Carlton exhibition celebrates the city’s love affair with coffee

Melbourne’s passion for coffee takes centre stage this November in Carlton with Melbourne Through the Coffee Cup, a new photographic exhibition exploring how espresso culture came to define the city’s identity.

Running from November 9 to 30 at Coffee Machine Technologies on Lygon St, the exhibition showcases striking images by photographer Peter Casamento, paired with words by writer Sandra Makris, to tell the story of coffee as both a daily ritual and a cultural cornerstone.

From the post-war Italian migrants who first brought espresso machines to Melbourne, to the thriving café culture that sees locals line up daily for their brew, the exhibition pays tribute to the pioneers, traders, and patrons who transformed coffee into what Ms Makris describes as “a language of connection, creativity, and belonging.”

Carlton, often seen as the birthplace of Melbourne’s café culture, provides a fitting backdrop. Portraits of early trailblazers are exhibited alongside contemporary café and street scenes, offering a visual narrative of how Melbourne earned its reputation as the coffee capital of the world.

Among the photos is Tony Nicolini with his young daughter Simona at the coffee machine taken when he was running Doc Espresso. Simona is now 23 years old and runs the coffee machine at Albert Park Espresso. 

Mr Casamento said the project aimed to “capture the essence and spirit of a community bound through ritual and obsession to coffee.”

The exhibition is also one of just seven Victorian projects selected for inclusion in the prestigious Head On Photo Festival, based in Sydney.

The official opening takes place on Sunday, November 9, beginning with a viewing of the exhibition before moving to Cinema Nova for a special screening of Lygon Street: Si Parla Italiano. Narrated by Anthony LaPaglia, the documentary explores Carlton’s post-war Italian community and its role in introducing espresso and resilience to Melbourne’s culture. A Q&A will follow, and each ticket includes a coffee to enjoy while visiting the exhibition earlier in the day.

With limited seats available, organisers are urging the community to book early. Tickets are available via TryBooking.

Melbourne Through the Coffee Cup runs daily at 285 Lygon St, Carlton, from November 9 until November 30. •