Brunettis to take over council café

A prominent City of Melbourne-owned hospitality venue on Swanston St right next to Melbourne Town Hall will soon be resurrected by popular Melbourne café icon Brunetti Oro.

The council last entered a 30-year lease with the site’s previous operator Cafe L’Incontro in 1994, and the council has now confirmed it has entered into a 10-year lease with Brunetti Oro to take over the venue, with the option of a 10-year extension.

The council said that following a competitive tender process, Brunetti Oro, which operates other CBD venues on Flinders Lane and Myer at Bourke Street Mall, was selected as the best operator to lease and refurbish the site. 

It said refurbishment works would soon begin subject to the approval of a permit from the City of Melbourne, 

The site at 140 Swanston St was first converted from open space into a café in 1992 to promote street activation and combat anti-social behaviour in the area. 

Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said the council was “thrilled” that Brunetti Oro had been selected. 

“Brunetti’s is truly Melbourne – an institution with years of experience operating premier café venues across the city,” Cr Reece said. “They’ve put forward a vision to create an iconic destination on Swanston St – with refurbishment works to take place to revitalise the space and breathe new life into this busy corner of our city.” 

“With an expected opening before Christmas, we cannot wait to sing carols while enjoying a cake and espresso right outside Town Hall.”

Melbourne is the most European of Australian cities and the home of cafe culture

“Brunettis on Swanston will showcase Melbourne cafe culture, on one of busiest streets. It will also be a really cool new hangout spot in the CBD.”

Brunetti Oro director Yuri Angele said the business was excited to launch “something special” with its traditional offer in a new piazza.

“We look forward to welcoming Melburnians and visitors back to the city’s vibrant and bustling Swanston Street precinct – with our new home located on the corner of Little Collins and Swanston streets, a stone’s throw from our original City Square,” Mr Angele said. •