Completa de Caballo Grande
Sample our 3 most popular Cuban dishes: Lechon Asado, Ropa Vieja, and Picadillo.
A must-order if you're new to Cuban food.
Cuban Dinner & Sunset at Mallory Square, Key West
Where Cuban culture became Cuban American history.
40 Years in Business · 30 Years at Mallory Square
Mallory Square · Since 1997
Open daily 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunset tonight: ...
Join the fun every night
From the catalog
Cuisine as Cultural Continuity
The menu is living tradition. Select entries below—each with a brief note on how it evolved in Key West—presented as pages from a cultural catalog.
Why El Mesón tonight
Cuban food, sunset, and live music at Mallory Square
We're at 410 Wall Street—waterfront at the heart of Key West's Sunset Celebration. Open daily 11 AM – 10 PM. Live salsa plays before sunset; the patio and dining room serve Cuban classics: Ropa Vieja, lechón, mojitos, and the Cayo Hueso Cuban sandwich.
Forty years in Key West, thirty at Mallory Square. The table has been a site of Cuban American Conch heritage since 1997. View our Cuban menu, join the waitlist for priority seating, or call for same-day seating. Read our story and heritage for the full history.
View our Cuban menu, Join the waitlist for priority seating, or Call for same-day seating. Read our story and heritage
Documented in American Culinary History
Featured on Food Paradise — "Meals Over Miami"
El Mesón de Pepe was featured in Food Paradise not simply as a restaurant, but as a living expression of Cuban American heritage in Key West—where food, family, and history converge.
Food Paradise (Travel Channel) — "Meals Over Miami" S14 E2, aired September 2, 2020
Curated exhibits
People as Legacy
Those who turned Cuban culture into Cuban American history. Each voice essential; each presence permanent.
Chef, Founder
Jose "Pepe" M. Diaz
b. Yaguajay, Cuba
“We didn't bring a restaurant. We brought a history.”
Trained in the mesones of Spain; brought his craft to Key West via Miami. From the Cuban Club to Tony's Grocery to El Mesón de Pepe on Duval (1986) and Mallory Square (1997). His table has been a permanent site of Cuban American Conch heritage for nearly four decades.
Keepers of the Table
The Díaz Family
1973–present
Three generations in Key West. From grocery and deli to a landmark table at Mallory Square. They did not simply preserve recipes—they turned Cuban tradition into Conch permanence. The dining room, the patio, the music: all continuity. Today, Jose M. Diaz Jr., son of Jose "Pepe" M. Diaz, carries the legacy forward as General Manager and Co-owner.
Ritual & gathering
Where Legacy Lives
Sunset, music, and the patio are not amenities. They are continuity—each evening a reaffirmation of place and tradition.
Guest voices
In Their Words
“Came for one mojito, stayed for the sunset and the band.”
“Best spot in Mallory Square for drinks before dinner.”
“The patio at sunset with live music—exactly what we wanted in Key West.”
“Authentic Cuban flavors. The Ropa Vieja is incredible.”
“A Key West institution. Don't miss the Mallory Square sunset from here.”
Gatherings
Private Events
Our historic building at Mallory Square accommodates rehearsal dinners, receptions, and corporate gatherings. Custom Cuban buffets or plated dinners—each occasion rooted in the same cultural continuity we hold in the dining room.
Frequently asked questions
What are El Mesón de Pepe's hours?
We are open daily 11 AM – 10 PM. Join us for lunch, dinner, or drinks on the patio. Live salsa plays before sunset.
Where is El Mesón de Pepe located?
410 Wall Street, Mallory Square, Key West. We're on the waterfront at the heart of the Sunset Celebration. Get directions from our contact page.
Do you take reservations?
We welcome walk-ins. For priority seating, join our waitlist online or call 305-295-2620. Same-day seating is first come, first served.
Is there a dress code?
Key West casual. Come as you are—from the beach or after a day exploring. The patio and dining room are relaxed and family-friendly.
Where can I park near Mallory Square?
Street parking and public lots are available near Mallory Square. We recommend arriving early for sunset—the celebration fills the waterfront.
Can I host a private event at El Mesón de Pepe?
Yes. We host rehearsal dinners, receptions, and corporate events. Inquire about private events and Cuban buffets or plated dinners.