MELBOURNE | Il Mercato Centrale is a gourmet Italian food hall and market, started 10 years ago by Umberto Montano in his hometown of Florence. There are now locations in Rome, Turin, and Milan, and from today, Melbourne. I was invited to the launch celebration to check it out.
Il Mercato Centrale Melbourne is a partnership between Umberto, and local restaurateur Eddie Muto. It’s housed in the heritage listed 1930s art deco McPherson’s building, which has undergone extensive renovations. The main floor is now a two level homage to Italian food, culture, and community, with a third level event space above.
There are 23 stalls, offering an assortment of high quality Italian delights, from some of Melbourne’s favourite artisans. There’s hot and cold options, regional specialities, savoury and sweet treats, and multiple bars (and a distillery) where you can enjoy a drink. It’s a showcase of fresh, local produce, and quality Italian imports.
Valerio Violetti from Hello Bello is slinging Neapolitan-style pizza at La Pizza Napoletana, while cheesemaker Giorgio Linguanti of That’s Amore Cheese has set up shop at La Mozzarella. Former Society chef Nikos Chatzopoulos is serving up cold cuts and aged meats at La Carne e i Salumi; and you can get cannoli at I Cannoli. The latter is from Dario Di Clerico of UGO Burrata Bar.
If it’s fresh produce, or Italian pantry items for home that you’re after, you’re in luck at Il Mercato Centrale. Many of the stalls sell items for home. Fruit and veg stall La Frutta e la Verdura is from Biviano & Sons, and you can grab fresh fish from Il Pesce, which is owned by ex-QVM fishmonger George Milona. If you need a bottle of wine for home, L’Enoteca, from Mark and Michelle Singarella of Vino Bambino, has you sorted.
Il Mercato Centrale aims to become a part of the local community, and wants to contribute to reviving quieter part of the CBD. It’s a real collaboration between the vendors, with many of them sourcing produce and ingredients from the other.
Il Mercato Centrale
546 Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: 1300 546 566
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Sun – Thu: 7:00am to 10:00pm
Fri – Sat: 7:00am to 12:00am