Nora’s Pizza House, a new eatery in the Mornington Peninsula, offers a casual spot for locals seeking a break from the usual pub or RSL dining options. The restaurant serves pizzas, spritzes, and hand-pulled pasta, creating a city-style atmosphere in contrast to the area’s typical beachy cafes and winery restaurants.
Co-owner Kael Sahely, who previously opened popular Melbourne cafes like Pillar of Salt and Vacation with his brother Matt, identified a gap in the market for casual dining in the region. He explained, “We wanted something that wasn’t beachy. The venue is designed with a darker, moodier feel, aimed at giving people a city vibe.”
Kael’s experience with Neighbourhood Pizza in Armadale, co-owned with his father and other family members, played a key role in shaping the concept for Nora’s. He partnered with chef Safal Aryal, a former colleague at Neighbourhood Pizza, and Mike Arena, co-owner of St Paul’s General Store in the Peninsula.
The menu at Nora’s Pizza House emphasizes Italian classics such as antipasto, hand-stretched pasta, and pizzas with red or garlic-based sauces. Kael highlighted the appeal to younger residents on the Peninsula, noting, “Many have been priced out of more expensive venues, so we wanted to cater to those aged 25 to 35.”
Popular dishes include spicy rigatoni in vodka sauce with stracciatella and basil, and the Ode to Roberta’s pizza, inspired by the renowned Brooklyn pizzeria, featuring fior di latte, soppressata, stracciatella, and honey.
The drinks menu features classic cocktails and four spritz varieties: Campari, Aperol, Limoncello, and Hugo. While many local venues highlight Peninsula wines, Nora’s focuses on Italian and French selections, along with premium wines sourced from Independent Wine Store nearby.
The design of the restaurant, overseen by Kael’s wife, property specialist Rebecca Sahely, avoids the coastal aesthetic common in the area. Instead, Nora’s features dark timber furniture, olive green walls, and terracotta tiles. The inviting interior is complemented by a spacious outdoor seating area for warmer weather, with warm lighting and a record player for added ambiance.
Kael aims for Nora’s to be a place not just for tourists, but for the local community. “We want locals to feel it’s their own place,” he said. “We’ve designed it with them in mind.”
Nora’s Pizza House Address: 2113 Point Nepean Road, Rye
Phone: 5985 3967
Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday: 4 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Sunday to Wednesday: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
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