Inside Garden Square, the New European-Inspired Food Destination at the Australian Open

Lygon Street in Carlton has been one of Melbourne’s most vibrant throughfares for generations, thanks to its array of Italian delis and diners – the legacy of decades of immigration to the area.

It’s a long-time favourite for locals and a must-do for visitors from other states and countries, especially when they’re in town for an event like the Australian Open. Now the AO is bringing this iconic Italian hub (and all its classic flavours) to the heart of the tournament for everyone to enjoy.

Some of Lygon Street and Carlton’s most beloved menus are landing at Melbourne Park as part of Garden Square, a new European-inspired food hub offering punters a place to rest, relax and fuel up with food between sets. Also coming to Garden Square: Cambio de Tercio, a tapas bar in west London that’s long been a favourite of some of the world’s tennis greats whenever they visit for Wimbledon.

And thanks to a newly built shaded seating area to watch the tennis action on the big screen, you’ll be in no rush to move along. There’ll also be live music and group-friendly table tennis in the area.

Check out some of the ace highlights of the new dining destination.

Carlton institution King & Godfree dates all the way back to 1871, when the corner grocer began to introduce traditional Italian ingredients to the wider Melbourne populace. The Valmorbida family has owned the iconic property since the 1950s, more recently renovating it to include gelateria Pidapipo, wine bar Agostino and rooftop oasis Johnny’s Green Room. King & Godfree will be slinging many of its deli staples at Garden Square, from hot polpette (pork & veal meatballs) panino with Napoli sauce and scamorza in a warm ciabatta roll to fried semolina-crumbed calamari fritti with rocket and lemon. Also look out for burrata and peperonata salad topped with basil and EVOO.

A Lygon Street destination since 1985, Brunetti Classico has seen generations of Melburnians come through the door – then come back years later with their kids – a cycle that still continues. A jewellery box of colourful Italian-style desserts line the shelves and displays, while the tables are filled with people sipping coffee, tea or even Aperol spritzes. It’s also got savoury options like pizza, pasta and antipasto. Every year the cafe celebrates the Australian Open with special menu items, but this year you can enjoy highlights such as the prosciutto maritozzi (savoury bread buns), bolognaise arancino, ricotta and spinach arancino and a special tennis ball dessert right there at the game itself.

Part of the DOC empire, which includes a deli and a cafe turned pasta-and-focaccia bar, the flagship location has long been serving some of the city’s most celebrated pizza, with a focus on imported ingredients and flavour combinations that don’t overload the crust or palate. It's pizza as the Italians eat pizza – al taglio style or ‘by the slice’ – including Margherita, San Daniele and Soppressa. D.O.C also will be doing their Porchetta Panino – slow roasted porchetta, dill & tarragon mayo on a soft roll plus Pallotte – fried cheese balls with truffle mayo.

Many tennis greats share something in common: Cambio de Tercio, a bustling Spanish destination in London. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray have all professed their love for this eatery, run by Spanish-born restaurateur Abel Lusa. At Garden Square, Cambio de Tercio will be a selection of its most popular tapas-style dishes, as well as fun twists on old classics specifically with Melbourne summer and the AO in mind. Getting a vaunted international restaurant to Melbourne is a big deal, and it’s exclusive to the Australian Open.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the Australian Open.