Mr Vincenzo’s, the beloved Italian restaurant and bar on Mornington’s Esplanade, has reopened in a space three times its original size – and having just been back ourselves, we can confirm the wait was worth it. This has long been one of our favourite tables on the Mornington Peninsula, thanks to a location that’s hard to beat overlooking Port Phillip Bay, and the new-look venue only cements its place as a genuine jewel of the region. The renovation is stunning, the food is kicking goals with local produce heralded on every plate, and there’s now a dedicated wine bar to match.
A New Chapter for Mr Vincenzo’s
Owners Paul Goddard, Lisa Prince and head chef Michael Kharsas (ex-Port Phillip Estate) have rebuilt against the odds. Just weeks after launching their previous venue, Colt Dining, in 2023, a fire tore through the site. Backed by an outpouring of community support, the trio reopened as Mr Vincenzo’s only eight months later – and now, after two years of operating from just a third of the available space, they’ve finally realised the original vision for the site.
“This renovation is the realisation of our original dream for the site, where we can be more things to more people,” Goddard says. “Guests can now enjoy Mr Vincenzo’s in a range of ways, whether that’s a mid-week drink, dinner or a special function.”
Stunning Renovations and a Prime Position
Located at 784 The Esplanade, Mornington, with Port Phillip Bay as a backdrop, the fit-out has gone from 45 seats to a generous 100 indoors.
The private dining room is now double the size it once was, a brand new wine bar anchors the front of house, the galley-style kitchenette has made way for a full-size kitchen, and an outdoor terrace built for long summer evenings is set to land in the coming months.
In our view, few venues on the Peninsula pair a setting this good with a room this polished – the renovation has transformed Mr Vincenzo’s into a genuine destination rather than a quick bite before the beach.
Private dining now available.
“Mornington is a jewel of Victoria and Australia, with its globally-recognised wine region, and we want the town’s food offering to match that,” Goddard says.
The Vibe: A Monday Night, Pumping
We walked in on a Monday night expecting a quiet start-of-week feed and instead found a packed house, buzzing right through to the bar. The sound system and music selection are spot on, the lighting has clearly been considered rather than left as an afterthought, and there’s framed artwork of Mr Vincenzo himself watching over the room – a nice touch that ties the space back to Lisa Prince’s family story. It’s the kind of detail that tells you a restaurant has soul: every plate, pour and playlist here feels considered, and the floor team clearly love what they do.
A Menu That Heroes Local Produce
With the new kitchen, Kharsas is bringing the kind of refinement usually reserved for the Peninsula’s top winery restaurants into the centre of town – and it shows. The menu changes constantly, sometimes daily, built around what’s available from local growers, including nearby resident Mary Lucas, whose acre of land supplies seasonal produce through the year. Kharsas’ own heritage also comes through in the cooking, with the menu leaning Mediterranean rather than strictly Italian.
Focaccia, pastas and sauces are all made fresh in-house daily. The menu is named after Prince’s grandfather and inspired by her Italian heritage, with dishes like creamy polenta with beef ragu and parmesan, wild nettle and mortadella tortelloni, and a scotch fillet with local pine mushrooms and freshly shaved truffle regularly making an appearance.
“The goal has always been to create something people can come back to,” Kharsas says. “We’re committed to doing the simple things well, because combined, they all add up to a memorable dining experience for our guests.”
What We Ate
We started with Sydney rock oysters, taken both natural with mignonette and mornay-style with a parmesan crisp, alongside Bass Strait scallops finished in Vincenzo’s butter with house pickle, chive and radish – a beautifully judged, delicate plate. From the starters list, roasted beetroot with goats cheese, balsamic and hazelnuts and a chickpea, carrot and sunchoke dish with chilli, herbs and sesame both showed the kitchen’s way with vegetables, while lamb ribs in a sweet and sour glaze with macadamia and mint were rich and moreish.
The pasta course is where the kitchen really flexes. Potato and cheese gnocchi with pork ragu, saffron and prosciutto was pillow-soft and full of flavour, while the tagliatelle puttanesca with anchovy, salami, tomato sugo and pecorino had exactly the kind of savoury depth that makes you want to lick the plate clean.
For a main, the BBQ chicken with braised leeks, mustard sauce and chervil stole the show, backed up by sides – including a potato dish – that were every bit as good as the headline plates.
We finished with a dark chocolate mousse, poached rhubarb and cocoa nib praline – a properly decadent way to end the meal, and one of the better desserts we’ve had on the Peninsula this year.
The New Wine Bar & Drinks
The expanded front bar is a destination in its own right, with scratch-made cocktail ingredients and a wine list curated from nearby Mornington Peninsula wineries alongside drops from Italy and France. We started on a classic Negroni before moving to the Violet Blush, a house special built on violet, sugar syrup and gin that tasted like summer in a glass.
Through the meal, we opted for the premium wine pairing, and it was a genuine masterclass in matching – each pour lifted the dish it sat alongside rather than just filling the glass. It’s a space built for everything from a mid-week glass to a long lazy afternoon, and it makes Mr Vincenzo’s an easy recommendation whether you’re after a full dinner or just a drink and a snack at the bar.
Our Take
Mr Vincenzo’s has been a favourite of ours for some time, and this expansion only strengthens the case for it as one of the best dining options on the Mornington Peninsula. The location on the Esplanade is fabulous, the renovated space is stunning without losing the warmth of the original, and the food continues to kick goals thanks to a genuine commitment to local produce. Add in a talented, clearly happy floor and kitchen team, a soundtrack that matches the room, and a wine pairing worth building a night around, and it’s easy to see why the place felt like it was pumping on what should have been a quiet Monday. Whether you’re planning a special occasion, a function, or simply a relaxed dinner by the bay, it’s well worth the trip down the Peninsula.
FAQs About Mr Vincenzo’s Mornington
Where is Mr Vincenzo’s located?
Mr Vincenzo’s is at 784 The Esplanade, Mornington, overlooking Port Phillip Bay on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Who owns Mr Vincenzo’s?
The restaurant is owned by Paul Goddard and Lisa Prince, with Michael Kharsas (formerly of Port Phillip Estate) leading the kitchen as head chef.
How big is the new Mr Vincenzo’s?
Following the renovation, the venue is three times its original size, with seating for 100 guests inside, up from 45, a private dining room double its previous size, and a new wine bar. An outdoor terrace is expected in the coming months.
What kind of food does Mr Vincenzo’s serve?
The menu is Mediterranean-leaning with an Italian heart, built around produce sourced from local Mornington Peninsula growers. It changes regularly, sometimes daily, and includes house-made focaccia, pasta and sauces, alongside dishes like Sydney rock oysters, Bass Strait scallops, potato and cheese gnocchi with pork ragu, tagliatelle puttanesca, lamb ribs, BBQ chicken with braised leeks and mustard sauce, and scotch fillet with local pine mushrooms and truffle.
Does Mr Vincenzo’s have a wine bar?
Yes. The renovation added a dedicated wine bar area with scratch-made cocktails, including house specials like the Violet Blush, and a wine list featuring nearby Mornington Peninsula wineries as well as Italy and France. A premium wine pairing is also available for dinner.
Is Mr Vincenzo’s good for functions?
Yes. With the expanded space, a private dining room now double its previous size, and greater overall capacity, Mr Vincenzo’s is set up to host everything from a casual mid-week drink to dinners and special functions.
How do I book Mr Vincenzo’s?
Visit mrvincenzos.com for menus, opening hours and reservations.
More Melbourne & Peninsula Dining
Craving more Italian? Check out our guide to the Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne, or settle in with a glass at one of the Best Wine Bars in Melbourne.