Restaurant
Nonna and I Italian Restaurant
54 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Find Nonna and I Italian Restaurant
54 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Nonna and I Italian Restaurant
Step off Pulteney Street for hefty, unpretentious Italian cooking served with the warmth of a family gathering. The rhythmic thud of a chef tenderising meat echoes from the open kitchen while platters of cured meats and ricotta bruschetta hit the tables. Diners trade tips on the beef cheeks—slow-braised till they fall apart, leaving a dark sauce that demands extra bread to mop the bowl clean. Those craving seafood lean into the house prawns tossed with spaghetti, while the crisp parmesan crust on the chicken scaloppini holds its own against plates of creamy vodka penne. Front-of-house staff treat solo diners and noisy long tables like old friends, wrapping up leftovers without fuss before a mascarpone tiramisu sundae rounds out the night.
- Slow-Cooked Beef Cheeks: Braised until fall-apart tender in a deep sauce that calls for extra bread.
- Hearty Pasta Classics: Generous plates from vodka penne to spicy prawns tossed with spaghetti.
- Genuine Hospitality: Attentive, unscripted front-of-house care for family gatherings and solo dinners alike.
What's On at Nonna and I Italian Restaurant
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Nonna and I
Homestyle Italian generosity, attentive family hospitality, and stress-free gatherings in Adelaide.
Substantial, Hearty Homestyle Portions
Traditional mains and slow-cooked Italian classics arrive in abundant portions that prioritize satisfying comfort over minimalist staging.
Authentic quality food requiring doggy bags for half the table.
Nathan Smith Rich, Authentic Flavors and Tender Meats
Richly seasoned pasta courses and slow-braised beef cheeks deliver traditional Italian flavors cooked tender and balanced.
The Beef Cheeks were incredibly tender with deep, comforting flavours, and the Penne alla Salmon was perfectly balanced—rich without being heavy, with every ingredient tasting fresh.
Dilanthi Amaratunga Genuinely Welcoming Family Hospitality
Guests are embraced with unscripted hospitality and attentive dining room care that makes dining feel personal and warm.
Their hospitality felt natural and genuine rather than rehearsed. They were attentive without hovering and made us feel like welcomed guests instead of just another table.
Dilanthi Amaratunga Warm, Reassuring Personal Attention
Attentive, conversational front-of-house staff create an effortless dining experience where even solo diners feel completely at home.
give a big shoutout to Imogen and Jaiden for their genuine warmth and effortless professionalism — they made my solo dinner at the front window (best seat in the house IMO) feel anything but lonely.
Deon Jacobs Seamless Group and Event Coordination
Floor and kitchen teams comfortably coordinate large parties, communicating clearly and adjusting to dietary requirements with ease.
I am so impressed with the staffs ability to be so accommodating with some last minute changes with a large group.
Sophia Accommodating Multigenerational Gatherings
Spacious and relaxed seating lets family celebrations and shared multi-course meals unfold smoothly for groups of all ages.
you all went above and beyond especially with our dietary requirements to make Mother’s Day extra special!
dallzaroo
Most popular items
Guest-favorite pastas and hearty homestyle Italian mains
Beef Cheeks
The Beef Cheeks were incredibly tender with deep, comforting flavours
Dilanthi Amaratunga Penne Alla Vodka
delicious vodka penne with chicken (which, despite being a generous serve, I happily demolished)
Deon Jacobs Penne alla Salmon
Penne alla Salmon was perfectly balanced—rich without being heavy, with every ingredient tasting fresh.
Dilanthi Amaratunga Veal and Prawn Spaghetti
Try the Veal and Prawn signature spaghetti and you wont regret it!
Rahul Nakarmi
Other favorites
Starters, sides, and sweet finales to round out your Italian meal
Vegan Garlic Bread
We shared the vegan garlic bread (oh my, so delicious)
Brigitte Pilcher Salumi Antipasto Plate
The Salumi Antipasto Plate was a generous and well-balanced sharing platter that showcased a variety of authentic Italian flavours.
pummi de Silva Fried Calamari
It was tender and cooked perfectly, with a light, crispy coating that wasn't greasy or overly heavy.
pummi de Silva Tiramisu Sundae
We finished with the indulgent Tiramisu Sundae, where the creamy mascarpone and vanilla ice cream created the perfect balance of comforting coffee flavours and joyfully elevated my experience.
pummi de Silva
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality details and accommodating touches that distinguish dining at Nonna and I.
Attentive Dietary Accompaniment
Floor staff provide thoughtful, proactive assistance with dietary adjustments to ensure family celebrations like Mother's Day feel celebratory and stress-free.
Dedicated Homestyle Vegan Offerings
Plant-based diners receive full dedicated menu counterparts, including scratch-style vegan garlic bread, vegan meatballs, and vegan bolognese that recreate homestyle traditions.
Intuitive, Conversational Floor Care
Front-of-house staff offer intuitive, personal attention—from assisting with dropped table items to guiding guests through menu selections without intrusive hovering.
Welcoming Window Table Hospitality
Solo patrons seated at prime window tables receive genuine warmth and hospitality from servers, creating an engaging and relaxed dining atmosphere.
Before you head over
Practical advice for booking, dining, and navigating the menu at Nonna and I
Book Ahead for Weekend Dinners
The dining room fills up quickly during busy weekend evenings and festival periods like Fringe, so reserving your table in advance ensures prompt seating and attentive care.
Expect Substantial Portions
Servings are notably hearty, with rich pastas and braised meats often yielding enough food for take-home doggy bags across the table.
Explore the Vegan Options
Plant-based diners can enjoy dedicated vegan items like vegan garlic bread, vegan meatballs, and vegan spaghetti bolognese alongside the traditional Italian menu.
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