About Tio Pepe
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Tio Pepe is a storied West Village restaurant that has been serving authentic Spanish cuisine to diners for over 40 years. With a thoughtfully curated menu featuring time-honored classics and a stellar bar program offering Spanish beer, wine and seasonally-driven cocktails, Tio Pepe has become a beloved institution in New York City’s ever-changing culinary landscape.
Opened in 1970 by Jimmy Sanz Sr. – a Spanish-born restaurant entrepreneur who immigrated to NYC in 1959 – and now run by his son, Jimmy Sanz Jr., Tio Pepe aims to introduce diners to the intricacies of Spanish cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant’s traditional Spanish decor is warm and inviting with rich, earth tones accented by vibrant Spanish tile-topped tables. Seating options include the front dining room, where patrons can people watch through the floor-to-ceiling windows; the tapas bar modeled after those of Madrid; and the glass-enclosed back garden room with a view of the stars. Throughout the restaurant, there is an aura of old-school authenticity, and with past customers including legends such as The Beatles and Robert De Niro, diners can’t help but feel like an important part of the Tio Pepe story.
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Culinary and Drink Highlights
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Serving dinner seven days a week, lunch on Fridays and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, Tio Pepe’s culinary program – helmed by Chef Perfecto Alcantar – is largely centered around the restaurant’s Spanish-style wood-fired oven, which imparts a unique, smoky flavor to many of their dishes. To start, diners can choose from a large selection of traditional Spanish tapas; highlights include the Catalan specialty Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp with Garlic) and the Pulpo, a Galician favorite featuring octopus, potatoes and a dusting of paprika. Tio Pepe’s signature Cocasare a can’t-miss, as they are the only NYC restaurant properly-equipped to prepare the Spanish flatbreads. Of course, a steaming skillet of Paella Valenciana (saffron-scented rice, seafood, chicken and chorizo) is another must-try item, as is the Pollo Ajillo (Abariño, garlic confit). And no Spanish meal would be complete without a hot, fresh churro – at Tio Pepe they come filled with melted chocolate or dulce de leche.
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Weekend brunch connoisseurs will be delighted by Tio Pepe’s Spanish-inspired brunch items, such as the goat cheese and bacon Coca topped with a sunnyside-up egg and the hearty Paella AM, with a poached egg, fava beans and chorizo. For an additional $18, brunch-goers can also enjoy unlimited mimosas, margaritas and Bloody Marys.
Tio Pepe creates stunning cocktails featuring seasonal ingredients. Start with a requisite pitcher of Sangria, then try the Smoky Margarita (fresh lime juice, Sombra mezcal float) or a refreshing Valencia (blood orange, Herradura silver). Spanish wines and beers are also available.
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