Geppetto Trattoria has maintained family ownership since 1981
Geppetto Trattoria has operated in East Melbourne since 1981 under the same family ownership, with founder Nino Cea now working alongside his son Adriano Cea. The venue continues to focus on traditional Italian dining, maintaining its original approach to food and service across more than four decades.
The restaurant was established with the intention of recreating a familiar dining environment based on southern Italian traditions. Nino Cea said, “The idea was to recreate an authentic food experience, like the local ‘cantina‘ I grew up around in Puglia (Italy) in the 1960’s.” He added, “It was about bringing simple, honest Italian food and a sense of familiarity, the kind of place where people feel comfortable and keep coming back.”
Located near the MCG, the venue has become part of the pre- and post-event dining routine for nearby sporting and entertainment events. As a result, the restaurant has maintained a consistent customer base, including repeat diners over several decades.
Family-led operations and menu consistency
The restaurant continues to operate with a hands-on approach, sourcing ingredients locally and maintaining daily involvement in menu preparation. Nino Cea said, “We’ve never tried to follow trends. Everything we do comes from the heart and has stayed true to how we started.” He also stated, “We still shop at local markets, including Coburg Market, and we still source our seafood fresh, often the same day.”
Daily menu variations reflect available ingredients, with seafood often influenced by local catch. Nino Cea said, “Quite often, the daily fish specials come from what I’ve caught myself out in Port Phillip Bay that morning, which keeps the menu connected to the way I grew up cooking.”
The core menu includes traditional Italian dishes such as Agnolotti ai tre funghi, Spaghetti alla Pescatora, and Gnocchi alla Bolognese. Main courses feature items including Porchetta e Peperonata, grilled fish fillet, and slow-roasted lamb neck.
The restaurant maintains a consistent dining format focused on simplicity and familiarity. Nino Cea said, “It’s about keeping things honest and consistent. We focus on traditional, home-style Italian dishes made properly, without overcomplicating them.”
Customer retention has remained a key measure of performance. Nino Cea said, “A lot of our customers have been coming for years, some for decades. That says more than anything.” He added, “If people walk out wanting to come back, we’ve done our job.”
The business recently received recognition in OpenTable’s Top 50 Restaurants in Australia based on diner feedback. Nino Cea said, “Being recognised in OpenTable’s Top 50 Restaurants in Australia recently, which is judged by diners, means a lot.” He added, “If we can keep that standard and continue to be a place people trust and return to, that’s success.”
Over its operating history, the venue has also attracted a range of high-profile visitors. Nino Cea said, “I still remember in the 1980’s having to turn Mick Jagger away one night because we were completely full!”
Address: 78a Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Bookings: HERE
