However, the decoration is super cosy and cool. Overall experience is 5 star and I'll come back here again, maybe in a different occasion and not just for a weekend dinner with my partner.

OMG, the aroma of garlic, chilli and rosemary from the kitchen left my mouth watering as soon as I walked in. Our party of six couldn't fault our dining experience. The service was attentive and polite. They couldn't have been more helpful with advice on dish selection and accompanying wines. Being vegan, they made me a separate dish that wasn't on the menu working with what is in season, so all vegans pay attention! I have to say it was so wholesome and fresh, absolutely delicious. Love the atmosphere and location. I would highly recommend it.

I had my 40th birthday celebrations at The Moat to a great success. The planning was no dramas and the staff very accommodating to our needs. We chose a canape menu of delightful treats, and a home made pasta mini meal which was silky and perfectly matched with a soft tomato sauce that reminded me of my nonna; accompanied by a great selection of house beverages. The Moat's inviting sensuous atmosphere and friendly staff made our night flawless. Thank you Rosie, Paul and the team for a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!

The staff here are incredible - even during their busiest time, they were the friendliest and most accommodating people! I would give their service 10 stars if I could. Food, drinks and atmosphere equally great. Highly recommend.

Lovely setting. Only tried the potatoes and Cider. Would love to go back again

Thus place is great. It's the best Italian food I have had outside of Italy. Friendly service and reasonably priced considering the great quality. It would make a great location for a romantic winter date.

Great service. Waitress very engaging and helpful. Happy hour menu from 4 to 6 pm. Felt like a Harry Potter film set. Very eclectic decor.

Lovely people, amazing space, and delicious food. Can't go wrong.

Had a great night on Valentines Day. Service was excellent and the food was creative, presented well and tasty. The owner came out to great us and was also very friendly.

Lovley little find. We arrived without booking and luckily we managed to get a table. The staff are terrific and will explain menu and give advice on dishes. The food was amazing and good portion sizes, they don't rush courses which is good great ambience and relaxing atmosphere definitely highly recommend and not over priced.

This is a great restaurant!!!. The food is simple and tasty. No over the top over flavoured food on the menu. The service is very friendly and welcoming. While the restaurant was pretty quiet for most of the time we were there we never felt like we should hurry and get out. Because we arrived early, we had a number of entrees rather than have a main course, they were all very tasty. We had the simple chat potatoes with a garlic aoali, burrata with mixed tomatoes, pork & veal meatballs in a tomato sauce and carpaccio of swordfish - it was all very tasty. Washed down with some very nice wine and a coffee to finish off. All in all a great experience.

EXCELLENT ! what an awesome find ! beautiful food and amazing staff - nothing was too much trouble, we were made to feel genuinely welcome, and just passing by the table later to check everything was okay. wonderful atmosphere and nice range of food and drinks. located under the state library off Lt Collins street. SOOOO please we found this place highly recommended ! wish i could give more than 5 stars :)

Nice place to sit and chat with friends. The outdoor was covered with big umbrellas (from the rain) and heater was provided to keep warm. Convenient ordering via QR code. No smoking even for outdoor seating.

“Fast food” restaurant, average food, good location, terrible waitress. We’ve ordered nine plates and five drinks at 8pm. The waitress rushed us five plus times with different reasons but theres no one waiting for the table and it is quiet empty inside. The worst thing is then the waitress vacuumed rugs around our table when we still taking dinner that make us feel rushed. Terrible service!!!

One of my go to places for some drinks with friends! Totally recommend.

Wonderful atmosphere, excellent food, great service and even better wine. To top that, super value for money. Recommended you book if it's a busy time of the week.

Wonderful atmosphere, excellent food, great service and even better wine. To top that, super value for money. Recommended you book if it's a busy time of the week.

Great service and we have enjoyed every meal here - our third visit today! !!!!!! Great place to meet with friends ?

Intimate setting, delicious cocktails and food. Staff are terrific❤

The State Library of Victoria (SLV) accomodates three different coffee shops, all with their own individual character. The Moat is the more refined of the three and would be my pick if I wanted to have a quiet tete-a-tete. The food is very good, and includes a Mediterranean-style menu for an afternoon tea. Many people looking for he SLV come to take a look out of curiosity and then become regular customers. By the way, there is an outside seating area near the Little Lonsdale Street

(Translated by Google) Food nothing good (Original) Comida nada bien

I went to a wedding reception last night.I enjoyed walking down into the space.Thanks to the wait staff,especially prepared vegan food,the decor ..all made it a good night.

Good food good service.

Great ambience, great service and yummy food

Reasonable price and good ambience restaurant

Grate friendly cafe that is always welcoming with wonderful food and coffee

What a cute venue. Friendly staff. Yummy food that’s a bit different

Cool place and friendly staff! I would like to date the waitress :) ♡

nice feel, it's tucked away a little bit below street level and has good options especially for lunch

Pretty good spot for after work drinks, a little busy but we got a seat

I love this place. Great snacky food and a good wine selection.

Great hidden watering hole and dinner place

The ambiance was beautiful and the drinks were fairly priced. Looked beautiful for a date night. I thought I was in for a delicious Italian meal - the food was very bland. I thought it was because I had decided to try a vegan cannelloni dish, but all 6 of us there for dinner ordering various dishes all agreed the food lacked flavour, it wasn’t even salted adequately. We were passing the salt grinder around like pass the parcel. I would caution anyone who likes gastronomy from eating here. We sampled each other’s dishes and none of the dishes were flavourful plus there was a very limited menu. The pasta was made in house and was not a bad texture, maybe their efforts were too focused on the pasta-making… not the fault of the restaurant or their staff, our experience was just fine, but nobody enjoyed their food.

The go to place for winter soul food. Had the lamb shoulder with some mash; prawn papardelle and a few glasses of mulled wine tonight. So yum!

Great decor and food.

Amazing place. Great food, great atmosphere and a fantastic place to spend an evening.

Great wine and lovely atmosphere

Excellent

Nice quiet place for coffee or after works drinks in the middle of CBD.

We only went there for drinks and we had mulled wine, but we had a good time! The wine was good and the Atmosphere was really friendly! Can't wait to try dinner there! :-)

Great and cosy spot for drinks ??????

Pretty cozy place, features the decor of multiple personalities.

Cosy bar

The staff at the Moat are always so attentive and lovely! It's usually always busy and everyone hustles so well. They make me feel very welcome everytime I'm there.

Great ambiance, staff and food

Great place with good happy hour

♡ Friendly attentive staff, wide range of drinks, great menu and awesome ambience ...♡♡♡...

Beautiful place, good food too.Had a good time there.jThank you.

Pasta tasted good, and I really liked the lamb steak. Most staff were nice, but one of the staff members who served us was being rude - And despite the reservation was for three people, we were guided to a double seat where an extra chair was attached which made us request a change to another seat.