Johnny, Vince & Sam’s Levelled Up – And it is bellissimo
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When comedy trio Sooshi Mango turned their Italian dad characters into a real-life restaurant on Lygon Street, no one could’ve predicted just how quickly it would capture Melbourne’s hearts — and stomachs. But capture them it did. From the moment Johnny, Vince & Sam’s opened in 2023, diners queued down the street for a taste of nostalgia, nonna-style.
And in true Italian family fashion — when there’s not enough room at the table, you just make more. So, the team went upstairs.
Level One, the new(ish) upstairs dining room, officially opened its doors a little while back, and it’s been serving up even more of the same old-school Italian comfort that put Johnny, Vince & Sam’s on the map. If downstairs is nonna’s kitchen, then upstairs is the good room — you know the one — with plush corduroy banquettes, amber-glass doors, and knickknacks that look like they were plucked straight from mum’s 1970s display cabinet. Guests stepped through a floral-wallpapered stairwell and under a purpose-built brick archway into a warm, retro-hued time capsule that felt like home.
But as nostalgic as the décor is, it’s the food that’s the real heart and soul of Johnny, Vince & Sam’s — and Level One doubled down on the dishes that warm from the inside out.
Think plates piled high with pillowy, al dente pasta — like silky ribbons of fettuccine coated in rich sugo, or lasagne layered with love and bubbling cheese. Pizzas came out crisp and blistered from the wood oven, topped with fresh ingredients that sing of southern Italy: San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, spicy salami. Mains, too, brought the comfort — perfectly cooked steaks and cotoletta that made every bite feel like a hug.
And let’s not forget dessert. Tiramisu with just the right coffee kick or fluffy lemon cake that is perfectly tangy and sweet.
The upstairs expansion wasn’t just about capacity — it was about creating a deeper, richer dining experience. With its own dedicated kitchen, Level One introduced a handful of new dishes, refined service, and a moodier evening vibe. On weekends, the music turned up, the lights turned low, and the space transformed into a lively, late-night Italian supper club — with a 3am licence to boot.
In a time when Melbourne’s hospitality industry has faced more than its fair share of challenges, Johnny, Vince & Sam’s not only stayed standing — they stood taller. Level One wasn’t just a second floor. It was a second chapter, and a delicious reminder that when you mix good food with good memories, you’ve got something worth coming back for.
And judging by the still-consistent queues outside, Melburnians are doing just that — again and again.
Location: 306-308 Lygon St, Carlton
Phone: (03) 9021 9995
