New Brunetti Oro Swanston Street Café – Classic Italian, Melbourne Style
If you’ve been walking along Swanston Street lately, you might’ve noticed something deliciously familiar in a new setting. Brunetti Oro, Melbourne’s beloved Italian café, has opened a brand-new location right in the heart of the CBD at 140 Swanston Street – and it’s well worth a visit.
Taking over the site of the former Café L’Incontro, which operated from 1994 until 2024, Brunetti Oro continues the tradition of offering a welcoming café experience in this central Melbourne location.
New Brunetti Oro Store in Melbourne
A Slice of Rome in the Heart of Melbourne
This new space is smaller than Brunetti’s grand flagship store on Flinders Lane, but it still delivers that unmistakable Brunetti charm. The indoor courtyard seating, surrounded by large windows, gives the whole space a wonderful sense of being outdoors – without any of the cold. Heated, enclosed and full of natural light, it’s a lovely way to enjoy Melbourne’s city buzz without needing to rug up.
And what a view! Sit by the window and watch trams glide past, tourists snap photos on the Town Hall steps, and shoppers bustle by. It’s Melbourne in a nutshell – but with espresso and cake.
Related reading: Finding Italy in Melbourne: Lygon Street and Beyond
Lunch and Dinner Specials – Italian Style
If you’re heading into the city for a gallery visit, a show, or a catch-up with friends, Brunetti Oro’s Pizza & Peroni special is a brilliant option for lunch or dinner.
For $19.90, you can enjoy:
- A slice of Pizza al Taglio or Focaccia Romana
- Plus a Peroni on tap (or wine if you prefer)
It’s affordable, filling, and full of flavour – with that warm Brunetti service to match.
Related reading: Midweek Specials for a Cheap Lunch in Melbourne CBD
Terrie’s review
“Three of us tried out the newly opened Brunetti Oro at 140 Swanston Street. Wow. Walking into the café off the cold street, it instantly felt warm and inviting – a little sophisticated and casual at the same time. The window seat gave us a wonderful view of trams and people walking by. It almost felt like we were outside, but no – it was a cosy little oasis.
“The lunch special was great value – freshly made and so delicious. Of course, we couldn’t leave without sampling the amazing sweets! A pot of tea and a blackberry mousse cake for me. It was to die for. The hardest part is choosing from the most delectable array of cakes.
“Service was friendly and quick, seating was comfortable, and plenty of space to move around. There’s wheelchair access from the back entrance, and a lift down to the clean toilets. A definite ‘I’ll be back’ place for me. Very good experience.”
The Brunetti Story – From Carlton to the World
The Brunetti name is synonymous with cakes in Melbourne. What started as a single pastry shop has grown into one of the city’s most recognisable Italian brands – and it all began with a Roman pastry chef named Giorgio Angele.
Giorgio arrived in Melbourne in 1956 as part of the Italian Olympic team. Instead of returning home, he stayed – opening his first cake shop in Kew East. In 1991, he purchased the Brunetti café in Carlton, and that little shop on Lygon Street became the foundation of a Melbourne institution.
As the business grew, the Angele family expanded across Melbourne and beyond, opening cafés in City Square, Faraday Street, and eventually launching stores internationally in places like Dubai and Singapore.
In 2021, the next chapter began: Giorgio’s son, Yuri Angele, launched Brunetti Oro, focusing on innovation, online service, and continuing the legacy with a fresh, modern edge – all while staying true to the family’s Italian roots.
Brunetti Oro Flinders Lane – The Grand Flagship
Just a short walk from the new Swanston Street café is Brunetti Oro’s flagship store on Flinders Lane – a sprawling venue filled with cake displays, espresso machines, marble counters, and the buzz of Italian conversation.
It’s not just a café – it’s an experience. You can sit down for a full Italian meal, grab a quick panini or gelato, or spend far too long deciding which dessert to take home. If you’re planning a day in the city, we recommend visiting both locations to appreciate how the brand balances its history with a modern Melbourne twist.
Brunetti Oro also has locations at Chadstone Shopping Centre’s new food precinct and in Brunswick – each offering the same Italian hospitality with a slightly different feel.
Related reading; 11 Flinders Lane Restaurants for a Tasty and Affordable Lunch
Brunetti Cakes – Delivered to Your Door
Can’t get to the city? You can now order Brunetti Oro cakes online, with same-day or next-day delivery across metro Melbourne, or click and collect from your nearest location.
Whether it’s a last-minute birthday surprise or a special dessert for Sunday lunch, you’ll find everything from classic tiramisu to showstopping mousse cakes.
Tip: When you subscribe to the Brunetti Oro newsletter, you’ll save $10 off your first online cake order – sweet deal!
Practical Info
Brunetti Oro Swanston
140 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
(03) 9069 3169
Open daily from 7 am until 8 pm (closed 11 pm on Friday and Saturday)
Easy tram access nearby
Ramp access and accessible toilets via rear entrance
Whether you’re a long-time Brunetti fan or just looking for a lovely new lunch spot in the city, this new café ticks all the boxes – Italian warmth, Melbourne charm, and cake you won’t forget in a hurry.
If you visit, please tell them you found them through Seniors in Melbourne — it helps us share more places we think you’ll love.
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