Aussies ‘obsessed’ with little-known Italian restaurant taking on the cost of living crisis with $7 pastas and $3.50 coffees: ‘This is actually wild’
Australian foodies are thrilled after discovering a hidden gem Italian restaurant with ‘2000s prices’ – including $12 large pizzas, $7 pastas and $3.50 coffees.
Cafe Perri is located in Carnegie, 12 km south-east of Melbourne’s central business district.
Diners rave about the ‘incredible’ variety and prices on the menu, which offers everything from breakfast items to classics like lasagna and traditional desserts.
“Shops are raising prices, but my local Italian is still going strong,” one man shared on Reddit alongside a photo of the menu.
“$7 pizza? $5 pasta? €3.50 coffee? [This is] actually wild.”
Australian foodies are thrilled after discovering a hidden gem Italian restaurant with ‘2000s prices’ – including $12 large pizzas, $7 pastas and $3.50 coffees
The photo went viral and hundreds were amazed at such affordable prices in the current financial climate.
“$5 calzone?! That is ridiculous! My local is $22 on Sydney Road, and they’re not even Italian!’ one shared.
“$3 coffee by 2024. These guys are doing God’s work,” wrote another.
“Meanwhile, my local pizzeria in Sydney charges $26 for a ‘large 13 inch’ pizza,” said one irritated customer.
Others said they were willing to travel far from home to score one of the budget-friendly meals.
“I’m tempted to travel from Queensland to eat there,” one Brisbane resident wrote.
“I’m not at Carnegie, but if I were, I’d go there. Those prices these days are unbelievable,” said another.
Cafe Perri is located in Carnegie, 12 km south-east of Melbourne’s central business district
Cafe Perri opened its doors to customers in late 2022 and is located 50 meters from Carnegie Train Station. It quickly earned a loyal following of regulars who called it their “best kept secret” to date.
“They opened and charged these cheap prices from the beginning. It’s not like they’re a 30-year-old establishment that refused to raise their prices,” one man marveled.
Another theorized that real estate is one of the reasons few places can keep their prices low.
“They probably own the building so they can do this. Rents for commercial real estate are so high that it is impossible to offer such prices without incurring losses,” one person surmised.
“Of course it would be great if we saw more companies owning the building they operate in, and the low prices reflecting this, but that doesn’t mean other companies are driving up prices,” said another.