Don Pepe Restaurant is what I would call a true Newark institution.
Newark has changed over the years, but Don Pepe has been steady since 1981.
We went before seeing Patti LuPone at the NJ Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Prudential Hall, which is a short walk away. It’s a practical choice when you’re looking for dinner that feels like an occasion: not rushed, not trendy, not experimental for the sake of being experimental.
This is Spanish and Portuguese cooking with confidence, served in big portions meant for tables sharing and staying awhile.
The restaurant sits at 844 McCarter Highway.
If you know the area, you know this stretch is direct and utilitarian.
Inside is where the atmosphere shifts. The dining room has the old-world feel: white linens, polished wood, classic framed art, and uniformed staff that know what they’re doing. It feels established, because it is.
Table of Contents
A Family Legacy From Galicia
The restaurant was opened by Pepe and Luisa Lopez, originally from Galicia, Spain.
You feel the influence in both the menu and the service style. Galicia is coastal, known for shellfish and seafood-driven cooking. That is the backbone of Don Pepe. Paellas, shellfish casseroles, shrimp in garlic sauce, and lobster in several forms.
The kitchen works in volume, but the flavors stay focused and consistent.
Menu Overview: Seafood First
Don’t overthink ordering here.
You’re coming for seafood unless you already know you’re a steak person.
The steaks are USDA choice and prime cuts, hand-selected, cooked simply. They stand on their own. But the signature energy of Don Pepe is in the paellas and shellfish dishes.
A few things you see on almost every table:
- Paella Marinera—Shellfish, saffron rice, and enough lobster, clams, scallops, and shrimp that the rice is the supporting act—this is the dish to share.
- Paella Valenciana—A variation that includes chicken and Spanish sausage.
- Mariscada Don Pepe—A shellfish casserole with tomato, brandy, and wine, served with saffron rice.
- Shrimp in garlic sauce (Gambas or Camarones al Ajillo)—This one is their reputation dish. It is on the menu as a specialty, and it’s exactly that—simple garlic, oil, and shrimp with depth from the pan.
Steaks range from New York strip to prime-aged sirloin to a large porterhouse, and are priced by cut and size. If you’re with a group that wants seafood and someone who needs steak, this is one of the easier restaurants for that balance.
What We Ordered
Camarones en Salsa de Ajo
Shrimp in garlic sauce.
This is the same profile as the gambas specialty. The garlic is strong without being sharp, the oil is rich but not heavy, and the shrimp are the right texture—not rubbery, not overcooked.
Served in a deep dish with plenty of sauce to drag bread through. If you appreciate simple flavor done correctly, this is the anchor.
Paella Marinera
This is a statement dish.
When it arrives, it fills the table. Lobster portions are generous, the rice is saffron-yellow with that toasted layer at the bottom (which is the entire reason rice dishes in this style matter), and the shellfish is layered, not tossed. This is meant to be shared.
If you are two people, you will take some home. It holds well, which is a bonus.
Sopa de Ajo
Sopa de ajo (garlic soup)!
What we got felt richer than that description.
The broth was mellow rather than sharp, with softened garlic gently infusing the liquid. I noticed some greens floating in the bowl—maybe spinach or chard—which added color and a delicate vegetal note.
Antipasto Español
Spanish meats, cheeses, olives, and peppers.
Straightforward, but it’s the right opener when you want to settle in with a drink and talk. No surprises, but it’s assembled with care. Good quality cheese and cured meats—not filler.
When to Come
Don Pepe is popular with families, business dinners, event-night diners, and long tables of relatives catching up.
If you’re heading to NJPAC, allow margin. Here, you want the time to sit. The dining room moves at a classic tempo—not slow, but not fast. Dinner feels like dinner.
Dress Code and Atmosphere
They have a posted dress code.
Business casual, formal, or casual elegant are all accepted. No hats, no athletic clothing, and no flip flops. This is not to create exclusivity—it’s to maintain the room’s tone. It works. The room feels composed because everyone is dressed like they meant to be there.
Private Parties and Events
One thing that sets Don Pepe apart is the scale of its private party offerings.
They have banquet rooms that can accommodate 25 to 400 guests. Weddings, baptisms, retirement dinners, business functions—this is where many families in the area celebrate. The staff is experienced in serving large groups, and the food is designed to withstand volume without sacrificing quality.
Why This Restaurant Matters
Restaurants like Don Pepe stand out because they don’t chase trends.
They know what they do well, and they do it every day.
For nearly four decades, the menu has stayed grounded in seafood, garlic, saffron, and well-sourced meat. It has become a Newark landmark because it is dependable. It’s celebratory without pretense, and it’s the kind of place people recommend when someone says they want something “classic.”
If you’re going to NJPAC for a concert, comedy show, dance performance, or opera, Don Pepe is a good fit.
It adds to the night.
Basic Details
Address: 844 McCarter Highway, Newark, NJ
Phone: (973) 623-4662
Lunch Hours
Monday–Friday 11:30 AM–3 PM
Dinner Hours
Monday–Thursday 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Friday 11:30 AM–10:30 PM
Saturday 12 PM–10:30 PM
Sunday 12 PM–9 PM
Final Take
If you’re someone who appreciates seafood prepared with clarity and confidence, shared plates, and a dining room that has history behind it, add Don Pepe to your rotation.
Newark has many long-standing restaurants, but this one stands out for a reason. The cooking is honest, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere works whether you’re celebrating or simply going out before a show.
When you go, order the shrimp in garlic sauce. Then build from there.
