PepeNero

Beautifully decorated with a very cozy ambiance in The Commons, I visited in June ‘25 and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The food was incredibly tasty, only to be outdone by the fantastic service. Although the price point is a little high for me to be a regular visitor, I’d love to come back and try other dishes in the future. Th owner even came out to personally check on our experience and chat with us before my group left, which I really appreciate.

An excellent experience all around. The atmosphere inside was lovely, our server was very knowledgeable about the wines and helpful in answering all our questions about the menu. The food was incredible. We ordered a couple apps and the lamb chops and fettuccine with braised baby back ribs ragu. Would definitely recommend! The tiramisu dessert was the cherry on top - was light, delicious, and a perfect end to our meal.

Carter Taylor was one of the best servers that we have had in a long time, he was very knowledgeable about the food, wine and restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious and we definitely will be back.

Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. This upscale Italian restaurant delivers not only amazing food, but truly outstanding service. Every dish was perfectly portioned, beautifully presented, and bursting with rich, authentic flavor. You can really taste the quality in every bite. What stood out even more was the service—our server and the manager were both incredibly knowledgeable, attentive without being overbearing, and made us feel genuinely taken care of. They knew the menu inside and out and offered thoughtful recommendations that hit the mark. It’s rare to find a place where the food and service are both this exceptional. If you’re looking for a special night out with Italian done right, this is the spot.

Pepenero is in my top 2 restaurants in TC. Food is amazing! Love the steak tartar appetizer among every other dish I've ever had. Tried the chicken with mushroom polenta this time (even though I rarely order chicken at a restaurant) and it was the best chicken I've ever had. So delicious. It's such a nice ambiance inside and staff is all super friendly and helpful. Brad was our server and he's amazing! Helped me decipher the menu in terms of what's gluten free and had great recommendations and he was so kind and attentive. Love this place! Give it a try! In my opinion it's an easy pick over the other italian restaurant next door. 😉

I came here to see friends that I had not seen in many years. We sat outside. The staff was very friendly. Because the food is prepared fresh and made to order it does take a little time. However I suggest ordering an app to start out. Everything was absolutely amazing.

My husband and I recently hosted our reception dinner at PepeNero after our elopement / micro-wedding and could not have had a more wonderful experience. Monica was a pleasure to work with ahead of time and when we arrived the private dining room was stunning. We did the five course tasting and the food was phenomenal. Everyone left stuffed and our guests cannot stop raving about each dish, the wine, and the incredible service. The team let us bring our own wedding cake and helped cut, serve, and even take home extras. It was the most perfect wedding dinner and we can’t wait to dine again, especially for our anniversary ♥️

Fantastic Sicilian dining experience! Main courses were great, the desserts were absolutely incredible. Will definitely come back.

Friend and I visited the wine bar, aka the bar inside, earlier this week. Beverages consumed: Amaretto on the rocks- Me Mocktail- them. I appreciated the bartenders thoughtful suggestion of ice to add to my liqueur. Dishes consumed: Them- Tuna tartare, I tried a bite "not bad, not bad." And, I'm not really a raw foods person unless it's fruit or veg. Them- panna cottage. Yum. Me- Zucchini carpaccio. Beautiful presentation. There were hazelnuts (I love hazelnuts) and it was tasty. Kinda sweet, so it went really well with my beverage. Love when a plan comes together. Final consensus: $$$, but, as is often the case, you absolutely get what you pay for. Unrushed service, seriously swell vibes, and eclectic and undoubtedly delicious food and drinks and, don't forget, desserts.

PepeNero is an absolute standout and easily our favorite dining experience that we've had in Traverse City! From the moment we arrived, we were enchanted by the gorgeous atmosphere--we dined on the patio and loved the vibe out there. We started with the Foccaccia bread with Balsalmic and it was divine. Next came the prosciutto and fig salad, which was nothing short of epic--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Then came the filet with shaved truffle... OMG. It was pure perfection--tender, rich, and honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. And just when we thought it couldn't get better, we tried the tiramisu (which is gluten- free!) . It was heavenly--light, decadent, and tasted like a dream. PepeNero checks every box: ambiance, service, and unforgettable food (and super friendly staff!) . A must-visit if you're in Traverse City. We'll be talking about this dinner for a long time!

I can't even begin to describe how good the food was!! Our host was so knowledgeable and fun to talk to. He was very attentive and gave amazing recommendations. If I lived in Traverse City I'd be here every week. I like the vibe of the restaurant as well because it's dimly lit and just perfect for a date night. I didn't LOVE that the bathroom is shared with whatever other businesses are in the building but that's the only con for me. It's a must try in my opinion!

Excellence in every aspect! Brad, our server, was extremely knowledgeable, attentive and just the right amount of friendly & funny to make the evening even more enjoyable. I asked him if the Reisiling was dry or sweet, and his description of the taste was spot on. The chef special appetizer, tuna tartare, was delicious and the focaccia was light and fluffy served with house balsamic and olive oil. My branzino was amazing - cooked in parchment with artichokes, potatoes and tomatoes to liven the flavors. My husband's lobster fettuccine was a perfect blend of light cream sauce, homemade pasta, and fresh shellfish - lobster, shrimp and clams. For dessert we shared the chocolate cake which almost looked too beautiful to eat - almost. It was chocolate heaven.

The food was more than delicious! Service was quick and so so friendly- we had Brad as our waiter. The ambiance was very classy and overall just what I was looking for in a memorable experience for my sister's bachelorette dinner. I can't wait to come back for a date with my husband here- getting a sitter for the kids. The drinks were so good, great drink list. Espresso martini was top! And the glassware looked vintage. The most authentic Italian I've had in the states. Nothing was overpriced for the quality! Well done Chef! This place was amazing!

Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday, and we were not disappointed! The food was so yummy, the only thing I would note is that my friends that got the pasta dishes said their food could have been a bit warmer. I got the branzino which was cooked perfectly and the flavor was amazing. I paired it with the mixed veggies, so good!! A special note about the service, our server was absolutely incredible. Noah, you are amazing!! So so so welcoming and informative! Noah truly cares about us having a wonderful experience. We were served sparkling wine on the house as a little birthday gift! So so nice! We finished off with the tiramisu, it was creamy and light...amazing!!

Delicious! Excellent service. Very attentive team. Our food was incredible. The bread was fresh and delicious w the olive oil. Appetizers all perfect pairs w our meals.

Fantastic experience! Wonderful service, delicious food, and a beautiful unique atmosphere. I do not have one negative thing to say. The handmaid's to us are perfection. We had the most delicious meal. We ordered three separate pasta dishes, and we all shared. We had one fettuccine pasta with a baby back rib Ragu, the curry linguine, but we substituted for gnocchi, and tortellini with pear. I had hands-down, the best chocolate dessert of my life. The wine selection is seller. It is set in the middle of an old mental hospital. Everything from the lighting to the menu makes sense a beautiful experience.

Amazing food, amazing service, beautiful restaurant. Everything you can ever want is at PepeNero. It's build in an old mental hospital which is super cool and looking at the history is interesting. The food was AMAZING, such authentic Italian food. We are not from around Traverse City but we would totally eat here again next time we visit.

My husband and I visited PepeNero to celebrate our last date night before becoming parents. This restaurant was highly recommended by one of our neighbors, and we can see why! The restaurant ambiance is very nice - the lighting is dim, the restaurant is on the quieter side, and it's just an overall nice experience for a nice dinner! We ordered a couple servings of the focaccia, which was absolutely delicious, and I ordered the mushroom tortelloni as my main course. When they brought out the pasta, it didn't look like a lot of food, but I ended up not being able to finish it, so the portion size was misleadingly large! The only bummer is that the mocktails that they offer aren't too exciting, so if you don't drink, you might be disappointed in that area. Overall, I'd highly recommend coming here!

Came on a Saturday night to celebrate a special day with my wife. The ambiance of the restaurant is very nice and formal, but not too nice where you'd have to dress up if you don't want to! It would make quite the impression on a first date. We made a reservation ahead of time and our table was waiting for us when we arrived. There were plenty of new items on the menu, as it is updated frequently but unfortunately there were no specials that night. We started with the focaccia (two of them because they were that good) and both decided on pasta dishes since the pasta is made fresh in house. The linguine with lobster, clams, calamari, and shrimp was fantastic! I'm not a huge seafood person, but I was really drawn to this item for some reason and was not disappointed. This is a wonderful restaurant for a special occasion or if you'd like some delicious pasta! We'll have to return to try the other entrees and desserts!

Oh where do I even begin! I absolutely love this wonderful Italian restaurant. It just so happens that my two favorite restaurants in the state are located in the same building! PepeNero is a fabulous classy and modern Italian restaurant located in the grand traverse commons "asylum". PepeNero is the reason I am currently fixated on negroni's. They can sure make a drink here! I often sit at the bar and the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable, efficient, kind and friendly. I have never had a meal I didn't like here. The truffle tortellini is incredible, but equally rich. They have bright salads, amazing burrata, impeccable pastas and beautiful seafood dishes. I love bringing family and friends to this incredible restaurant. My friend raved about the bolognese pappardelle, and my mom was thrilled with her perfectly cooked scallops. I cannot recommend PepeNero enough! Reservations usually required (particularly in the summer months). And this place is certainly on the pricier end of the spectrum; but I believe rightfully so. Do yourself a favor and spend your next celebratory meal at PepeNero!

Great place - excellent food, service and ambience. One of best Italian meals I've had! I had prosciutto and fig salad, fresh focaccia bread, otto chicken (w black truffle and foie gras sauce) and tiramisu to finish. Everything was divine. Server Jennifer was helpful and friendly. Definitely coming back again during my visits to Traverse City.

We sat outside in the summer and loved it. It was a spacious outdoor seating area. Our server was very friendly and food came quickly. It's a little on the pricey side but totally worth it for a special occasion.

Absolutely amazing meal from start to finish. Chef special foie gras - simply perfection. Melted in your mouth, rich and savory served with local pear and figs. Scallops - I am not a huge fan but decided to try at the recommendation of our server. They were seasoned and prepared well. At the time, they were the best I'd had at a restaurant. Linguine with wild boar - hard to turn down a well seasoned and prepared "exotic" meat and amazing pasta. Tiramisu - we were stuffed, but still a must with some espresso. Cannot say enough good things about our experience here. We actually traveled up just for the afternoon and this was our highlight before returning back to SE Michigan.

After we had dinner at Trattoria Stella one night, a local told us--you have to go to Pepe. So even though we'd just had a beautiful Italian dinner, we snagged a last minute rez at Pepe, seated at a high top, in the bar. We were barely inside the door, so I really feel I have NO idea what it looks like in the restaurant. High end nice restaurant, some very dressed up people, and we were there early, 5pm? Our server, Noah, was excellent, giving us some good recommendations for dishes to share & wine pairings. We thought he was very good. In order to not explode, we shared everything. Had the Prosciutto & Fig Salad (delicious!), Pappardalle with Ragu (so tender, so delicious), the Branzino (light, tender, flavorful) & finally the Semi Freddo, beautiful presentation but wasn't what we expected when we think of Semi Freddo. We even shared a glasses of perfect wine pairings. Dinner was wonderful & we would go back. I'd love to be seated in the dining room next time, so I can get an actual feel for the space.

This beautiful space is housed in the lower level of the Traverse City Commons-formerly a psychiatric hospital. The original tile floor, brick walls and structural beams have been preserved and are lovely. Reservations are recommended. They communicate with you by text with reminders and an alert when your table is ready. We were warmly greeted by the hosts, seated and then welcomed by our lovely server who was kind and well studied of the menu. The wine list is extensive. She answered our questions and made recommendations when asked. Before dinner cocktails were refreshing. It's clear that mixers are all fresh and of the best quality. We selected three antipasti to share between the four of us, followed by two salads. Creative flavors and textures (Gorgonzola gelato on a salad ) were delicious. The focaccia was outstanding-beautiful crisp crust coated with sesame seeds and an inside light as clouds. We each chose our own mains-parchment cooked Bronzino, house-made pasta-linguine with lobster and shrimp and pappardelle with short rib ragu. Sadly, we had no room for desert. Chef comes out to say hello and check on you-this was a lovely and thoughtful touch, especially on a busy Saturday night. This was a memorable meal for flavors, service and ambience. We'll return. Thank you, chef!

Food & wine was wonderful! We had a marvelous time. Prices a little high, but worth it.

Excellent service, food , atmosphere, and ambiance. A true 5 star experience. Not a t-shirt and jeans kind of place, although I saw no indication of a dress code. If on a tight budget I would only come here for special occasions.

I had a reservation for 6pm. I called the restaurant at 4:30 to tell them I could not make it but would like it changed to 6:45. The message said they would call me back to confirm. At six they call and said I was a no show. I called them back asking them to listen to my message. Called them at 626 saying I assume I have a 6;":45 table. Still no returned call. At 6:35 I got a call saying they just gave way the last table and sorry no reservation. The excuse I got was they had been too busy to listen to messages. I would never tell a client I am too busy to do my job. They were smug and said sorry to bad. I will never go back again. I am too busy to go there.

My favorite restaurant in TC Everything is fresh and delicious. The desserts are awesome. Service is great. Ask for Noah. He is the best waiter in TC and has a wonderful sense of humor. He knows the menu and can answer all your questions. You'll have the best dining experience ever.

Went while on our honeymoon and everyone that came to the table congratulated us! We ordered the fettuccine and it was amazing!! Plenty of meat! Very romantic ambiance. Will definitely be going again! Our server was very helpful with the wine menu and giving great recommendations. SHOUT OUT TO NOAH!

Service is great - very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Cocktails and wine were 5/5 and so was the black sesame focaccia. The pappardelle and Spiedini Don Ciccio & House Sausage were 4/5. They were cooked well and not too heavy, but could have been a bit more flavorful. The tiramisu was a 2/5, not even close to the best I've had. The semifreddo was a 3.5 or 4/5. A solid choice but won't blow you away either.

My wife and I have been wanting to try PepeNero for a while. It certainly did not disappoint. The bar side decor is dark and intimate with nice tables and cozy booths. The other side is consistent with the architecture of the historic property with exposed brick and nice lighting and cozy setting. We started with the Butternut squash bisque, which was delicious with creamy consistency and flavors of a good quality bisque. The Grilled Romaine salad had the smokiness and roasted flavor expected and Cerignola green olives and dressing created a robust flavor. For our entree we chose the Pappardelle with slow braised baby back rib ragu.The pasta is made fresh daily in house by the chef. It was very tasty and the portions were generous. The Grand Traverse Commons is fortunate to have two great Italian restaurants on property. We certainly recommend PepeNero! Our server Shane, was attentive and great!

So good! One of the best dinners we have ever had. Everything was so full of flavor. Service was also excellent. We ate outside, weather was nice. Would have liked to see inside, but no spots.

This has been one of the nicest Italian dinners that I have had in a very long time. We were able to walk in and be seated immediately, but I do recommend having a reservation if it's a busy time. Our server, Sarah, was absolutely fantastic. She reviewed the menu with us, answered all of our questions, and made us feel very comfortable. Deciding that we wanted to save room for dessert, we both ordered pasta dishes and were exceptionally happy with both the cannelloni (made with a light ricotta & basil, plus red sauce) & the raviolini (layer upon layer of flavor). The star of our meal was the dessert - a decadent, light tre cioccolati that was smooth, creamy and the perfect amount of chocolate. We were even more impressed when we learned that the owner makes the desserts every day. SO GOOD! An expensive meal, but very worth the price!

Growing up near Traverse City, I've had few restaurant experiences this pleasant and delicious. We had reservations for Saturday night on the patio and it was not too noisy. This restaurant is tucked away in the Grand Traverse Commons. The food was wonderful and our server made sure to make suggestions when we asked, and their wine list was nice. I would definitely return to this restaurant and I recommend trying a few dishes from each section of the menu!

Fantastic Italian food. Great drinks and service but they had one of the best dishes I ever ate, a tortolonni...they took it off the menu. I've literally eaten all over the world and the dish was second to nine. Wtf... ​​

What a find! We are visiting from Florida and we were lucky enough to get the last reservation for the evening. The location is super cute and the inside is lovely. I'm unfamiliar with Italian wines but our server recommended a great Tuscan red blend. Y'all, the mushroom soup was outstanding. It is a must try. I'm still thinking about it today and I'm so sad I don't live right around the corner so I could stop by for a bowl whenever my heart desires. Our party of 4 agreed it is probably the best soup we've had. Ever. In our entire lives. If the mushroom gnocchi is on the menu, get it. It's wonderful. I liked the pappardelle, but preferred the gnocchi. The filet was cooked to perfection and had lovely flavor. Needless to say, we all enjoyed our experience. Unfortunately we did not have room for desert, we were full! If you are in the area, add this to your "must try" list.

We came in for a late Saturday night dinner after not having much luck getting a table for 6. I made a quick reservation for 9pm and the hostess called me right after to say they could seat us as soon as we could get there (it was about 8:20) so we headed over and had a wonderful server I believe her name was Michelle. She was so personable and sweet and didn't rush us tho we stayed until after close. Everyone was so lovely and the food and cocktails were amazing start to finish. The restaurant itself is also very modern and moody, beautiful. We will definitely be back!

I'm very disappointed. There wasn't anything on the menu that excited me so I (unfortunately) decided on the $40(!!!) seafood pasta. Looking at the photos of this same dish on yelp I'm not sure what I did to piss off the kitchen...the lobster was all mangled and thrown upside down, it was not presented nicely on top. Now I wish I'd taken a photo to show. Another thing that irritated me was how small the shrimp were. It was surprising a place like this would serve tiny shrimp. These are the same ones you get in Chinese stir frys. The dish was also very salty. Just so annoyed I ordered such a pricey dish and it was so so bad. Other orders at the table: paparadelle. I tasted it and I've definitely had much better. My husband really enjoyed his steak. That's the only hit at the table. Save your money. Had a better meal at poppycock the other night.

The cuisine and service were simply outstanding! The range of the dishes were very creative.

Yum restaurant w fun service. Tbh the apps and deserts are both skippable, the drink and pasta menu r where its at. The fiocchetti was super super good, sweet and nutty and even tho its creamy it doesnt feel too heavy

One of the best meals we've ever had. Came here for our 10 year anniversary. The staff was very warm and welcoming, the food was incredible, and the wine was fantastic. Would 100% recommend to others, and would visit again next time! The Pistachio Semifreddo dessert was a delectable ending to the night.

Situated in the historic Grand Traverse Commons, this place is definitely a place to go when pricing is not your top priority! Food is amazing, portions could be a TAD larger-- but, it is fine dining. Chocolate martini is something that i could have ordered 6 or more of, if they weren't $15 each. Service was very attentive and was very personable. The dim lighting accompanied by the tone down colors of the interior of the space bring the fine dining experience to a beautiful end. The space, the food, the staff, etc. are all amazing.

Everything was just perfect, great table location without a reservation, wonderful hostess and waitress service, food was fantastic. It's also a very beautiful place.

Very nice place. The waiter was great and his recommendations / knowledge was very good. You will pay at Pepe's. Expect that a couple will spend at least $150 for dinner and a couple drinks. We had the bread, octopus, ahi tartar, branzino, and a couple drinks each.

PepeNero is class! The service was excellent. The food was excellent. The ambiance of the restaurant was clean and inviting, evoking the south Italian coast that the menu was built on. You'll want to make a reservation in advance, and I highly recommend you do. Handicap accessible. Indoor/outdoor seating. Business casual+ dress.

Excellent as always. We live here and it's our favorite. We often also see our neighbors coincidentally whenever we dine there.

Our group of six had an outstanding meal here. The experience from beginning to end was perfect. Our server, Kyle, was very knowledgeable about the menu and had great recommendations. You MUST get the black sesame focaccia bread to start your meal. It was pillowy heaven. I also highly recommend their creamy mushroom soup. It was so rich and flavorful. One of the best soups I've ever had. The mushroom ravioloni was very flavorful. I ended with the seasonal strawberry sorbet. I'd order everything I got again. Everything was cookies and prepared to perfection. Highly recommend coming here for a five star meal!

I don't relish writing bad reviews for restaurants I've had good experiences previously but last Friday was a disaster for PepeNero for our party of 5. The service staff, including the manager, were absolutely pitiful. From the service delays, the botched orders, to the lack of attention, we expected so much more from a fine dining restaurant like Pepe. Disappointing is an understatement. Understanding that kitchens get backed-up, mistakes get made, delays happen, how these are handled professionally & promptly by your front house staff is critical. Blatantly ignoring your guests is inexcusable and being made to feel like YOU were the problem 2 hours later is simply wrong. Never experienced this while fine dining anywhere but it sure ruins your evening....Food was good so that part worked....Sorry to post negativity.

We had a great first experience at PepeNero. Authentic, upscale Italian. Our server Noah was fun and extremely helpful. We started with an excellent charcuterie board, and I had a great seafood pasta. When I saw desserts at someone else's table I knew we had to try to save room for some. They are plated to impress, and taste as good as they look. I would recommend this as the top Italian spot in TC - definitely ahead of their neighbor across the lot!

I'm so glad we got reservations since the night we went they did not have any other reservations remaining. We had great service- sat immediately and had drinks and bread in short order. I had the branzino and shared a fig salad with my friend. The branzino was lovely- the wine selection was lovely. (I had a red blend- you can't go wrong.) Next- had a desert and some port. Minor upcharge on adding the aged balsamic for your bread- live a little! Don't miss this gem!

One of the many restaurants we visited while in Traverse City. The food was excellent. We had the 2 cocktails, mushroom ravioli, the burrata salad and a steak. Our server was lovely. Why the 4 stars? The male host: it's 5:30-on a Wednesday. Outdoor tables abound and he sits my husband and I at a table near the serving station and in an extremely sun exposed area. When the sun bore down on us I could hardly eat. And yet empty tables all around us.

We had a wonderful meal at PepeNero! They really go above and beyond to make sure that you're having a great experience. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is stellar! I highly recommend this restaurant. We will be back!!!

One of the best restaurants in MI! We moved back to MI after living in Seattle for 8 years. We have enjoyed exploring the culinary offerings in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Midland. Best service and meal we have had since the move. The Unami flavors in the ravioli were phenomenal! The cocktails were creative and tasty and our server had great recommendations. Such a lovely evening. We will be back.

Very expensive and worth every penny. Went for our anniversary and they truly made us special. Drinks were great, wine selection was not only well selected but our server knew everything about it. The Bearnaise for the fillet was the only thing disappointing in the whole place - quite bitter. Server could tell we weren't a fan, and we ended up getting an apology from the manager and an offer to make it right which we didn't take them up on. (Not necessary but appreciate. Did the five course meal but is was soooo much food. Make sure if you do that, you realize it isn't five courses with small portions. They are all FULL portions! Ambiance of the place was unbelievable. You could drop this restaurant Antony where in the world and it would hold up as one of the best restaurants in town.

Disappointing policy. Made a reservation fir 5 people, at the last minute, another relative was able to join us. We went to the restaurant early to confirm our party of 6 vs 5. The manager said that it was against policy to seat a table of six unless it was in the private room, which was already reserved. The table was large enough to fit 6 of us, but the manager refused. We asked to split the party and sit us next to each other. Again he refused saying that it would cause a disruption. We were there 2 hours before our reservation time and the restaurant was mostly empty, we suggested we dine early and be out before the place got busy. Again, he sited the policy...so odd to have a maximum of 5 for a table vs 4 or 6, don't you think? I'd been before, in early 2020, with a party of six with no problems. We ended up going to another place and had a fabulous time at Harrington's!

First time here. Incredible meal experience. Great service from busers to servers to management checking in. We had crudo and burrata for apps. Both were great. The table split up fig salad, three pasta dishes, halibut special and branzino. The halibut was a standout, all the pastas were exceptional. The branzino was ok. Deserts to close. All three were mind blowers (tiramisu, pistachio ice cream, chocolate something). Coffee and wine selections were also solid.