Lygon Street locals King & Godfree building launches trio of new venues starting with pizzeria in December
Lygon Street institution King & Godfree building is rolling out three fresh hospitality concepts kicking off this December.
Jamie Valmorbida is transforming the heritage Carlton corner his grandfather Carlo bought back in 1955 into a multi-venue destination.
King & Godfree building will house a casual pizzeria, all-day osteria with wine bar, and a basement cocktail spot with live music across the coming months. Valmorbida’s bringing back the dream team from Johnny’s Green Room – designer Dion Hall and culinary director Karen Martini – to shape the new spaces.
The Pizzeria lands first at 297 Lygon Street this December, taking over the old Agostino digs next to Pidapipo with counter-service vibes. Osteria and wine bar will occupy the building’s famous corner, operating from morning through evening as a neighbourhood hub. Down below, the cellar gets a late-night makeover as a cocktail and music bar throughout 2026.
New Lygon Street venues
- Where: 293-299 Lygon Street, Carlton
- When: Pizzeria opens December 2025, osteria and basement bar throughout 2026
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
Hospitality heavyweight Joel Penno steps in as general manager after running operations at Elwood Bathers, Chin Chin and Stokehouse over three decades. Executive chef Mark Glenn brings serious kitchen pedigree from stints at Cumulus Inc., Dinner by Heston and Carlotta.
Dion Hall’s design work spans Johnny’s Green Room, Supernormal and HER, while culinary director Karen Martini’s food direction comes off successful runs at Bar Carolina and Johnny’s Green Room.
Saying goodbye to the original deli format wasn’t straightforward, but Valmorbida sees the evolution as necessary for the 140-year-old building’s next chapter.
What remains is that same generous, community-focused energy the site’s been known for since 1884, just expressed through contemporary hospitality.
Creating a proper neighbourhood precinct means multiple entry points – grab a quick pizza, settle in for a long lunch at the osteria, or disappear into the basement for late drinks.
Carlton gets three distinct experiences operating under one roof, each tapping into different rhythms of the day and night. Pizzeria brings accessible, quality eating to a stretch of Lygon Street already packed with Italian dining history.
Osteria format suggests lingering over wine and seasonal plates, while the basement bar adds after-dark energy to a corner that’s been quietly influential for generations.
Valmorbida’s building something designed to stick around and become part of Carlton’s fabric long-term, honouring his grandfather’s legacy while pushing the King & Godfree story forward.
For more information, head here.
