10 hot pasta specials to brave the cold for – from $20 bowls to all-you-can-eat lasagne

We’ve nearly conquered winter, Melbourne. But, as always, that chill is sticking around. If you have itchy feet and need to get out and about – without blowing the budget – our latest, carb-dedicated edition of Specials Board is a good companion to have. We’ve scoured the city for 12 top pasta specials, from a bayside bistro with a weekly pasta club to $20 bowls at wine bars across town.

$20 pasta night, Gloria’s, Camberwell

Pumpkin and sage agnolotti with brown butter. Beef and parmesan-filled cappelletti with sugo. Frilly creste di gallo with ragu. This is what hump-day dinner can look like at Camberwell wine bar Gloria’s, where each of the hearty bowls are going for $20.

420 Burke Road, Camberwell, glorias.com.au

$25 pasta social club, Nostra pop-up at Onlys, Northcote

Roving Italian diner Nostra – by former Embla chef Dane Hewson – has been gaining traction with pop-ups all over the state. Last week, it launched an eight-week residency at Northcote cafe Onlys. To lure locals on Thursday nights, handmade pastas are $25; mini martinis and glasses of wine are $10.

58a Victoria Road, Northcote, nostrakitchen.com.au

$20 pasta night, Bar Brillo, Aberfeldie

In the sleepy backstreets of Aberfeldie, in Melbourne’s north-west, you’ll find this espresso bar turned wine bar. Wednesday is the night to visit for a bargain, when Bar Brillo runs a pasta special that changes every week. A past winner? Rigatoni alla norma, all about that rich eggplant-studded sugo.

25 Tilba Street, Aberfeldie, instagram.com/bar.brillo

$45 pasta club, Winston’s, Black Rock

From steak Tuesdays to no-corkage Wednesdays, buzzy bayside bistro Winston’s has weekly specials for all tastes. On Thursday nights, carb lovers are encouraged to join the pasta club. Ideal for date night, there’s a $45-a-head set menu that centres on a slow-cooked blonde bolognese, but also includes olives, sourdough, leaves and a dessert to share.

Shop 1, 300-302 Beach Road, Black Rock, winstonsmelbourne.com

$25 pasta and wine, Bar Taralli, North Melbourne

While head chef Salvatore Giorgio has stepped away from Bar Taralli, there’s still plenty to get around at the recently opened southern Italian restaurant. Go for lunch Wednesday to Sunday to find a select plate of pasta with a glass of wine for only $25.

12 Errol Street, North Melbourne, bartaralli.com.au

$38 unlimited lasagne Sundays, Gambino, Glen Waverley

How much lasagne is too much lasagne? Find out at Glen Waverley’s hot new Italian restaurant (and rooftop) Gambino. On Sundays, it’s running an all-you-can-eat lasagne special that’s $38 for adults and $18 for kids, including fries and salad. Bookings are for 90 minutes and you can add on bottomless spritzes or house wine for an extra $35.

Level 5, 73-75 Kingsway, Glen Waverley, gambino.au

$20 pasta night, Cam’s Kiosk, Abbotsford

One of Melbourne’s most popular pasta nights happens on Mondays at Abbotsford Convent restaurant Cam’s Kiosk. The chefs come up with a new pasta dish each week, but it is always $20. You could find anything from rigatoni all’amatriciana to an artichoke-y take on cacio e pepe.

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, camskiosk.com.au

$35 pasta and wine, Toni, Moonee Ponds

There’s new Italian energy in Moonee Ponds, and it’s thanks to Toni. Pastas such as cacio e pepe rigatoni and casarecce with pork ragu are served seven nights a week, but you can get your fix for less at lunchtime, Friday to Sunday, when $35 buys a pasta and a glass of wine.

21-31 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds, tonimelbourne.com.au

$20 pasta night, Wally’s, Albert Park

It didn’t take long for Tuesday pasta nights to become a weekly fixture at neighbourhood wine bar Wally’s. Albert Park locals love being able to swan in for a $20 bowl of house-made pasta, which changes regularly. Cavatelli with porcini, ricotta and cavolo nero have previously been spotted.

67 Cardigan Place, Albert Park, wallysalbertpark.com.au

$28 express pasta lunch, Bottega, CBD

Fancy a power lunch in the city, but need to be back at the office promptly? Bottega’s express pasta special is for you. Offered Tuesday to Friday, it includes a rotating selection of handmade pastas – maybe ricotta gnocchi or cappelletti – for $28.

74 Bourke Street, Melbourne, bottega.com.au