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13.5/20Critics' Pick

Super Norma

Pasta is all served in takeaway boxes at Super Norma.
1 / 9Pasta is all served in takeaway boxes at Super Norma.Supplied
Super Norma on Rathdowne Street has become a community hub for Carlton locals.
2 / 9Super Norma on Rathdowne Street has become a community hub for Carlton locals.Simon Schluter
The namesake pasta alla Norma, with a sticky eggplant and tomato sauce.
3 / 9The namesake pasta alla Norma, with a sticky eggplant and tomato sauce.Simon Schluter
It’s all about pasta and sauce here.
4 / 9It’s all about pasta and sauce here.Simon Schluter
A smoked burratta salad is one of the only entrees.
5 / 9A smoked burratta salad is one of the only entrees. Simon Schluter
Inside Super Norma, originally a pop-up that’s now a fixture of the Carlton neighbourhood.
6 / 9Inside Super Norma, originally a pop-up that’s now a fixture of the Carlton neighbourhood.Simon Schluter
The seasonal pasta of creamed Jerusalem artichokes and celeriac with sage and pancetta.
7 / 9The seasonal pasta of creamed Jerusalem artichokes and celeriac with sage and pancetta.Simon Schluter
Tiramisu.
8 / 9Tiramisu.Supplied
Ragu Napoletano is one of the most laborious dishes on the menu.
9 / 9Ragu Napoletano is one of the most laborious dishes on the menu.Simon Schluter
13.5/20Critics' Pick

Super Norma

Italian$

A cosy-cool pasta bar with the energy of Nonna’s house.

It might look lo-fi, but this pasta bar dials up the warmth and charm. Lampshades are made from pasta colanders, cutlery is held in empty tomato cans and the on-tap sangiovese is poured into tumblers. The living is easy here, so relax.

Ten pastas are handwritten on long brown-paper scrolls hanging from the wall behind the small on-show kitchen. Served in a cardboard noodle box, with proper stainless steel cutlery, prawn and ’nduja linguine glistens with spicy, rust-coloured oil and goes heavy on the parmigiano and pecorino, gleefully breaking the no-cheese-with-seafood rule.

A seasonal rigatoni special cradles earthy roasted jerusalem artichoke and celeriac sauce, with fried sage, pancetta and smashed hazelnuts representing team crunch. There’s only one dessert, but when it’s big hunks of creamy, Marsala-laced tiramisu served in a vintage floral bowl, who needs choice?

Good to know: While there’s no toilet, there is warm garlic bread.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.

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