PEPE´S BEACH CHIRINGUITO — Restaurant in Estepona

I was so disappointed with my last visit here. I have not eaten meat for almost 20 years and told them so when food was ordered. We ordered a lot of food and they brought out many dishes but as I bit into the food I could taste meat. I complained and they said there had been a mix up as had new staff but wasn’t bothered about how I felt and just said that mistakes happen and they would take off the bill. I was pretty upset and crying at having eaten meat and explained to the manager Maria that this is not really acceptable to brush off as this could have been a serious issue of if I had an allergy. She basically told me that mistakes happen and what does she want me to do. I was speechless!!! I then explained that we have been going there for many many years with family and wanted her to understand and validate how I felt at having to eat meat (‘my choice to not I appreciate) but still I wanted her acknowledge this and she basically just brushed me off. I made clear that I appreciate mistakes happen but tried really hard to make her understand that her attitude and how she was managing this situation was really not good and reflected so badly on them. I said she hasn’t even offered a drink or some small token but she wasn’t bothered in the slightest which is a shame. We have seen this restaurant change a lot over the years but clearly they don’t wish to look after their old and existing customers and now simply going after those that want to spend €€ and don’t care :( I won’t be going back and the next day actually found a much nicer beach bar 2 mins away called Saldana Beach. The beds are really comfortable and food and staff were amazing. They have a jazz singer and music on Sundays and the atmosphere is perfect....

We had high hopes for this restaurant based on a strong recommendation and while it started off on the right foot, the overall experience was disappointing.

Firstly, the setting is absolutely stunning — a beautiful space that sets the expectation for something special. I really enjoyed the fish taco starter, which was genuinely excellent and full of flavour.

Unfortunately, it went downhill from there.

We all ordered meat-based mains (I had the BBQ burger), and they were all very poor. The burger lacked seasoning and came out dry, and the other meat dishes around the table weren’t much better. Shockingly, even the chips were some of the worst any of us had ever eaten… soggy, flavourless and clearly not fresh.

Service was patchy at best. There was one lady who stood out for being warm and attentive but overall, staff seemed disengaged and disorganised. It felt like we were often left waiting for basic things and there was very little atmosphere. We could see a waiter walking around for some time with our drinks and another girl (when asked where one of my friends starter was, as we had all finished, she) said ‘maybe it’s coming’).

Such a shame, especially given the potential and the recommendation we had. With better execution in the kitchen and more consistent service, this could be a fantastic spot — but as it stands, I wouldn’t return...

I really wanted to love this place as a lovely local spot and had ventured down to Pepe’s a few days over our holiday but the last visit was such a disappointing experience.

We had a family group including a baby and on our last day (which was also my dad’s 70th birthday) we wanted a final drink and quick lunch before flying home. We arrived and were told to find our own seat by an older unfriendly man. We asked one of the younger staff if we could move a parasol for more shade which he said was fine. Moments later the older man, quite irately came over and shouted at us not to move it. We explained we’d asked someone but he continued to be extremely rude and dismissive. Not wanting to let this ruin the day we stayed for a while ordering drinks but no one was attentively coming to take our orders and we did have to get up and ask. We ordered food but after an hour of it not coming we paid and left to get food somewhere else.

We hope to avoid situations like this traveling with young children. We’re a very easy going family but there was no reason to be treated badly.

The spot on the beach is lovely and on previous visits we’d enjoyed the food and drinks but service lets it down by some of the staff and there is never a need to be horrible to people...