For almost four decades, Pepe and Luisa Lopez have been bringing classic Spanish cuisine from their home town of Galicia, Spain to the heart of Newark, NJ. Since Don Pepe Restaurant opened in 1981, it has become a Newark institution.
Combing old world charm with modern elegance, Don Pepe Restaurant provides an authentic dining experience with fresh and flavorful culinary specialties such as paella, shrimp in garlic sauce, chicken and garlic, prime rib eye, Nova Scotia Halibut (any style), seafood platter, and Nova Scotia lobsters.We offer unique daily specials as well as an expansive collection of hundreds of wines to compliment each dish.
Combing old world charm with modern elegance, Don Pepe Restaurant provides an authentic dining experience with fresh and flavorful culinary specialties such as paella, shrimp in garlic sauce, chicken and garlic, prime rib eye, Nova Scotia Halibut (any style), seafood platter, and Nova Scotia lobsters.We offer unique daily specials as well as an expansive collection of hundreds of wines to compliment each dish.
Reviews (23)
Gretchen Fox
Jan 20, 2022
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D. F. C.
Jan 19, 2022
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E. A.
Jan 12, 2022
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Good, authentic Spanish food in a traditional space. They start the table with homemade bread and EVO which is absorb delicious. We also ordered the chorizo app which was a smaller portion, but also good. The Paella Valeciana was a homerun and honestly enough to feed two people.
The main area for improvement is the customer service at the employee level. The waiter was very dry and arrogant to an extent. He rushed us several times to place our entrée orders; however, the kitchen was not closing for a hour and 45 minutes from when we placed them. Later on the owner came by to smooth things out
The main area for improvement is the customer service at the employee level. The waiter was very dry and arrogant to an extent. He rushed us several times to place our entrée orders; however, the kitchen was not closing for a hour and 45 minutes from when we placed them. Later on the owner came by to smooth things out
Towana Allen
Dec 29, 2021
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Michael N.
Dec 12, 2021
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A Spanish cuisine legend around these parts that has spawned a number of other locations. My underwhelmed reaction is that it's "fine." The clams casino were robust and flavorful but the vegetarian paella was as desolate as an abandoned mine. Now I know why wars have been fought over spices. Wonderful service redeemed a rather pedestrian meal. Don Pepe needs to locate his pepper grinder. A very charitable three stars.
Matt S.
Dec 12, 2021
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Indera H.
Dec 07, 2021
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We've been going to this restaurant since we lived in New York/New Jersey, some 20 years ago, and we have never been disappointed. We recently visited the New Jersey area for Thanksgiving and could not leave without having dinner here. Nothing has changed and that's a good thing, as I remembered the Paella and drinks, we ordered a pitcher of Sangria, tasted wonderful, definitely enough for our party of 3, we ordered the garlic shrimp, Paella Marinara and Paella Valencia, the portions were large and each of us got two meals from our dinner. The seafood Paella was brimming with shrimp
Natasha C.
Nov 25, 2021
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Danielle G.
Nov 21, 2021
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Sat night and Attended a wonderful concert at NJ PAC and wanted to eat after. Googled nearby restaurants and came up with Don Pepe's because it said it closed at 11:00. Arrived and was seated an immediately rushed to order because the kitchen closed at 1030. It was 10:00 we were told they were already cleaning up in the back. Annoyed we ordered quickly -2 paellas and sangria. Service seemed to relax for a bit until 1045 when everything was rushed and just awful. Servers hovered to clear the tables and really made us uncomfortable. Did they need to get a bus? Very very rude with no class.
Orlando Velazquez
Nov 14, 2021
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Georgia T.
Oct 07, 2021
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Came here for my mother's 50th birthday. Food was on point. The part I did not enjoy was the service. The server wasn't very welcoming or friendly which is fine because we were more focused on celebrating my mother's birthday. At the end my grandmother asked to box her own food because of covid purposes and the waiter nastily said that "this isn't a diner we have to box it for you". He completely offended everyone at the table. We will not be returning.
Dwight Dundas
Oct 01, 2021
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Ahmed Matter
Jul 15, 2021
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Paul R.
Jul 10, 2021
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Katia Lambert
Jun 21, 2021
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Carly E.
Jun 06, 2021
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Had a group of 10 people on a Saturday night. We made reservations and they had a nice table reserved for us. We had called a few hours before the reservation to add a note that we were celebrating a birthday and they told us to just tell the server.
Atmosphere is old school and fancy. The portions of the food are huge. Great for groups and bigger parties. However, the flavors of the food were underwhelming. There is a bar before the restaurant area.
The sangria was AMAZING!!! We got 2 pitchers for the table and it was the best sangria I've ever had. Highly recommend.
Pros: 2 parking
Atmosphere is old school and fancy. The portions of the food are huge. Great for groups and bigger parties. However, the flavors of the food were underwhelming. There is a bar before the restaurant area.
The sangria was AMAZING!!! We got 2 pitchers for the table and it was the best sangria I've ever had. Highly recommend.
Pros: 2 parking
Millicent L.
Jan 24, 2021
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Taylor S.
Feb 28, 2020
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My boyfriend and I went here for Valentine's Day and our overall experience was pleasing!
Overall price was a bit pricier but we expected that from the reviews.
Food: we had the calamari, the special of veal (basically the knee), and seafood penne (with scallops, lobster, and shrimp) a few glasses of white and red wine, and cheesecake and tiramisu for dessert! They give you bread and olive oil as a starter and I also got complimentary Spanish rice with my veal. Everything was hot and very good.
Overall experience: since we went on a busy holiday, we had to wait even though we had a reservation
Overall price was a bit pricier but we expected that from the reviews.
Food: we had the calamari, the special of veal (basically the knee), and seafood penne (with scallops, lobster, and shrimp) a few glasses of white and red wine, and cheesecake and tiramisu for dessert! They give you bread and olive oil as a starter and I also got complimentary Spanish rice with my veal. Everything was hot and very good.
Overall experience: since we went on a busy holiday, we had to wait even though we had a reservation
Brent L.
Dec 17, 2019
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This is a Spanish restaurant that's a bit on the pricey side, so be forewarned. It's one of those nice linen tablecloth and napkin places and is very classy.
According to the menu, it appears that everything comes a la carte, but we were served a bowl of rice, two bowls of brussel sprouts and carrots, and a couple of plates of homemade sliced potato chips for no extra charge. There were nine of us, and the sides were plenty to share.
I had the Norwegian salmon for $26.50. It included a small boiled potato on the side, but as I mentioned, somehow, we got a couple of additional sides
According to the menu, it appears that everything comes a la carte, but we were served a bowl of rice, two bowls of brussel sprouts and carrots, and a couple of plates of homemade sliced potato chips for no extra charge. There were nine of us, and the sides were plenty to share.
I had the Norwegian salmon for $26.50. It included a small boiled potato on the side, but as I mentioned, somehow, we got a couple of additional sides
Ronald W.
Dec 09, 2019
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What a bargain for seafood. Night I went lobster was $19.95/lb whereas the mixed seafood grill was $39.95. I went with the mixed seafood grill which had a full lobster which might be near 1.5-2lbs along with mussels, shrimp and scallops along with potato chips. Totally delicious with the drawn butter and way too much for one person. Ideally 2 can split this dish with soup or salad for a starter. No chance of making it to dessert on your own.
Great service, great food. Outrageous portion size.
Great service, great food. Outrageous portion size.
Cameron Trimpey-Warhaftig
Aug 14, 2019
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Bree H.
Feb 12, 2019
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First time coming to Don Pepe and of course I'll be coming back. Very close to Penn Station and also has its own parking lot (which is very hard to find in Newark). The fried calamari and shrimp that I had for my appetizer were delicious. I tried both the red and white sangria, and both had a great taste. Wouldn't say that either drinks were strong.
Honestly, my entree was the best compilation of seafood I've had in a long time. A burst of juice came from each bite I took. Such a generous amount, I had to get a take home box.
Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't leave without
Honestly, my entree was the best compilation of seafood I've had in a long time. A burst of juice came from each bite I took. Such a generous amount, I had to get a take home box.
Even though I was stuffed, I couldn't leave without
Stephanie G.
Oct 10, 2018
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This is a place I've passed many times, and I am glad I finally got to try it. If you are looking for a special occasion dinner or something nice before a show at NJPAC or Prudential Center, this is in walking distance. It also has its own lot if that's all you're in town for.
Things are definitely on the pricey side, but they have really big portions of seafood options. The stuffed scallops were giant and had a nice baked crust on them. The garlic shrimp entree had a ton of juicy shrimp with great flavor and came with rice. I was annoyed the paella can't be ordered unless
Things are definitely on the pricey side, but they have really big portions of seafood options. The stuffed scallops were giant and had a nice baked crust on them. The garlic shrimp entree had a ton of juicy shrimp with great flavor and came with rice. I was annoyed the paella can't be ordered unless
