ALL AROUND US

In a city bursting with sandwich shops, few feel as grounded, soulful, and community driven as Stefanino Panino. What started as a modest, no-frills slot on Lygon Street has blossomed into a Melbourne institution  and at the heart of it is a mother-son partnership rooted in tradition, care, and connection.

Stef Condello is a former primary school teacher who traded in lesson plans and chalkboards for cured meats and ciabatta. His leap into hospitality was not random after a stint at a butcher shop and encouragement from his musician friends, he decided to build something of his own.

Working beside him is his mother, Diana Condello a talented illustrator, collaborator. Diana's artistic sensibilities live in the menus, the merch, the hand-drawn flourishes on the walls, and in every visual thread of the brand. Together, they bring a unique interplay of nurture and craft.

Diana, in fact, is more than a behind-the-scenes presence: she helps take orders, interacts with customers, contributes to the visual identity, and co-pilots the space. That intergenerational collaboration is palpable to visitors you feel the warmth of a shared mission, not just a business transaction.

When Stefanino Panino first launched on Lygon Street, the space was small but full of life "a shoebox," Stef calls it and they often sold out before lunchtime. But it was full of heart. Locals queued, stories spread, and the brand grew  faster than they anticipated.

In November 2023, they relocated to a larger space in Collingwood Yards, giving them room to breathe. Now there's dine-in seating, espresso coffee, indoor/outdoor flow, and a clearer path to evening service. With the move came operational sophistication too: separating front-of-house and kitchen flows, streamlining orders, and scaling the roast and prep work.

Even so, Stef maintains that exposure is crucial, that his kitchen is fully visible, there's no hiding of the process, and everything's made to order. No microwaves, no pre-oxidation.

Their ambitions stretch beyond lunch, Stefanino now runs "Stefanino Panino e Vino", offering Friday and Saturday night small plates, antipasti, and Italian wines or beers. They've spoken of ticketed events, acoustic in-shop music, and occasional deviations from purely Italian fare.

The Community They've Built

What makes Stefanino Panino special  beyond the bread, meats, and cheeses is its community DNA. This is a space that feels lived in, where locals feel seen, where regulars are remembered, and where the edges bleed into the neighbourhood. A few pointers:

Local first, always  —Stef sources bread from Natural Tucker Bakery, meats from Thomastown's Marchetti and other trusted suppliers.

Cultural programming and collaborations — Stefanino has invited other artists and chefs to do pop-ups or specials like "Huey Hewitson "or engaged with Arts Project Australia for poster collaborations, and leveraged Diana's illustration work in merch and menus.

Reciprocity and food waste ethic — When there is leftover bread or rolls at the end of the day, Stef refuses to bin them and prefers to gift them to neighbours or fellow businesses. Through their open kitchen design, careful ingredient sourcing, and visible craft, they cultivate trust. Seeing the roast in progress or the slicing of meats reminds diners there's dignity in the process.

All this resonates deeply with UKOO emphasis on community. Where the brand speaks of belonging, care, consistency, and weaving relationships, Stefanino Panino is a real-world counterpart in the world of food.

Words of wisdom from the great Diana Condello:

How has your Italian family heritage shaped the way you build community at Stefanino Panino?

Our Italian family heritage is everything when it comes to how I build community at Stefanino Panino. You see, I was raised in a house where the kitchen was the heart of everything "not just for cooking, but for laughing, crying, storytelling, solving problems, celebrating". I try to bring that same warmth and sense of belonging. When people walk in, I want them to feel like they’ve come home, we learn their names, their stories, their favorite panino because in my family, food is love, and sharing it is how we take care of each other.

What does "family and friendship" mean to you?

To me, family isn’t only the people you’re born toit’s the people you show up for, the ones you cook for, cry with, celebrate with. It’s who you hold close when things get hard, and who you share your joy with when life is sweet. That’s what family and friendship mean to me, showing up with your whole heart, every day. And making sure nobody leaves hungry in the stomach or the soul.

Stefanino Panino's approach to food rooted in family tradition, transparency, and deep community connection aligns beautifully with UKOO's values of care, belonging, and creating spaces where people feel seen. Through Diana and Stef's intergenerational collaboration, visible craft, and unwavering commitment to sourcing locally and building reciprocally, they remind us that food is never just about what's on the plate  it's about the relationships we nurture, the memories we honour, and the community we nourish together.

You can follow Stefanino Panino on Instagram or order ahead.