Right at the beginning of the artisan pizza craze in Melbourne the owners of DOC, both sons of the aforementioned post war immigrants opened up their restaurant around the corner in Drummond Street in 2004 providing diners with delicious authentic pizzas prepared and served by handsome Italian waiters with their inimitable swagger and style. Many have followed in their footsteps, most have failed and that is why these guys are still here today and with multiple venues to boot.

Wanting to take things further and offer other options like traditional foccacie, piadine and pasta as well as Italian produce to take home, D.O.C Espresso and its Delicatessen next door opened in 2009 on Lygon Street with one added bonus…..a bar! While Melbournians had flocked here mainly for the food and coffee, as we became aperitivo crazy, spritzes began to fly out the door and D.O.C Espresso started to serve spuntini, the Italian version of tapas to go with the drinks, creating their own unique Happy Hour and welcoming a whole new set of customers ready to snack and booze.

With Italian wines and beer on offer as well as vermouths and a serious range of amari (Italian bitter digestifs), D.O.C Espresso has become a place to enjoy fine craft spirits in the heart of Carlton. If you want a total immersion experience and Italy seems so far away, grab a table, definitely a Negroni, maybe a plate of pasta, close your eyes, listen to the Italo-pop playing in the background and slowly drink it all in.

In collaboration with Giulio Cocchi Vermouth Di Torino.