Francesca Wānaka

For years, Italians have been breaking their mothers hearts and leaving the homeland with rambunctious attitudes and a desire for pleasure. As they spread around the world collecting new stories they left behind but did not forget the traditions of Italy. Using the dining table as a way to travel home, learning to adapt and combining classic dishes with new ingredients, new ways of cooking, new customs, and new ideas.

It is in this spirit, Francesca Wānaka gives its hospitality, more Melbourne than Milan, the story comes from years of international experiences and learnings from hundreds of amazing people. Taking the best local produce and knowledge of other cultures to create Italian(ish) dishes that respect but are not defined by old traditions. At Francesca, the wine is larger, the lights are darker, the laughter is louder, to dine at Francesca is to dine as family. Cold? Let them warm you. Bored? Let them entertain you. Hungry? They have what you need.