The Peppermill: Steakhouse and Cocktail

Hidden gem 100%!
Cosy atmosphere, great service and that short rib and octopus made my meal uncomfortable 😍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is excellent. The chef definitely knows what he's doing. The atmosphere can be a little noisy though

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Celebrated our 19th anniversary. Food was AMAZING! Explosion of flavor with every bite. Atmosphere was great. Highly recommend this place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had really high expectations for this place based on the reviews but we left pretty disappointed.

The website makes it seem like a high end steakhouse but it is more of a small plate and happy hour stop. There were lots of little details that took away from the high end feel including water with no ice (warm water), soda served in cans, dirty plates, and slow and somewhat awkward service. The atmosphere was very cute and I liked the overall layout of the restaurant.

We got the coconut shrimp and octopus for appetizers. The shrimp was good but was served with a sauce that did not compliment the flavor of the coconut. The octopus and potatoes were tasty but the octopus was chewier than I have had at other places. The steak was where the meal went really downhill. We ordered a ribeye but we were served what looked like a prime rib cut attempted to be cooked like a ribeye and dressed in au jus. It was very marbled and fatty and my husband ended up sending it back after working on it for awhile. They did credit the steak which was appreciated. I ordered the broccoli Caesar which took two tries to get right but was ok. Very oily and salty which took away from the base ingredients but it was still decent.

Overall, I think the appetizers are what they do well and it seems like the lamb is good. The margarita was also not good so maybe stick to the cocktails on the menu. Hoping this is helpful feedback!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

Chef's whim was a unique highlight! My wife and I loved it!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is FABULOUS!! (That one negative review was laughable) My daughter ordered the Lobster Pierogies for us. I’m 100% Polish and give them a five star review! I ordered the Peppercorn New York Strip and my daughter the BABS Burger both medium rare.Everything was prepared perfectly and very flavorful. This is our new favorite spot!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What a find in Tempe! This place is a must-visit for anyone looking for amazing food. The steaks are absolutely fantastic, cooked to perfection every time. Plus, the bar service is top-notch; they know how to make a great martini. It's a hidden gem that deserves all the praise.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food with an amazing atmosphere. Truly a dining experience and selection found nowhere else!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Every time I eat here I get the chef's whim and every time, it's excellent. Fantastic food, great portions, relaxing atmosphere. An awesome spot for a date night.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I found this place by accident and fell in love. The service is very good. After the first time we went the bartender remembered us. I had the Chilean sea bass which was cooked to perfection with risotto and a sweet/spicy zucchini. We started with the octopus. I'm not always a fan of octopus but it was AMAZING.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I came to The Peppermill in Tempe and ordered the lamb chops—absolutely outstanding! Perfectly cooked to a tender, juicy medium-rare with a beautiful sear and just the right amount of seasoning to let the flavor of the lamb shine. The portion was generous, and every bite melted in my mouth. Paired with their sides and a well-crafted cocktail, it made for an unforgettable meal. The intimate, cozy atmosphere and attentive service only made the experience better. If you’re a lamb lover, this dish alone is worth the trip!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

You can go mild to wild here! They have great specials and a wide variety on their happy hour menu. We always try something different everytime we go and we have yet to be disappointed. What a wonderful hidden gem!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Charcuterie Board, Dinner, Appetizers, Chocolate Cake, Lamb Chops

We've always wanted to go there. We finally did. It was a great meal. Good food, good service, in a good atmosphere. We'll be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Extremely Disappointing Experience for a Group of 17 – Not Recommended
We had a company gathering of 17 people at this restaurant, and unfortunately, not a single attendee left with a positive impression; everyone commented that it was not relaxing atmosphere and bad food. Here are the key issues we encountered:
1. Poor Group Accommodation
Despite making a reservation in advance, the restaurant was clearly unprepared to handle a group of our size. Only one server was assigned to our entire party. While she did her best, it was simply impossible for her to provide adequate service under those conditions.
2. Steak Orders Were a Disaster
Ten of us ordered Rib-eyes, all requested medium-well. None were cooked properly—some were undercooked, others overdone and burnt. One guest received her steak 30 minutes late, and it was nearly raw. She had to box it and take it home uneaten.
3. Poor Food Quality for the Price
For a steakhouse charging $50–$100 per entrée, the quality was shockingly poor. Appetizers were decent, but the main dishes were extremely disappointing. Steaks were inconsistently cooked, and plating was not as advertised. For instance, we were told Rib-eyes would be served with mashed potatoes, but what arrived looked like deep-fried potato chunks shaped like hush puppies.
4. Unprofessional and Dishonest Ownership
The most troubling aspect was the attitude of the owner. She was rude, unwelcoming, and failed to thank us for our business. I overheard her taking another reservation for 7:30 PM while we were just being seated at 5:00 PM. I had informed her that some of our guests might arrive slightly late, but everyone would be there by 5:30 PM. When I expressed concern about being rushed, she denied having booked a 7:30 reservation, which directly contradicted what I had just heard and what the server confirmed. Her demeanor was tense, defensive, and far from professional. (she tried to tell me the 7:30 reservation was made months ahead without knowing it was already after I her that she just took the reservation) She even told we can somewhere else, like if we can make arrangement at that point for 17 people to go to. It seems almost discrimination toward Asian(?)
5. False Advertising
The menu photos on the website and review platforms did not match what was actually served. The dish descriptions were misleading, and expectations based on photos and verbal confirmations were not met.
In summary, we spent over $1,500 on what turned out to be a frustrating and unpleasant experience. Between the poor food, underwhelming service, and unprofessional management, we cannot recommend this restaurant—especially not for large groups or special occasions.

Additionally: I asked for whisky cocktail with cinnamon, cherry and orange; he put hot paper (all of us took turned and tasted; it was so burning hot, burnt our mouth, who would thought???).

What a gem this little place is! The vibes were great, music was nice, and the woman at the bar last night 7/09/25 was very kind and attentive. The portions of the food were LARGE. I got a steak nearly 12oz with three sides for only $50 as well as my partner. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5