An Italo-American pub serving mighty pizzas, perfectly poured Guinness and classic cocktails, Hotel Lombardo is a magnet for locals seeking easy-going good times.
Hotel Lombardo – is it a pub? A pizza parlour? A bar? What we can tell you for sure is that the Guinness is perfectly poured, the cocktails are classics, and the potato pizza is among the best in Melbourne. Sitting on a stretch of Sydney Road not typically known for its nightlife, this Italo-American-leaning spot has quickly earned a place in the heart of many a local. Opened in late 2022 by Travis Lombardo after he returned from a long stint in Brooklyn where he worked as a fashion photographer and hospo all-rounder, it’s the type of joint he’d always dreamed of creating back home.
Head into Hotel Lombardo and you’ll find the bar, booths and beer garden packed with diners of every ilk. And you’ll be greeted by the attention-grabbing scent of wood-fired pizza, the sound of pool balls smacking across the table and the enticing energy of people having a good time.
The small but mighty pizza menu is built on the strength of Lombardo’s slow-fermented dough and classic toppings given a left-of-centre tweak. The Hawaiian, for instance, leans more Italian, with ham subbed out for mortadella that’s baked crisp, while the hot chips are served with a side of aïoli spiked with white pepper. Delicious.
