Don Pepe Restaurant brings the rich traditions of Portuguese cooking to Newark with a warm, old-world atmosphere that makes every meal feel special.
Located on McCarter Highway, this inviting Spanish and Portuguese-inspired restaurant is known for its traditional seafood dishes finished with garlicky green sauce, along with expertly prepared steaks and comforting favorites that keep guests coming back.
Whether you are planning a relaxed lunch, a memorable dinner, or a solo meal at the bar, Don Pepe offers a dining experience that feels both classic and welcoming, with table service, seating, and a comfortable setting that suits casual visits as well as romantic evenings and more polished occasions.
What makes Don Pepe Restaurant especially appealing is the way it combines quality, convenience, and hospitality. Guests appreciate the fast service, excellent beer selection, well-made cocktails, great coffee, indulgent desserts, and a carefully chosen wine list, all alongside local specialties and late-night options.
The menu offers alcohol, comfort food, happy-hour drinks, healthy choices, and dishes that work beautifully for both everyday dining and special celebrations.
With dine-in, takeaway, catering, and reservations available, the restaurant is designed to fit a variety of plans, and lunch and dinner reservations are recommended for those who want to secure their table in advance.
Accessibility and comfort are also clearly a priority at Don Pepe Restaurant. The location includes wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and restroom facilities, making it easier for more guests to enjoy the experience with confidence and ease.
A bar on site and clean restroom facilities add to the convenience, while payment is simple and flexible with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
Backed by a strong 4.30-star rating from 2,614 reviews, Don Pepe Restaurant stands out as a trusted destination for anyone seeking generous portions, attentive service, and the kind of memorable dining experience that feels both refined and approachable.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Don Pepe Restaurant
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Grilled fillet of salmon
Shrimp in hot sauce
Shrimp in green sauce
Shrimp in garlic sauce
Shellfish Paella with Lobster
Shellfish Paella without Lobster
Shellfish with Lobster, Chicken, and Spanish
Shellfish without Lobster, Chicken, and Spanish
Vegetarian Paella with Valencia Bomba Rice
Shellfish Casserole in Green Sauce without Lobster
Shellfish Casserole in Tomato, Brandy, and Wine Sauce without Lobster
Grilled Chicken Salad
Garlic Chicken on the Bone
Boneless Breast of Chicken in Wine Sauce
Pork Chops in Garlic
Veal Cutlet Breaded in Lemon and Wine Sauce
Veal Cutlet in Sherry Brandy and Mushroom Sauce
Spanish Omelette
New York Steak
Hear from our valued guests
We had dinner for 4, even though when we arrived it was very busy they sat us within minutes. The server was attentive, mentioned the specials and gave us time to review the menu. The service is impeccable, from the changing of the silverware and plates to bringing additional bread and refilling the water. Everyone’s dinner was delicious, the appetizers as well as- we had the broiled octopus, super tender and full of taste. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you are looking for great food, attention and reasonable prices.
I have not been to this place since it was renovated and let me tell you food was amazing. The atmosphere was great. I was there for a baby shower and I couldn’t have asked for better hosts and overall Dan Pepe was amazing.
I can truly say it was the best meal I ever had. I had the steak and my wife had the halibut and I love the garlic shrimp and the sangria was out of this world. Definitely a real good experience of service was totally awesome. I would say it’s worth a trip, check out the photos.
My wife and I stopped by Don Pepe's for dinner. Wonderful food, large portions, prompt service, an overall excellent dining experience! My wife had the paella, I had assorted seafood with Penne pasta in vodka sauce. Spoke with owner upon leaving, he has been there since 1981! Make a point to visit Don Pepe's if ever in the Newark area.
Hosted my daughter’s bridal shower here, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Tony, our maître d’, was absolutely incredible—attentive, supportive, and ready to help with anything I needed. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the food and service were outstanding. I highly recommend hosting your next event here!
Five stars isn't enough for Don Pepe! This gem has been our go-to spot for authentic Portuguese cuisine for years. The paella is a standout, but the real stars of the show are the fresh fish dishes - the red snapper is cooked to perfection every time. Save room for the flan, it's the perfect sweet ending to an unforgettable meal. Whether you're with family or friends, Don Pepe never disappoints. Highly recommend!
Wow! Delicious. We shared the clams casino, I had garlic shrimp. My friend had the grilled branzino. Everything was SPECTACULAR. I meant to take many more pics, but we dived right in! Worth the trip from Brooklyn for SURE.
An old school restaurant with great atmosphere and outstanding food . Everything you order from the menu seems to be perfectly cooked . The paella is filled with a variety of seafood delights. incredible side dishes
We’ve been coming here for years and it has always been a great experience. Seafood is very fresh and preparation is delicious. Service is awesome. They replace our shell dish several times just before it fills. When I wanted to take home our extra bread, they threw in an extra piece. Highly recommended. 👍
My friends and I ate here before going to NJPAC. We had two pitchers of red sangria, which was delicious. We ordered crab cake appetizer which was pretty much all crab meat and seasoning, the best version. I had the shrimp in garlic oil; the portion was huge and I loved the flavor. One friend had a fish special, another had a seafood mixture in broth, and the last had chicken. The sides are family style: fried potato slices, steamed carrots and broccoli, and yellow rice. They serve crusty bread with quality olive oil for dipping. I would have preferred soft bread, but that's a texture thing for me.
Common questions about Don Pepe Restaurant
Don Pepe Restaurant is located at 844 McCarter Hwy, Newark, NJ 07102, United States, Newark, NJ, United States.
You can reach Don Pepe Restaurant by calling +1 973-623-4662.
Don Pepe Restaurant has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 2614 customer reviews.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following service options: Takeaway, Dine-in.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Healthy options, Late-night food, Private dining room, Small plates, Spirits, Wine.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, Tourists.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following planning: Lunch reservations recommended, Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs.
Don Pepe Restaurant features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, On-site parking, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Plenty of parking, Valet parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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