Good food, nice staff, nice decor, good for groups, upscale pricing We planned a gathering of friends from all over the area. Tío Pepe came to mind as an old-school favorite, and it drew in some folks we havent seen in a while for a chance to get haircuts and dress up a little for a memorable dinner. Reastaurante Tío Pepe is a nicely decorated taste of old Spain and Europe, a little north of downtown Baltimore. Look for the deep red awning over the descending stairs. There's an ample garage across the street. Around 6:30pm on a Saturday, we entered a lush hall and a dark comfortable bar area, with a coatcheck room just to the right. We arrived a little earlier than our group, so we found seats at the smallish full-bar with the imperial-red or ruby-red granite top. We had a great old $15 Catalonian Yzaguirre sweet red dulce vermouth rojo, caringly flavored since 1884 with distinct yet mild herbs reminiscent of the way the beverage is custom-infused in the old small bars across Spain. It was slighlty-sweet and richly complex. Quite refreshing, and they have even nicer vermouths on the menu, too. And we had an $10 rich amber dry white sherry, possibly a Gozales Byass which we noticed mentioned on wall décor, milder than the vermouth yet also fully flavored. We liked the authentic ambiance of white-painted stone walls and well-chosen items of décor from Spain. Our group of 20-or-so was split into two tables. And the eleven at our table also went through three $32 pitchers of tasty sweet sangria! So it was a lovely evening :-) Waiters in bright red jackets were very attentive. The food we chose from Pepe's extensive menu was good. We got $14.50 garlic caracoles, snails in butter, to pass around as an appetizer. A fun gently-flavored rather-chewy treat for the adventurous! Well, "caracoles". We had $10 Crema Escarial, a flavorful bisque with seafood and Brandy de Jerez. It had only the tiniest brunoise-size chunks of seafood in it, though, or whatever the Spain equivalent of "brunoise" is. We had a $13 Sopa de Pescado y Mariscos, a soup loaded with shrimp, mussels, clams, fish and lobster chunks, plus rice and some veggies. This was a much heartier choice. We had $17 Ostras Gratinadas, an oysters-Rockefeller of five large oysters loaded with spinach and cheese. They were very tasty and satisfying. We had a well-made $10 salad that included artichokes, beets, watercress and a sweet vinaigrette.  Many of us had different fish dishes, most around $36. They were fresh and tasty in a variety of flavorful sauces. The $36 sole, Filets de Linguado Alcázar, was perfect, with hollandaise made with bananas! That was a real treat! Ask your servers about off-menu apps and mains, too. We ordered fun twice-fried "puffed" potato wedges for everyone, hot, light, and just a little salty. We shared $14 Tortilla Sorpresa Fantasia Española, a baked Alaska, prepared table-side by red-jacketed staff. An exciting delicious spectacle! And a number of us split huge tasty $12 Brazo de Gitano a los Piñones, lush pine-nut whipped cream rolls.  A few weaker points: it was a busy night for the restaurant, and staff seemed a bit behind the curve. Food took a very long time to come out, around 3 hours from start to finish, and some of us had entrees half-eaten while others were still waiting. Several of us said their rice was only lukewarm. A couple of folks were unimpressed by the tenderness of their fish. For two of us, the total at dinnertime was $135 before the tip, and we had really modest dishes plus we paid for one of the pitchers of sangria. I imagine others were over $175 per person. The restaurant at large seemed happy, and we liked our food and drink. But for me, i expect everything to be quite delightful at those prices. I admit, most of the time we have previously come here over lunch, which has lower prices. It was fun evening, and our group seemed very happy, with several toasts and homages to our family of friends, and the hospitality of Tio Pepe :-) read more

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Absolutely incredible restaurant. Our Go-To for birthdays, anniversaries, special anything. Atmosphere, staff and food have been putting a smile on my face since almost as long as it has been open. Will be celebrating my birthday there on Saturday. Can't wait for that first escargot to hit my tongue. My belly then knows it's in for a feast. read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Celebrate good times!! - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Food was great. I had the Chilean sea bass & and Pine nut cake. Really enjoyed the Spanish atmosphere!

The staff is always friendly at Tio Pepe. We were early so we sat at the bar and spoke to the hostess. She had an interesting background so we spoke to her for a bit while we drank white sangria which was delicious. This visit I ordered the sole and was very interesting. They marinated the sole with bananas so it had a sweet taste. The sole was a large portion so I didn't think I would be able to finish. My partner ordered the gazpacho and garlic shrimp which was delicious as well. My favorite part of the meal was dessert and ordered the pine nut cake. The serving was generous and is enough for two people. This visit was a special occasion. My partner's parent's 63rd wedding anniversary. Our waiter gave them chocolate cake with a candle for them to blow out, which was a nice touch to the occasion. The food is consistently great at Tio Pepe's. Definitely check them out if you haven't. read more

Came here yesterday with my lady. I was very impressed by the service. I didn't care for the VO chopped too much but they were pretty good. I didn't like the wild rice, but I'm gonna chop that up to my very picky taste buds. The ambience was the best and the service was the best And the food was a four but that's only because I think it was the rice in my taste buds, other than that five out of five. read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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We came to this Baltimore staple for a holiday dinner. It's been on our list for a long time but as a vegetarian, there aren't too many options for me here! The best part of our dinner was definitely the sangria! The fruit in it was so delicious to munch on too! I also ordered a Carajillo for a little energy, though I don't think they use Licor 43. The potato Spanish omelet was very yummy. The black bean soup was my absolute fave, esp with the rice and onions for some crunch. I could've licked the bowl clean. The filet my bf got was excellent. The rockfish others got was apparently divine. My plate of veggies was alright- I only ate the mushrooms, white asparagus, and artichokes. The rest of the veggies like spinach and peas didn't have much flavor. The creme brûlée was perfectly sweet and creamy with a nice crunch from the caramelized sugar top. The chocolate cake roll was decent as well. The service was great by the waiters! But there was a female hostess that rubbed me the wrong way in the end when i was bundling up to walk 10 mins in the snowy evening. She tried to insult me by saying it wasn't that cold outside, which was an unnecessary comment especially when the temps were below freezing! But besides that, the rest of the service was quite good. read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Sangria pitcher - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I'm not sure who the people are giving glowing reviews but the food was down right terrible. Tio Pepe's is an iconic restaurant for Baltimore so I was excited to try it for the first time. I was totally disappointed. Every single dish lacked flavor or it was over cooked. We were not impressed. The Oysters Rockefeller although it was visually stunning, the texture was off and the dish was flavorless. We also ordered the paella....both the chicken & the seafood was overcooked & the rice was bland & watery. We enjoyed the wine, fresh bread & the service. The food however gets a 0/10 read more

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A recent visit to this amazing restaurant brought back so many memories. I probably had not eaten here in 20 years. Came here for a celebration with some family friends and had a delightful evening. The white sangria is as lovely as it always has been. Our service was impeccable as they had multiple wait staff assisting our large party of 29 people. For an appetizer I started with the shrimp in garlic which is always been one of my favorites. The delicious shrimp in a very flavorful sauce which made dipping the bread even better. For dinner it was a decision between the sole with bananas or the three jumbo soft shell crabs. The soft shell crabs were on their specialty menu and I opted to have that for dinner. Prices have certainly gone up at this restaurant but probably not different anywhere else considering it had been a number of years since I last went there. Everyone's dinner came out as expected and look delicious. My mouth was watering for some pine nut roll for dessert and those slightly disappointed as the hosts ordered a Baked Alaska for us to have for dessert as a group. The dessert was delicious and I hadn't had Baked Alaska prepared in that manner in a long time so it was very good. It just means I'll have to go back so I can have some pine nut roll in the restaurant and also bring some home. Tio Pepe is still one of those restaurants that you go to and still expect food that you had 50 years ago. The wait staff is the same, the lady in the coat room is the same who has been there for years, the chefs are somewhat the same and the restaurant itself has not changed significantly probably since it opened. I can't recommend this place enough. I highly recommend to visit here and I'm looking forward to my next visit hopefully much sooner than 20 years. read more

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I would like to make it clear this review does not come from a rude or hateful perspective. I am a diner of 20+ years and have eaten at restaurants at each price range. I also have a degree in the fine culinary arts, in which I specialized in seafood preparation. This is easily the worst restaurant I have ever been to and it was an absolutely terrible dining experience. Tonight I went to Restaurante Tio Pepe, which I had chosen to celebrate Valentine's Day with my fiancée. We ordered the escargot and artichoke, each was fine. Nothing special. The problem was when our entrees arrived, I had ordered the Buttered Langostinos-- which when served to me, they were simply shrimp. Langostino is a specific breed of prawn which have much larger tails and resemble a lobster-- I suggest you google and compare the two. Besides the fact that it was falsely advertised, it was disgusting. It was bland, tasted of rotting seafood, and made me want to throw up. I wish I took a photo because it looked like cafeteria food. My fiancée ordered the duck, which smelled rancid, was exceedingly dry. It also made his stomach ache and nausea form through the night. When I addressed this with the floor manager-- he laughed at me and my fiancée, and tried to say "all langostino in Spain are shrimp" which is simply untrue. I continued to stand up for myself, and he didn't listen to a word I said. He did offer a different meal, but my partner and I were so disgusted and disappointed in our experience that we just wanted to go home. He did not charge for our entrees as we didn't eat them, which I do appreciate. The waiter was kind, and said he would communicate with the kitchen. I ended up crying at the table because I was really sad and disappointed in my experience. As a chef myself, this was disappointing and disgraceful. People work hard to earn money, and the food wasn't worth my hard earned money. Restaurants have a responsibility to cook good food, and when the customer has an issue you should address it more appropriately. I wouldn't reccomend anyone to dine here. I thought it was a Baltimore legend, but it was a sham. read more

For the first night of winter restaurant week I had a girls night dinner at Tio Pepe. The restaurant was extremely busy but that didn't stop the service from being friendly and efficient and the food was delicious. We all started with a lemon drop martini then 2 of us had cosmopolitans and one of us had an espresso martini. For appetizers 2 of us had the garlic shrimp and 1 of us had the salad. For entrees 2 of us has the shrimp and scallops in champagne sauce with green beans and rice and 1 of us has the filet mignon with a baked tomato and green beans. All of us enjoyed the creme brûlée for our dessert. 10/10! read more

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The food was top notch The service can not be beat and the ambiance is just wonderful. We got the white fish with bananas, soft shell crab and salmon. It was absolutely the best. read more

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Tio Pepe's is and always has been the single best dining experience in Baltimore. Chef Emilio took the time to meet me in the afternoon and cook a birthday dinner for me. What else can you say? Truly an institution ! read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I've always heard of this restaurant and finally gave it a try. The sangria was great. Everything else was just okay. The service was just okay and if anything a bit slow. We tried various items from the menu and nothing really stood out to me. I'd come back just to have some sangria. read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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We had an amazing family dinner at Tio Pepe's with a group of about 10. The experience was perfect for a large gathering, especially since we were seated in one of the private cove areas. We enjoyed both red and white sangria, a fresh salad, and an incredible paella with both seafood and meat options. The almond brazo de gitano, their famous dessert, was a highlight, and we wrapped up the night with delicious Spanish coffee. As someone whose family has roots in Spain, my mom said the paella was very authentic and flavorful. The service was exceptional; the staff took great care of us throughout the evening. I absolutely loved the almond cake--so delicious I couldn't get enough! I highly recommend Tio Pepe's and can't wait to return with my group. read more

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It's time for a refresh at Tio Pepe. I think they have been resting on their laurels for too long. Change the carpet, fix the musty smell, maybe give a quick overhaul of the menu to make sure everything works. The sangria is great as always. The salad was lovely, very lightly dressed which I liked. The gazpacho was fine. The oysters were a failed dish (both our table and a neighboring table did not like the oysters.) We enjoyed the beef tournados, which we shared, and it was more than enough for both of us. The rice was just a little strange. My friend's halibut was dry and overcooked and the other beef dish was not enjoyable (my friend said the wild rice had a very odd flavor). We got the pine nut roll and the chocolate roll. The pine nut was not as good as it has been in the past. We love going to Tio Pepe but we feel it needs to be a bit overhauled to bring it back to its glory. read more

We had a dinner reservation, and were seated within just a few minutes. Our waiter, Claudio, arrived shorter thereafter, and we ordered a pitcher of sangria. He brought that back fairly quickly. One of the runners brought us a basket of cold bread and cold butter, which made it difficult to spread, so we each only had a slice of bread. We started with the artichokes with hollandaise sauce as our appetizer. When they arrived, my wife commented that they looked like Brussels sprouts coated in cheese. The artichokes themselves were small, somewhat cold & wet, and the hollandaise sauce was pretty bland. It wasn't bad, but we definitely wouldn't order it again. We both ordered specials - the Chilean sea bass with black butter and capers for my wife, and the rockfish with jumbo lump crab meat and champagne sauce for me. The Chilean sea bass had crispy edges, a medium-firm texture, and a clean flavor. The black butter was reminiscent of a Marsala sauce, and the capers added a nice, bright punch of flavor. My rockfish was absolutely loaded with lump crab meat, and the champagne sauce had an oddly cheesy, but really pleasant, flavor. The fish portions were rather large, so we took quite a bit of it home. We enjoyed both of these entrees. Both of our entrees were accompanied by green beans and saffron rice. The beans could've used a bit more cooking, and the rice could've used some more flavor. We had to flag one of the managers down to order dessert. Other than a quick 10-second stop to check on our meals, which we were already halfway through, Claudio hadn't stopped at our table for nearly 40 minutes. We ordered the baked Alaska, which had a nice serving presentation with flaming brandy. They were a bit too liberal with the brandy though, because what little cake there was was soaked in it, and it wasn't a pleasant flavor. Most of the dessert was just Neapolitan ice cream covered with just a little bit of whipped & toasted meringue covering it. We'd definitely skip it next time. When we were finally able to get Claudio's attention again for the bill, we had to wait another 15 minutes for him to come back with it. Overall, we both enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere. We were disappointed that we spent nearly an extra hour waiting for Claudio though. read more

This is my second time coming to Tio Pepe, and both times was because I had a gift certificate to use. I have heard great things, but I don't think I would return without the gift certificate. The red sangria pitcher is solid but strong for sure. It's worth it but not very sweet. We ordered the warm artichoke, gambas ajillo (shrimp), and oyster special for appetizers. The artichoke didn't look appetizing and was very bland. The shrimp was good but nothing special. The oysters didn't taste fresh and had a fishy taste - it was honestly disappointing because Baltimore otherwise has amazing seafood. For entrees, we got the seafood paella, Chilean sea bass special, and pollo a la riojana. The seafood paella was honestly awful. Not flavorful at all, the seafood was dry and had a fishy smell. The sea bass and chicken dishes were fine but nothing special - also very bland. For dessert we got the flan and the creme brulee. Creme brulee was tasty but the texture was too dense. The flan was too firm as well. We tried this espresso flambé drink that was cool to watch them make and a little sweet, but very strong. Service was absolutely awful and inattentive today. We spent over 2 hours dining (group of 5 of us) and it took forever for them to take the order and bring out our food. The waitstaff didn't look happy to be there and were not very nice. The ambiance is nice and interesting, as it feels like you are in a wine cellar or something. Overall, I think this restaurant maybe used to be better, but it's not worth it anymore. I have eaten at better Spanish and seafood restaurants in the Baltimore area. You know you didn't enjoy the food when you don't were want to take home the appetizers. read more

OMG what has happened to this Iconic Baltimore Top restaurant! I remember how famous it was throughout college and while working at the hospital. I was lucky enough to have eaten there when our lab would treat us to lunch there. The food was exceptional and service was second to none. Over the years I remember when you could only make reservations as much as a month in advance. Last 2 school years, my daughter's Spanish class had their class field trip at Tio Pepe's and I chaperoned. Last year the food was okay, nothing spectacular. The paella was just okay. I've had better paella at other places. The Flan was Meh, and the salad was just salad soaked in plain vinegar with no flavor. This year it was just horrible. The shrimp, mussels and clams were way over cooked and dried up. The chicken cubes were like chicken jerky cubes. If I wanted to eat Jerky, I would have just gone to Cabela's and bought a bag of Jerky and it would have tasted better. I am no Chef, but, I suspect that the used leftover seafood and chicken from previous days, dried up in the refrigerator, added new yellow rice and served it. The rice was moist and fresh, so there's no way the seafood and chicken were over cooked and dried up if they were cooked at the same time as the rice. The servers were obviously not happy. Probably because they are usually not open for lunch? And we're asked to come into work to serve kids. One of the kids who dressed up in a suit for this field trip enthusiastically asked one of the veteran servers as he walked by - " excuse me sir, how many Michelin Star is this restaurant? The server turn his head angrily to the kid and snapped - "be patient, you wait your turn!!!" I was sitting diagonally at the same table and I could not believe what just happened. I wanted to get up and say something but I decided not to cause a scene because the teacher worked so hard to put this fies trip together for the kids. Needless to say, I will suggest to the teacher to find another Spanish restaurant for next year! The ambience - the restaurant smells like mold. I guess it has been there for so many decades, it definitely needs a good cleaning or even a remodel. Imagine going out, dressed up to a gourmet dinner and enjoying the smell of mold while you eat? Goodbye, Tio Pepe, it's been nice knowing you over the years but it is obvious that it's time to go! read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Dried up chicken jerky cubes picked out of the paella. - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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We were a party of four couples and had a reservation. We were seated promptly. Two couples ordered the large red sangria. The others had an Albariño and cocktails. The sangria was truly large and excellent. We ordered potato skins that are not on the menu. They were very light and puffy like. They were excellent! Three couples ordered the paella and the others a fish and steak. The paella was large and very tasty however, the lobster was overcooked. It was rubbery! Having said that, the paella was excellent otherwise. There was more than enough to take home a large portion. For dessert we had the flan. It was very good! read more

I came here during restaurant week and ordered from there pre-fixe menu ($45/person + $12 flight of 3 wines). I ordered the Gambas Al Ajillo (shrimp in a garlic sauce) for the appetizer. Sadly, it was only about 4 shrimp in a small bowl of garlic sauce. For the entrees, we got Vieras y Gambas Al Cava, which is their scallops and shrimp in a champagne sauce. The champagne sauce was very buttery with some cheese. Luckily, I was able to request more bread so I could dip it in the sauce. The complimentary bread itself was very warm, which I appreciate, however the butter that accompanied it was refrigerator cold. This dish also came with yellow rice and green beans. The yellow rice was a little cold, but had a subtle taste of saffron to it. The green beans were a disappointment. Some of them still had the stem on, and they tasted bland. We also got the Cochinillo Asado Al Estilo Segoviano, which is a suckling pig with stewed black beans and apple sauce. The pork was succulent and moist. The skin on top was almost inedible though. The skin was too dry and tough to eat. The black beans, in my opinion, was on the saltier side and the apple sauce, while a great accompaniment to the pork, seemed store-bought. For dessert, I had the creme brûlée was was delicious. The caramelized sugar was perfectly crispy and the custard was creamy and just the right about of sweetness. The chocolate roll with whipped cream filling was nothing that blew my mind away. Honestly, it tasted like the ones you get at the store so nothing special. The wine flights did not seem worth it. The pours were incredibly small and the wine was cheap. In fact, the first glass I was given, was not poured in front of me and I suspect was open for a while due to its heavily oxidized taste. In terms of the ambience, Tio Pepe is located downstairs in a rustic-like dining area. The restaurant gives off wine cellar vibes. Our server was very friendly and attentive to our table. Parking out front is not bad unless it's during rush hour (4-6 pm), when you can't park at all. read more

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This restaurant is so iconic in the Baltimore community where I grew up that giving it a Yelp review almost feels odd. I grew up celebrating events here.....this is the place where I introduced my Parents and my husband. To say it's a five star review is a massive understatement. It's part of my life story. You might think this is a bias that can't be overcome with an honest review, but the fact is that it remains so vital because it's maintained the same tone and feel and quality and experience for generations. In a basement, there are no windows. It's all white painted walls. The menu is extensive, but most people pick a favorite dish or two and one of them every visit. They give each table loaves of bread and butter to start, and we always order sangria, which arrives in a Tio Pepe personalized pitcher, a souvenir you might find in many a Baltimore home. My favorite dish is the torenados, 2 or 3 pieces of meat in a mushroom sauce. I don't like mushrooms but I love this dish. Each meal comes with 2 sides, which are Spanish rice and usually green beans. Sometimes I get the chicken with red peppers, or what we call the "banana fish". It's a surprisingly tasty white fish dish cooked with banana. The paella is a common choice, and the New York Strip is the order my nephews choose each time. For dessert, don't miss the Pinoli cake. It's a rolled cake with pine nuts (pinoli) all around. This cake must be pictured in other reviews, because it's the main attraction. The fact is, this is locals I grew up with celebrate the big things in their lives. It's full of people with their families singing birthday songs and laughing together. You'll park across the street. You won't find a tourist. It's not a place we go for the crab cake. It's special and it's wonderful. Just book your reservation early! read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Torenados - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This is like a gem in the heart of Bmore, I came to celebrate a friend's birthday. This a special type of restaurant, perfect for a romantic dinner too. Where you get all dolled up or suited up. Delicious Spanish cuisine, definitely try the paella, and start off, with the Sangria. The Sangria was on point, it can definitely hit you if your a light weight. My lobster meal was amazing, but it's better if you eat it there, then if you were to reheat it at home. Service is definitely on point, our server Walter. He definitely made my friends birthday extra special. read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Good food, but Sangria is a must! Just don't drive after! - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I lived in Baltimore for decades and knew about this place. It was always known as a special occasion restaurant. At one time, I worked about 3 blocks away ...don't know why but I never got there. I now live in Laurel and friends of mine treated me to a birthday dinner there last night. It was wonderful. The staff were great. The food was wonderful-I ordered the paella-wow! Even our fellow patrons were warm and friendly. It was a special occasion dinner for me-birthday. The diners from three different tables, as they were departing, came to our table and wished me a happy birthday. Also, the restaurant was at about 75% capacity and because of the design of the restaurant, you could actually hear the others at our table w/out difficulty. This restaurant has never advertised. I am surprised that it survives. I am fortunate to have finally made it to Tio Pepe's. Many thanks to my friends for the treat. read more

This is quite literally the worst place to visit in Baltimore for food and good service. I tried to be nice enough to give them a second chance tonight. For reference, I am a (BW). People like to say it doesn't matter, but I put on my best customer service voice and dressed fine (as if I don't do already). My first experience, especially since I'm single and new to Baltimore, I was ignored 90% of the night and talked to like I am dumb. I was asked 8 times that night was I stood up as if I didn't say I just moved here and took myself out. I went tonight to sit at the bar and order food (and honestly take it to go). The girl employee brought me water and walked away without saying anything. I am not drunk! I didn't even drink tonight yet. I'm naturally nervous and talkative because I'm freaking autistic. I am overly polite and tone myself down because I know how I would be perceived anyway (I already know because I tried already with them). To ignore my food and drink requests, throw me water, and walk away without saying anything is outrageous. I hate to say it, but they don't want us there. Save your time and money if you're a BW. I live across the street; I can definitely afford to eat there. As a foodie who just moved to Baltimore, this place isn't worth it in either department. It is overpriced and not good, and I have videos to prove my point. read more

First time back since the pandemic- same wonderful atmosphere, food and service as ever. I'm sixty something and have been coming to Tio's since childhood. In a world where so much is transient, this place is timeless. If you want cutting edge, or even adventurous dining, this isn't it. But if you want wonderful service, solid food choices, and fabulous desserts- this is it. Melba was wonderful, accommodating my Mother in law, who was a bit under the weather. read more

Wow I was totally disappointed this was my favorite restaurant. We went there for dinner we were greeted & seated right away . The room we were in was small and you could hear everyone's conversation. From that point it went down hill . Our waiter was slow and terrible. It took our waiter forever to get our beverage & food order . The drinks and food were extremely slow coming to the table . For our appetizer's the Tio Pepe salad needed more dressing & the shrimp & garlic had no taste. The food came and they never took our appetizer plates from the table they cleared the table then put our dinners on the table . This was the disappointing part the Halibut wasn't cooked all the way almost raw that was sent back and the filet was so tough I couldn't eat it. I was shocked how terrible the food was. I really feel bad writing this review because this was my favorite restaurant. I pray they get it together . This will be the last time I will go to this restaurant. read more

This restaurant was highly recommended by a friend. So we were excited and got a reservation this week. To my delight, the menu offered Spanish selections, Andalusian, Valencian, Sevillian. Of course, my first thought was Paella, this is definitely the Dish that a Spanish restaurant has to get right, or it should be one of its signature dishes. I decided to try a few other items and return for the Paella. I ordered Sopa de mariscos (seafood soup, my wife has the Seafood Bisque). The Sopa was overwhelmingly salted and may have been sitting for some time. I could not really taste the clams or mussels and the scallops were bland. My wife said her bisque was cold, but I did taste it and it was flavorful but cold. For my entree, I ordered the Pato a la Naranja (Orange Duck) with Saffron rice. My wife ordered Tournedos Tio Pepe (Medallios Steaks in Sherry Sauce with mushrooms) My my entree was well plated however, the Duck was overcooked, dry and bland. The resulting sauce was oily. I tried to mix the sauce with the Saffron rice, but the oil was overpowering. After two or three bites I was done. My wife's entree was cooked properly and tender but she was underwhelmed. I tasted it and it was not bad, just ok. I noticed they the Paella was a plate of seafood that was combined tableside by the servers with a plate of saffron flavored rice. Not a traditional paella in a Paellera, or Paella Pan. So it had no sticky soccarat on the bottom. It did not look appealing. I may return in a few months and give it another try, and update this review. Who knows, maybe the Chef or kitchen had a bad day? read more

We first dined here in 1983 and wanted to revisit while in Baltimore, this time with our 7 year old grandson. There was no children's' menu; but the chef prepared delectable crispy chicken tenders just for him. The red sangria , paella for 2 ( beautifully presented and served), and pine nut cake were all as special as we remembered. Service was impeccable. Congrats on maintaining quality and character through the decades! read more

I'll be honest, I chose this restaurant off a list of great Baltimore restaurants because I had a Tio Pepe and thought it would be a cute way to remember him...but it's not my favorite kind of food, so I wasn't expecting much. Whoa. Everything I ate blew my mind. There was a limited time garlic soup that haunts me all the time. I was dining alone, which can often lead to servers not spending a lot of time on you, but I felt so looked after--Oscar popped up as soon as I had a thought to want something and the manager even swung by my table to check if I was enjoying my meal. I could tell from the conversations I overheard that many of the other diners in that night were in often enough to know all the servers and have a lovely sense of community. I will be looking for excuses to come back to Baltimore to eat here. read more

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A classic restaurant for a classic Spanish meal. This is one of the pricier restaurants in Baltimore, and t's the perfect spot for a celebratory or romantic dinner. The service is amazing, the ambience is great, and the food is incredible. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but my favorite at Tío Pepe is the seafood paella. I don't think you're bound to get a dish in Baltimore that transports you to Valencia, Spain like the seafood paella here. read more

Hands down, my absolute favorite restaurant in Baltimore! I cannot recommend Tio Pepe enough. My go-to special occasion restaurant and place I recommend most. The Potato Puffs are heavenly, the perfect start to a meal! I DREAM about the Paella, prepared table-side and absolutely delicious every single time! The Pine Nut cake is my personal favorite dessert, although we have tried almost all of them and none disappoint! If you ever feel like dressing up a bit and heading downtown, give Tio Pepe a try - you'll be so glad you did! read more

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Wow, the best part of the evening was the quaint entrance with the red awning and steps down into a larger-than-meets-the-eye restaurant. Then, it all went downhill. After being seated, we waited 15 minutes before a server asked if we had been seen yet. It took another 15 minutes to get our table's bottle of wine. At this point we're 30 minutes into our dinner, haven't ordered drinks, haven't ordered food, and there's no silverware on the table. At last, a server came to take our orders and it appeared as though he were in a rush the whole time. Without waiting for our choices off the Restaurant Week menu, he started barking the choices at us and demanding the menus back the second we finished ordering. It was...strange, to say the least. We chalked it up to the restaurant being busy and the time being later in the evening. We continue to sip our wine and wait, and wait and wait and wait. It took nearly an hour for our appetizers to be served and another 30 minutes before our entrees were brought out. When we asked about the status of our entrees we were met with "Soon, soon" and nothing more. Oh, and a few minutes before our apps arrived, we received a basket of bread (cold) and pads of butter--but there was still no silverware at the table so we couldn't butter the bread. (When the food finally came, the server removed the loaf of bread & butter which we still hadn't touched.) When we asked for silverware, the staff seemed confused as to what we were asking for; it's not like the food we ordered was finger food. The night was no longer young when we were again disappointed by the quality of the food. The steak was ordered medium-rare and somehow the singular steak was cooked well-done on one end and was rare on the other. The scallops and shrimp lacked scallop and shrimp flavor and the overwhelming flavor on the plate was egg and butter. The crab cake was fine, but nothing special, especially given this is a Maryland restaurant. All entrees were served with rice and green beans, both of which lacked seasoning and therefore were not tasty in the least. As we had other places to be we had to ask for our desserts to go and we're glad we didn't stay to eat them at the restaurant. The creme brûlée was lackluster with a nonexistent caramelized topping that ensured the dessert was more reminiscent of polenta rather than creme brûlée and the chocolate roll tasted like it came from any grocery store, in fact it might have been better if they just served us grocery store chocolate cake. A long evening made longer by the slow service and disappointing food, we will not be returning. Oh, and when we spoke to the manager she condoned the slow service and focused on making sure the food was good (it was not). read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - creme brulee - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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It's a Baltimore staple and we usually visit it whenever we come back. The staff is the same as the past 20+ years. Friendly is probably the last word I would use to describe them. Food was alright, depends on what you order. The duck, lamb and suckling pig were good. The others are less so. Expect the food to be heavy. The ambiance is cozy. It can get loud when there are multiple parties in the same dining room as you. read more

Despite living super close for five years, I could only recently try Tio Pepe. It is definitely a unique restaurant with an old-fashioned feeling (in a good way). The interior is absolutely beautiful, and you can tell that everyone, from the host to the servers, are taking their job very seriously. We arrived on time for our reservation and were seated immediately. Considering the atmosphere and the attitude of the staff, I was ready to be impressed; however, the food was just mediocre-almost disappointing. I've tried the shrimp marinated in garlic sauce as my appetizer and salmon as the entree. Both dishes were ok-no major issues but nothing impressive. We also tried the flan and creme brulee for desserts but did not really like them, so I would skip the dessert. If the food is your priority (like me!) I can't recommend Tio Pepe, but it's worth a shot if you want to enjoy the unique atmosphere and good service the restaurant offers. read more

Restaurante Tio Pepe - Spanish Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Restaurante Tio Pepe is considered a Baltimore institution with good reason. From the moment you arrive you're enveloped in ambiance from decades past. Carpeted floors and low ceilings create a cozy vibe while waiters in colorful blazer jackets gracefully move about the restaurant tending to patrons. The space has been preserved/frozen in time yet feels warm, welcoming and intimate. I read other reviews complaining about the prices but remember, you're paying for an experience as well as deliciously prepared meal (with large portions). We enjoyed a carafe of the red sangria, the snails and the paella valenciana for two. Everything was delightful. The sangria was quite strong, not for lightweights. There were about 8 snails in the appetizer and the bread for the table was perfect for dipping in the leftover garlicky butter. The paella was generous with lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, chicken and sausage. I think the dish could realistically serve four, we had so much to bring home. I am looking forward to returning to try other dishes on the menu. read more

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Been coming here for many years and this is the first time I have been disappointed. They were out of potato puffs - how can you be out of potatoes. They were also out of lobster - really? The mushroom on toast appetizer was very disappointing. Toast was sort of like cardboard. Portions were significantly smaller. For 20 years, this was my Favorite Restaurant! Now I don't even know if I will go back. VERY upset - is this the end or just a bad night. Do I want to spend big money to go back and be disappointed again? read more

Tio Pepe saved the day! We were making last minute Valentine's Day dinner plans and wanted to try something new and exciting, and called several places -- only Tio Pepe was still amenable to taking our take-out order. Jamon with melon -- strange at first, almost feels rubbery with a plastic-taste and I certainly was not used to eating ham with melon. However, if you slowly chew each bite, you get more and more flavor and realize that it goes well together! By the end, my boyfriend was in LOVE with this appetizer. Paella - huge portions for two people!! So packed with goodies like sausage, chicken, various shell-based seafood, shrimp (so much shrimp!), green beans. I was hoping for a bit more of a kick/flavor in the rice but my boyfriend seemed to think it was perfect. We couldn't finish it all and now have left overs. :) Flan - at first I was sad that it was so small (smaller then the size of my palm) but it was SO rich (with a cinnamon and alcohol flavor) and thick that now I understand why. This flan was unlike any I've had elsewhere and it was the standout of the night for me. Logistics-wise, I was a bit disappointed that they did not call us to tell us when our food was ready for pick-up like they said they would. We sat at home waiting for a bit and just decided to go to the restaurant to check and the food was already done but no one had called. The food was well packaged for pick-up though, however there were no utensils provided. The bread also had no butter, which would have been nice. read more

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Tio Pepe is a classic restaurant experience with a Maitre d' and male waiters. Housed in the basement of a block of row homes, the atmosphere is unique and charming. The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. The white sangria was delicious and our table of four ordered the large pitcher. The garlic shrimp is a favorite at our table, the garlic sauce is thick with great flavor but I felt the shrimp was slightly over cooked. The halibut with rice and green beans was very good. The fish was well done with an almond sauce + almond slivers adding a nice crunch. I do not recommend their dessert. The pine nut roll wasn't bad but the chocolate roll was terrible. I do recommend the Spanish coffee! They crystallize sugar around the rim using a flame which is prepared in front of your table. They have regular and decaf. While we aren't rushing back, it's a neat dining experience and would be fun to hold a celebratory dinner at Tio Pepe's. read more

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We came here during the holidays. It was busy even during the week. Our service was excellent. Atmosphere was so unique and cozy! We got a garden salad, scallops and shrimp entree with champagne sauce, and the mushroom toast. The wine options are abundant! The staff suggested a delicious bottle for us that was going to go with our meal. Just an overall lovely experience. I am happy to see this Baltimore staple is thriving! read more

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Can't believe I've never reviewed this place, as it has been a special night go to for decades (birthdays especially). It has a dark intimate feel, and great for any occasion. I've never really gone wrong with anything I've tried, but my newest fav main dish is the rockfish with jumbo lump crab meat in champagne sauce. The flavor is impeccable, and seafood is done to perfection. Please start with the shrimp in garlic sauce, and save the bread to dip in the sauce. The paella is ginarmous, and is very tasty. The pine nut roll is a fav for dessert. I'm not a wine drinker, but everyone raves about the sangria. read more

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