Marco and Luca are the creative forces behind Super Norma, a project that blends their passion for food, community, and good times. Originally from Naples and Palermo, they both moved to Melbourne in 2019, drawn by the city’s vibrant cultural and culinary scene. The two first crossed paths at a Discomediterranea party, where a shared love for music, hospitality, and connection quickly sparked a friendship.
Their journey into the world of food started organically, fueled by the desire to recreate the warmth and conviviality of Italian dining. In June 2023, what began as a three-month pop-up experiment quickly evolved into something much bigger. Super Norma became more than just a fleeting concept – it turned into a space where food, tradition, and community come together in a fresh and unexpected way.
In 2025, the boys join Melbourne Food & Wine Festival for Something Saucy: a pasta spectacular that’s entirely free. That’s right, thanks to Leggo’s, we’re giving away a thousand bowls of Super Norma-quality pasta alla Norma, completely free of charge, for one day only on Tuesday 25 March.
Ahead of their saucy Festival collab, here they are now chatting their favourite spots in Melbourne.
Our local is Fenton Farmhouse. It’s where Super Norma began – thanks to Nesbert Kagonda and Ruby Clark, who gave us our first shot at their old shop, Tanaka. Beyond the history, we love its laid-back vibe, great coffee, and delicious food. It’s our little home base, where community and good ideas always come first. (Double espresso, grazie.)
We know we’re in Melbourne when we start with a great coffee, pick up veggies from an Italian grocer, fish from a Chinese fishmonger, snack on Turkish gözleme, sip a Greek refreshment, and end the night with a cocktail. The city’s culture, creativity, and community make every day an adventure.
Our favorite place to stock up on supplies is Preston Market. It’s the closest thing to home – the energy, the banter, and the ritual of coffee, bargaining, and haggling make it more than just shopping. Every Wednesday, we test our negotiation skills at our go-to veggie shop, where a $2 discount can take 30 minutes to win. Then, it’s off to the fishmonger, where the game starts again. It’s not just about the food; it’s the connections and traditions that make it special.
The best new thing we’ve found is Bar Olo: a cosy, intimate spot with a great family atmosphere, top-notch drinks, and some of our friends behind the bar and kitchen. There’s something nostalgic about it for us – it reminds us of the small, welcoming bars back home, where you can unwind after a long shift and always run into familiar faces. Plus, being just two streets away makes it even better.
We’re looking forward to cooking at the Festival because there’s nothing better than seeing people genuinely happy with our food. At Super Norma, we love creating that hidden-gem feeling – unpretentious, welcoming, and full of surprises. Now, we get to do it on a bigger scale with a thousand free bowls of pasta. Great food, good times, and bringing people together – that’s what it’s all about.
And the event we’re most excited about attending is… There’s so much to choose from, but we’re especially looking forward to An Afternoon with Tony Tan at Flower Drum. Melbourne Food & Wine Festival always brings incredible experiences, and we can’t wait to eat, drink, and get inspired alongside some of the best in the industry.
When we want to show off the city to friends from out of town, we like to start with coffee and breakfast – a true Melbourne ritual – before hopping between hidden bars, rooftop spots, and parties that make the city’s nightlife unforgettable. But it’s not just about food and drinks; we love showing off Melbourne’s parks and gardens, and one of our favorite surprises for visitors? The flying fox colony along the Yarra – a sight that never gets old.
When we want to drink something Victorian, our first choice is Starward whisky for a smooth local pour, a pinot noir from the southern Pinot Coast, or a bold shiraz from Central Victoria. Victoria’s cool-climate wines always deliver.
There’s no better value in Melbourne than a shared meal at a no-frills spot where the food is made with love. Whether it’s a market haul turned into a feast, a family-run trattoria, or a great BYO spot, the best value isn’t just about price – it’s about good food, good company, and a great experience.
When we want to really go crazy on a fancy meal, our go-to is Scopri – it’s the kind of place that delivers quality, traditional Italian food with the care and attention it deserves. But one of the best things about Melbourne is its diversity – there’s no shortage of incredible spots to indulge in something special. Whether it’s a beautifully plated Japanese omakase, a long, wine-fueled feast at a contemporary bistro, or a deep dive into a cuisine we’ve never tried before, Melbourne makes it easy to go fancy in a different way each time – and that’s exactly how we like it.
If we could change one thing about eating and drinking here, it would be late-night dining! Coming from places where a great meal at 10pm or later is the norm, Melbourne’s early kitchen closing times were a shock. The city is evolving, and some spots keep the burners on late – but we’d love to see more.
But the one thing we hope never changes in Melbourne is its diversity, creativity, and constant evolution. Melbourne blends cultures effortlessly while keeping quality and authenticity at its core. The mix of traditions, bold ideas, and a drive for excellence makes it one of a kind – we hope that spirit never fades.
Something Saucy, presented by Leggo’s, 11am-2pm, while stocks last, Tuesday 25 March, Whitehart, 22 Whitehart Ln, Melbourne