Pepe's Amalfi Summer

Overview

Next time you're craving a balmy Euro holiday filled with sun-drenched spritz and antipasti sessions, simply venture into the CBD and nab yourself a table at Pepe's Italian & Liquor. The historic Exhibition Street building has taken a jaunt to the Amalfi Coast for its latest immersive pop-up, dishing up vacation vibes in abundance until the end of summer.

The space has been decked with swathes of bright bougainvillea and hand-painted ceramics, while the menu has scored a holiday makeover of its own. A slew of antipasti options includes the likes of beef carpaccio, stuffed pizza balls, gnocco fritto with mortadella, and a whipped ricotta served with peas and broad beans.

Fresh pasta, made daily in house, is also in strong supply — go for the Nerano-style zucchini pasta spiked with lemon and basil, a duck ragu casarecce, or perhaps the garlicky spaghetti with diamond clams. A handful of new pizzas (including one topped with crunchy eggplant crisps) and decadent sweet treats round out the fun.

As for the bar offering, it'll transport you straight to the Mediterranean via sips like the gin-infused Raspberry Beret, and the aptly titled Amalfi Glitter — a bright fusion of lemon myrtle vodka, Strega liqueur, sherbet, sorrento lemon and orange blossom honey.