Matteo’s Delicatessen

The Verdict

When westside locals Jayden Costello and Matthew Defina realised their neighbourhood lacked a good Euro-style Deli, they got to work. From this dream arose Matteo’s Delicatessen, a deli sandwich and Cannoleria shop smack bang in the heart of Altona, on Pier street 

This Mediterranean haven doubles as both a cafe and a grocer. Its vibrant green storefront opens up into a light-filled space with one of the most aesthetically pleasing selection of deli goods.
A great spot to hang out and sample delicious gourmet sangas, with freshly made coffee from Industry Beans or a Chinotto to go along with it. On the grocery end, they’ve set up a wonderful local spot to grab all of your Italian necessities, with a range of tasty dips, bread from neighbourhood Ned's Bake, soft and hard cheeses, cold-cuts, pasta, and top-shelf olive oils. They’re also known to import harder-to-find specialty items, so if you’re struggling to track down some obscure European treat, it’s worth checking out

The real star of Matteo’s is the sandwiches, served on either ciabatta or a crispy baguette. All the sangas on offer have been designed and crafted by Costello and Defina, celebrating the quality produce they’ve come to love. Stand-outs include their famous meatball sub, which is topped with fresh ricotta and parmesan, and their Caprese style ‘Real Italian’, with fresh tomato, basil, eggplant, pesto and mozzarella, it’s an absolute revelation.

With fresh ingredients and a lot of heart, there’s a lot to love about this delightful deli.

Image credit: Parker Blain