Pellegrini's reopens after beloved owner was killed in Bourke Street attack

There will be a lot coffee and a few tears as the cafe co-owned by terror victim Sisto Malaspina reopens in Melbourne.

Four days after the 74-year-old was stabbed to death just a few hundred metres from Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, the city institution has reopened its doors on Tuesday.

“In honour of dad’s memory the wonderful staff at Pellegrini’s are determined to continue his legacy with the same passion,” Mr Malaspina’s family said in a statement.

Relatives won’t attend on Tuesday but there are expected to be some special guests, including the possibility of Prime Minister Scott Morrison who has indicated a desire to pay his respects.

All customers who walk through the doors will be offered a free long black – Sisto’s favourite coffee.

Mr Malaspina was killed and two other men were injured when when 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali drove a burning ute into the city and launched a knife attack on Friday.

The restaurateur died in the street while police shot Shire Ali who died later in hospital.

Mr Malaspina had co-owned Pellegrini’s since 1974 and both man and venue had become icons, the former with a “flamboyant personality” as remembered by his family.

In the wake of his death, dozens of customers recalled their favourite experiences with Sisto.

“There are countless late-night spaghetti bolognese and affogatos after gigs and theatre shows but my main memory was coming in teary, puffy-eyed and broken-hearted and having Sisto feed me bread, pasta and strudel and told me that men will always be fickle but pasta will love me,” one woman wrote on Reddit.

“Met my wife in Melbourne and we met Sisto on one of our first dates looking for a late-night coffee,” another wrote.

“He knew we were dating and did his best to embarrass us & poke fun. Have been going ever since and bring our kids there.”

A state funeral will be held for Mr Malaspina next week after his family accepted the Victorian Government’s offer.