A rendering of the new st. pete location | pepe’s cantina and mexican grill

A new Mexican restaurant is set to open next week in St. Petersburg’s Historic Kenwood neighborhood, bringing tableside guacamole, tacos, and margaritas to the area.

Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill, a growing Central Florida-based eatery, will launch its first Tampa Bay location on Friday, April 11 at 3118 3rd Avenue North in the Shoppes at Kenwood.

The 2,275-square-foot space previously housed Cider Press Vegan GastroPub, which closed in October 2024. Before that, it was home to the popular LGBT bar Georgie’s Alibi.

"We initially looked in Tampa, but the Cider Press location had the perfect layout for a cantina with minimal renovation needed," John Cameron, a local franchisee, said to St. Pete Rising.

"We believe Pepe’s will be well-received in Kenwood. The area has newer developments, it’s close to Central Avenue, and the community includes many first responders and hospital workers we’d love to serve," added Frank Chavez, one of the original founders.

Pepe’s mexican cantina is opening a new location in St. Petersburg | pepe’s cantina and mexican grill

The new 130-seat cantina will offer lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, featuring contemporary Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.

Pepe’s popular tacos come in 12 varieties, including grilled chicken, chorizo, barbacoa, ribeye steak, salmon, shrimp, roasted marinated octopus, and vegan and vegetarian options.

The restaurant’s birria tacos feature slow-cooked shredded beef in a rich broth made with dried chili peppers, served on corn tortillas with cheese and accompanied by consommé for dipping.

The Mexican Tapas menu includes ceviche (mahi-mahi, octopus, or shrimp), as well as Mexican-style corn, tostones, stuffed avocado, empanadas, and more.

The tostones made with birria or shredded chicken and topped with avocado sauce, purple cabbage, queso fresco, pickled red onions, chipotle sauce, and cilantro | pepe’s cantina and mexican grill

Pepe’s also serves fajitas, quesadillas, chimichangas, burritos, and enchiladas, along with salads, soups, and bowls.

Meanwhile, the brunch menu offers indulgent options like Tres Leches French Toast topped with strawberries, syrup, and powdered sugar, as well as Pancake Tacos filled with strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, and Nutella.

Brunch and dinner guests can also enjoy an all-you-can-drink mimosa and sangria special.

Pepe’s signature margaritas, available all day, can be ordered by the pitcher (serving up to five glasses) and come in flavors like strawberry jalapeño, watermelon, passionfruit, mango, and guava—served frozen or on the rocks. Guests can customize their margaritas with a choice of tequila, fruit flavors, and a rim of salt, Tajín, or sugar.

The birria tacos | pepe’s cantina and mexican grill

The bar menu also includes beer, wine, house-made red sangria, tequila shots, and craft cocktails. Pepe’s partners with Orlando-based Bowigens Beer Company to produce its house-made tequila and Mexican-style lager.

The St. Pete cantina will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pepe’s Cantina currently operates six Florida locations in Winter Park, Clermont, DeBary, Oviedo, Avalon Park, and Port St. Lucie. The St. Petersburg location will be its seventh.

For the latest menu updates and announcements, follow Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill on Facebook and Instagram.