On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
We had blackened grouper sandwich and it was awesome. I loved the decoration ... it made me feel part of its history!!! Hospitality very nice.
$$
Finding a place like Pepe's Cafe based on the reviews of other fellow Yelpers is why I feel that Yelp is a necessity when traveling. I would have never found this on my own, nor would I try it based on the biased suggestions of the hotel connoisseur.
And the saying "you can not judge a book by it's cover" certainly holds true when one goes to Pepe's. The dilapidated exterior is nothing to look at; in fact it may persuade one to not walk in. Pepe's has been in business since 1909, and it probably hasn't been renovated since. Despite it's lack of modern decor, one who dines here will soon forget the unattractive surroundings.
We got there when it opened @ 7:30am. I had one of the specials of the day: lump crab cake over tomatoe w/ avocado, black beans, scrambled eggs and their fresh blueberry bread. Yes they serve bloody mary and mimosa this early (except on Sun; alcohol not served till noon). My friend had the French toast special which had cranberries, walnuts, vanilla and cinnamon inside; w/ sliced bananas and blackberries on top. Both were unbelievably delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. I highly recommend this place for breakfast!
I loved this place. From the outside it doesn't look like much, after all the place is 100 years old in 2009. In fact, the exterior looks like crap, which probably serves a useful function for keeping away the fat tourists who probably stomp right by it by the thousands, all ticked off because they couldn't get a rezzo at Seven Fishes - but on the inside the food is as good as it gets. It's better than Seven Fishes. It's exactly what you want in Key West, a tucked away little place that's as old as anything anywhere and where the seafood is so pristine it doesn't need buerre blanc avec tarragon to dress it up. This place is for reals.
The interior is beautifully clean and welcoming, but we sat outdoors to enjoy the raucous heat and humidity knifed through by the cool pelagic breeze. We had the oysters rockafeller for the first course - baked oysters smothered in garlic and cheese? YES THANK YOU. Then I had mahi mahi with mashed potatoes and gravy, and my husband had the same thing only blackened rather than grilled. Everything was absolutely delicious - the previous Yelper was right that things may require condiments but they have a big basket of them right there for you to use - not ketchup and mustard here mind you, but fascinating little sauces I'd never heard of. I randomly used the habanero sauce on my fish and it tasted great. As for the person who complained about the wine list - if you give a damn about the wine list, you're in the wrong restaurant. This place is for you if you want a really laid back, Key West style dinner out in the beautiful, hot moonlight (great-looking patio right off the ocean). I don't know about the breakfast, but dinner was great. It was the ultimate in very, very casual dining.
The pina coladas there are the best I have ever had.
The servers were absolutely outstanding too. Our latina waitress spoke flawless English and was quite prompt bringing everything out. She also recited specials from memory but with a casual friendliness. There were many specials.
The best part of our evening, however, was the chance to chat with the locals. After a couple of drinks, we became entertained by the conversation of obvious Key West natives at the bar. They didn't resent us being there at all, in fact we were very warmly welcomed with a round (which we returned of course), but it was clear this was "their place" - a hideaway from people sick of tourism, commercialism, and getting the $35 t-shirt. We learned dark secrets about Key West that we will never forget.
A very, very fine time, in fact one of the best nights I have ever experienced. It ain't just the food people, although the food is great. It's the mojo.
This is a must! Please do not confuse this with the cuban Pepe's down on Mallory Square. This is the oldest Restaurant in Key West! It's a bit pricey but well worth it. This is one of my husband and my favorite place's to eat and we love to bring people here because it never disappoints. They have a great spinach salad. My hubby raves about the filet mignon wrapped in bacon and I love the mahi mahi Florentine; it's delish!!!
My wife and I loved this place, my favorite restaurant in Key West. We ate there twice on a 4 day trip. Breakfast is awesome, best corned beef hash ever. Try the blueberry pancakes as well. One day they had coconut bread, which I'd never had before, unique flavor.
People thought this was:
Wow. What a great place. This place has great food and great atmosphere.
People thought this was:
Breakfast is always great. They make a great Mimosa with fresh squeezed OJ.
Filet at dinner was excellent. Chicken was very dry and inedible. Wine list sucks as there was very little available by the glass.
The unique, porch-like atmosphere of Pepe's, coupled with its exceptional lunch specials, make this dive on Caroline Street one of my favorite spots in Key West.
I frequently duck into the cafe for lunch with high hopes to indulge in my favorite of their "fresh local fish sandwiches;" blackened hogfish topped with a fresh chutney and a bit of swiss cheese. It's an original preparation that delights the most skeptical of fish eaters.
Notably, this year marks Pepe's 100th anniversary! So join their celebration by paying them a visit; not so much to try their steak, rather for their spontaneous daily lunch specials.
People thought this was:
Overrated. Came here due to all the great Yelp reviews and you'd figure it must be great if it's been around since 1909. However, it was just ok.
Cool homey little place in Key West and has a nice relaxed feel compared to the many other commercialized restaurants on Duval St. Lots of nice outdoor seating (as long as no birds poop on you - many of the tables are under trees).
Pepe's steak sandwich ($12.95) - 3.5 stars. Supposedly one of their signature items - a bun came loaded with juicy-looking chucks of sirloin with onions and green peppers. Unfortunately there wasn't much taste to the meat so had to add lots of pepper and ketchup. Rahter disappointing. Also their homemade potatoes were supposedly great but disappointed due to lack of flavor. Thank god for the invention of ketchup.
Blackened grouper sandwich ($11.50) - 2.5 stars - can you say "Where's the fish?". On the sandwich bun came a couple of wimpy little pieces of grouper and they were DROWNED in some type of thousand island/russian sauce. The fish was not blackened at all and I wish they didn't drown it with so much sauce. The fish was very fresh though... if you carved away the mound of sauce. After eating this puny amount of fish, I left still hungry and eyed the B.O.'s Fish Wagon across the street.
Service was nice and pretty responsive but felt that the young guy who waited on us should go into selling cars since he was so great at making average food sound so wonderful.
Bottom line: Great outdoor breakfast/lunch atmosphere and history but the food is overrated. And stay away from the bathrooms - pretty nasty.
People thought this was:
Pretty good food.
.
Went there for lunch one day and for Thanksgiving Dinner during our stay in November 08.
Had the baked oysters and they were amazing. Thanksgiving dinner required about a 2 hour wait. It was basically home style food and nothing elaborate but boy it was good. We sat at the bar the whole wait and watched most of the Cowboys/Patriots playoff game. Bar was very busy but service was tight. Got quite saucy by dinner so our meal was just what the Doctor ordered...
If you are in town, it is worth a visit. If you are a fan of BIG Box chains and stores, you probably won't think much of the joint. But if you prefer small homegrown places, then this is a gem among many. Expect regular food without all the flair like you'd find at Cheesecake Factory. Eating in the indoor/outdoor bar/dining area was great and for your belly and history's sake you should check it out.
Breakfast and dessert are absolute perfection. I can't speak to the lunch/dinner offerings because with the omelettes, pancakes, key lime pie, rum cake, and coconut cake, who has room for anything else?
Make sure to come by on Mondays and Fridays at 4 for the Oyster Races. Don't ask, you just have to find out for yourself!
This place has great simple food. And a great atmosphere. On a recent visit, we had delicious fish with mounds of nice veggies and crab claws.
It was absolutely perfect. Not to much food and we felt healthy when we left.
Homemade dessert?
I'll wait for a table.
Delicioso, Pepe!
Gracias. x2.
My wife gave me a funny look as we approached this restaurant. "Are you sure you want to eat here?", she said. Yes, from the outside it looks like a dump but it's Key West. Only in Key West can one get away with this ambience.
We were greeted immediately by a very excited waiter that seated us. He made great recommendations on what to try. The grouper sandwich and pink shrimp wrap were delicious. We didn't encounter any roosters running around but there were some small birds flying about. This didn't bother us at all but thought I'd mention it. I would love to go back someday and next time I'll have to try their key lime pie.
one badazz hangover friday morning from a crazy night in key west
+
one thanksgiving sandwich and 2 glasses freshly squeezed oj mimosas
= heaven and my new favorite hangover cure (sorry chipotle!)
Breakfast - Asparagus, spinach, jack cheese, and pastrami omelet and friend had basic 2 egg and bacon breakfast BUT the side of fried mash potato thingee was delish.
Wait staff was good the time we ate there, but a couple days before I walked in to see if they had a to go menu and at that time they were alright, I guess.
Food was fresh and tasty, the atmosphere was laid back and 100% key west style.
People thought this was:
Although they don't have the unique variety of foods that Blue Heaven has, Pepe's has been a tradition in Key West since 1918. Have one meal here and you can completely understand why. Everything you order is made quickly and accurately, and to a high standard. It's tiny, so you may have a long wait but the wait is worth it. You definitely have to try Pepe's before you leave Key West.
had fun a couple nights here. just hung out and drank dollar beers. nice bartender - remembered our drinks a week after we were first in there. had some of the food - appetizers - they we're just ok. great outdoor, but roofed, bar area.
Ate here for dinner tonight. My wife had a burger, I had the fish of the day, Mahi-mahi. The burger was good, so was the fish. The servings of sides is very generous as are the portions of the entrees. I rated this restaurant a 3 as the food is good but not outstanding. The ambiance is one of the bigger draws, as is the history of the restaurant. The service, has been and is still outstanding. While we enjoyed our meal, we did note that it seems like their prices have gone up. Entrees will run about $25 but everything in Key West is similarly priced. The breakfast menu still looks reasonable, so I will probably try it too.
Pork Chops Smothered Steak - Yum Yum
Haven't had their breakfast, hotel offers free breakfast, and I am not a breakfast before noon type so, unless I'm there with folks who eat breakfast before lunch time, I'll never know.
Yes, it doesn't look more than a hole in the wall, and the wait staff and owner do behave like we are intruding on a family dinner.
Breakfast here is heavenly... Papaya Bread was Fantastic...
i loved everything about this hole-in-the-wall joint.
It's great...and fits right into the Key West scene :)
Laid back...and down right good FOOD!
It's been forever since I've gone back to Key West..but if I visit again, Pepe's will be on my list of places to go.
One of my Top 3 breakfast/brunch places in all of the U.S!
People thought this was:
Good breakfast place.
People thought this was:
Fresh Sqeezed juice makes an afternoon greyhound or morning mimosa sOOOOOoooooo refreshing. I love their breakfast BLT all day long.
Classic old school florida hang out.
pssst - every Thursday is "Thanksgiving"
People thought this was:
Waited an hour to sit on an 'off season' day with lots of open tables. Missed breakfast and found the lunch to be short of impressive. Butter. Cheese. More butter. The killer Bloody Mary they served me is the only thing carrying the second star here.
A MUST GO TO PLACE!! My boyfriends colleague told him about this place when he was working in Florida last year.. Just so happened that we went to Key West for a little Thanksgiving Vacation. We decided to go to Pepe's to Thx Giving Dinner and it was better than most of the home cooked meals that I have had!!!! Apparently they have Thx Giving Dinner once a week every week so if you are in Key West and you want a good Turkey meal a super must try...The place is over a 100 years old....
I had heard about Pepe's for a long time but never stopped in. Well, I finally tried it, I understand what all the fuss is about. This place is great. The Coconut Bread is addictive good thing the recipe is on their website I have made it many times at home.
Down by the marina, Pepe's is the must visit place for breakfast, including the almost obligatory (and superb) mimosa or bloody mary. It's authentic Key West. I've been back for more (many times).
Key West, FL
Key West, FL
Category: Specialty Food
Key West, FL
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Key West, FL
Category: Museums
Key West, FL
Category: Bakeries
Places I've enjoyed down in the Florida Keys.…
