Marco Finanzio Umberto Espresso Bar & Gigi Rooftop

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Umberto Espresso Bar is one of Thornbury’s most enduring institutions—a classic, old-school espresso bar and restaurant that’s been serving the local community on High Street for over 16 years.

Owner Marco Finanzio’s connection to Thornbury runs through family. His father, Umberto, emigrated from Calabria and settled in the area, and Marco grew up around High Street, knocking about with his father’s old friends in the card-playing venues and espresso bars of the 1980s.

In 2010, father and son fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened Umberto Espresso Bar together, drawing on Umberto’s decades selling coffee in Melbourne. Marco now runs the business with his wife, Carla, and together they’ve since added Gigi Rooftop—a hidden rooftop bar with sunset views—to the Umberto family.

We speak with Marco about three generations of family history in Thornbury, the community that’s shaped Umberto Espresso Bar, and what’s next for the Umberto family of venues.

(Photos from Umberto Espress Bar & Atti.Co Melbourne Creative Studio)

Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Thornbury?

Marco Finanzio (mf): My father, Umberto settled in Harold Street, Thornbury in 1956 and I grew up coming to Thornbury High Street and knocking around with his old friends at all the old card playing venues and espresso bars back in the 80s.

(mg) What does Thornbury mean to you?

(mf) Nostalgia. History. Migrant connection. Community.

(mg) How does being in Thornbury shape what you do?

(mf) Our story resonates with both old and young and those who understand us are people wanting connection and ownership to Thornbury. We’re personable and warm. We’re old school and classic. We’re an anchor for a lot of people in the area. We’re open for a quick bowl of pasta on your own with a glass of wine, a long Sunday lunch or a family milestone event.

Our story resonates with both old and young and those who understand us are people wanting connection and ownership to Thornbury.

High Street Thornbury centred on Umberto Espresso Bar at number 917, its white-rendered two-storey Victorian facade with ornate arched first-floor balcony dressed with terracotta pots and trailing greenery above a dark green tiled ground floor shopfront, red bistro tables and chairs spilling onto the footpath beside a silver Vespa scooter, the eclectic neighbouring shopfronts of a typical inner-north Melbourne high street stretching either side beneath a pale blue sky, capturing the relaxed Italian character of this cherished neighbourhood institution with Gigi Rooftop occupying the floor above.

(mg) What makes Thornbury different from other places you’ve lived or worked?

(mf) The general vibe is understated. Thornbury doesn’t need the big neon lights. The traders are quite eclectic as are the local personalities. A very broad demographic which keeps things real and interesting.

(mg) What does your perfect day in Thornbury look like?

(mf) We have a thing called Grappa Squad at 8.30am on Friday mornings. We don’t usually open in the mornings, but this is the time of the week when my father Umberto comes in with his mates and some of our ‘day 1’ regulars to talk shop, footy and general current affairs over coffee and grappa. It can get quite rowdy and reminds me of how important social connections are. It’s what Umberto Espresso Bar was designed to be.

(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in Melbourne that inspire you?

(mf) Obviously Pellegirini’s has had a huge influence on me and my family, growing up eating in the back kitchen with Sisto, Rocco and Maria.

(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?

(mf) A couple of Italian regional wine dinners for later in the year.

Thornbury doesn’t need the big neon lights. The traders are quite eclectic as are the local personalities.

Two pasta dishes from Umberto in Thornbury: on the left, vibrant green tortellini in a rich hazelnut brown butter sauce topped with crispy fried sage leaves and toasted pine nuts served in a wide white bowl on a dark timber table; on the right, a generous mound of thick pici pasta blanketed in a deeply coloured slow-cooked meat ragù with a silver fork resting in the bowl, a glass of red wine visible in the soft-focus background, together capturing the soulful and generous Italian cooking that defines this beloved neighbourhood restaurant.

(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?

(mf) It’s a split decision between my backpacking trip of western Europe with 5 mates back in 1999 and a 2 week stay in this amazing old house on the Greek island, Hydra with my wife Carla and 2 gorgeous kids.

(mg) Where is your next travel destination?

(mf) Vietnam. Relaxing and affordable. Finland has popped up on my radar – hopefully someday soon.

(mg) Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration:

(mf) Hiking in the Grampians or slow beach days in Airey’s Inlet.

(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?

(mf) Perspective. Empathy.

(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?

(mf) Oaxaca, Mexico. Delicious regional food. Vibrantly colourful and culturally rich. Mountains and beaches are very close to each other. Significant ancient civilisation is well preserved. Friendly people. Surely these are enough reasons?!

We have a thing called Grappa Squad at 8.30am on Friday Morning ... It’s what Umberto Espresso Bar was designed to be.

An aerial view of Gigi Rooftop bar in Thornbury at golden hour, a crowd of silhouetted patrons gathered beneath a white pergola structure strung with festoon lighting on top of a dark commercial building, the vast Melbourne suburban roofscape of corrugated iron, weatherboard cottages and mature gum trees stretching to the horizon where the city skyline rises as a hazy silhouette against a glowing amber and golden sunset sky, perfectly capturing why this rooftop has become one of Melbourne's most treasured evening destinations.

Local knowledge

Thornbury’s best kept secret: 
Gigi Rooftop. Amazing sunsets and cocktails up at a Thornbury oasis.

24 hours in Thornbury: 
Umberto for a morning coffee and grapp, Casa Nata for a Portuguese Tart, Fully Booked for a second hand book restock, walk along merri creek, dinner at vex in westgarth and film at Thornbury Picture House with a nightcap at Goodwater.