Mele e Pere: Celebrating a Beloved Soho Trattoria

As Mele e Pere approaches its 15th year in the heart of Soho, the beloved neighbourhood trattoria is marking the milestone with new seasonal menu and cocktail additions and the return of their engaging Vermouth classes—an invitation to explore one of Italy’s most cherished aperitivo traditions.

Launched for the Summer is a Sicilian Supper Club offering a 3 course menu of traditional and regional Italian cooking for £29.50pp featuring:

• Lobster salad with Tropea onions, cherry tomatoes and orange dressing 

• Handmade ravioli with ricotta, tomato and aubergine for main followed

• Homemade cassata gelato with candies fruit, pistachio and chocolate sauce

Or visit the Vermouth Bar for their new Spritz Hour which includes a refreshingly new way to spritz, with this summer’s hottest drink, a Procida Spritz - Allora Aperitivo, Limoncello and Prosecco. From Sunday–Friday, 3–6pm, £7.50 for all Spritzes including Aperol Spritz and other Vermouth-based spritzes and £5 all vermouths.

A Soho favourite, Built on Passion

Since opening its doors in 2011, Mele e Pere—meaning “Apples and Pears,” a nod to Cockney rhyming slang for “stairs”—has welcomed guests down its vintage tiled staircase into a space that’s warm, relaxed, and filled with the aromas of Italy. At the heart of the restaurant is a copper bar that boasts the largest Vermouth collection in the city—an ever-growing labour of love.

Founders and brothers Peter and Chris Hughes, born in Milan to British parents, teamed up with friend and fellow chef Andrea Mantovani, a Verona native, to bring their shared love of Italian cooking to London. They met in the kitchen at Michelin-starred Wild Honey in Mayfair and quickly bonded over a simple idea: to create a place that felt like home, where good food, good drinks, and good company come together.

“Fifteen years later, so much has changed around us,” says Peter. “But some things never will. We’re still rolling our pasta by hand and blending our own Vermouth. Most of all, we’re still here—on the floor with our team, saying hello to regulars, meeting new faces, and making every guest feel like they’ve come to our home for dinner.”

A True Taste of Italy

Mele e Pere’s menu celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Italy, with seasonal ingredients and recipes that reflect a deep respect for the craft. Their pizza is slow proved for over 48 hours and their pasta, made fresh every day in-house, remains a highlight, with dishes like Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, Pappardelle al Tartufo and Spaghetti alla Carbonara. Their legendary 1.2kg T-Bone alla Fiorentina and their Tiramisu have been drawing devoted fans from near and far for years.

The Spirit of Vermouth

Vermouth is more than just a drink at Mele e Pere—it’s part of the soul of the place. From the very beginning, the team has championed this iconic Italian aperitif, blending their own house red and showcasing bottles from both storied and up-and-coming producers and mixing them in their signature cocktails including the excellent Mele e Pere Negroni made using their own Vermouth. Guests can take part in hands-on Vermouth classes that delve into the history, craft, and joy behind this aromatic tradition. Follow their socials for upcoming dates.

A Place to Return To

With its 100-cover downstairs dining room, alfresco tables, and counter seating perfect for a quick bite or people-watching with a Negroni in hand, Mele e Pere is as versatile as it is welcoming. Whether it’s a pre-theatre dinner (Lunch & Pre-Theatre Menu: 2 courses for £18.50pp offers great value in central London), a relaxed lunch, or an unhurried evening spent with friends, the trattoria remains a place where warmth, quality, and generosity always take centre stage.

As they prepare to celebrate fifteen years in Soho, Mele e Pere isn’t just looking back—they’re continuing to evolve, always staying rooted in the simple joys that brought them here in the first place: good food, good drink, and a love for sharing it with others.

Mele e Pere

Address: 46 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 9TF

Reservations: 020 7096 2096, Open 7 days a week

@meleeperesoho