A PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
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Walking into Nunzio’s in Fremantle feels like being welcomed into someone’s family home. The restaurant is set inside a charming heritage building on Essex Street, just around the corner from the Esplanade Hotel and the buzzing Cappuccino Strip. The space is airy, intimate, and warm. It’s the kind of place where conversation flows easily, and you feel instantly at ease.
I started my evening with the Octopus Martini, a clever mix of tender octopus with potato, parsley, and a zingy mayo that danced on the palate. From there, I moved on to the grilled cuttlefish – smoky, lemony, and paired beau-tifully with homemade aioli.
But the star for me was the Homemade Pappardelle, silky ribbons of pasta tangled with roasted eggplant, tomato, and creamy buffalo stracciatella. This was pasta at its purest – made fresh, cooked perfectly al dente, and carrying the unmistakable touch of a family kitchen.
Something here for everyone
As I sat back, enjoying a crisp white, I struck up a conversation with a lovely couple at the next table. Chris and David, visiting from Queensland, told me they’d dined at Nunzio’s three times during their stay – that’s how much they loved it. On this occasion, they were sharing the Squid Ink Spaghetti alla Puttanesca di Pesca, loaded with Rankin cod, olives, capers, and a subtle chilli kick. Their meal ended with the restaurant’s famous Tiramisu, which they described with wide smiles and hand gestures that left no doubt that it was divine.
What struck me most was how varied and generous the menu is. While seafood and homemade pasta are the stars, there’s something here for everyone. The Arancini alla Mantovana, with pumpkin and amaretto sage cream, are a crowd-pleasing nibble, while the Polpette al Sugo, meatballs made with beef, chicken, and pork in fresh tomato sauce, are hearty comfort food at its finest. For those who love a classic, the Caprese salad – juicy Roma tomatoes paired with creamy buffalo mozzarella and oregano – is the taste of Italy on a plate.
Seafood lovers are truly spoiled. The Carnarvon Scallops, served with pancetta, rocket, and lemon butter, are rich and indulgent. Then there’s the Pasta con le Sarde – Palermo style, featuring homemade saffron spaghettoni, Fremantle sardines, fennel, raisins, nuts, and pangrattato – a dish that beautifully blends sweet, savoury, and nutty notes. And if you prefer something from the land, you can’t go wrong with the Veal Cotoletta alla Milanese, a bone-in veal cutlet, lightly crumbed and served with potatoes and salad.
Fresh and lively
Even the sides deserve applause. The Nunzio’s Salad, with rocket, pear, walnuts, and Parmesan, is fresh and lively, while the rosemary roasted potatoes are simple, golden perfection.
Nunzio’s is a family-run restaurant, proudly specialising in homemade pasta and fresh, locally sourced seafood. The menu balances authentic Italian tradition with seasonal WA produce, and even the desserts are handmade by skilled pastry chefs. It’s no wonder it’s one of the top-rated Italian restaurants on TripAdvisor and Google.
Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, a romantic date, or simply craving pasta the way Nonna makes it, Nunzio’s promises a dining experience that lingers long after the last bite. For me, it was homely, intimate, and absolutely unforgettable – and I already know I’ll be back.
Nunzio’s Fremantle
20 Essex Street, Fremantle
Phone 6219 5441
nunzios.net.au
by MATTHEW EELES