Beverley in the late 1980s and early 1990s was not the food capital it is today. Nor did it boast an extensive nightlife after 11pm. However, from time to time, there were a some exceptions that stood out, legendary places offering a then exotic culinary and late night experience. One such place was the legendary Rocco’s restaurant, which opened in Wednesday Market in November 1989 and Rocco’s Bar which arrived in 1992.
For this and lots of reasons, Rocco’s was iconic. It was run by the glamorous Rocco brothers—real names Amir and Mohamed Namakshenasan—who brought a touch of elegance and excitement to Beverley. During that golden period of the early 1990s, when freedom reigned and anything seemed possible, the Rocco brothers and their restaurant business epitomised sophistication, ambition, and indulgence for many our little northern town.
Nothing symbolized this more than the day in 1993 when Amir Rocco returned to Beverley in a stunning Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC. This car was not just a well-earned reward for years of hard work in building the Rocco empire—it carried an extra layer of prestige because it had been previously owned by none other than Rod Stewart. Speaking to the Hull Daily Mail at the time, Amir said, “I had sold my car and was in need of a replacement. I had no idea the car belonged to Rod, but I traveled down to his home in Epping to pick it up and drive it back to Beverley.” It later emerged that the car had even appeared in some of the artist’s music videos.
Like the Rocco brothers at the height of their success, the car eventually disappeared, and its whereabouts remain a mystery. However, for those who remember that era, the image of Amir cruising through Beverley in Rod Stewart’s Mercedes is etched into the town’s history—a symbol of the glamour and exuberance the Rocco brothers brought to what was once a quiet town.
About Rocco’s
Rocco’s was founded in 1989 by brothers Amir and Mohamed Namakshenasan and remained a fixture in Beverley until 1996. During its heyday, the restaurant offered a diverse menu featuring Italian, Latin, and Mexican dishes and was the place to be—always fully booked and consistently receiving glowing reviews from the local press.
However, the restaurant was not without controversy. The Rocco brothers frequently clashed with Beverley Borough Council over various alterations and expansion plans. In 1989, their contractor, Dransfield Construction, was fined £2,000 for unauthorized modifications to the listed building in Wednesday Market before Rocco’s even opened. Despite these challenges, the brothers successfully launched Rocco Bar next door in 1992. They made several attempts to transform it into a nightclub and members-only venue, but repeated planning applications and visits from local planners between 1993 and 1995 ultimately thwarted these ambitions.
Beyond their restaurant endeavors, the Rocco brothers were well-respected figures in the local community. In 1994, they supported an initiative to fund local aid worker Julia Tarbotton in her mission to provide relief in the former Yugoslavia. They were also strong supporters of the local community initiatives and the wider local economy, creating jobs and opportunities for young people in Beverley.
However, by 1996, their fortunes had turned, and Rocco’s finally closed its doors, marking the end of an era. Very little is known about the brothers after this period, but their legacy and the town’s appreciation for this extraordinary chapter in Beverley’s history live on.