Business Details
19 Years
experience
Authentic Italian Dining in Hereford
Ponte Vecchio was founded in 2007 by Leonardo and Alice Pavone, a husband-and-wife team driven by a shared passion for authentic Italian cuisine. Our journey began earlier, however, with Leonardo managing his parents' pizzeria in Southampton from 1992, and Alice joining as a kitchen porter in 2001 before developing her culinary skills in Rome and Florence. We relocated to Hereford in 2007 to establish this intimate trattoria, blending traditional Italian recipes with modern interpretations that celebrate seasonal vegetables and bold flavors. Sustainability has been integral to our operations since the start, guiding our sourcing practices, waste reduction strategies, and community partnerships. We prioritize working with local producers like Nizi Bakery and Bartonsham Farm while maintaining strong connections to Italy for specialty ingredients.Our commitment to creating the warmth of an Italian family table has been recognized through numerous return visits from loyal customers who appreciate our homemade gelato, flexible dietary accommodations, and carefully curated wine list. Over the years, we've refined our service model to minimize food waste through preordered menus and sustainable packaging solutions like plant-based Vegware containers. The 2020 pandemic challenged us to adapt while maintaining our high standards, leading to the implementation of our hot composter for commercial composting of takeaway containers. This continuous evolution reflects our dedication to responsible hospitality, where every dish embodies the charm and authenticity of our favorite Florentine dining experiences.
Services
Restaurant Dining
Takeaway Meals
Homemade Gelato
Party Catering
Wine Service
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer handmade gelato with no preservatives using local dairy products
- Our menu changes seasonally to showcase the best available ingredients
- We implement innovative waste reduction systems throughout our operations
- Our team has over 25 years combined experience in Italian hospitality
- We maintain direct relationships with local food producers and suppliers
Services
Restaurant Dining
Indulge in our seasonal Italian menu served in an intimate dining room with evening hours Tuesday to Saturday. Dishes combine traditional techniques with modern presentations using locally sourced ingredients and authentic Italian products. Preordering recommended to ensure availability of preferred selections.
Takeaway Meals
Preorder gourmet Italian dishes for collection in eco-friendly Vegware containers that maintain temperature. Available Tuesday to Saturday evenings with options for dietary requirements when requested in advance. Collection between 6-9pm allows finishing touches at peak freshness.
Homemade Gelato
Enjoy artisanal gelato made daily using Cotteswold Dairy milk and Country Flavours eggs. Over 20 rotating flavors including traditional Italian varieties and creative combinations available in tubs or cones for immediate consumption or takeaway with proper storage.
Party Catering
Custom menus for groups of eight or more with seasonal themes and pre-selection requirements. Available for both dine-in and takeaway options, featuring family-style sharing plates that showcase the best of our seasonal produce and Italian culinary traditions.
Wine Service
Curated wine list featuring Italian and international vintages selected to complement our seasonal menu. Regularly updated to match current dishes, with knowledgeable staff available to suggest perfect pairings for both individual courses and complete dining experiences.
People
Leonardo Pavone
Front of House Manager
Leonardo co-founded Ponte Vecchio with Alice after growing up near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and managing his parents' pizzeria from 1992. He oversees daily operations while maintaining strong connections to Italian suppliers and hospitality traditions.
Alice Pavone
Head Chef
Alice transitioned from kitchen porter to head chef through years of hands-on experience in Italian kitchens. She creates seasonal menus emphasizing local ingredients while maintaining traditional techniques. Her passion for gelato development has become a signature offering of the restaurant.
Questions
What are your current dining hours?
We serve dinner Tuesday to Saturday evenings from 6pm, with the kitchen closing late to accommodate guests.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, we provide special meals for dietary requirements when notified in advance to ensure proper preparation.
How does your takeaway service work?
Preorder meals for evening collection between 6-9pm. Dishes are prepared fresh upon arrival and packaged in temperature-controlled containers.
Is gelato available for takeaway?
Our homemade gelato can be purchased in tubs or cones for immediate consumption or takeaway with proper storage.
What sustainability practices do you implement?
We use local suppliers, compost food waste through our hot composter, and serve in plant-based disposable containers that we compost.
How do you handle reservations?
We recommend booking in advance and prefer preordered menus to ensure availability of preferred selections for your visit.
Reviews (6)
Hannah Dawson
Dec 30, 2021
Report
Excellent standard of food, great service. Rustic interior. Both me and my Italian partner loved this place, and he's hard to please with Italian food!
K. Dundas
Dec 19, 2021
Report
What a gem of a place , we only managed to squeeze in unbooked because there was a cancellation. Food was fabulously different from your usual Italian and beautifully cooked, we thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful and the service was friendly and attentive.This is a restaurant which clearly cares about its customers and Is well worth a visit
Tina Coulthard
Dec 14, 2021
Report
Herefords hidden gem. Located on Bridge street, this is a lovely family run Italian restaurant. The service is excellent , prices reasonable and the food is to die for. As someone with a tomato allergy Im used to being stuck with carbonara but not here, mentioned the allergy and they said I could have the dish I wanted theyd just change the sauce. Fabulous. And the gelato is worth a visit any time of year. A true delight to eat in or take out.
Liam Vile
Nov 28, 2021
Report
Some of the nicest food I have ever had. Everything we ordered was absoulutely delicious. The service was also really fantastic and friendly. It's one of those rare places where the passion of the owners really comes through. I hope to visit again next time I'm in the area.
Tabs Porter
Oct 28, 2021
Report
What a beautiful restaurant. Everything was absolutely perfect - from the cosy decor, the delicious food and the outstanding service. We visited last night and will definitely be back! My partner is Italian so his standards are high when it comes to Italian cuisine and Ponte Vecchio did not disappoint!
Chris Nash
Oct 08, 2021
Report
Fabulous food, drink and service in an intimate setting. So glad we booked in advance as many turned away on the night. Thank you Leonardo! We will definitely return.
