Leonardo's Pizza Palace in Carlton reopens after fire

Like a phoenix, Carlton restaurant Leonardo's Pizza Palace is rising from the ashes of last year's fire to once again serve its full menu of Italo-American pizzas, snacks and pasta.

The blaze in June 2021 was mostly confined to the pizza kitchen and upper levels of the restaurant, but delays on insurance, council permits and tradespeople mean it's taken more than a year to get back to normal.

The restaurant quietly reopened in January with a limited menu of square pizzas but parts of the dining room were still closed for repair.

From July 15, fans will again get to enjoy Leonardo's signature round New York-style pizzas and tavern-style atmosphere.

Favourite toppings such as pepperoni, ham and pineapple, and kale and macadamia cream are back, joined by a couple of pasta dishes, broccolini salad with lemon cream and snacks such as cacio e pepe polenta squares from new chef Matthew Butterworth (ex-Ramblr).

To celebrate, the crew – now led by Guy Bentley and Jon Harper after the departure of Nick Stanton and Mark Catsburg, the other half of the opening team – is hosting a weekend-long party, starting July 15. Negronis, pina coladas and jugs of beer will be offered at happy hour prices and Wax'o Paradiso will put together a DJ line-up.

Open Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat-Sun noon-late

29 Grattan Street, Carlton, 03 9242 0666, leonardospizzapalace.com.au