El Meson De Pepe's Restaurant & Bar

What a fun place!! Great place to enjoy live Cuban music and enjoy the vibe while watching the sunset and eating great apetizers! The Scallops are a must as they are seasoned well with a butter sauce. Planting chips are good and add to the atmosphere. The Shrimp were on a another level and some of the best we had in Key west! Go for the atmosphere and enjoy the food while listening to some great Latin music

Cool atmosphere with a lot of character and Cuban vibes. The outdoor seating area is spacious and has a nice setup. The food was okay — not the best I’ve had, but decent. The fried whole fish looked impressive, but the flavor was average. Dessert was also just okay. The biggest issue was the service — it took a long time to get our food, which was frustrating. Overall, worth checking out for the ambiance, but be prepared to wait.

Very busy place! But thankfully, we got seated in no time! Service was fast ...! You get free cuban bread as a starter. Dipping sauce was good. I liked the spicy one better. Entree was of generous servings! The drinks i loved! Not too much alcohol added ... it was just a perfect amount so I have enjoyed both my food and my drink!

At first I was skeptical because of the previous ratings BUT we ordered the # 69 and the relleno appetizer with our mojitos and let me tell you it was delicious. The pork was tender and marinated just right. The mojitos were strong and minty. The server was super friendly and helpful! The ambiance was very authentic inside the restaurant and out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Must-Visit in Key West – Incredible Food, Atmosphere & Hospitality! El Meson de Pepe’s completely exceeded my expectations and was the highlight of my trip to Key West! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality that made us feel like family. The vibrant atmosphere, infused with Cuban culture, lively music, and rustic decor, set the perfect tone for an authentic dining experience. The Food – A Culinary Masterpiece! Every single dish we tried was an explosion of flavor, showcasing the rich and bold essence of Cuban cuisine. Here are some of our standout favorites: ✅ Whole Fried Snapper – Crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, topped with fresh onions, peppers, and citrus—absolutely perfection! ✅ Ropa Vieja – The shredded beef was succulent and packed with flavor, perfectly paired with black beans, sweet plantains, and yellow rice. ✅ Vaca Frita – Crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection, a must-try for any meat lover! ✅ Tostones Nachos – This creative twist on nachos, with crispy plantains, savory shredded beef, cheese, and fresh toppings, was an absolute winner. ✅ Cuban Coffee & Mojitos – The perfect drinks to complete the experience. The mojito was refreshing and well-balanced, and the Cuban coffee was bold, rich, and energizing. Service – 10/10! The staff at El Meson de Pepe’s went above and beyond to make sure our dining experience was flawless. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, making great recommendations and ensuring our drinks were always full. Atmosphere & Entertainment Beyond the incredible food and service, the live music and outdoor seating in the heart of Mallory Square made this an unforgettable night. The energy of the restaurant, the smell of delicious food in the air, and the sound of a live salsa band transported us straight to Havana! Final Verdict: A MUST-VISIT! If you’re in Key West and looking for authentic Cuban cuisine, phenomenal service, and an unbeatable atmosphere, El Meson de Pepe’s is THE place to go! Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a lively group outing, or just passing through, this spot delivers on all fronts. 🌟 5 STARS & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 🌟 ✍️ Pro Tip: Come hungry, order a mojito, and don’t skip the tostones nachos!

This charming Cuban restaurant in Mallory Square in Key West should be in your short list of places to eat. From the moment you step up and ask for a table you are transported to Havana, Cuba. Everything from the decor, drinks, good and staff add to the atmosphere. A small bread appetizer came out and before we knew it, the kids had snagged severla for themselves and gobbled them down. We ordered 4 different Cuvan dishes for the table based on recommendation of our waitress. The soft drinks came out without carbonation. We pointed it out to our waitress and she promptly brought to the attention of someone who fixed the issue. We ordered Piccadillo Haberno, Vaca Frita, Churasco, Pechuga de Pollo and Lechon Asadi. Each dush had its own flavors and were really good. Out of all of them, we enjoyed Picadilo Haberno the most. The Vaca Frita was good with a slight crunch but was a little dry for my taste. In all, the food the good with excellent service. Our waitress was very attention and busy with other tables. We felt very well attended to.

The most terrible experience I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Our server Jose was the most disrespectful server I’ve ever encountered. First he took the order for appetizers and after that took forever to come back and get our order for the meal, by the time he came back he had to tells us that they were out of white rice and arroz Moro which is what we planned to order. We didn’t mind and made our order and actually had to go one by one saying what we wanted and substituting the sides for fries. When the food finally arrived it was completely wrong. Basically all the sides were supposed to be fries and 2 of the orders had yellow rice and black beans, which we never would have ordered together and we mentioned that to our server while he took the order. The worst part is that we ordered 3 churrascos and only got one. The server Jose realized the mistake and started blaming us very rudely, saying we should have been paying more attention while ordering which was extremely disrespectful and rude. He started fighting back and forth on how it was not his fault the order was wrong when it was him who should have realized that we were six at the table and he only had 4 orders. After that he never came back to our table until we went up to him to get the bill because all we wanted was to leave. Everybody saw the way he spoke to us because he was very loud, rude and condescending and no manager or anyone intervened. I included pictures of the state of our table when we left. The plates from the appetizers were never picked up and we ordered multiple mojitos and the empty glasses were all there. Also the food was not good at all the black beans we never ordered were grey and and watery. We thought it was a sauce at first. Overall terrible experience, would not recommend and will not be going ever again.

This place is a lot of fun. The food is packed with flavor, especially the Cuban dishes, and the portions are super generous. The atmosphere is lively and full of energy, with music and a laid-back feel that makes you want to hang out for a while. It’s a great spot to enjoy a good meal, a few drinks, and really take in the Key West vibe.

Every time I went to Key West always I have breakfast and lunch at this place The food is amazing, great service and decoration showing all Cuban old times Really good!

Not a great dinner experience and overpriced likely due to the location in Mallory Square. The ambience is dull and the food and service were below average. It was obvious the papas rellenas and the conch fritters were frozen, not fresh. Which is sad in Key West and they advertise them on the front of the restaurant. The steak, chicken, and yuca lacked flavor. The rice and beans were good. The server was very pushy trying to upsell and get us out as quickly as possible. It was all very transactional.

El Meson de Pepe's - A Key West Gem for Authentic Cuban Cuisine Absolutely Amazing - A Must-Try in Key West! El Meson de Pepe's is hands down one of the best dining experiences I've had in Key West! This place offers authentic Cuban flavors, outstanding service, and a lively atmosphere that makes you feel like you've stepped right into the heart of Havana. FOOD: 5/5 - Flavor Explosion! Everything we ordered was incredibly fresh, well-seasoned, and beautifully plated. The portion sizes were generous, and the flavors were bold and authentic. Whole Fried Snapper - Perfectly crispy outside, tender and flaky inside, with fresh lime and onions for a bright finish. Ropa Vieja - The shredded beef was tender, slow-cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, and paired beautifully with yellow rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. Vaca Frita - A must-try! Crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection with fresh citrus and garlic. Tostones Nachos - A fun and creative Cuban twist on nachos, with crispy plantains, shredded beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. Cuban Coffee & Mojitos - The Cuban coffee was strong and bold (perfect for a pick-me-up!), and the mojitos were refreshing and well-balanced with just the right amount of mint and lime. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared--you can tell this place takes great pride in their food! ‍ SERVICE: 5/5 - Friendly, Attentive, and Welcoming The staff at El Meson de Pepe's was phenomenal. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly, seated quickly, and treated like family. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and gave great recommendations on both food and drinks. Drinks were always refilled, and plates were cleared quickly--without ever feeling rushed. This is the kind of service that keeps you coming back! AMBIANCE: 5/5 - Vibrant, Lively & Full of Energy The atmosphere here is unbeatable! The restaurant is right in Mallory Square, so you get a prime spot for sunset views if you sit outside. Inside, the decor is rustic and colorful, truly capturing the essence of Cuban culture. But the real highlight? The live music! A talented salsa band played throughout the night, and the energy was contagious--some guests even got up and danced! The vibe is fun, festive, and perfect for a night out. FINAL THOUGHTS: A MUST-VISIT! If you're in Key West and want an authentic Cuban dining experience with incredible food, warm hospitality, and an unforgettable atmosphere, El Meson de Pepe's is the place to be! Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a lively night with friends, or just an amazing meal, this spot delivers on all levels. Highly Recommended! 5 Stars!

A very nice restaurant with excellent food! The atmosphere was welcoming, and every dish we tried was delicious. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great dining experience. The waiter was very nice and offereus very good advice and service

If you like a strong drink, this is the bar for you. We were hanging out on Mallory square watching the entertainment and decided to get a round of piña coladas. They were sooooo strong.

Stopped in for Key Lime Pie. Worst Key Lime pie I have ever eaten. I know good Key Lime Pie. I grew up in South Dade County with a key lime tree in my back yard. Service great , pie ..... not so much .

While in Key West, I visited El Meson de Pepe. It's in the Mallory Square area. After watching the sunset, the hubby and I ate there for dinner. They do have an outdoor patio, but because of the heat, we both preferred the cool indoor seating. El Meson de Pepe serves authentic Cuban food, which was my first time trying - beyond eating a Cuban sandwich in my hometown of Chicago. Everything we tried was delicious - the tangerine dream drink, cuban bread, tamale, ropa vieja, pechuga de pollo, and one of the best decadent chocolate cake I've ever had. We didn't care for the guava bread pudding because it tasted like flan, and we're both not a fan. However, the hubby did like the conch. I didn't. LOL! That's an acquired taste.

I'm Cuban ... what to say. Bad food "una comida recalentada". The external music better than the resta food and service. Costumer service horrible.

Overpriced for what it is, I can't believe this place has 3 dollar signs. The customer service was below mediocre; the server just seemed like he did not want to be there and that I was a bother with my requests. The food is "not bad" is how I'd describe it. The steak was cooked perfectly which is impressive considering how thin it is. The shrimp was cooked well but the flavor was a little underwhelming. The yellow rice was undercooked twice, so I finally requested white rice and that was cooked fine. My favorite part of my meal were the sweet plantains. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant but if you need a place to dine and are in the area, sure.

At first I was skeptical because of the previous ratings BUT we ordered the # 69 and the relleno appetizer with our mojitos and let me tell you it was delicious. The pork was tender and marinated just right. The mojitos were strong and minty. The server was super friendly and helpful! The ambiance was very authentic inside the restaurant and out.

Service at the outside bar was great. William took great care of us and was super friendly. Will make sure to come back again!

Food was fantastic and drinks were good'. So many things on the menu I wanted to order, had to settle for one though and I finally did. My dish was seafood and chicken in creamy creole sauce and it was sooo good. The strips of chicken breast were even juicy and flavorful!! Service was great. Really cool place on the inside with lots of vintage black and white photos!

We went up to bar for a drink after watching the sunset on April 4th, 2025. We were flat out ignored for over 20 minutes by the two bartenders. The bar wasn't busy. All of the regulars were at the bar, and were being served immediately. We love Key West, but will enjoy drinks elsewhere. Sadly, this is our last trip to the bar at El Meson DePepe.

A beautifully decorated restaurant with outstanding Cuban food, but the prices for entrees start at $25 which is a little on the expensive side; however, the food is delicious and each entree is quite filling. We heard about their key lime pie, but it tasted subpar. While it had meringue and looked beautiful, the sauce they used tasted too artificial and I found it a little too sweet. They have both an outdoor and indoor dining space, and the staff are kind. They don't take reservations and it's first come, first serve.

The inside decor is phenomenal. Best Pina Colada I've ever had. Empanadas and conch fritters were great as well. Best stop in Key West so far.

This restaurant was located in Mallory square. The street was brick/ cobble stones. So cute!! They food here is Delicious!! Cuban bread with butter dip was so good that came before our food came out. We ordered lechon asada, vaca fritas and tostones rellenos. My fav was the vaca fritas. It was crispy and salty. My tip here is ask for boiled yuca instead of fried. I didn't think the friend yuca was good but the boiled yuca was delicious to me!! The portions here are super generous so know that u will have a snack to take home to eat later. I would highly recommend this restaurant to eat at if you're in the keys. And around the corner there's a pink conch truck. You gotta try the conch fritters and the Key Limade there !!

As a Cuban I can tell you this is far from authentic Cuban food flavor. I order the Cuban tacos horrible and the churraco even worst. If this is your first time eating Cuban food then you need to try again somewhere else. Horrible quality and taste

One of the best Cuban style restaurants you'll have an opportunity to dine! Located near Mallory Square and great spot during the day but very cool vibe after sunset. Start with a Pina Colada with the dark rum floater shot. You won't be disappointed! For dinner my wife had the Cuban sandwich with plantains & I had the 3 favorites combo which had ground meat, pork & shredded beef with plantains & yucca. A lot of food but each item was cooked well & tasted fantastic! Service was excellent as we were seated and served quickly. Staff were all friendly and helped each other make sure your visit. As an FYI, after sunset this can get busy but it is worth the wait!

Food was awesome. Go with the combo #80. Man we really enjoyed this place. Nice building with Cuban decors and history on the inside. Recommend 100%

I am giving this restaurant a 1 star because I have no choice. We came on vacation and specifically wanted to go to this restaurant because it is advertised that you can see the sunset from it. Absolutely not true....do not waste your money. Prices are ridiculous and the false advertisement really leaves a bad taste in your mouth. What makes it worse is that I called twice and I was told sure you can see the sunset and the show from our restaurant and none of this is true. Do Not waste your time and money. Try the Sunset Pier right near El Meson de Pepe. You can sit on the Pier, eat good food and see the Sunset.

The best Latin place to eat at key west Francisco Gomez our serve was so friendly and a great server Food delicious temperature perfect Drinks excellent and flavor the best Highly recommend this place to everyone on town you will love it

Great service, ambiance, and incredible food. One of our favorite places in Key West!

Great experience. Loved the food, the drinks were great and the live music was awesome as well. There are probably better authentic spots for Cuban but as far as proximity to everything else touristy in key west This was the best

Decent Cuban mix and mojito. They say it's the best on the island but I disagree. There are also much better cuban mixes as well. This place is perfectly located at Mallory square so they get a lot of tourists. Inside has a bunch of decorations on the walls and ceilings that make it feel like if Disney tried to build in Havana. It's a little cheesy and meh. Servers are kind and fast.

Cuban cuisine at its finest! Located a stone's throw from Mallory Square this establishment has been around for a while. Love the decorations in the indoor dining room. We got lucky as we were able to get a table inside as the outdoor tables were all full and we brought our four legged furry friend. We ordered a pitcher of sangria and placed our orders. My wife ordered the Rabo Encendido (oxtail stew) with side order of yuca. I ordered the Camarones al' Ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce). For our furry friend Lulu we ordered a plain hamburger patty. We also ordered an appetizer of potato croquettes stuffed with chicken, cheese and ham. Food was delicious and their wait staff were very polite and friendly. There's an outdoor bar area by the stage where a band was playing salsa and cumbias. Very nice atmosphere. This was our first time dining here and we've been to other Cuban restaurants here in Key West and have not been disappointed so far. Will definitely be back on our next long weekend trip.

On our 1st night at KW, the amazing music lured us over following the sunset celebration at Mallory Sq. We walked through the cheerful and artsy gift shop , which led us to the restaurant. About 8-8:30 pm, no reservation, they sat us outside immediately even though it appeared they were very busy with full tables in and out. Lucky us! My 17 year old son ordered the nachos and I the coconut shrimp and a Margarita. Everything was amazing. Fresh bread served 1st was great. Service was super fun, friendly and attentive. We are big fans and can't wait to come back! Thanks for making our 1st night special!

Overpriced and a limited menu. The mariquita nachos tasted horrible. The soda tasted watery and flat. Service was ok. Would not return at all. Ambiance felt super touristy and bland.

Good location for sunset view. Nice Cuban food. Pork chop is delicious. We like the most.

went on memorial day 1 month ago wonderful lunch wonderful service good price bring me my cuban passport

Very lively atmosphere, good music, and amazing food and service! My server was Gianna and she was very friendly and patient, and the building is very clean and colorful. Also very good signage from the parking (you have to pay for parking)

I've walked by this place a million times and have always wanted to try it. It just looks fun. The music. People dancing as they walk by. We were down near Mallory square for sunset so decided to give it a go. We sat immediately at the bar. The bartenders were very welcoming and attentive. In typical Cuban fashion, they treated us like family from the minute we sat down. Drinks were quick to be refilled. The food came out pretty quickly. I had the shrimp (not the fried option) and we also had the half chicken. Both were very good. The yellow rice was cooked perfectly and the plantains were awesome as well. This is as close to a 5 star rating that I give without being totally blown away. Highly recommend this lively Cuban restaurant.

Great live music (if you sit outdoors. We sat outdoors because of the vibe and lots of happy people walking through the street. But you can sit in air conditioned inside that is very colorful and quiet) I love #69 on the menu: Lechan Asado is traditional Cuban roasted pork is AMAZING! (To me much better than the beef items on menu) Note: Cuban sandwiches not available after lunch

Let me start by saying that I'm itching to go back to this place for their fantastic food and incredible atmosphere. I've been searching for authentic Cuban food, and I found it. I'm forever on the lookout for dishes that are packed with flavor and leave me wanting more, and this place hit the spot. I ate here three times during my four-day Key West adventure, and each time was a real treat. The coffee was the best I've ever had, hands down. My friend and I tried different dishes each time, and we left feeling like we were on cloud 9. The service was warm and welcoming, and you can tell that the staff enjoy working there. The prices were very reasonable, and the artsy paintings mixed with period furniture pieces made this all a vibe. All in all, this place is definitely worth a return visit, and I'm already looking forward to going back. The food is so good that you would be very upset if someone at home ate your leftovers.

Absolute yum. It was a Tuesday night, right after sunset. Walked right up, no reservations, no sweat. It was not busy and we were sat immediately. Server was Helen. Helen is the quietest human I have encountered. Struggled to hear her.. We had four different dishes; each were delicious. Ropas Viejas, for me, just because I had never had old clothes for dinner-lol. The beef dishes, the Yucca, the pork dishes, black beans- all great. We skipped dessert and coffee as we just felt lost there with Ms Helen.

Food is very good but the service was very bad.Had to get up to get my own box to go and had to track waitress down to get a refill and to get check..very breezes inside nice place to cool off..

Food , service, live band , everything was excellent And we came on a Friday right after sunset , they were super busy

Y'all! Don't sleep on this spot. I knew we shoulda went back for another sandwich because I can't stop thinking about it! We stumbled upon it and was sure glad we did. Staff was super friendly. We sat outside and chickens and roosters were running around everywhere and you can feed them bread crumbs, which is kinda fun. Our server suggested the special sandwich of the day which was a Cuban sandwich with croquetas in it. I think what made this sandwich different from others was that it had American cheese instead of Swiss cheese, SO good! I'm seriously craving one as I type up this review. The pork sandwich was also really good. Both sandwiches comes with fries or plantain chips so we got one of each, both great, but I preferred the plantain chips. Also, the complimentary bread was so warm, soft, buttery delicious with a side of spicy salsa and a garlicky sauce. Yum! Definitely coming back here next time we're in Key West.

The food is a solid 10/10 all day long. The portions are massive, prepared with love and authentic. Outside was a bit noisy. The servers really seemed to care and tried hard, but waiting over 45 mins just to get the check was a bit much. I will definitely be back, the food was too good to stay away.

Food is marginal at best. Everything is cooked very well done. Empanadas were good but are the size of calzones. Not really tapas size. Pollo chicken was seasoned ok. The skin was great, the meat very well done. Sangria is what kept us happy.

If you want the real authentic thing in Cuban foo, and in a fun environment, look no further than El Meson De Pepe's Restaurant & Bar. And don't just take my word on this. My partner was born in Cuba, so he's about as Cuban as one can get, and he says so. The menu is huge with something to satisfy every taste, whether you're Cuban or not. We tried their featured Cayo Hueso Cuban Mix which is their Key West version of the traditional Cuban Sandwich, served with all the trimmings: sugar-glazed ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, lettuce, mustard, tomatoes & mayonnaise on a crispy pressed Cuban bread; and I have to say it was terrific. ner also went for some Ropa Vieja which he exclaimed was nearly as good as his own, to which of course I vehemently had to disagree. The inside has a gift shop with all sorts of local as well as Cuban Items which, since I didn't explore, can not speak to. But what I can speak to is their outside bar. It's a totally fun place with good friendly service and other patrons. Also, lots of those Cuban chickens amusingly wandering around.

Excellent food, nice atmosphere, good service. This is a solid choice, highly recommend

Very popular restaurant in Key West has to wait 45 minutes to enter. The food was good but just average and the price was higher than other Cuban restaurants. Our waitress was unable to do 2 separate checks between 2 couples which was an inconvenience. Overall would I return yes if I was in a group that wanted to go, but I don't have plans returning alone with my wife.

We went for a birthday dinner (party of 9) and the restaurant refused to split the bill because it said so in the front of their menu.

It's really cute inside. The service was OK. Our server was nice. The nachos is so delicious. You have to come here just for that!! The sampler was OK but I would try something else. we would come back especially for those nachos!!

The food was excellent the service was quick and the atmosphere was also very nice definitely will go back next time. I'm in the keys.

Not my fave. Tried the chicken empanadas. And the guac. Save yourself and go somewhere else.

Large dining space with indoor and outdoor seating. They have a large menu & bring out bread with salsas prior to meals. Food was just okay. Definitely not bad by any means, but we have better Cuban food in Kentucky. I had a hard time distinguishing if the croquetas were 3 different flavors or if the chicken, ham & cheese were in all of them. Empanadas were different. The pastry definitely resembled a wonton, which threw me off. There was nothing inside the empanada except meat. The chicken was better than the beef. Husband's Cuban sandwich was good and came with plantain chips and French fries. I LOVE plantain chips, but I didn't like these. I felt like they were under salted and maybe burned? A friend got the lechon asado and was very pleased with it.

Dining area We happened to walk by after viewing the sunset. I ordered the ropa vieja and hubby ordered the churrasco beef. The prices were typical of a tourist dining area but they definitely delivered on the quality of food. The service was excellent, thanks Lolita! My margarita was just ok but my hubby's Cuba Libre was mostly all alcohol! Lol! We loved the atmosphere and will definitely come back the next time we're in town.

Y'all have to come here. It's such a cool spot in Mallory Square to have some authentic Cuban food after watching the sunset. It gets pretty busy but you don't need reservations to get a seat here. They have live music right on the premises which is dope and there's even a little rooster that walks under everyone's tables. Their coffee was so delicious, I legit asked them what kind of beans they use so I can buy some. Their food was really yummy and they give huge portions. I definitely enjoyed my time here and will be coming back the next time I'm in Key West.