25 Best Peruvian Restaurants in the U.S., Ranked
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The beauty of America is that it’s a melting pot. Cultures from all over the world have settled in the states, creating generations of diversity. Among the many benefits has been our ability to try out authentic foods from different countries without ever needing a passport.
Peruvian food is one of the most intriguing cuisines, featuring indigenous ingredients that create sensational flavors and unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else. From hole-in-the-walls to spacious and modern establishments, these are the 25 best Peruvian restaurants in the U.S.
25. Las Brasas
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Location: Decatur, Georgia
Rating: 52 (Out of 100 on Tripadvisor)
Visit: Las Brasas
Why Las Brasas Is One of the Best
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Aside from the drool-worthy list of fresh ceviche options, Las Brasas hits the spot among locals for its juicy, half charcoal rotisserie chicken served with poached eggs over crispy Yukon potatoes and topped with huacatay sauce.
The Peruvian-spiced fried rice is a must as well, tossed with Spanish octopus, tiger shrimp, calamari and flounder and topped with two poached eggs and aji amarillo.
Why El Chullo Peruvian Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Small, quaint and authentic is the scene at El Chullo. The family-owned restaurant with an emphasis on traditional food features recipes learned throughout the family’s lives and is served in generous portions.
Among the favorites is the ceviche mixto, great for sharing, with loads of fresh seafood.
23. Lima Criolla
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Location: Austin, Texas
Rating: 56
Visit: Lima Criolla
Why Lima Criolla Is One of the Best
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If you’re looking for a side of vibes with your ceviche, Lima Criolla is a hub of entertainment with its live music performances and regular events taking place alongside authentic, homestyle classic Peruvian dishes.
Reviewers are in agreement that the pisco sours are not to be missed. Among the popular food items, be sure to order the grilled beef heart chunks, served kebab style.
Why Panca Peruvian Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Tucked away in the Nolensville Pike shopping center, Panca impresses with its fair prices, quaint atmosphere and friendly service. The ceviche is superb, and the rotisserie chicken is perfectly moist.
Locals look out for the daily specials, served Monday to Friday Specials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Panca puts on events, including live music and karaoke nights, as well.
Why Quinoa Peruvian & Mexican Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Named after the traditional staple grain food original to the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, Quinoa prides itself on providing a menu rooted in the spices and flavors of the Incan Empire.
If you can make it past the brilliant ceviche bar offerings, reviewers recommend delights like red snapper topped with crab meat, cooked in a light cream of rocoto peppers and served over tacu tacu (Peruvian beans and rice).
Why Coya Peruvian Secret Is One of the Best
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People love referring to Coya as a “lovely little gem,” thanks in part to its cozy patio seating and colorful decor. The portions are large and reasonably priced.
Your head will whip around in amazement as you watch the dishes, like the towering beef short rib and surf and turf, make their way to nearby tables.
Why Mochica Peruvian Kitchen & Bar Is One of the Best
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A dedicated following transformed Mochica from an authentic, small Peruvian eatery in the heart of the SOMA district of San Francisco to a booming restaurant in a significantly larger space in the Potrero Hill area. The happy hour remains a huge draw, while the restaurant's brunch, lunch and dinner menus offer even more to rave about.
Some of the standouts include the Peruvian corn and beet salad with blue potatoes, Aderezo and feta cheese in aji amarillo vinaigrette and the pork adobo on a Panorama brioche bun with salsa criolla and crispy sweet potato fries.
18. Tanta (Tie)
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Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 61
Visit: Tanta
Why Tanta Is One of the Best
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Locals love that happy hour begins just when work gets off and merges with prime-time dinner hours. Offered from 5 to 7 p.m., the happy hour at Tanta tantalizes with cocktails like the classic pisco sour and creative craft cocktails such as the La Rusa, featuring pisco, elderflower, orange juice and campari.
And for just $5, you can enjoy the empanada of the day or the steamed bao stuffed with pork belly, mint, sweet potato, red onions and rocoto sauce.
17. Sazon
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Location: Santa Rosa, California
Rating: 63
Visit: Sazon
Why Sazon Is One of the Best
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One look at the list of ceviche offerings, and you’ll understand why Sazon makes the list. Halibut ceviche sashimi-style with leche de tigre aji amarillo sauce, served with camote and corn is just one example.
Heavier favorites include the Peruvian deep-fried pork sandwich with sweet potato, salsa criolla, rocoto aioli on a hoagie roll. Is your mouth watering yet?
Why Cora Cora Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Cora Cora is a favorite Peruvian restaurant among many for its enormous, delicious portions with beautiful presentations. Meanwhile, the vibe is lively and inviting, and the staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
Popular items include the ceviche, roasted chicken and lomo saltado (marinated strips of sirloin with onions, tomatoes and French fries).
13. Chef Paz Restaurant (Tie)
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Location: West Allis, Wisconsin
Rating: 65
Visit: Chef Paz Restaurant
Why Chef Paz Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Reviewers highly recommend the lomo saltado and seco de res (beef stew with cilantro sauce). The ceviche of mixed seafood at Chef Paz is another big hit, with the main compliments being its beautiful balance of salt and acid and large shrimp.
Craving perfectly crisp empanadas? Chef Paz has you covered, with the creamy, meaty filling just as dreamy.
Why Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar DC Is One of the Best
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With reviews referring to the ceviche as “out of this world” and the pisco sours as “spectacular,” it’s no wonder people flock to Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar. The atmosphere is another plus, featuring Peruvian decor in a modern-chic setting.
For a unique dining experience, ask for the tasting menu. You’ll indulge in a pisco sour flight, a leche de tigre shot, Peruvian chicken stew and more.
13. CVI.CHE 105 (Tie)
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Location: Miami, Florida
Rating: 65
Visit: CVI.CHE 105
Why CVI.CHE 105 Is One of the Best
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Having won more than a dozen awards, CVI.CHE has locations in Downtown Miami, South Beach-Lincoln Road and Aventura Mall. The Peruvian restaurant is known for its creative and eclectic array of fresh ceviches.
Chef and Owner Juan Chipoco was born and raised in Lima, Peru, so you know there’s plenty of traditional Peruvian dishes on the menu as well. That includes the Lomo A Lo Pobre, featuring juicy cuts of tenderloin, onions, tomatoes, yellow pepper and cilantro wok style, mounted with two fried eggs and sweet plantains and served with crunchy fries and white rice.
Why Sabor Peruano Restaurant Is One of the Best
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“We do not sell food, but we sell a gastronomic experience,” claims Sabor Peruano Restaurant.
The result is an ingredient-driven menu featuring traditional Peruvian dishes, complemented by modern decor and superb staff. Favorites include the deep-fried pork chunks with sweet potatoes and onion salad and the Peruvian fried rice with your choice of mixed seafood or shrimp.
10. Happy Fish (Tie)
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Location: Tampa, Florida
Rating: 71
Visit: Happy Fish
Why Happy Fish Is One of the Best
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Reviewers can’t stop raving about the service here — from the owner checking in on you tableside to the enthusiastic servers who are friendly and attentive.
Happy Fish is known for its large, fresh portions, like the Peruvian-style fried rice (choose from beef, chicken or mixed seafood).
10. Pollito con Papas (Tie)
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Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rating: 71
Visit: Pollito con Papas
Why Pollito con Papas Is One of the Best
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This mouthwatering hole-in-the-wall Peruvian restaurant is not to be missed, according to reviewers. The stuffed potatoes are the perfect starter, with lime-marinated onions and aji and fried chicken.
They’re known for their chicken offerings especially, from the thigh and half chicken chimichanga served with hand-cut fries and aji sauce to the pollo saltado dish, a Peruvian classic stir-fried chicken, with red onion, tomato, white rice and fries.
Why Andina Restaurant Is One of the Best
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This Portland Peruvian restaurant draws inspiration both from the native culinary traditions of Peru as well as from the contemporary cooking of Peru's leading chefs.
One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the lomo saltado. The dish is jam-packed with flavor, featuring succulent strips of marinated sirloin steak with a stir-fry of chopped red onion, tomatoes, crispy French fries and aji amarillo.
Why Kousine Fort Lauderdale Is One of the Best
With locations in both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Kousine serves up Peruvian-Asian dishes that people drool over.
Helmed by Peruvian native Chef Danny Kou, the menu has all the classics as well as plenty of modern takes, like the vegetarian ceviche consisting of shimeji mushroom, cauliflower, cucumber, tomato and avocado in aji amarillo and rocoto sauce.
6. Los Andes (Tie)
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Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Rating: 76
Visit: Los Andes
Why Los Andes Is One of the Best
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Specializing in Peruvian and Bolivian cuisine, Los Andes doesn’t go unnoticed. The restaurant has a reputation for always being packed. Along with its inviting atmosphere of dreamy plants and energetic live music, the food is delicious.
From the ceviche clasico to the lobster paella and pisco sours that reviewers say are made just right, it’s the place to go in Providence for Peruvian that won’t let you down.
Why Tito's Ceviche & Pisco Is One of the Best
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This trendy Peruvian bistro is perfect for a date night out, with its low-ceiling indoor atmosphere and back patio seating amid ivy-covered walls.
Traditional favorites include the duck confit with beer glaze, cilantro rice and salsa criolla, along with the lamb shank featuring cilantro sauce, Peruvian Canarian bean stew and salsa criolla.
5. Pio Pio 6
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Location: New York, New York
Rating: 82
Visit: Pio Pio 6
Why Pio Pio 6 Is One of the Best
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Pio Pio has locations in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan. The restaurant is a small, family-owned and -operated business.
The Upper West Side location is one of the few that features an expanded menu. The Chinese-Peruvian stir fry, fresh fish, array of ceviches and fresh-juice pisco cocktails make it a big hit. The line is often out the door, and according to reviewers, it’s every bit worth the wait.
Why Costa Contemporary Kitchen Is One of the Best
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You’ll be drawn in by the swanky touches of this Costa Mesa kitchen, but you’ll come back time and time again because the food is just that good. Chef Yen L. Wu mastered the culinary arts in Lima, Peru, and showcases his knowledge and enthusiasm for the cuisine with dishes like the fresh grilled sea bass with calamari, shrimp, scallops and mussels in an aji amarillo and rocoto sauce.
You also can’t go wrong with the ceviche offerings, tuna tartare or the fresh cooked octopus, sashimi-style. The Ponche cocktail impresses, too, featuring smoked cinnamon, pisco, lemon and pineapple. Wednesdays are where it’s at when the restaurant offers half-off pisco sours.
3. Llama Restaurant
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Location: St. Augustine, Florida
Rating: 84
Visit: Llama Restaurant
Why Llama Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Llama prides itself on offering traditional Peruvian cuisine with a modern twist. The fine dining establishment impresses with its creative concoctions, like the Amazonian arapaima “magically” seasoned and wrapped in plantain leaves, cooked over hot coals and completed with yucca, plantains, hearts of palm and a passionfruit-cilantro sauce.
Have a hankering for pasta? Llama has you covered with its Peruvian-Italian creamy pesto tagliatelle pasta that's topped with a soy glaze drizzle, garnished with homemade parmesan crisps and finished with braised pork belly.
1. Aji Restaurant (Tie)
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Location: Taos, New Mexico
Rating: 86
Visit: Aji Restaurant
Why Aji Restaurant Is One of the Best
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Tied in the No. 1 spot, you can’t go wrong at Aji Restaurant. From the service to the presentation to every bite of food, you’ll be happy you stopped in.
The trio of ceviches, yucca fries and empanadas are mouthwatering appetizers reviewers love. The traditional beef tenderloin stir-fry strips are a crowd-pleaser as well.
1. Celeste (Tie)
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 86
Visit: Celeste
Why Celeste Is One of the Best
A Peruvian supper club transformed into an intimate Somerville restaurant serving up Peruvian food with a twist, Celeste entices with its Incan stew, steamed fish Peruvian-Chinese style and fresh ceviche offerings.
The duo behind Celeste, Maria Rondeau and JuanMa Calderón, has seen such great success they’ve now opened La Royal, a spacious Peruvian restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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