Taste the tradition, feel the history.
Growing up in a loud, lively Sicilian family, life always revolved around good food, homemade wine, and the company of friends. It was inevitable that our passion for food would become a lifelong journey.
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From a young age, we were up on wooden boxes, stirring large pots for our famously big Italian family dinners. Weekends were spent side-by-side with our mothers, baking from scratch and learning the rhythms of the kitchen. We learned from the best—using treasured recipes passed down through generations.
Over time, our love for food grew into something deeper: a belief in its power to bring people together.
For over 10 years, Houdini’s Café e Cucina has proudly served the community with heartfelt Italian cuisine. As a family-owned restaurant, we’re committed to warm hospitality, impeccable service, and dishes that taste like home.
Frank, the friendly face out front, welcomes every guest with a smile and signature hospitality. In the kitchen, Anna—our head chef and heart of the house—crafts rich, authentic flavors that will leave you wanting more.
The history behind Harry Houdini
In March 1910, famous escape artist Harry Houdini made history in Diggers Rest, Victoria, by performing the first controlled powered flight in Australia.
Flying a French-built Voisin biplane at Plumpton Park, he completed several flights, reaching heights of up to 100 feet and distances over two miles. Although Houdini is best known for his magic, this achievement marked an important moment in Australian aviation.
Today, Diggers Rest honors his pioneering flights with a memorial celebrating this unique part of its heritage.