Mercato at 88 O'Connell

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Adelaide's New Destination for Italian Luxury and Lifestyle





I’ve been to Italy five times, even spending a short time living in the Marche region, and I’ve loved everything about Italian culture - from my morning espresso rituals to leisurely aperitivos at sunset. So, I couldn’t be more excited that a little slice of la dolce vita has arrived right at our front door.

The wait is finally over. Adelaide’s most beloved Italian family business, Mercato, has officially opened its doors at 88 O’Connell Street, ushering in a new chapter of Italian elegance, culture, and community in the heart of North Adelaide.



The Caporaso family’s investment in the landmark $300 million Eighty Eight O’Connell redevelopment marks more than just an expansion — it’s a celebration of community, culture, and continuity. What began as a modest Campbelltown deli in 1972 has evolved into a refined marketplace where gastronomy meets experience, and authenticity meets architectural elegance.

From Campbelltown to O’Connell Street - A Fifty-Year Journey Founded by Imma and Mario Caporaso, Mercato began as a small continental deli catering to Adelaide’s post-war Italian community. Five decades later, their son John Caporaso has reimagined that legacy for a new generation.



"It started with my parents providing fresh food to the Italian community — everything from bread and milk to staples from back home. Today, it’s about providing Italy to everyone," he shared.

Now, in its spectacular North Adelaide flagship, the Caporaso family have created an Italian emporium that’s as much theatre as it is marketplace - where the scent of espresso mingles with truffle oil, where cannoli gleam under marble counters, and where conversation fills the air like music.

Inside Mercato - Retail, Dining & ‘Retailtainment’ Step inside and you’ll find a modern Italian marketplace built around emotion, elegance, and energy.

Rows of Tuscan and Piedmont wines line the shelves beside handmade pastas, olive oils, biscotti and fresh produce. At the café counter, house-made bomboloni and pastries invite indulgence, while the deli hums with life — a symphony of slicing, toasting, pouring, and tasting.

Managing Director John Caporaso describes the concept as “retailtainment” - a space that captures the warmth and theatre of an authentic Italian market.

"North Adelaide will focus on creating a space that’s both retail and entertainment - where people come not just to shop, but to experience Italy."

Introducing Imma - A New Trattoria by Mercato to be opened in 2026 Alongside the flagship store, Mercato introduces Imma, its new trattoria named in honour of the family matriarch. Helmed by chef Nick Bergin (formerly of Mercato Campbelltown), Imma brings the Caporaso spirit to the table with curated four- and seven-course menus celebrating seasonal ingredients and regional flavours.

"It’s elevated,” says John, “but still feels like you’re part of the family - an extension of what we do best."

Expect rustic elegance, refined service, and that unmistakable feeling of being at home — Italian style. A Destination Within a Destination



Mercato now joins an impressive lineup at the long-awaited 88 O’Connell, including:
Yakisan – a modern Japanese-Korean fusion restaurant by chef Adam Liston
Change – a world-class fitness and wellness club with magnesium pools, saunas and Pilates studios
Blue Lagoon Float & Spa – a Roman-inspired sanctuary of restoration
Cassandra Mamone Fine Jewellery ,
Saintgarde and more...

88 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide: Designed by world-leading Architect Woods Bagot , this landmark site in North Adelaide presents a long-awaited opportunity to build upon Adelaide’s ‘First Suburb’ and further establish the City of Adelaide as one of the world’s most liveable cities. The development will create an outward-focused community that blends wellness and lifestyle through enhanced design and connection to nature.

The development comprises a mix of apartments, commercial suites and retail space perched atop an articulated podium structure. A blend of approximately 180 highly crafted apartments will be incorporated across three towers, orientated to capture views of Adelaide’s city, coast and hills. The unique podium will form the project’s urban identity and connect the development with the broader public realm.

Together, they create a precinct of curated indulgence — where food, wellness, design, and lifestyle meet.

Mercato's A Taste of Italy, A Touch of Home With sweeping architectural curves, marble finishes, high ceilings and a rich maroon palette, Mercato’s new flagship is more than a store - it’s a statement—a celebration of craftsmanship, family legacy, and timeless Italian sophistication.

"Seasonality and freshness are at the heart of the Italian way of life - and that’s at the heart of everything we do," says John.'

Having visited Italy five times and spent time living in the Marche region myself, I can honestly say Mercato captures that same spirit — the warmth, the generosity, the effortless beauty of everyday life done well. It’s Italy at our front door — and I couldn’t be happier to see it thriving right here in North Adelaide.

Fifty years on, that spirit endures.

Mercato is now open from 3 November 2025, and Imma in 2026 at 88 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.
www.88oconnell.com
FACEBOOK MERCATO
www.mercato.com.au
Ph: (08) 8337 1808
Email: [email protected]

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