For 70 years, Lygon Street has maintained its status as Melbourne’s Little Italy. But in 2023, especially during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the south end Lygon Street has taken on a new life.
The sun is setting over Lygon Street. Electronic dance music thrums from a popular Italian eatery, but next door at Yemeni restaurant Mandina Kitchen, prayer mats are being unfurled.Ameen Almutawakel, Karan Bhatia and Mugdad Rassan break fast at Yemeni restaurant Mandina Kitchen on Lygon Street.Sam Manasfi, a Lebanese immigrant who came to Australia from Beirut 20 years ago, puffs a cigarette after finishing a meal of lamb, rice and hot tea.
It’s claimed the famous strip had Australia’s first espresso machine and was the birthplace of the controversial “Aussie” pizza. Bestawros worked on Lygon Street eight years ago and watched the subtle cultural shift take place. His family decided to set up in a 140-year-old double-storey Victorian building that once housed Italian trattoria Villa Romana.Bestawros is expecting a packed house this weekend as Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a religious festival that will be observed by more than 800,000 Muslim Australians.“We really try to bring that Egyptian party experience,” Bestawros said. “Everyone’s singing along”.
The property has housed an Italian restaurant, an Argentinian restaurant, and most recently a Chinese restaurant over the past decade.
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