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Don Peppe

4.1 (812 reviews)
Closed 1:00 pm - 7:30 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Don Peppe Photos

Business Info

DON PEPPE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Don Peppe

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Basic Salad
Sue L.

This is the ultimate class Italian restaurant. It's the Italian cuisine version of Peter Lugers. Super old school. Waiters have been there forever and the food is very consistent. Waiters have an uncanny knack for serving up exact portions for each person. Our go-to dish is the Linguine with white clam sauce *chef's kiss*. The garlic and flavor is just on point. Other staples we get are the zuppa di Mussels in red sauce, baked clams and Chicken Don Peppe. I know the Veal is more popular but I can't to those baby cows. Get that extra bread for the mussels and clams to soak up the goodness. There were tons of birthday celebrations going on. I think half the tables were celebrating so that shows people go there for special occasions to experience the special food. It's not cheap but it's worth it. And be prepared to wait for a table, they don't take reservations.

Linguini White Clam Sauce
Frank T.

Whenever we try something new, we remember to not go off script. We were talked into the lemon veal - 1/2 order. Meh. Not a bad dish, we love our favs tho.

Charles L.

Fantastic food, engaging servers that added to the great food experience, and a great vibe a shirt taxi/Uber ride from JFK Airport. Stopped in for an early dinner with a close friend who regularly frequents this place when he is arriving at JFK. Really a treat for somebody visiting New York from Texas where our Italian food is mediocre at best. Everything about this meal experience was great! All kinds of tasty seafood, chicken dish was great as well, and the pasta was very good also. Just a special experience in my opinion. Definitely will be back sooner than later on a trip through or to JFK Airport.

Mozzarella And Tomatoes and Baked Clams
Patricia Z.

Old school family style restaurant. Menu is on the back wall. They only serve beer and wine. Service is impeccable. Shrimp Luciano is a must. And of course the baked clams are always a must. We were a table of 8. Place is crowded. But the food is worth it.

Dan S.

White tablecloths. Cash only. Menu on the wall. Could this be the definition of "old school Italian?" This place near JFK is the perfect place to stop before a flight. Generous portions but the waiter did try to push a little more on the "family style". We got the chicken parm. Loved it. The pasta were good too. Overall, enjoyed our meal.

Parteek K.

If you've ever watched Entourage, then you already know about Don Pepe's. Me and the boys have been coming here for years, and this place is as authentic as Italian New York gets. Cash only, no hats, no nonsense--just real old-school charm. The food? Unreal. The best Italian I've had outside of Italy, hands down. The veal Don Pepe and the baked clams are must-orders--those baked clams will honestly ruin every other clam you try for the rest of your life. Everything on the menu hits. Inside, it's classic, homey, and full of that old-school Queens energy you can't fake. The house-made wine is shockingly good--better than some bottles I've had from Napa. The service is fantastic as always, they just tell you and recommend you gotta love the energy. Don Pepe's never disappoints. Five stars, every time.

shrimp luciano
Eatsnthecity C.

this place has been on my list for a while, as i am a Queens native & have been hearing excellent things for years. finally made our way here; came on a Saturday with my fiancé - no reservation as they don't take but the wait was only 30 minutes which wasn't bad in my eyes. Hostess named Michael was very personable, very outgoing & attentive. we get in, place is packed. our waiter, not sure the name, very cold. menu is on the wall which is fine but not sure what's in certain dishes as some don't have basic names. we ordered baked clams to start, along with the shrimp luciano over pasta & the chicken Don peppes. i'm all for hefty prices for large portions as this is a family style joint, but $34 for a dozen baked clams? clams were cooked to perfection, nice broiled top but was lacking flavor. no lemon garnish, no lemon juice on top, and hardly any garlic. Shrimp luciano comes out - flavor was there but why so many white onions? so overpowering, its all you smelt & tasted. Ck don peppe - cutlets fried to perfection but once again, lacking flavor. no garlic, no basil. very very bland. waiter never asked once how the food was, if we needed anything, if we wanted more drinks (glasses were empty for a while, before we asked for water, which was brought over in a pitcher that was so old and discolored, it was yellow) - he basically just took our order, put the food on the table, gave us the bill when we were done & called it a day. no conversation at all. **& we still tipped minimum 22%. overall 3/5 in my eyes. not bad at all, but absolutely not worth the hype you hear

Baked Clams
Matthew C.

An incredible Italian-American classic in Queens! I brought my nonno here, and even he had high praise for it. The restaurant doesn't have a physical menu--all the featured dishes are written on the wall (photo attached). Everything is served family-style, with your server plating it for you, which I thought was a really nice touch. It's cash only, so come prepared. I highly recommend the baked clams, calamari marinara, linguine with white clam sauce, and the veal Don Peppe. Everything we ordered, including their house wine (red or white), was fantastic. I can't wait to return.

Jatin K.

We've been wanting to come here since entourage made it known for us years ago. We finally had the chance to come in and try it. First off the ambience is a very spectacular one. The service was incredible. The food? Out of this world. Their in house red wine which is served chilled was absolutely delicious. Everything is made in portions for 2-3 which is great. The owner, was very friendly. I was glad we got to meet him. We ordered the seafood combo in marinara sauce, chicken parm, rigatoni fra diavlo with sausage, stuffed mushrooms and of course their baked clams. Everything was absolutely delicious and perfect. I can't wait to come back here. Oh btw, there are no hats allowed here.

Michael L.

The Shrimp Luciano over pasta is my favorite! It's a dish that has the power to change your life!

Zuppa Di Mussels
Kingsman J.

Would I come back? ABSOLUTELY Ordered the muscles, tomahawk, steak, and the string beans. Everything was delicious! Please note, they only take cash but grocery store next door has ATM.

The only liquor you will find.
Philip Z.

No reviewer can do Don Pepe justice. It's that good. Old style Italian. Cash only. Deliciousness only. Baked clams? We don't order them in any other restaurant (for almost 50 years now). Wine? Home made. I don't even like wine, but it's just plain perfect. Everything is served family style, but even the two of us leave no dish unfinished. It's. That. Good. Servers are friendly and professional. You don't know what you're missing.

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2 months ago

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2 months ago

Amazing Authentic Italian Food ! The linguine w/clam sauce, baked stuffed clams, chicken don peppe was soooo good !

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4 months ago

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2 months ago

Delicious food, great service going back soon. Good serving still have some I love salads and can't get their food off my mind

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5 months ago

The best of the best. Get the veal Don Peppe. Life changing. The baked clams are addicting in the best possible way.

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Ask the Community - Don Peppe

Do they accept credit and debit cards?

Is there a dress code? Can I wear shorts and a golf shirt?

Yes! as long you look decent. No real dress code (that I know of). Just look presentable. Really isn't fancy

Don peppe's has been on my bucket list for a long time Looking for advice from people that have been to the restaurant. Would you recommend it for a party of two or are the…

They serve portions according to the amount of ppl. I would def go even if it's only 2 people. When I went I saw couples there.

Does Don Peppe have a full bar? Or just beer and wine?

No bar

Does Don Peppe take reservations?

No they do not. But their clam sauce and baked clams, and veal are worth the wait!

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Lenny's Clam Bar - Outdoor seating

Lenny's Clam Bar

3.7(744 reviews)
1.3 miHoward Beach
$$

Food, Service & Ambiance ..everything was terrific, very welcoming, warm & cozy ..plenary of…read moreseating ,,full liquor bar ,,Mave the manager was very friendly and a great level of professionalism.. she really made us feel at home ..this is more than just a seafood/clam restaurant, pasta and meat dishes are available They have various specials during the week Nikki our waitress was absolutely amazing, she explained everything on the menu, her recommendations were great We loved the linguini and white clam sauce And the baked clams were phenomenal, tasty breadcrumbs, just the right amount of oregano ..lobsters bisque was creamy..the fried calamari was golden brown & crispy You will love the sausage & peppers (hot & sweet) I highly recommend the boneless shell steak , juicy & tender ..penne alla vodka was spicy and Al dente ..wonderful, full selection of desserts ..chocolate mousse cake heavenly..homemade cannoli crunchy and the cream delicious, pistachio tartufo a must ..they even have a small gift/souvenir shop ..hoodies/shirts etc. Again very impressed with their customer service ..they compt our desserts (thank you Mave) can't wait to visit again Stop by you will have a wonderful time ..street parking ..I believe they have valet at night and the weekends

christmas eve done the right way. took mom & dad to lenny's…read moreclam bar in howard beach -- been feeding queens since 1974 and still not missing. we started strong: fried calamari + scungilli drowning in hot marinara (as god intended). house specialty baked clams showed up and immediately reminded everyone why they're legendary. then we went full family-style chaos: broiled filet of sole with shrimp & scallions lobster tail fra diavolo (lobster, shrimp, clams, spicy sauce, zero regrets) eggplant parm with sweet marinara linguine with clam sauce and garlic bread so perfect it deserved its own chair. everything shared, plates cleared, pinot grigio flowing nobody rushed. nobody argued. christmas miracle. finished with triple chocolate cake and tiramisu that had us all quietly staring at the table like... wow. food this good,ambience is great, family at the table, queens classics. that's christmas eve done right.

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Lenny's Clam Bar - Our fully stocked bar

Our fully stocked bar

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Don Peppe - italian - Updated May 2026

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