A glamorous New York-style trattoria serving classic Italian with a Melbourne edge.

Pepe’s Italian & Liquor: Old-School Romance, New-World Energy

Pepe’s sits on Bourke Street, glowing with the warmth of red leather booths, brass fittings and candlelight bouncing off wine glasses. It’s Italian at heart but New York in attitude — bustling, confident and built for people who love to eat well and stay late. ([broadsheet.com.au](https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/cbd/restaurants/pepes-italian-liquor?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) From the creators behind Trinket and San Telmo, it carries that same DNA of hospitality that values comfort and theatre in equal measure.

The dining room feels cinematic — Sinatra croons in the background, waiters in crisp white jackets glide past, and the scent of garlic, butter and parmesan lingers long after the plates clear.

Pasta, Cocktails and Classic Excess

At the centre of the menu is pasta made fresh every morning. Cacio e pepe arrives glossy and peppered, fettuccine marinara swims with local seafood, and the lasagna is unapologetically rich and layered for comfort. ([timeout.com](https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/restaurants/pepes-italian-liquor?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Steaks, veal parmigiana and tiramisu follow, anchoring the experience in old-world indulgence.

On the drinks list, Negronis lead the charge, supported by a strong martini program and Italian wines that cover both sides of the Adriatic. The bartenders here know how to stir, shake and charm — the liquor part of the name is no afterthought.

The Art of Atmosphere

Pepe’s is more than a restaurant; it’s a mood. The marble bar hums with after-work drinkers while the booths stay booked out by those in for the full experience. ([concreteplayground.com](https://concreteplayground.com/melbourne/restaurants/pepes-italian-liquor?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) The playlist slides from jazz to disco, and by dessert the room feels more like a party than a dinner service.

It’s indulgent, stylish and effortlessly fun — a place where first dates, birthdays and business lunches all land in the same warm light. Pepe’s brings back the kind of dining Melbourne built its reputation on: confident, generous and timeless.