Pepe's Parlour

Overview

Tucked between soaring hotels and office buildings, Pepe's Italian & Liquor's faded red-brick facade and entangled coral tree are hard to miss on Exhibition Street. This heritage-listed spot was originally constructed as a synagogue in the mid-1800s, serving numerous purposes until 2007, when restaurateur Nick Kutcher transformed the site into Trunk. After 12 impressive years, it was time for a change, so Pepe's Italian & Liquor moved in with Italo-American cuisine. Now, the latest evolution is here, as Pepe's Parlour is ready to launch right next door.

Conceived as a more casual sister venue, Pepe's Parlour is set to become a go-to lunch spot for hearty sandwiches, healthy plates and a stellar martini list. Plus, its after-dark ambience is bound to prove popular with cocktail-lovers. With the OG venue taking cues from New York's golden age — think burgundy banquettes and a 13-metre zinc-topped bar — Pepe's Parlour offers a similarly sophisticated old-world vibe that doesn't skimp on the colour or fun.

"We wanted to create somewhere that feels special but never stuffy," says Kutcher. "By day, it's the perfect spot for a catch-up lunch that feels like an occasion. By night, it's all about martinis and good vibes — the kind of place where every occasion feels like a celebration."

With Kutcher collaborating with local creative agency Projects of Imagination, the venue didn't miss the chance to highlight its most enchanting natural feature. Inside a glasshouse, beneath its 150-year-old coral tree, marble-topped round tables and green leopard-print garden chairs adorn a sunlit dining room. The interconnected martini bar brings a moody juxtaposition, featuring timber panelling, velvety bar seating and chic table lamps. Look up to find the domed ceiling covered in a striking tomato mural by renowned artist Jordy Van Den Nieuwendijk.

Head Chef Antonio Loffredo has shaped a tight, elegant lunch menu in lockstep with the design. Ciabatta baked fresh daily in a custom brick oven forms the basis for a selection of Italian-style sandwiches, such as porchetta, eggplant parm and chicken cacciatore dip. Then, a pair of baked pastas — spicy vodka rigatoni, and baby ricotta and salami cannelloni — makes ordering simple. Meanwhile, six lunch plates balance a hero protein (or vegan-friendly option) with three sides, like cured Aperol salmon with half avocado and pistachio pesto green beans, and roasted eggplant with cashew cheese and charred broccolini.

Once the day has passed, Pepe's Parlour shifts up the mood as it transforms into a martini bar. Sophisticated but approachable, lighthearted indulgence defines the drinks menu, with playful riffs on classic martini spin-offs like the pornstar, Mexican and appletini. There are signature options too, like the Jordy's Tomato, which pays tribute to the venue's mural by combining a classic martini with a subtle tomato flavour. With each drink served with complimentary nuts and olives, you're also welcome to order from Pepe's neighbouring restaurant menu. Timelessly chic, this CBD joint is a bellissimo choice for a martini-soaked afternoon or late-night meal.