Pepe’s Italian And Liquor

CONTACT

Ph: +61 3 9663 7994

275
Exhibition Street
Melbourne, 3000 Victoria
Show on map

closed

Opening Hours

SUN 4:00pm - 11:00pm
MON 12:00pm - 11:00pm
TUE 12:00pm - 11:00pm
WED 12:00pm - 11:00pm
THU 12:00pm - 11:00pm
FRI 12:00pm - 11:00pm
SAT 4:00pm - 11:00pm

The Details

Cuisine
  • American
  • Italian
Need to Know
  • Function Space
  • Good for Groups
  • Great for Dates
  • Outdoor Seating
Serving
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Late Night
In the mood for
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Live Music
Need to know
  • Full Food Menu
  • Function Space
  • Good for Groups
  • Great for Dates
  • Outdoor Seating

Trunk just got a major upgrade and we’re not mad about it.

Owner Nick Kutcher just transformed the iconic CBD spot into Pepe’s Italian and Liquor. After a month-long trip to New York City, Kutcher researched what American cuisine has to offer and made the giant leap to create a fusion of Italian and American in the one place. Taking inspiration from the roaring 20s in the Big Apple, Pepe’s is decorated with red and white checkered floors, burgundy leather banquettes and a metre-long mirrored bar. 

The waiters and bartenders wear velvet bowties, adding a touch of glamour to your night out. Kutcher wants it to be a bit of a theatrical experience for his diners who are treated to big-band music and old-school jazz playing long into the night. The space also features a mural by Belgian illustrator Jan Van Der Veken who has designed several New Yorker covers on the back wall.

Guests can choose from an extensive menu of fancy pizzas like the nduja Roma tomato with artichokes and fior di latte or a pasta dish such as the mouth-wateringly good baked gnocchi with four kinds of cheese or the classic spicy vodka rigatoni. For other mains, we recommend the family-sized veal parma that is deep fried and topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil and for dessert, an ice cream sundae to share with cherries and hot chocolate fudge. 

The drinks list includes a full page dedicated to Martinis as well as all your favourite classics. Perhaps treat yourself to a burnt popcorn Manhattan concoction with Woodford rye, popcorn and macadamia bitters, if you’re feeling fancy. For the wine connoisseurs, there are more than 80 wines on the list all priced at less than $100 a bottle. 

And for those of you who hate change, rest easy knowing that Trunk Diner will remain trading as is and will operating next door, serving up American west coast favourites like burgers, doughnuts and fries from breakfast to dinner.

Image credit: supplied