Pepino Eatery & Bakeshop

Pepino is a place that I have been waiting for a while to have its own shop. I love the food, and the storytelling that comes with the flavors and items on the menu. Chef Sebastian definitely showcases his love for food and his roots in the menu and the way he presents food; very simple, but packed with flavor. My favorites right now are the Lomo Saltado burrito, where the taste of spring onions and meat blends incredibly, and the dulce de leche pionono is a must try dessert. It's a must place for the people in the neighborhood and not only. Lastly, it's a place that stays open from 8am - 4pm which is rare for a bakery / eatery in SD!

Pepino’s grand opening was everything we hoped for and more. The space looks amazing - warm, welcoming, and full of that homey, family vibe the moment you walk in. The food? Absolutely unreal. The Lomo Saltado burrito was packed with flavor, the New Yorker breakfast sandwich is already iconic, and the seasonal pumpkin coffee cake with cream cheese drizzle just took it to another level. It’s been so cool watching the transition from pop-ups to a full-blown restaurant, and they’ve absolutely nailed it. Can’t wait to keep coming back again and again and again. Chef Sebi is a legend. Pepino is here to stay.

Omgoodness, delicious!!!! Pepino Eatery and Bakeshop was recommended by my favorite chef and did not steer me wrong. ☺️I had the Loma Saltado Burrito which is a breakfast burrito with shredded beef, tiny tater tots, egg perfectly ripened avocado and all kinds of goodness 😋 The staff is friendly and really love what they do. Definitely a Go-To 😁🥳

Everything about this place is amazing! We both got the Lomo Saltado Burro and drip coffee. It’s the best breakfast burrito I’ve had in San Diego. So tender and juicy!

BEST PLACE! Wow this is my third time here in two weeks and I keep craving the amazing burrito that they have. It has the perfect flavors that meld so incredibly. And to top it off the service was so quick - we got our food about 5 min after we ordered it with it being so fresh! We couldn’t resist the pastries on our way out and bought two to go which was the best decision. I will definitely be keeping it in my weekly rotation, such amazing food, ambiance and customer service.

Just great! Chef is an Eleven Madison Park aluminii with Peruvian ascent, and the brings that to this place: excellent food and original recipes that shine in a laid back place with fair prices and many options. Cusqueña beer is a very welcome add-on and the burrito is a must, lomo saltado is a staple in Peru and the chef delivers in USA with an aji sauce that is to die for. Fried yuca is great too. Love the wine by the glass options. It's your new go-to in La Jolla, for breakfast or lunch. Pastries seemed good, did not get one or coffee, will next time for sure!

Grand opening and I am so impressed by the service, food quality and atmosphere! Got a New Yorker and some Orange Juice. Delightful way to kick off my day. Am loving seeing the community support for this new local spot! I can already tell that this is going to be hot spot.

For the price, I guess I expected it to be better. $9 for some fried Yuca is kind of crazy. Yuca is really cheap and is eaten by poor people in South America, but suddenly because we are in La Jolla, it is a "special ingredient". Then my regular sized or even small breakfast sandwich was another $16. It was a little bigger than a large fast food type breakfast sandwich. Usually, even in a relatively expensive restaurant (even considering inflation from the last few years), a huge burger or specialty sandwich will run $15-$20, so I don't understand how this place is justifying the prices. Altogether I spent $25+ for a meal without a drink. What in the world is going on. The price range shown on Google maps of $10-20 is wrong. I the guess the owner, his friends and family are rich, and these are totally fair prices to them. The yuca wasn't fried enough or prepared correctly. I'm not sure. The inner texture is mushy instead of having nice varied texture like it normally is when home cooks fry it up. The sauce that came with the yuca fries was genuinely almost flavorless. It's some kind of cream sauce I think? Very hard to determine what it's made from and it's very bland. Perhaps it is something authentic/traditional, but it was simply boring. I feel like a better sauce could be added with this dish so easily. The breakfast sandwich tasted genuinely great. Unique flavors for sure. Besides differences in people's individual taste preferences, I don't think there is really anything that could be done to make this sandwich better, for what it is. It was executed really well. It should probably cost $13 at the most. Just seems like regular food at high prices just because it's la Jolla and the people around here will pay the prices and want to feel special and trendy when they are sitting in a restaurant or something. Based on the name of the restaurant and the ingredients used, I feel like the owner is probably from South America or central america somewhere, and if this is true, he knows he is charging an absurd amount for yuca and is also doing it in a kind of strange way. Homemade fried yuca is one of my favorite things in the world and is the reason I chose to come to this restaurant. It's a rough review, but it's honest. I was disappointed. Real food cooked in a real way, with real prices is just so much more appealing to real people. But if the local trendy white rich housewife is his target market, then his restaurant is perfect and he shouldn't change anything. Oh, and the sandwich was brought out on a silly wooden cutting board that was so small and oddly shaped that I had to focus on trying to eat over it so that whatever would spill wouldn't go everywhere. My lord man, put it on a regular plate...the "unique/cool/trendy" approach is so annoying. Cutting boards are shaped the way they are for cutting things. Plates are shaped the way they are for eating things on them. I felt so stupid trying to hover over the cutting board. I have been to South America/central america so much. I lived there. I know the culture and the people. I feel like this restaurant is so far removed from the culture that it is trying to say it is related to, and I guess for that reason it was a jarring and strange experience for me. I don't think anyone who has ever eaten a Pepino or knows what a Pepino is, would like eating here. That's obvious. I don't mean to harm or disrespect this business. I bet the owner of this establishment is a nice guy. Maybe he is a great guy! But if he is a real foodie/cook and he is passionate about his restaurant and food, then he won't be confused or upset by this review. He will simply make things better.

Pepino is a great, new spot in La Jolla. My husband and I dined during their soft opening for breakfast and enjoyed everything from the coffee, fresh squeezed juice, the pastries, and breakfast sammy. Sebi and team are always trying new things and updating their menu, so you're guaranteed to get the latest and tastiest offerings! They've already updated the breakfast sammy since we've been and can't wait to try the newest version. Pepino has both indoor and outdoor seating (pet friendly). Inside the decor is a homage to Sebi's Peruvian roots. They also have merchandise and Talitha coffee (bagged) for sale. Pricing is very resonable for everything they offer. Service is top notch. Everyone is so friendly! They bring your food out to you and make sure you have all that you need. I definitely recommend checking out this neighborhood gem for breakfast for lunch!

Pepino is a fairly new Peruvian eatery and bakeshop that has opened in the village of La Jolla across Fay Ave from the Pavilions shopping plaza. Parking was all curbside as you don't want to risk parking at Pavilions and get ticketed or towed. The service counter was to the left when you walked in. To the right and up a few steps was an adjacent dining room that could seat about 40 customers. The one-page menu featured a total of eight breakfast and lunch offerings so don't expect full Peruvian entrees. The breakfast choices were available all day while the lunch items were served between 11 am and 4 pm. The Yuca Fries and the Lomo Saltado Burro were my choices. The fries were crispy and served with a cup of huancaina sauce for dipping. There were just six pieces so I can't say the value was good for the $9 price. Beef, scrambled eggs, tater tots, guacamole, red onion, tomato, jalapeno, queso oaxaca, cilantro, and scallion were all neatly stuffed inside a flour tortilla for the burrito. A cup of smoked salsa roja was provided for dipping. The burrito was cut in half and served as two pieces. The salsa added a nice touch of heat and moisture to the burrito. I also liked the diversity of ingredients but similar to the fries, the price was high ($19) for the amount of product. That kept my rating of Pepino Eatery & Bakehop to a four star level.

Went on opening day after a long run and got a few things to go: Passionfruit orange juice ($7)- this was good but I didn't taste too much passionfruit Lomo Saltado Burro ($19)- My fiance got this and said it was also very good and filling. Sweet Potato Bowl ($18)- This was sooo good and exactly what I needed after a run-filling, but not super heavy! Chocolate Chip cookie- this was huge and very good and chewy. Maybe a tad too much salt for me, but I did like that it balanced out the chocolate. Overall, very cute spot and so happy they found a permanent home!

Our neighbor recommended we check out this newly open place. So glad he did because the flavor within the breakfast burrito is way better than a lot of the popular brunch spots you'd find in La Jolla. Compliments to the chef because the flavor is done by a professional indeed, not something you can assemble at home.

Always looking for an amazing breakfast place in La Jolla. We went during their grand opening in early November so there was a good amount of folks who was there. Menu had a good selection and was craving for something savory. The breakfast sandwich looked basic but once you take a bite you can tell the amount of work that took place. How is the egg SO smooth?! Tell me the secret. I wish they had some small tater tots on the side. Couldn't resist the good looking coffee cake which tasted amazing. There are a lot of other mediocre places in La Jolla that cost about the same, so this is definitely is worth it. The shop has a decent amount of seating and staff were quick to deliver the food and keep the areas clean.

I'm Peruvian and I like this place. There's aren't a ton of Peruvian restaurants in San Diego, and the few that exist focus on having authentic Peruvian food. Pepino adds a twist on those authentic flavors and does it well. I think this is a positive thing as it becomes more approachable. Limited Indoor seating but efficient for different size parties. Several smaller outdoor tables. Pionono was 10/10. Better than a typical pionono and served cold. I had to get a couple slices back to my parents so they could try. The lomo saltado in the lomo saltado breakfast burrito is not your typical Peruvian chewy ginger steak. It's more like a juicy shredded steak but it's good. Definitely recommend trying it. Yuca fries with huacaina are just like you'd find in Peru. Perfect amount salt and crispness. Huacaina was on point. Kids breakfast burrito was a good size. My kids couldn't get enough of the Blueberry muffin with filling. +1 for having inca cola. I didn't see whether they had Chicha. Overall 5/5. I'll come back and try the pollo à la brasa bowl next time.

Absolutely obsessed with this new Peruvian gem in La Jolla! I have been waiting forever for this spot to open since their pop up and it exceeded all expectations! The llomo saltado burro is easily the best breakfast burrito I've ever had - the sauces and rich flavors inside bringing me right back to my time in Peru. And the fact that they had a gluten free tortilla made my year :) the sweet potato bowl was also amazing, so much flavor and both were super filling! The pastries also looked amazing so I'll definitely be back to try everything on the menu! The staff was also super sweet and went above and beyond in answering questions and helping us decide on what to order. Can't wait for this to be a new staple in San Diego!

La Jolla's newest little gem. No espresso but they do have drip coffee. Pastries are delicious. Lunch is a must

Literally speechless. I have been following Chef Sebi since the pop up days and have been counting down the days until their shop grand opening. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint at all. I got the lomo saltado burro and it is FULL of layers and layers of flavors. The tender beef with the tater tots? Genius. The salsa? Perfect amount of spice with flavors that compliment the burro so well. I also got the blueberry lemon muffin and pionono and they were the perfect breakfast pastries. I love their new space and everyone working was so friendly even when I was yapping about how long I've been waiting for them to open. Pepino is the perfect love letter to Peruvian cuisine and its namesake. We are so lucky to have Chef Sebi and the Pepino team here in San Diego, and I won't be the least surprised if they get a Bib Gourmand award in the coming year. I would contact Michelin myself if I had any sway. Get yourself down to Pepino STAT, you won't regret it.

Top notch sandwich, chimichurri on the inside, tender juicy pork belly. I'll give it a 5/5. The sides were good too, I'd come back.

10/10 Lomo Breakfast Burrito!! Wow the burrito was amazing as well as the pionono. I am Peruvian and I am so happy that there is now a local peruvian spot! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Been waiting for this place to open, and did not disappoint. If the perfect breakfast Café existed in my imagination, it would be Pepino. Casual menu, but incredible thoughtful and detail in every ingredient. High-quality and delicious. The staff is Uber attentive for this being a casual café. The vibes are immaculate. This place is a home run and is now one of my favorite spots, no surprise.

Stopped by Pepino while in downtown La Jolla to satisfy some breakfast hunger and opted for the Loma Saltado burro which consisted of Beef , Scrambled Egg, Tots, Guacamole, Red Onion, Tomato, Jalapeño, Queso Oaxaca Cilantro, Scallion and Smoked Salsa Roja. The burro itself was toasted on both sides adding a nice crunch to the bite. Overall it was loaded and tasty, though I could have done without the tots in it for more beef or veggies. For the side I chose the Yuca fries which were a bit of a disappointment as they didn't have much flavor and the dip it came with did nothing to elevate the flavor either. Will choose something else for a side the next time. The shop itself is large and airy, lots of seating space inside with free WiFi if your cell signal was bad like mine. They also have outside seating in the courtyard shared with other shops, but on a chilly morning it was much more comfortable to sit inside. Overall I had a great meal here and will be back to try more.

Pepino is amazing! The Lomo Saltado burrito, the New Yorker, and the homemade pastries were all excellent. The staff greeted us with big smiles and were super friendly. Love the atmosphere -- can't wait to come back and try more off the menu. Big fan!

What an amazing experience at Pepino and I've been there 3 times now . I can't say enough about the food and service. This place is a 10 out of 10. La Jolla is lucky to have Pepino. The bowls and the burritos are excellent.

We "discovered" Sebi's cooking when he was serving from his backyard. His meals became a must do for our family whenever one of his pop ups happened. We shared his food and story with many friends and the orders kept growing. We watched his business grow to the point a physical location was necessary. Everything they serve is excellent, prepared by hand and unique. Love the pastries, burritos, sandwiches and basically anything they make there. We are looking forward to seeing the menu and business grow. It is inspiring to see a local couple and business growing like they are. We have literally eaten every item on the menu and they are all highly recommended.

This place is the best. Chef Sebi makes incredible food, his staff are all extremely kind and bring great vibes, and the location is amazing. Go out of your way and eat everything on the menu, we have over and over again, and it's all excellent.

Pepino is so amazing! An awesome spot for cold brew and a breakfast burrito, and their juice of the day (orange and passionfruit) was so good. Seriously the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever had, I will be back!! They also had a really great rose on the menu and the mimosas looked really good. Everything is super high quality.

The best food in town by far!! Im now a super fan of Peruvian food. Highly recommend this place!!! Great food, staff and ambiance.

The food is amazing from the homemade pastries to the delicious "lomo saltado burrito". We have tried almost everything on the menu and you can't go wrong ! We paired it with a yummy rose wine and Peruvian beer ! The staff was lovely so happy and helpful and the decor of the restaurant beautiful and homey! Completely recommend ! We will be going back often

Just went to the soft opening of the new location, the burrito is amazing. The coffee cake is amazing the Pionono also amazing. Frankly everything about this place is awesome. The food came out quick, the quality is great, the staff super friendly and attentive with a great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!

We had a $52. Lunch for 2. They managed somehow to present 2 meals , a croissant sandwich and a "bowl" that were completely flavorless. The place is cute, the people were nice.

Great new spot in La Jolla. Friendly staff and good food! The sweet potato bowl is one of the best I've had.

Pepino is fabulous! The food is awesome and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Also love the casual vibe. I will definitely will be recommending to friends and family and will be a regular patron.

Such a cute spot with friendly service. I was craving a sweet treat this morning and Olivia recommended that I pair the drip coffee with the Pionono. Thank you for the great recommendation, Olivia! The Dulce de Leche in the cake was insanely good. I will for sure be back. The chocolate chip cookie is also amazing.

Long awaited and just opened Pepinos!! The Peruvian influenced food was absolutely insanely delicious! We sampled the Loma Saltado Burro that was packed with flavors, tender steak with tasty seasonings and spices, all cooked to perfection by super star Chef Sebi Beccera. We also ordered pumpkin coffee cake, my favorite pionono, cold oats, and fresh locally roasted coffee. This cafe and bakery is a must for all you foodies looking for a memorable breaky or lunch!

if you live near la jolla and you haven't tried pepino yet, what are you doing???? all of their menu items are delicious, thoughtfully executed and have SO much flavor. their staff is so attentive and kind. they sell and showcase products from local vendors and are allllll about community. check it out!