Nonna’s House Finally Reopens in New Digs on Nicholson Street, Grandma Vibes Intact

Hamish Vaccari spent a large part of his childhood at a modest brown-brick home at 550 Nicholson Street in Fitzroy North – his nonna and nonno’s house. 

His nonno died when Vaccari was 16, and in 2022, his nonna passed away at 98. Two weeks later, Vaccari honoured their legacy by converting their garage into an Italian sub shop – Nonna’s House – serving sandwiches using family sauce and meatball recipes.

The family sold the home, and Nonna’s House closed in late November 2024. The intention was to move Nonna’s House into a new space shortly after. Following some fit-out setbacks and unexpected delays, Nonna’s House is now up and running again in its new shop at 796 Nicholson Street, just by the Railway Hotel and an eight-minute walk from the OG.

“There were some building issues we had to fix along the way, we were doing a lot of the work ourselves with the help of friends and things just kept getting pushed back,” Vaccari says. “But we had such a great following before we closed and we kept getting questions about reopening, so we knew it was worth sticking with it.”

The menu is similar to the original. Meatball subs, chicken parma, pesto mushroom rolls and bolognaise or carbonara sauce-topped fries all return. Vegan mozzarella is an addition that can make the eggplant parma roll completely vegan. There’s also a new chicken cacciatori sub and a sausage-and-peppers roll that Vaccari says will continue to improve as he tweaks the recipe.

“Nonno used to make these incredible Italian sausages, so we’re bringing that process in-house to try and nail the recipe and replicate his as best we can.”

The new 118-seat space still has an old-school charm reminiscent of Viccari’s nonno and nonna’s house. An exposed brick wall adorned with family photos and trinkets is an appropriate nod to the original venue, kitsch amber light covers hang from the ceiling and there’s even a couple of mini chandeliers from Vaccari’s nonna’s living room. Out the back, you’ll find a small courtyard with new picnic tables reminiscent of those in the original backyard.

“The bar top is upcycled wood that my carpenter friend helped us build, the timber wall panels are all upcycled and Mum even helped me reupholster the bar stools,” Vaccari says. “I think that kind of DIY element along with the colour choices we made helps make the space feel a bit cosier and lived in.”

If you’re dining in, you can enjoy classic Italian cocktails. There are also a handful of non-alc options on the menu, including chinotto and aranciata (orange soft drinks). Vaccari has plans to launch an Italian spirits brand in the next 12 months, with limoncello, grappa, amaretto and more slated to be retail products that are also served in-house.

Nonna’s House
796 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North
No phone

Hours:
Wed to Sun 11.30am–3pm
@nonnashouse3068