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    Cuban Culture & History
    May 20, 2026
    3 min read

    Still Family-Owned, Still Serving Key West

    In a changing Key West, El Meson de Pepe remains one of the island’s long-standing family-owned and family-run restaurant businesses.

    El Meson de Pepe living museum and family history

    1. Built by Family

    El Meson de Pepe began with hard work, sacrifice, and the dream of preserving Cuban flavor in Key West. Pepe and Cachi built more than a restaurant. They built a family legacy that has stood the test of time.

    2. Carried Forward Every Day

    That legacy continues through the people who cook, serve, welcome guests, tell the story, and keep the culture alive every day at Mallory Square.

    3. A Place for Locals and Visitors

    El Meson de Pepe has always welcomed both locals and visitors. Locals come back because it feels like home. Visitors come because they want something real — authentic Cuban food and genuine hospitality.

    4. More Than a Restaurant

    El Meson de Pepe is part restaurant, part living museum, and part family archive. Guests come to taste Cuban food, hear live music, and see cultural displays that tell the story of the Cuban influence in Key West.

    Experience the Tradition

    Join our family at Mallory Square for a taste of authentic Cuba in the heart of Key West.