Iconic restaurant Epocha closing after more than ten years

Epocha, a stalwart European restaurant in Carlton, is the latest casualty of Melbourne’s crippled hospitality scene.

Iconic Melbourne restaurant Epocha is closing its doors for good after 12 years. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Iconic Melbourne restaurant Epocha is closing its doors for good after 12 years.

The long-running Carlton venue, run by hospitality legends Angie Giannakodakis and Guy Holder, announced the sad news on social media on Wednesday afternoon.

The decision to close the beloved restaurant was “not easy”. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Ms Giannakodakis said she while it was a “very sad time”, she was feeling overwhelmed by the love and support from her guests.

“I’m beyond words, I’m overwhelmed with the sentiments that are coming through and I do hope to do some beautiful things in the future,” she said.

Ms Giannakodakis said she’d made the decision to close the beloved institution in the last few months for many reasons.

“The freehold of the building is being sold and the landlords were trying to sell the building for the past ten months,” she said.

“And yes, the economic downturn has had some impact but I feel we could have levelled up with that. But it’s definitely time to call it a day. We wanted to leave on good terms and while the love of the industry is with us.”

The longtime owner of the Rathdowne Street building passed away last year, which prompted his family to sell the property.

“He was a wonderful person, a real mentor, so I understand it must be painful for the family and they have made their decision to do their thing,” she said.

When asked whether she was in a position to buy the property to keep Epocha afloat, Ms Giannakodakis said she “didn’t have those types of resources.”

“If anyone wanted to invest in the place, definitely we would (stick around),” she said.

Angie Giannakodakis, co-owner of Epocha. Picture: Supplied

Though the seasoned hospitality figure stood firm in her decision to close.

“Epocha is an era, by definition. It starts and has to end. I’m looking forward to reflecting and seeing what other opportunities come by in the future,” she said.

Ms Giannakodakis has spent many hours reflecting on the success of Epocha, said she’ll take these three lessons into her next restaurant project — when she’s ready to get back on her feet.

“The customer needs freedom. Freedom is a huge one. They need to feel they can step out of their home, into a space that’s comfortable and familiar and feel free to choose what they like... to not be upsold but guided,” she said.

“Yes price point is important, but we don’t want to present food in a way that’s scary. You don’t want to see food costs on a plate.”

“Lastly, something they wouldn’t necessarily think about, but the customer has a desire for nourishment. I’m not talking vitamins and minerals, but the nourishing part of what food does. It can’t be just fuel, (food) nourishes the soul and body and I think sometimes (in hospitality) that isn’t being looked after.”

“We learned a lot of lessons from Covid. I think that if you look at what is historically happening in our industry... a lot of the good players are picking up on these things and they are doing some beautiful things.”

Epocha’s final service will be held on September 14. Bookings are now open for the next six weeks.

This is one of the many longstanding Melbourne restaurants to close its doors due to the cost of living crisis.

Izakaya Den, Botswana Butchery, La Luna, Rosetta and Gingerboy shuttered earlier this year.

Originally published as Iconic restaurant Epocha closing after more than ten years