Pepe's Cafe

The Reuben fantastic, though perhaps a bit smaller than anticipated. The salad with blackened fish was truly wonderful. There was ample parking available in the paid city parking lot across the street during our visit.

What a fun cafe! We enjoyed breakfast with biscuit and gravy with scrambled eggs added. The biscuits and gravy were delicious and everything you expect them to be! In addition to that we got the French toast special which has a strawberry sauce. While I loved the French toast, I was not a fan of the sauce. I will try the eggs Benedict next time.

This is an old establishment. I sat on the outside deck with a fan about me to keep me cool. I chose a bacon cheeseburger with coleslaw. That was absolutely delicious. I asked the manager, Jessica, to be honest with me and recommend best place for key lime pie in Key West and she told me that Pepe's was in the top three and maybe the best. The best. She comped me my first ever piece of key lime pie. It was absolutely delicious. The cinnamon crust the condensed milk in the pie made it very rich and very tasty. I now have a benchmark for all future key lime pies. This was a welcomed Oasis on a hot day. The chickens were cute too

I ate at Pepe’s everyday I was in Key West. I tried all the other “places to go” but I came back for the friendly atmosphere and the food!

Pepe’s is a place you might cross the street to avoid if you don’t know its reputation as a Key West staple for breakfast, lunch, or just some drinks. It also has the best key lime pie that I’ve ever had in KW. If you’re in town at least make sure you drop in for a slice.

This place is Iconic and has been around since I believe 1909 for a reason. I sat at the bar outside since I was alone. The bartender who happened to be a Key West native tipped me off that I should get a cocktail that included some kind of juice because the juices are all fresh squeezed. I opted for a margarita and boy was it delicious. The peel and eat shrimp are huge and amazing. The salad is very large generous and fresh. All the salad dressings are House made. I went with the Cucumber Dill. It was phenomenal. If you're in Key West you have to go here.

Fun atmosphere, great food, DELICIOUS Key Lime Pie! Probably the best I have tried in Key West. Lucas was our waiter and he was friendly, humorous and a perfect compliment to our experience.

Great spot for early breakfast with the locals. We ate here three days of our trip, and it was great food and service every time.

Great local restaurant with amazing oysters, Key West pink shrimp and smoked fish dip. Happy hour specials are incredible.

Great meal in a historic place. The menu is varied. Food was fantastic. Black bean soup was superb. Also the Smokey chipotle salsa. Thanksgiving sandwich was the only so-so item we had. Every employee was friendly and helpful except our waitress Theresa who seemed annoyed to be our server.

What an experience! This is Old Key West at it's best. Loved the food and the vibe. Friendly employees as well.

Eating at Pepe's is like taking a trip back in time to Old Key West! Everything is authentic in the oldest restaurant in the keys and the food is amazing and totally worth the wait!!!!! I love that the roosters walk in and out of the restaurant and that there is so much history in every corner of the restaurant!!!!!

We really enjoyed this quaint little place for dining on our Key West trip. It had just the right variety for the 5 of us to pick what we wanted. There was no wait and we sat close to the door and fan which was perfect for my husband with one leg. We tried some new dishes we never tried before like the fish dip, Pork chop smothered steak, and delicious blackened fish sandwich, all were delicious! Great service and one of our favorite places while there in town. The prices were great too!

The key lime pie here was my husbands favorite in Key West. The rest of the food was pretty good. Convenient location after a dolphin and snorkeling trip.

Stopped in to eat here as had read good reviews about the Key Lime Pie and it did not disappoint. Was our first taste of Key lime pie after just arriving in the Keys and it set the bar. So creamy and just the right mix of tart & sweet. Blackened snapper sandwich was fresh & tasty. Be careful though as I found a couple bones. Service was good and everything else we ordered was tasty.

Best fish tacos I have legitimately ever had. The fish dip was amazing, and I don't think anything can beat a $4 mojito... Especially when it was as delicious as it was. Will 100% be my first stop when I'm back in Key West

Went here a couple of times while visiting Key West. This restaurant is definitely a hidden jewel in Key West. Christine was our server and she did an excellent job! We had a great dining experience. I like the variety of items that they have for dinner. There is something for everyone at this place. We also came here for breakfast as well and we were very pleased. We will definitely be back the next time we visit Key West! Highly recommended restaurant!

Cool café. Been in existence since 1909. Food was really , waitress was cool. Atmosphere is as expected, laid back.

Interesting cafe! Not what I was expecting but the food was great. Cafe is always busy.

Had a great breakfast! Recommended by Islamorada Brewery and Distillery. Pepe’s Cafe is an excellent stop for a very good breakfast. We didn’t have to wait, but definitely was busy. Much smaller and less touristy feeling than other larger breakfast places in Key West. Service was excellent along with the food. Make sure you try the bread of the day!

Fantastic Happy Hour specials from 4-6. Oysters were super fresh and beer was cold. Staff was friendly and the vibe was great. What else do you need? Get in my belly😝🍺🦪

Kara was our server, excellent by the way, but several people asked if we were good. We have made it a tradition to stop here for breakfast and never been disappointed. Great place with excellent food, drinks and service Came back a second day and the prime rib Benny was awesome, large enough we should have split it. Roseanne was our server day two and had great service again. Don't skip this place on your next visit.

🌴 Pepe’s Café: Where Breakfast Meets History Stepping into Pepe’s Café feels like flipping open a well-worn chapter of Key West’s storybook. Established in 1909, this charming eatery isn’t just the oldest restaurant in the Florida Keys—it’s a living slice of Old Florida. And yes, it’s true: President Harry Truman himself was a regular here, often starting his mornings with breakfast at Pepe’s. But Pepe’s isn’t just about presidential nostalgia. It’s about fresh-squeezed juices, homemade breads, and oysters so fresh they practically wink at you. The vibe is laid-back and unpretentious, with a cozy backyard setting that makes you feel like a local—even if it’s your first visit. What makes Pepe’s truly special is how it blends culinary comfort with historical charm. You’re not just eating breakfast—you’re participating in a tradition that’s weathered world wars, the Great Depression, and generations of change. The walls are lined with photos of famous patrons, and the atmosphere hums with stories. If you’re in Key West and want more than just a good meal—if you want to taste a bit of history—Pepe’s Café is the place to be.

The BEST Key Lime Pie in the Keys – Hands Down! If you’re searching for the ultimate Key Lime Pie experience in Key West, look no further than Pepe’s Café. This slice of heaven is everything a real Key Lime Pie should be—perfectly tart, creamy, and balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. The graham cracker crust is buttery and crisp, and the whipped topping is light and fluffy. We tried a few others around town, but nothing came close to Pepe’s. This pie is the real deal. Don’t leave Key West without grabbing a slice—or two. You’ll regret it if you don’t!

The food was delicious and perfect temperature when it came out. The food didn't take too long and the corn bread was amazing. The staff were really sweet. The building itself was ok, it had a air conditioning system inside and fans outside and a bar outside, but decor isn't as good as it could be. Its also a historical peice, the second oldest restaurant in the whole state of Florida and the first oldest in the Keys. Overall I definitely recommend this restaurant! 5☆!!!

Another place on a lot of lists...and for good reason. These guys rock! I had the traditional eggs Benedict. Perfectly cooked eggs. Hollandaise was rich with the perfect balance of tangy lemon. Thick Canadian bacon and breakfast potatoes. Also had one of their omelets. Eggs were perfect! While other spots have 25 minute waits, we were seated quickly. Service was outstanding. Would go back without question.

Pepe’s has a really cool vibe and was a place we were genuinely excited to try while in Key West. It is one Key West's oldest establishments. It's a little run down looking on the outside, but don't let that deter you from stopping in. It is a smaller place, so they had a hard time seating larger parties while we were there. I would not recommend this restaurant for parties exceeding 4 people. We had a reservation (which is recommended), but unfortunately didn’t get seated in the "dining" room and were placed near the bar instead. That was a bit of a bummer, as it was noticeably louder than we expected and didn’t quite match what we had in mind. Because of the bar seating and overall atmosphere in that area, it kind of killed the steak vibe for us, so we opted for burgers instead. The burgers themselves were delicious and well-prepared, so no complaints there. One thing worth noting, though, is that Pepe’s doesn’t offer fries. The sides lean more toward classic steak and seafood pairings—think mashed potatoes and broccoli rather than casual burger sides. They were good, but it might be helpful to review the menu in advance so you know what to expect. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable, which we appreciated, and did a great job explaining the menu. However, service fell a little short when it came to attentiveness. We never received any drink refills, and our server wasn’t nearby enough for us to flag down, which was disappointing, especially given the price point and overall reputation of the restaurant. That said, we’d absolutely be open to giving it another try on a future visit. Hopefully next time we can snag quieter seating.

French toast special was topped with strawberries, coconut and a chocolate ganache that was delicious. We also had mimosas and the taco special on another day. We ate here 3 times during our 6 day stay. So good!

This is not the restraunt to bring a girl to on a first date if you are trying to impress her with a fancy, luxurious meal where the survers all wear a tux. This is the place to go if you want a great meal with fresh ingredients, prepared expertly. Brooke was super friendly, and had a great attitude. Probably one of the finest restraunts in Florida. It is a bit off Duval, but we'll worth the walk.

The food is so delicious, with a fun atmosphere and wonderful service! Also my partner and I went to seven different places across Miami and the Keys to search for the best key lime pie. We unanimously agreed Pepe’s has the best one.

This was the last place we ate at when we visited Key West in July 2025, and I wish we had known of it sooner than our last day. They were super friendly, we didn't have a wait, and everything was cooked to perfection. Our server was amazing, and we enjoyed everything down to the decor. If we ever get back to Key West, we are definitely hitting this place up more than once. Thanks for the excellent meal! Still thinking about it months the later 😂

The spot and service were great but the french toast wasn’t the my favorite. I had a morning special with a mixed berry sauce, pineapple, coconut, and blueberry toppings and I feel those held it up for me. I tried some of the omelet and in-house made bread which I enjoyed more. I’m sure the other menu options were great, I could have just lucked out and not hit with the toast.

Tastey breakfast with friendly staff. Rustic hole in the wall dining. I enjoyed French toast special. Also dropped by for happy hour for $6 margaritas and half-price oysters.

Clean is not the scene here. Food was okay, oysters are cheap. I wanted to try their signature hot sauces but they were caked in fruit flies. Nice place to try but a one and done

This is an iconic place as this is the oldest restaurant in key west. However, it is not for me. The sandwiches werent as tasty and I even ordered the special of the day. I think what affected my rating too is because I had set a very high expectation on this place.

An island institution! Small with outdoor dog friendly seating and bar. Food was great... just a smaller proportion for the price than I would've expected.

My husband loves history and loves coming to this restaurant when we are in town. The issue is that the service is extremely slow. Food was mid. BLT and the bread wasn’t even toasted. Steak and eggs the steak was less than desirable. I can get eggs and bacon anywhere - nothing here stood out except for the historical aspect, which was cool.

Was here for 6 weeks last year and here again this year for 8 weeks..We look for places where the vibe is good and enjoy trying different happy hours around town since that's a thing here and taken pretty seriously by locals that we know...figured we'd try pepe's again this year since it was advertised as an early happy hour 1-6 and mojitos were said to be great! We arrived a 230 and sat at the bar to inquire about the mojito hype we heard about..Bartender was very quick to tell us that happy hour wasn't till 4 and that mojitos weren't included..thats fine but maybe update the info on line and be nicer!! We won't be back, there are way more options to put up with a negative vibe here!!

Was very disappointed based on the reviews. Service was extremely slow. Food was average. The bill, however, had a charge that was not mine. And creatively if you look at the check. They already add in the 20% gratuity. But then the check is written, so it looks like you haven't tipped yet. So if you're not paying attention, you could easily accidentally. End up tipping 40%.

Came for breakfast. Ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potato patty, coconut bread and coffee. Got everything but the sausage. Coffee was incredibly bitter. Bacon was way overcooked. Like try to break it apart and it would disintegrate into 1000 pieces, overcooked. The eggs and potato patty lacked flavor, no seasoning, no salt. Coconut bread was good. Did I mention how wildly bitter the coffee was? I would not go back. Once and done.