La Luna Bistro

THE VERDICT

Carlton North’s La Luna Bistro has held down the fort as a Melbourne institution for 25 years, and with full-hearts and full-bellies they plan to close their doors, dishing-up their final meals on 3 August. 

Adrian Richardson’s hospitality ventures have always been noteworthy, and the acclaimed chef successfully delivered a classic spin on our beloved Euro-centric cuisine, nurturing La Luna into a venue that’s remained upmarket, yet distinctly mimics home cooking. 

That was exactly the goal with La Luna, and boy did he achieve it. Australian blood by no means limited Richardson’s childhood diet to meat and three veg—his passion for international cuisine was shaped by a period of adolescence spent in Malaysia and learning to make homemade pasta on his Nonna’s knee. 

It’s these nuances that are apparent here a quarter of a century later—everything is made from scratch and the ever-evolving menu features in-season produce and consistently reliable dishes. 

Today, La Luna Bistro has a place in the community that Richardson could never have previously imagined. Having regular clients for 20 plus years, the decision to close the Bistro’s doors was not a decision he made lightly. 

“My team and I have lots of other exciting projects we’re working on currently, so truthfully it just feels like the right time. We’re really finishing on a high.”

Be sure to secure your final reservation here and bid farewell to such an iconic Rathdowne village venue, it’s sure to be a bitter-sweet and all-round delicious goodbye.