Been coming when I'm in KW for close to 40 years. If you want a special occasion meal maybe try Antonia's or Louis'. If you want a solid weekday meal, come here. My Seafood Trio of Yellowtail, shrimp and scallops was hot and tasty, as were the mashed, with a picherette of gravy. The 4-6 happy hour features $6 Margaritas and half priced oysters. The ambiance is old KW (never mind the roosters). The service is welcoming and attentive. As I told my bartender Ron, I never miss coming here whenever I'm in KW. read more

Food Quality & Freshness 5/5 Location 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 2/5 Pepe has great oyster HH and Their peel n eat shrimps were my favorites. The oysters were fresh and refreshing at $1.75 or less during HH was a big win. Beer was cold and strong. Key west lager was what I ordered. This is a hole in the wall in the middle of old town so expect sticky old tables and chairs, and floors. Super friendly staff and the service was great! read more

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Simply the best oyster happy hour in KW. Half off / BOGO from 4-6 every day. All the days. Even the weekend ones. And staff is always friendly, fast and helpful. They actually act like they're seriously happy to see you. Also had the spiciest margaritas of our lives. But they were delicious. If you don't stop here...you've missed a quintessential part of KW read more

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We came here after a sunset cruise and were met with a host saying the bar was closed- before 9pm?? They said we could get drinks with dinner so we ordered against better judgment. I had the shrimp meal with garlic caper butter that was yummy. The broccoli was ok - the asparagus didn't look fresh. My husband got peel and eat shrimp that were just ok. We were just generally off put. Would not recommend for dinner read more

We went in for Happy Hour. Half shell oysters . They were fresh and delicious. The margaritas were also tasty on a hot and muggy afternoon. Service was efficient and the gentleman seating you was fun and entertaining. read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Raw Gulf Oysters - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

One of the top ten meals of my life. Both preparations (blackened and Pepe's style) of the fish entree were delicious. Portion sizes were generous. Corn bread came complimentary and you get a free dessert if it's your birthday (they didn't check ID to confirm in our case though it actually was true). The host at the door was Cuban as was some of the other staff and he was so incredible and friendly with local recs. Key lime martini was also delicious. Aesthetic was casual Key West but the food was plated and prepared like like a more upscale place. I'd call Pepe's a must go. read more

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There is a reason this is one of the oldest places in Key West that is running like it's still 1909... the food and the people. Drinks were on point. Meals cooked to perfection. We loved the staff and the historic atmosphere. I wouldn't change a thing either. Don't forget to try the Pepe's hot sauces!!! We like to mix and match them to create our own flavors but they are great on their own or mixed in ketchup. read more

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Based solely off of the key lime pies. This one tastes heavily of cheesecake. I prefer more tart key lime flavor overall. Still very interesting to visit this Cafe where Hemingway was known to visit! Great location and friendly service read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Key lime pie - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

Updating my 3- star review from a year ago. I finally went back to Pepe's for dinner, to give it a try for the third time. For history my first visit here 4 years ago was incredible and 5- stars. Last year I had 3-star experience. This week, I had another great experience so I'm averaging the total to 4 stars, final answer! So happy that Pepe's redeemed itself :) Amazing black & blue ribeye. My husband ordered this on his first visit and absolutely loved it, so that steak is consistently delicious. I thought his medium rare was overcooked, but he still enjoyed it. My dad's surf and turf, lobster tail and blackened rare filet mignon was absolutely delicious, and cooked perfectly rare. My special seafood trio with creamy caper sauce was also sooo delicious. Snapper, scallops, and 3 shrimp. So in summary, order steak!! Steak has been consistently good. The seafood and pasta is hit or miss when averaging my last two visits. Thanks Pepe's! Our faith is restored :) read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Seafood trio special & black blue ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

It's a Key West tradition. The food is old school and very good. In particular, they have the best Key Lime Pie ever. Them seem to be a bit understaffed, and it's a very popular place, so things go a bit slow. Eating at the bar is a great way to avoid waiting on a table. Everything is delicious and the staff are great. You need to pay for parking, either on street or in the lot. read more

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Another trip to Key West means a mandatory stop to eat at Pepe's! We just love the rustic feel here that simply makes you take a deep breath and relax. Our service was fast and the food was super. My husband enjoyed the happy hour oysters, roasted and raw. We had the vegetarian plate as well which is a great option if you aren't so hungry. As a side note, you can also just order a bake ld potato which is amazingly good. They season the skin and wow, it is yummy! read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Oysters on Happy Hour, raw and roasted - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

Delicious food in a quaint setting. This restaurant has been here since 1909 and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We visited for dinner. The oysters, salads, and fish were wonderful! Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The tables and floors are a bit sticky, so be aware. Remember, it's a very old restaurant... The servers are efficient, but not very friendly. Don't come here expecting great service. But, the food makes Pepe's worth visiting. read more

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OMG! The best of the best oysters in the Keys! We got the same bartender 2 years in a row and she knows exactly what we like... 1/2 shells and a steamed platter mixed. You have to get the jalapeño margarita!! it's fire! DELICIOUS!! Can't wait to see her again. See you soon! read more

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In the low season, a table for two is usually available immediately or with a very short wait, even for patio seating. The ambiance is a bit rustic, but in a very good and quaint way. Good beer and drink selections- basically something for everyone and anyone. They have a great breakfast and an equally great lunch/dinner menu. The prices are very reasonable considering the portion sizes, a rarity these days in KW. We enjoyed top-notch and friendly service without it being hurried or intrusive. I strongly suggest that you give them a try!!! We hope that time will permit us to visit again this trip. read more

Rustic ambiance. No nonsense service. Very good snapper tacos with all the toppings from the "Specials". Sit inside or out. read more

This place has a great Happy Hour between 4-6 daily, with 1/2 price raw oysters and good drink prices. There's seating inside and out, but being it was so hot today, the dark-lit inside was packed. The walls are covered with historic photos of the area, and it has a dive-bar feel. We got a couple dozen raw oysters, some baked oysters Florentine and some mussels. The raw oysters were tasty, but tiny. My friend didn't think they were worth the 80 cents apiece we paid for them. I liked the cocktail sauce, plus the generous serving of horseradish they provided, but it was not enough as it was served in a small oyster shell. The baked oysters were heavy, with too much cheese on them. I started to eat the oysters without the spinach and cheese topping as it totally masked the taste of the oyster. I was not a fan of the mussels either. Four were unopened and not edible, and I was fine with them not being replaced. The white butter wine sauce affected both our stomachs in a negative way, which put off our dinner plans for later. I was not a fan and would not order that again. We have 5 days here, and though it's a good deal, I can say we won't be returning. read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Raw oysters - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

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I had walked by this spot and needed to check it out. I stopped in for desperately needed coffee and breakfast. It's a super convenient easy spot. The decor is kitchy and homie. The staff was incredibly nice and very attentive. You can tell a lot of regulars spend time here. I had the eggs Benedict which honestly was not my favorite. The eggs were overcooked and hard, the hollandaise tasted a little strange and there wasn't very much of it. Perhaps it was an off day, or I didn't choose well from the menu. The staff and ambience makes me want to come back and try some other things. I was looking forward to a great mail, particularly based on all the other positive reviews which makes me think it was just an off day. Happens to everyone. read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Came in at 11:50am on March 29, 2026. Exceptional food but a very aggressive and unnecessarily assertive heavyset Hispanic woman was working as hostess. She was speaking with another couple who were in line when we walked up. As we arrived, she pointed at us and blurted "breakfast or lunch???" Caught a little off guard (does it matter? Just give me a menu), I said "brunch." She said again "no, no, breakfast or lunch??" Fine, breakfast. She turned without another word and walked to a table. Unsure if we were supposed to follow her, we stood there until she turned and said "here, right here!" The couple next to us that had been there first said "WE'RE here for breakfast!" I don't know if it's a cultural thing but that won should not be a hostess - or even work in the service industry. Great food though. read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

This is an amazing place with so much history. Per the locals this has been here since the early 1900s. If you are looking for good food and locals recommendations this is the place to go. Service was fast and friendly o and i must inform you that this is a dog / pet friendly environment. The food was great something they have specials like a fresh catch that they will mention prior to ordering so if you thought you were going to get something on the menu you might change your mind for the fresh catch or at least I did. I can't remember what i had the exact name of it slips my mind but i definitely had a great fish sandwich. read more

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I don't usually write reviews, but I had such a great experience with your staff and wanted to share! I sat at the bar, and your bar tender. Kara or Cara? Was so kind to me. She is funny and has lots of regulars but made me feel right at home as a newbie. In fact, I came back three more times on my vacation thanks to her! Yes the mojitos are awesome but the hospitality is second to none. See you again soon, Pepe's! read more

Really fast and attentive service from Christine N, and food was super fresh with good sized portions. Really excellent that they give a military/veteran discount as well. read more

We spent the week in Key West with friends and decided to try this for breakfast. What a great choice. The place is really cool, the service was great, the food delicious! They fed 6 of us, everyone was really happy with their choices. Next time I'm back to KW (there will be a next time!) I will definitely eat here again! read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Daily breakfast special; pecan and cream French toast. - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Can you say local hang out and fresh oysters?!? This is a great spot if you are looking for super low-key and out of the rat race Duval St. place to dine. We enjoyed oysters that were .88 cents and 1.50 beer during happy hour, among other items that were all good. We'll be back. read more

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Stopped for a late lunch at 2:30pm. Lots of empty tables. The table was sticky and slanted but the waitress really wanted us to sit there. My wife wanted to order baked oysters. They came in 3 flavors. You could get 2 of each or all 6 the same. One flavor was too spicy so we asked for 3 and 3. The waitress refused and we left. read more

The steak melts in ur mouth/all the sides were amazing & prepared perfectly/ The atmosphere inside the restaurant is cozy and welcoming with wooden benches and creaky wooden floors We were served immediately, and all of the servers were on point read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Smiling bcuz my meal was perfect - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

Pepe's Café in Key West is the kind of joint that laughs in the face of Yelp trends and cocktail menus with smoke machines. Founded in 1909, it's the oldest restaurant in town, and it wears its history like a badge of honor--or maybe like a tattoo you got in your twenties and never regretted. This is a place that has survived hurricanes, changing mayors, and enough Parrotheads to fill a Jimmy Buffett convention. Walk inside and you know immediately: this isn't tourist Key West. This is local Key West. Mismatched chairs, bartenders who've seen it all, and regulars who look like they might have once arm-wrestled Hemingway for the last mojito. The food? Those stuffed oysters should come with a warning label. They're addictive--one plate turns into two, and by the third you're bargaining with yourself about cholesterol levels and whether living forever is really worth it. The rest of the menu follows suit: hearty, unfussy, and honest. No gimmicks, just flavor that sticks with you like a sunburn after a Duval Street crawl. Service is laid-back in the way only Key West can pull off--nobody's rushing, but somehow your plate still shows up exactly when you want it. Order a drink, let the world slow down, and remember that this is the southernmost point of America, where schedules go to die. Why four stars instead of five? Because perfection would ruin the charm. Pepe's isn't about polish--it's about character. And character it has in spades. Come for the oysters, stay because Pepe's has been feeding Key West's soul for over a century--and still does it better than anyone else. read more

First visit and we had a fantastic time! The food was delicious and clearly made fresh. The seafood soup was the standout dish. Our only gripe was the lack of adequate air conditioning -- they have a unit, but it simply wasn't enough to cool the space. That said, we'll definitely be coming back. read more

One of Key West's oldest eating spots and I've loved it since 1991-it's pretty consistent. The ambience is charming and unique but it's not a big place so you may have to wait for a table. The service is efficient but friendly, making you feel welcome and at home. My favorite meal there is breakfast, but if you're a Thanksgiving fan, go any Thursday of the year for a full turkey dinner. Notably, they have the best Margaritas in town. Many others try but none measure up! read more

The bartenders make this place feel super friendly -- Cara was fantastic! The hostess seemed like she was having a tough evening... a little more positivity at the door would go a long way! read more

AMAZING!!!! Amazing food, service.. just amazing. Sorry did not get pictures. We went on Thanksgiving. And I elected to have the Thanksgiving Dinner special, I loved it. I mean homemade mashed, gravy, crisp green beans, corn bread, stuffing! Oh myyyyy. Honey, had peel and eat shrimp that were so large and fresh, and the bone in ribeye steak you could literally cut with a fork and it melted in your mouth. Top notch!!!!! Sad I forgot pictures. But definitely don't miss this spot! read more

Favorite restaurant in the Keys. The most authentic Floridian ambiance and experience. On our trip we visited for both breakfast and dinner because it was just that awesome. There is so much history in the walls of this establishment and the dishes never lack in quality and flavor. We went a bit earlier in the evening to heat dinner crowds and then visited the next morning during peak breakfast hours- service did not disappoint no matter the time or type of environment. read more

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We waited 45 minutes post our reservation for 2. The host laughed when someone said they had a reservation. He said " everyone has a reservation ". We ordered the baked oysters. They came out heavily cheesed and not warm anymore. The flavor was good but hot food is better. The main course was excellent. A trio of Mahi shrimp and scallops. My giant baked potato was thoroughly cooked and we did get the cornbread that they said they would bring us at dessert time and the waiter was angry that we still wanted it. It seems that this place has been so famous for so long that they just don't care much anymore. I watched the host clean the table next to ours with a wet rag and the water spillage from the 6 children's waters at the table next to ours. That was unacceptable but hey just don't eat anything that falls off your plate. read more

Amazing service, great prices!! the food was delicious! The staff top-notch five stars customer service. Shout out to Olga she rocks !! read more

Where else can you get a Thanksgiving dinner in July? Only available on Thursdays but well worth it. Good deal on the oysters and shrimp. Christine B was very attentive. Cozy,rustic Old Town amazing it's been here 117 years. read more

Came here on the recommendation of someone we were traveling with and boy, was it a let down. From the rude waiter to the incredibly slow service to the condition of the kitchen and then complete let down of the food (shrimp so dry I had to smother them in butter and sauce to get them down my throat)- just not worth the time, effort or money when there are a dozen other places that are easily accessible and much better on any one of these fronts- just don't waste your valuable time on this place during your vacation when your time is so limited and you want memories that you actually want to keep. read more

First of all, love the ambience and the smoked fish dip. Superb! However, when we ordered our mahi-mahi sandwiches, the buns they came out on, were rather soft and broke down at about the halfway point so you had to eat the sandwich with a fork. Really needs a stronger bun because I hate when my sandwich falls apart like that and I was being very very careful with it or so I thought. I also just ordered the sandwich grilled and it was fresh but kind of tasteless, possibly the chef forgot to put the spice on it. I don't know. I just remember them being tastier last trip. I guess I should've ordered it blackened. The coleslaw was as good as usual. read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Grilled mahi mahi and coleslaw - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Dropping 3 stars. Saw another review that said fantastic breakfast steak...not the case. It's a cut of meat cooked on the flat top. No seasoning. Disappointing but the bar tender was very nice along with the staff. Typical vibe inside for key west. read more

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One of the best places to eat in KW, but this is limited to only my, over 50 visits. LOL. Do not miss Pepe's.

Classic Key West Cafe! While you may come across dozens of breakfast spots in Old Town, Pepe's, the oldest restaurant in the Keys is a must visit. Casual outdoor seating makes Pepe's a fine place to relax. Serving a myriad of breakfast plates, this rustic restaurant has it all! Friendly service and delicious food made to order!! The homemade apple bread was on the specials menu, it's a must! You can ordered in in lieu of bread for breakfast items on the menu! I ordered the Pepe Steak Omelette with a side of the apple bread. One word: delicious!! My drink for the mourning was a Bloody Mary topped with asparagus tips and string beans! It was fabulous!! Pepe's is a must visit while in Key West! read more

Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse - Portion of lunch mrnu - Steakhouses Near Me - Key West, Florida

I really, really wanted to love this place based on all the recommendations from fellow Key Westers, but we just couldn't find anything remarkable except for the atmosphere. It's definitely a Key West vibe right down to the uneven brick flooring, but on the day we visited there was little else that stood out to us during our dinner experience. The service was slow and not very engaging, and the food made no lasting impression (good or bad). read more