National best Italian restaurant ALT Pasta to open at Comme Prahran, bringing refined familiarity to Melbourne’s culinary heart
Urban EditorialNovember 10, 2025PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
ALT Pasta, one of Melbourne’s most beloved inner-city pasta bars, has been confirmed as one of the first tenancies for the highly anticipated Comme Prahran development, marking an exciting next chapter for the cult favourite as it prepares to expand into the heart of Prahran.
Fresh off being named National Best Italian Restaurant at the 2025 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, ALT continues to solidify its reputation as a quietly confident leader in Melbourne’s dining scene. Lauded for its reinterpretation of Italian pasta through a Korean and Japanese lens, the restaurant has grown into a staple since opening three years ago, and its new Prahran outpost will only deepen its local impact.
“From the very beginning, ALT has been about respect – for tradition, for ingredients, and for the process,” shares Mino Han, ALT’s founder, a Korean-Australian chef whose vision is shaped by cultural duality and craftsmanship.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, just make something beautifully familiar, feel quietly special,” added Han.
Positioned at the entrance to Comme Prahran and directly opposite the iconic Prahran Market, the new venue will celebrate the interplay between casual comfort and elevated detail. Designed in collaboration with Rooftop Architecture, the same team behind ALT’s flagship city location, the space will mirror the neighbourhood’s laid-back energy while staying true to the brand’s understated refinement.
Diners can expect a frequently changing menu that takes advantage of the market’s daily produce, along with set menu offerings exclusive to this location. A distinctive chef’s table and open kitchen format are also in the works, allowing guests to experience ALT’s signature intimacy and transparency in a new light.
ALT Prahran won’t replace the original venue; rather, it complements it.
“Our city site is like our heritage bottle; it’ll age gracefully. Prahran is where we’ll play, explore new ingredients, and bring something special to the community,” Mino notes.
For Comme Prahran, a boutique development by Leeka that blends heritage with multi-dimensional wellness, ALT Pasta’s arrival signals a meaningful addition to its vision of cultural connection, food-first living, and local engagement.
“Being part of Comme is more than just opening a second venue. It’s about contributing to a neighbourhood with character, history, and a strong sense of community. That’s something we deeply relate to,” says Mino.
Sustainability and cultural identity are deeply embedded in the ethos of ALT. From ingredient sourcing to interior design, the new location will reflect both environmental mindfulness and a spirit of inclusion, embodying the values of Melbourne’s diverse, forward-thinking culinary scene.
Comme Prahran is scheduled for completion in late 2027, with ALT Pasta expected to be among the first tenancies to open its doors shortly after.
Dining and Cooking