The Moat

Enjoy a European escape at The Moat, an intimate haven in the heart of the CBD. Our family welcomes yours to join us.

Our authentic menu reflects the Italian heritage of our two owners, Paul and Rosie. Enjoy a European escape at The Moat, an intimate haven in the heart of Melbourne located in the basement of the city’s literary hub, the State Library of Victoria. A charming courtyard allows for outdoor dining and drinking, or head into the indoor dining room surrounded by books and bluestone walls. Our menu refle

08/11/2024

Fancy a feast with loved ones this weekend? We can help with that.

Make a booking: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

📸

07/11/2024

Christmas is on the way and we have a handful of dates left for parties! Whether you're after an intimate get-together or a big holiday blow-out, we can help!

Get in touch with our team today: https://www.themoat.com.au/christmas

📸

05/11/2024

The Moat will be closed today for Melbourne Cup Day but we’ll reopen as usual from 12pm on Wednesday.

Extend those long weekend vibes by joining us for our Wednesday Gnocchi Night!

Enjoy your choice of three gnocchi dishes, accompanied by a side salad and a glass of red or white wine, all for just $40 per person!

Book your table: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

03/11/2024

This week, we'll be closed on Tuesday for the public holiday, reopening 12pm Wednesday to serve you lunch, Happy Hour and dinner.

Joining us for a meal this week? Try one of our spring additions, our green beans with toasted hazelnuts, lemon and parsley.

Bookings: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

01/11/2024

We'll be closed next Tuesday 5 November for the public holiday.

Join us for Happy Hour drinks and dinner tonight or tomorrow: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

30/10/2024

Tonight, and every Wednesday, our gnocchi takes centre stage.

Our handmade, fluffy dumplings are paired with your choice of sauce, a glass of house wine and a side salad. For just $40, it's a perfect way to spend an evening.

Book a table for Gnocchi Night: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

29/10/2024

Christmas is coming, and we'd love to help you celebrate!

If you're organising a festive corporate function, family 'do or friendly catch-up, get in touch with our team to learn about our Christmas menu and drinks packages. Let's toast to the end of the year together!

https://www.themoat.com.au/christmas

📸

28/10/2024

As the weather gets warmer, we introduce new seasonal flavours to our menu.

Introducing one of our newest dishes, our ricotta di mandorle: whipped almond ricotta with tomato, olive, spice and basil.

Include it in your next springtime feast at The Moat; make a booking: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

25/10/2024

It's time to toast to the week that was - and it just so happens that our Happy Hour's on, too!

Join us in the courtyard or in our dining room for drinks from $7 and small plates until 6pm.

24/10/2024

This year the Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children’s Literature turns 30!

To celebrate, is hosting an exhibition and auction of select illustrations from books shortlisted over the three decades, and we're proud to display some of these works at The Moat.

See all the artworks up for sale and place an auction bid here: https://airauctioneer.com/wildernesssociety

23/10/2024

Handmade pasta and a glass of wine for just $30? You can't get a better lunch than that.

Lunch with us from Wednesday to Friday; book a spot here: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

22/10/2024

It's a stunning spring day; join us in the courtyard for some food and wine.

📸

20/10/2024

Have you booked your end-of-year function yet?

We still have a handful of key dates available for Christmas functions! Get in touch with our team today to create an unforgettable event.

https://www.themoat.com.au/christmas

📸

18/10/2024

Friday's here - pop the bubbly and say cheers to the weekend!

📸 Google user Kizanne Davies

17/10/2024

Our tagliatelle con calamari e gamberi is made with calamari, prawn, cherry tomatoes, white wine, garlic and chilli and served with our handmade pasta ribbons. It's the essence of spring on a plate!

15/10/2024

We're back open from 4pm today - join us for Happy Hour, then stay on for dinner!

📸

13/10/2024

Christmas is coming - celebrate it with us!

We've still got some dates available for end-of-year functions. Let us help you create an event that you and your guests will remember forever!

Enquire now: https://www.themoat.com.au/christmas

📸

10/10/2024

Start off your next Moat meal with one of our classics: Spanish anchovies on toasted sourdough, served with whipped lemon and confit garlic ricotta.

📸

08/10/2024

It's a lovely spring afternoon - come spend it with us and a Happy Hour drink or two!

📸

06/10/2024

Planning your year-end celebration? We’re here to help!

You and your guests will adore dining on our Christmas menu, featuring a variety of festive Italian dishes.

Add a customisable drinks package including cocktails, wines, beers and more from our extensive drink selection.

Choose to host your event in our cosy underground dining spaces or outdoors in our charming courtyard!

Book your Christmas function now: https://www.themoat.com.au/christmas

📸

04/10/2024

Our slow roasted saltbush lamb shoulder with heirloom carrots and jus is perfect for sharing alongside a bottle of red wine.

Dine with us: https://www.themoat.com.au/bookings

📸

03/10/2024

It's a beautiful afternoon for a drink in our courtyard! Happy Hour's on until 6pm; come and spend some time with us.

30/09/2024

The Moat is now taking bookings for Christmas parties and end-of-year functions!

We've created a festive functions menu that's perfect for celebrations, starting from just $55 per person for lunch and $90 per person for dinner.

Your guests will love our unique spaces, delicious Italian dishes and drink selections. Choose your date, your menu and your drinks package and we’ll do the rest!

Enquire now: https://www.themoat.com.au/christmas

📸

26/09/2024

We'll be closed on Friday for the public holiday, so come spend some time with us today!

Happy Hour's on from 4pm and dinner from 6pm; it's time to wine and dine!

📸

25/09/2024

Our beer comes in 1 litre flasks... for when you really, really need a drink.

📸 Google user Samuel Lam

Want your restaurant to be the top-listed Restaurant in Melbourne?
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Our Story

Enjoy an Italian escape at The Moat, an intimate haven in the heart of Melbourne.

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. Benvenuto a The Moat.

We have a range of flexible spaces for private functions, from banquet meals to canape and cocktail. We often host our own event nights, celebrating creativity with gorgeous wine, cocktails, and dining experiences.

We also play host for events programmed by the Wheeler Centre and its resident organisations, as well as the State Library, and many of Melbourne's festivals and events. Check out our website and sign up to our mailing list for all the details.

Videos (show all)

This week, tuck into an autumnal feast at The Moat.Join us for lunch Wednesday to Friday or dinner Tuesday to Saturday; ...
Spend a Happy Hour or two with us!At The Moat, our Happy Hour runs from 4-6pm, Tuesday to Saturday. No bookings required...
Spend Saturday afternoon in our courtyard, soaking up the atmosphere. We're open from 4pm, with Happy Hour from 4-6pm!
Join us for Gnocchi Night every Wednesday, when we serve up our handmade, pillowy gnocchi dumplings with your choice of ...
If you haven’t tried our Baci Brûlée yet, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Here’s what people are saying about our handmade pasta and other Italian specialties:“…the best Italian food I have had ...
The right way to start off your weekend.
The place to be.
The place to be.
Our Valentine’s Day dinner is almost booked out.
Gnocchi Night: every Wednesday.
We’re getting ready to welcome you back to The Moat!Join us from 4pm tomorrow. We'll have a reduced menu for the week, t...

Address


176 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Tuesday 4pm - 10pm
Wednesday 4pm - 10pm
Thursday 4pm - 10pm
Friday 4pm - 10pm
Saturday 4pm - 10pm

Other Melbourne restaurants (show all)
Captains of Rye Captains of Rye
2285 Point Nepean Road
Melbourne, 3941

Home of Captains Cafe and Captains bar Great food, Great people, Great vibes Functions available.

Vege2go Vege2go
308 Queens Parade
Melbourne, 3068

Gourmet vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, low FODMAP ready meals delivered to your door/ NDIS registered food provider

Central Hotel - thecentch Central Hotel - thecentch
1 Old Princes Highway
Melbourne, 3807

A one stop shop for all things Entertainment & Nightlife in a lively Beer Garden atmosphere

FAT BOY'S FAT BOY'S
Melbourne

Funky strEAT-style cafe serving up great locally roasted coffee! LIVE LOVE EAT & BE CHUBBY

Beer DeLuxe Fed Square Beer DeLuxe Fed Square
Federation Square, Flinders Street
Melbourne, 3000

The Tote The Tote
71 Johnston Street (Cnr Johnston And Wellington St)
Melbourne, 3066

It's the Tote!

Belgian Beer Cafe Melbourne Belgian Beer Cafe Melbourne
5 Riverside Quay
Melbourne, 3006

Dedicated to serving the very best Belgian beers and food in a relaxed, friendly venue. Come in and

The Horn African Beer House, Music Lounge & Ethiopian Restaurant The Horn African Beer House, Music Lounge & Ethiopian Restaurant
20 Johnston Street
Melbourne, 3066

We serve a full range of traditional Ethiopian Cuisine specializing in Gluten Free meals and Gluten

Yellow Bird Yellow Bird
122 Chapel Street
Melbourne, 3181

Diner & Bar

The Standard Hotel The Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy Street
Melbourne, 3065

Beautiful food, delicious beers, a cracking wine list and the best beer garden in Fitzroy

Thuan An Restaurant Thuan An Restaurant
253 Hampshire Road
Melbourne, 3020

Dream Pastry Products Dream Pastry Products
Unit 4, 5-7 PAUL Court
Melbourne, 3175

Traditional Greek Pastry Sweets & Savoury