Member Review by melbourne_muncher

After months of trying unsuccessfully to get a booking, I finally made it there. I had heard and read all of the raves about this being the best pizza in Melbourne and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure if it could live up to it.
The minute I started perusing the menu my excitement built. There were so many tempting treats to chose from: pizzas, entrees, pastas and a delicious sounding lamb roast. I finally decided on a pizza with mozzarella and porcini mushrooms and duck ravioli to follow. The waiter tried to convince me that I’d ordered too much food but hey, I’m Italian, I can handle it!
The pizza was pretty amazing- perfectly thin and crisp and charmingly misshapen and my partner’s gorgonzola pizza was equally delicious. My pasta was similarly divine- plump, soft ravioli filled with duck in a buttery lentil sauce.
The room was absolutely thumping when we arrived and even more so when we left. This is definitely not the place to whisper sweet nothings into your partner’s ear! Still, the buzz made you feel like you were somewhere vibrant and exciting- like this was the place to be. All in all Ladro lived up to all of my expectations- honest, delicious food, exciting vibe, competent and professional staff and a very happy tummy.

Member Review by Kate Dal Forno

I think Danny may be wrong that Giardino's is the best in Melbourne - as Elsternwick is too far to go for pizza - but guess I'll never know. AND since the inner city has Pizza Meine Leibe, i Carusi, Piazza 51 and Ladro why would I bother to find out?

"Ladro" was the second contender on the block after i Carusi and thankfully takes cards/eftpos unlike many of the other pizza spots. Offering gourmet but authentic italian topppings on a thin crisp pizza base, any Roman would be proud of Rita Mecali's hot spot, which is a dream for locals. No crusts stuffed with cheap cheese here.

I love the "bada-bing" (you have to know The Godfather to get this one...or as a johhny-come-lately at least The Sopranos). Nice nibbles too.. baby arancini, eggplants etc.

Noisy with the open space and all the marble tables, not a place for a quiet chat.... but with your mouth full of proscuitto who really cares?