Expect big things in Little Italy

By Roje Adaimy

It was where some of Australia’s first Italian immigrants made socialising over coffee popular, and introduced delis, restaurants, bars and cardhouses to the folk of East Sydney.
Now, Stanley Street is proud to call itself Australia’s first “Little Italy”, and is getting ready to celebrate its proud cultural heritage at the Primo Italiano Festival on Sunday May 25.
The entire street in will be transformed into an Italian piazza, with local restaurants extending outdoors and offering some of the best Italian food in Sydney. Sample fresh, classic Italian produce – from cheese, olive oil, bread and pasta, to fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables from the market.
“I love the produce that is available from the stalls just down from the pub in the street,” says Sue Cameron from Stanley Street’s famous Lord Roberts Hotel.
“I can’t resist sampling a variety and then taking them home. I also love the great atmosphere in the street as the festival draws to an end and seeing everyone in the street dancing and having such a great time.”
Sue has been a part of the festival for a number of years, and says that Stanley Street is where it all began.
“The Lord Roberts Hotel is the place where everyone bought their wine for a meal, met before and after dining, and later became the local hang-out for all the older Italians, cooks, waiters, and business owners between service,” Sue says.
For one day a year, the Hotel extends its open-air beer garden onto the street especially for the Primo Italiano Festival, with entertainment from Primo’s resident DJ and classic Italian band Cinzano.
But with over 30,000 people expected to attend this year, Sue says it’s best to get in early before the best produce sells out. “And don’t have a large breakfast because you’ll need room for sampling some great food and wine!” she says.