rotters has been open on Lygon Street, Carlton near the corner of Elgin Street since 1988. After 23 years, the small cafe has expanded, doubling in size by taking over the space that was Donnini’s pasta shop to allow for more space, more customers and a new addition to the menu. “We kept running out of room,” says Andrea Galli, who has owned the cafe with his wife Lily since day one. “We thought about opening another business and then the opportunity came up to take over next door with the same landlord which made it easy for us to expand.”

Most regulars are embracing the change and those who aren’t “will get used to it” laughs Galli. The owner is most excited about the extension and development of the menu. “Our food is a lot better than it used to be,” he admits. “Over such a long time you have ups and downs and we’re really happy with where we’re going.”

Part of the menu expansion will be the introduction of spelt pizza. “Spelt pizza is better and it’s not as popular as it should be,” says Galli. So it looks like the other local pizzerias (DOC, Carlton Espresso, Tiamo 2) can look forward to some healthy competition on the dough front.

Otherwise, it’s still business as usual at Trotters, and after 23 years that’s good news for the folks of Carlton.

400 Lygon Street, Carlton
(03) 9347 5657

Hours
Mon to Fri 7.30am–10pm
Sat 8am–10.30pm
Sun 9am–10pm

trotters.com.au