An iconic Melbourne eatery frequented by international sports stars and notorious underworld figures for nearly half a century is closing its doors this weekend.
Cafe Notturno has been a popular Italian cafe and nightclub along Carlton’s famous Lygon Street dining area for Melburnians and visitors alike for 45 years.
Former F1 star Mark Schumacher, AFL legend Gary Ablett Sr and gangland figures Tony Mokbel and the late Mark ‘Chopper’ Read are among the millions who have eaten and drunk at the eatery affectionately known as ‘Notties’.
Cafe Notturno will be serving its last dinners this Sunday evening after the property was recently sold to new owners who plan to convert the venue into an Indian restaurant.
Co-owner Salvatore Cultrera confirmed the sad news in an extensive statement on the café’s Facebook page on Monday.
Cafe Notturno, also known as Notties, has been a Lygon Street institution for 45 years
It’s the end of an era for Salvatore Cultrera, co-owner of Cafe Notturno, and his team
“We want to let you know that Cafe Notturno has been sold and will no longer be traded, as we all know and love since 1978,” Mr. Cultrera wrote.
’45 years of love, friendship, family and lots of fantastic memories.’
Mr. Cultrera worked there for 10 years before he and a cousin took over in 2003.
Notties was also where Mr. Cultrera first met his wife Linda 33 years ago.
He listed ‘street parties, World Cup & European Championships successfully in 1982, 2006 and more recently 2020 via Covid’ as his fondest memories.
“What a great experience,” he said.
“I will miss Notties so much, but also very excited for what’s next for me and my family.”
Mr. Cultrera also wished the new tenants all the best for the future.
The news sparked an outpouring of tributes from Notties fans, some of whom have been visiting since 1978.
“Notturno was a place where I met the friends I have today, the coffee and pizzas after a night out at the discos in the 1980s, it was a home away from home,” one customer wrote.
Cafe Notturno was not only a home away from home for customers, but also for staff (pictured)
Another added: an institution for Melburnians and in particular for the Italian community at large. Sad to see it go!’
Others said Lygon Street will never be the same again.
Former employees also paid tribute.
“It was a great pleasure to work with you, great memories, they will remain in my heart forever,” one woman recalled.
It has played a huge role in my life, I wouldn’t have my 2 beautiful children, Allegra and Dante, if it wasn’t for Cafe Notturno, where I met their father 21 years ago and also where I made some great friendships with whom I am still very close to today.’
Mr. Cultrera told the Announce sun it was the right time to sell so he could spend more time with his family, including his new grandson.
He listed some of his favorite and most famous dinners.
“Chopper Read used to do a late-night radio show in the neighborhood and then eat at Notties,” Mr. Cultrera said.
“The Ferrari team including Michael Schumacher often dined here during Formula 1.”
Mr. Cultrera also has fond memories of Alphonse Gangitano, a regular gang of customers sneaking behind the counter to make his own coffee when he didn’t know the barista.
“Tony Mokbel would often lunch here as well as other members of the Carlton Crew,” he added.
The iconic food street known as Melbourne’s Little Italy has struggled in recent years as the Covid pandemic and rising rents forced established eateries and cafes to close.
Since the 1950s, Carlton’s Lygon Street has been synonymous with Italian dining, as its bustling restaurants, bars, coffee shops and open-air cafes became a second home to hundreds of Italians who migrated to Melbourne after World War II.
The famous strip also holds the record for being the first place to install an espresso machine in Australia and is considered the birthplace of ‘Aussie’ pizza.
During the World Cup and the Euro Cup, Notties was always full of die-hard Italian football fans
Cafe Notturno will serve its end customers on Sunday, August 27