Melbourne

Pepe’s Cantina to Debut in Melbourne This Summer

The Mexican restaurant concept will offer cocktails, updated menu items, and full-service dining.

MELBOURNE, FL — Pepe’s Cantina is targeting a first-week-of-August opening at 7700 N. Wickham Road, Suite 101, Melbourne, FL 32940, Alejandro Diaz told Business Debut. Diaz is opening the restaurant with his wife, Luisana Rodriquez, and partners Franco Massacessi and Pedro Massacessi, who also served as the realtors who helped secure the space.

What to Expect

Pepe’s Cantina will be a full-service restaurant with waitstaff and seating for about 150 guests, Diaz told Business Debut. The restaurant is moving into the former Mi Jalisco space on N. Wickham Road.

Diaz described Pepe’s Cantina as a place to meet, enjoy drinks and spend time with others. He said the Melbourne location will have a different feel from a traditional Mexican restaurant, with a relaxed atmosphere, music and a design that includes plants throughout the space.

“It’s going to be a really good place with a lot of plants,” Diaz told Business Debut. “You’re going to be surrounded by a lot of nature there.”

Diaz said the menu will feature new dishes every few months. His favorite menu item is the molcajete, and he also highlighted the margaritas, including the Coconut Love margarita.

“It gives you a taste of the beach,” Diaz told Business Debut.

Diaz said he chose Pepe’s Cantina after meeting franchise owner Frank Chavez, who made him feel supported through the process. Diaz said Chavez and the franchise team helped with training, budgeting and guidance from the beginning.

“He cares about the franchise,” Diaz told Business Debut. “He wants to do all the best for us.”

Diaz said the team wants to contribute to the Melbourne community by offering a place where service is the main focus. The goal, he told Business Debut, is for guests to feel comfortable inside the restaurant, “forget about everything” and enjoy their time there.

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting the first week of August for the opening, Diaz told Business Debut.

Hours

Pepe’s Cantina plans to open seven days a week from 11 a.m. — 9 p.m., with hours extended until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Follow for More

Visit the Melbourne location on Facebook and the brand on Instagram. The official Pepe’s Cantina website also includes brand information and menu details.