My wife and I come here several times a year, and it is one of our favorite restaurants. We have a soft spot for old school ambience and food preparations, and Tio Pepe's is definitely a blast from the past. I can imagine eating here 20 years ago being very similar to what it is now; whether that is a good thing to you or not depends on your personal preference.
We also are endlessly amused by the often cold and austere servers here, which I suppose could be off putting for a lot of people, but we find it an amusing and an integral part of the Tio Pepe experience. Again, your miles may vary.
We always get the same thing; salmon and shrimp appetizers, lobster and steak entrees, and pine nut cake dessert. With a huge pitcher of red sangria. It's perfect every time.
Kimberly Campos
EDIT 12/12/24
The food is incredible!!! The sangria is to die for and you have to end the night with a Spanish coffee!!!
However..... the female bartender COULD NOT BE MORE RUDE!!! She is blatantly rude right to your face, rolling her eyes and acting like we were asking for something unreasonable (a straight unchilled shot of tequila, I know crazy right?!) It was so bad that I asked her if there was a problem, I mean I got attitude simply asking for a glass of water!!! I have no idea how she has had a job at Tio Pepes for so many years with this disrespectful unprofessional attitude. I was with my bosses for our annual Christmas party, we LOVE Tio Pepes but if I had to base my experience solely on this bartender I would NEVER come back.
Parking: Across the street.
Kid-friendliness: Not really
Wheelchair accessibility: Not really
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot, Oysters Rockefeller, Pine Nut Roll, Paella for Two, Stuffed Lobster, Prime Rib of Beef, Snails
Hal Yapici
Despite living super close for five years, I could only recently try Tio Pepe. It is definitely a unique restaurant with an old-fashioned feeling (in a good way). The interior is absolutely beautiful, and you can tell that everyone, from the host to the servers, are taking their job very seriously. We arrived on time for our reservation and were seated immediately. Considering the atmosphere and the attitude of the staff, I was ready to be impressed; however, the food was just mediocre–almost disappointing. I’ve tried the shrimp marinated in garlic sauce as my appetizer and salmon as the entree. Both dishes were ok–no major issues but nothing impressive. We also tried the flan and creme brulee for desserts but did not really like them, so I would skip the dessert. If the food is your priority (like me!) I can’t recommend Tio Pepe, but it’s worth a shot if you want to enjoy the unique atmosphere and good service the restaurant offers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Josie Domanchich
Food was disappointing for the price we paid. ($175 for two, no alcohol) The creme brulee and coffee at the end were excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes
Holly Rinker
Does having a menu with the entree names written in Spanish make it a Spanish restaurant? Stuffed rockfish? Chilean sea bass with butter sauce? Mussels in garlic butter? Another uninventive, overpriced Baltimore seafood restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Henry Lancaster
I went here with my parents on a whim, and this was the best decision I could’ve made. The sweetest hospitality resides here, and the absolute best crème brûlée i’ve ever had is here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elle Montillo
Absolutely spectacular even. The food, service, atmosphere and company was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rockfish in Champagne Sauce, Oysters Rockefeller, Pine Nut Roll, Prosciutto, Paella for Two
Donise Cheeks
Always a family favorite for special occasions ❤️. Chef Tio Emiliano made the Birthday Celebration 💐 🎉 for Mom at 87 years young a knock out blessing 😊. Thanks for everything 💕🙏
Dietary restrictions: Only the champagne sauce has flour in it for GF concerns. Little vegan options - dairy rich!
In an old building’s cellar with so much good food and old time service. We’ve been going for 40 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marcel de Pontbriand
This restaurant has been around for over 50 years, and still has a warm and old school vibe to it. It honestly feels like stepping into a different point in time.
Welcoming staff, an interesting layout, and just really incredible dishes. I honestly can't think of too many other Baltimore restaurants that have this vibe captured. Maybe Hausner's, but they closed ages ago.
We had 4 in our party for dinner. We arrived on time @ 4:00 for our reservation and they sat us immediately. Our Waiter, Alex was terrific! Our Server had no idea who ordered what. Food was rich and delicious!! Dessert's we're almost finished by the time our coffee drinks showed up. Sad, as in many fine dining places, there is no mandatory dress code anymore.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Gazpacho Soup
Cecilia Freeman
Extraordinary. Elegant dining. Food the best, service the best. Everything was awesome. Best place to celebrate a special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brooke Alexis
We chose this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary and were disappointed. Based off of the prices…we thought we were going to receive delicious meals. We were wrong.
Best part of the dinner was the bread and butter and sangria.
Maybe I just didn’t order the right thing…but we won’t be spending the money again to find out.
Waiter was nice!
Robert Ruiz
We try and get here at least once a year. The food, the service are always top notch. A bit pricey, but money well spent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
zubda khokhar
Veal was over cooked. Soups were meh. Overall food was lackluster for the price.
My wife and I come here several times a year, and it is one of our favorite restaurants. We have a soft spot for old school ambience and food preparations, and Tio Pepe's is definitely a blast from the past. I can imagine eating here 20 years ago being very similar to what it is now; whether that is a good thing to you or not depends on your personal preference.
We also are endlessly amused by the often cold and austere servers here, which I suppose could be off putting for a lot of people, but we find it an amusing and an integral part of the Tio Pepe experience. Again, your miles may vary.
We always get the same thing; salmon and shrimp appetizers, lobster and steak entrees, and pine nut cake dessert. With a huge pitcher of red sangria. It's perfect every time.
EDIT 12/12/24
The food is incredible!!! The sangria is to die for and you have to end the night with a Spanish coffee!!!
However..... the female bartender COULD NOT BE MORE RUDE!!! She is blatantly rude right to your face, rolling her eyes and acting like we were asking for something unreasonable (a straight unchilled shot of tequila, I know crazy right?!) It was so bad that I asked her if there was a problem, I mean I got attitude simply asking for a glass of water!!! I have no idea how she has had a job at Tio Pepes for so many years with this disrespectful unprofessional attitude. I was with my bosses for our annual Christmas party, we LOVE Tio Pepes but if I had to base my experience solely on this bartender I would NEVER come back.
Parking: Across the street.
Kid-friendliness: Not really
Wheelchair accessibility: Not really
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot, Oysters Rockefeller, Pine Nut Roll, Paella for Two, Stuffed Lobster, Prime Rib of Beef, Snails
Despite living super close for five years, I could only recently try Tio Pepe. It is definitely a unique restaurant with an old-fashioned feeling (in a good way). The interior is absolutely beautiful, and you can tell that everyone, from the host to the servers, are taking their job very seriously. We arrived on time for our reservation and were seated immediately. Considering the atmosphere and the attitude of the staff, I was ready to be impressed; however, the food was just mediocre–almost disappointing. I’ve tried the shrimp marinated in garlic sauce as my appetizer and salmon as the entree. Both dishes were ok–no major issues but nothing impressive. We also tried the flan and creme brulee for desserts but did not really like them, so I would skip the dessert. If the food is your priority (like me!) I can’t recommend Tio Pepe, but it’s worth a shot if you want to enjoy the unique atmosphere and good service the restaurant offers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Food was disappointing for the price we paid. ($175 for two, no alcohol) The creme brulee and coffee at the end were excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes
Does having a menu with the entree names written in Spanish make it a Spanish restaurant? Stuffed rockfish? Chilean sea bass with butter sauce? Mussels in garlic butter? Another uninventive, overpriced Baltimore seafood restaurant.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
I went here with my parents on a whim, and this was the best decision I could’ve made. The sweetest hospitality resides here, and the absolute best crème brûlée i’ve ever had is here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely spectacular even. The food, service, atmosphere and company was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rockfish in Champagne Sauce, Oysters Rockefeller, Pine Nut Roll, Prosciutto, Paella for Two
Always a family favorite for special occasions ❤️. Chef Tio Emiliano made the Birthday Celebration 💐 🎉 for Mom at 87 years young a knock out blessing 😊. Thanks for everything 💕🙏
Dietary restrictions: Only the champagne sauce has flour in it for GF concerns. Little vegan options - dairy rich!
Parking: Directly across the street
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters Rockefeller, Paella Valenciana
In an old building’s cellar with so much good food and old time service. We’ve been going for 40 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This restaurant has been around for over 50 years, and still has a warm and old school vibe to it. It honestly feels like stepping into a different point in time.
Welcoming staff, an interesting layout, and just really incredible dishes. I honestly can't think of too many other Baltimore restaurants that have this vibe captured. Maybe Hausner's, but they closed ages ago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We had 4 in our party for dinner. We arrived on time @ 4:00 for our reservation and they sat us immediately. Our Waiter, Alex was terrific!
Our Server had no idea who ordered what. Food was rich and delicious!!
Dessert's we're almost finished by the time our coffee drinks showed up.
Sad, as in many fine dining places, there is no mandatory dress code anymore.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Gazpacho Soup
Extraordinary. Elegant dining. Food the best, service the best. Everything was awesome. Best place to celebrate a special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We chose this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary and were disappointed. Based off of the prices…we thought we were going to receive delicious meals. We were wrong. Best part of the dinner was the bread and butter and sangria. Maybe I just didn’t order the right thing…but we won’t be spending the money again to find out. Waiter was nice!
We try and get here at least once a year. The food, the service are always top notch. A bit pricey, but money well spent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Veal was over cooked. Soups were meh. Overall food was lackluster for the price.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
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