Miznon Shuts Collingwood Doors After Two Years
Israeli restaurant Miznon has ceased operations at its Collingwood location after a two-year tenure. The restaurant’s other Melbourne establishment, situated on Hardware Lane, will continue to serve customers, despite having been the target of an incident last year.
Previous Incident at CBD Venue
The Hardware Lane restaurant experienced an attack in July involving approximately 20 individuals. Reports indicate that some participants wore Palestinian keffiyehs. The group reportedly threw food at patrons, overturned tables, and caused damage to glasses and a restaurant window.
Collingwood Closure Details
The Collingwood branch, located at the intersection of Derby and Cambridge streets, quietly closed its doors two weeks ago. The venue first opened its doors in 2024. Miznon’s head chef, Afik Gal, cited challenging conditions within the hospitality sector as a contributing factor to the closure.
“These are not easy times for hospitality in general. We have seen a decrease in people and spending,” Gal stated. “We have put lots of love and energy into this place, but it has never really taken off properly. We gave it our best, and it did not work out.”
Reasons for Closure
Gal indicated that a combination of factors led to the decision to close the Collingwood venue. He primarily attributed the closure to financial reasons, but also suggested that antisemitism might have played a role.
“I know people kind of look for the cause, the political accusation or whatever, and I can’t say I can point a finger to something specifically,” Gal commented. “We have had some minor incidents over the years but nothing dramatic.”
Focus on Hardware Lane
The owners now intend to concentrate their efforts on the existing Miznon location on Hardware Lane. The closure was formally announced via a social media post approximately two weeks prior.
A statement on Facebook read: “Thank you, Collingwood. We loved every moment in this neighbourhood, our magical corner under the big trees, the wide bar, that serves food straight from our heart to our guests. We have made the hardest decision to close Miznon Collingwood and focus our energy on the CBD location. To all the guests and our incredible team – thank you for being part of this adventure. You helped make this place special. Looking forward to seeing you all at our CBD location!”
Miznon’s Offerings and Ownership
Miznon specializes in Israeli street food. Popular menu items include pita bread filled with ratatouille, minute steak, and lamb rib, alongside its signature whole roasted cauliflower.
The two Melbourne restaurants are part of an international hospitality group partly owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal. Segal is also associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a food aid organization supported by Israel and the United States, which has faced criticism regarding its impartiality and alleged use of aid as leverage.
Local Perspective
Nina Sanadze, a local artist and gallerist whose Goldstone Gallery is adjacent to Miznon in Collingwood, suggested that a confluence of factors, including antisemitism, may have impacted the restaurant’s success.
Sanadze, who was previously removed from her studio at the Gertrude Contemporary gallery in 2024 following the exposure of a private chat group where she referred to Hamas as “animals,” expressed sadness over the closure. She indicated she knows one of Miznon’s owners and described him as apolitical and not religious.
“The only crime of his is that he cooks Israeli food,” Sanadze stated.
It is important to note that this reporting does not suggest a direct link between the closure of Miznon’s Collingwood restaurant and the prior incident at its CBD location.
