Every day, the cannoli are freshly filled with homemade custard at Lucchini Cakes in Melbourne’s Preston.
It's just one of the traditional offerings popular with the area's Italian diaspora.
"Customers also love our homemade pies and the continental cakes that we make for birthdays and special events," said owner John Menara.
"We make everything on the premises. Food is our passion and always has been."
The Menara family hand-filling cannoli in the cake shop kitchen, as they have done for five decades. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
Culture and history just a few of the reasons for this global honour.
John Menara started the cafe in 1973. It had expanded from Lygon Street, Carlton where his uncle Enzo Luccini, a migrant from Italy, originally founded that street's first Italian cake shop.
"Uncle Enzo came from a wealthy family and would be very proud that his name is still on the door," John said.
For more than 50 years, Lucchini Cakes has remained a local favourite along High Street. The family is proud of their history and happy to share it.
"When new customers come in and when we tell them this is still the same family business, they often cannot believe it," John said.
Cake shop founder Enzo Lucchini (left) opened the first Italian cake shop in Carlton's Lygon Street in 1952. Source: Supplied / John Menara
"Family and community is at the heart of this small business," Sonia said.
"It is a place where people come to meet and chat and connect with culture.
"Regular customers come in and meet old friends and make new ones. Whether Italian or Greek, everyone gets on really well."
Sonia Menara speaks Italian fluently and says language helps her to connect with clients, especially one older customer.
"She is lovely and has been shopping here for the last 45 years," Sonia said. "She orders her cake in Italian and then we have a chat.
"Speaking her language helps us to connect. Many migrants with limited English skills feel at home here," she said.
The interior of Lucchini cakes is decorated with European memorabilia. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
"Covering the walls with paintings and photos of Italy is how I connect with my ancestry back in Italy," John said.
What makes the world's 'coolest street'?
High Street between Preston and Northcote offers much more than cakes. There are vintage record and clothing shops, small bars and live music venues.
The vibrant cafe culture and a diverse array of shops are key reasons Time Out Magazine in 2024 voted it the World’s Coolest Street.
"High Street ticks all the boxes. It has epic restaurants, cute hidden bars, great boutiques, and a really wonderful community spirit," said Time Out Melbourne editor Leah Glynn.
"It beat out 30 other streets, which is an amazing achievement a global scale. And it really just goes to show that Melbourne's offerings are truly world-class."
An aerial view of High Street with Melbourne city in the background. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"It is not just retail shops. High Street has community organisations and community activities that look after people or that provide cultural activities for people from a wide range of backgrounds."
Perhaps nowhere is the diversity of food and cultures more evident than the Preston Market, which celebrates its 55th anniversary in August.
Set up as a traditional European precinct in Melbourne’s north in 1970, the Preston Market has adapted to serve its multicultural clientele.
"Post World War Two, a lot of Europeans arrived including migrants from Greece, Italy, Macedonia and Cyprus," Russell said.
"And in the 1970s more migrants arrived from Asia, Vietnam, and then Cambodia. Subsequent waves included people from Africa, South America, other parts of Asia.
"So, this area — often called a melting pot — is home to a real mix of cultures."
Local historian Emma Russell says High Street offers 'something for everyone'. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
'We welcome everybody'
Market vendor Sam Virgona was among the early traders to start his own fruit and vegetable stall. He migrated from Sicily in 1967.
Sam Virgona knows his customers well and says many regard the market as a second home.
"They like shopping here each week. They meet and talk with a friend and have a coffee. They enjoy their time in the market," he said.
Preston market vendor Sam Virgona migrated from Sicily in 1967 and started working at the market soon afterwards. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"We talk about gardening, football and everything else," he said.
"We are very, very polite people. We welcome everybody. If we have a chair open, we invite them to sit with us.
"The only two things we don't like to talk about, and this is the rule, no politics and no religion."
Friends meet regularly at the Preston Market to chat and share stories. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"I grew up in the market from a young age. I got to meet many people, many different characters and it is like one big family," he said.
"And the people you work with, you build good relationships.
"I love this market, it is a terrific market and caters for everyone."
Colourful street art adds to High Street's cool vibe. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
Behind a church hall in Northcote, Matthew and Yuni Kenwrick run a busy Indonesian restaurant called Yuni’s Kitchen.
"We get a lot of overseas people, including Dutch and Spanish visitors, and they are very excited by our Indonesian flavours and dishes they do not usually have," Matthew said.
"All our meals are made from scratch. For example, I make curry base from the beginning, chopping every onion, every chilli, grinding it, cooking it, and then serving it."
Yuni and Matthew met in Jakarta back in 1994 and later moved to Melbourne, opening Yuni’s Kitchen in 2014.
With more travellers visiting Asia, Yuni said some want to rediscover the the flavours of Indonesia in Melbourne.
"A lot of our customers have visited Bali and want to try those dishes again," she said.
Matthew and Yuni Kenwrick run an Indonesian restaurant. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"It's a multicultural street, and whether people are old, young or dressed like a goth, they are accepted here," he said.
Handing the reigns to the next generation
Change is something the Menaras have also embraced over five decades at Lucchini Cakes.
Sonia and John Menara are stepping back now and are happy to hand over to the next generation.
"My sister Nadia and I are taking over the reins from mum and dad, and we feel very proud of our history, our Italian heritage," said their son Gianni Menara, 46.
"And we are also very proud of the longevity of this family business.
"It is why we put our heart and soul pretty much into everything we do."
Over half a century, that sentiment has proved a recipe for success.
And the Menara family hopes it will help the business continue for another 50 years — at least.
"It has been a beautiful ride, I've got to say, all these years that we've been here," Sonia said.
"It is a great feeling and we are immensely proud," said John.
"But, we could not have done it without each other, and the kids" Sonia added, giving John a big hug.
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