From different varieties of ceviche to lomo saltado, Peru is home to some of the most unique flavors and dishes. Dishes have Spanish, African, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian influences. But not everyone can hop on a plane to Peru and try what the country has to offer. That’s where we come in.
Below, you’ll find a list of all of the Peruvian restaurants in the United States. From restaurants awarded MICHELIN Stars to Bib Gourmands, our list is full, and you'll be too.
Orlando
Papa Llama (One Star)
2840 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando, 32806, USA
Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Maria Ruiz prepare modern Peruvian cuisine full of bright ingredients with a bit of polish, and the multicourse tasting menu is an approachable (and affordable) way to sample their sincere cooking.
Inspector notes: "Nigiri kicks off the meal with a smart nod to the Peruvian tradition of Japanese fusion, delivering dialed-in flavors with confidence. Bok choy is elevated with bold, contrasting textures, while chicken thigh roulade with aji amarillo aioli is simply spectacular."
Miami
Maty's
3255 N.E. 1st Ave., Miami, 33137, USA
With the beloved Itamae now closed, Chef Valerie Chang strikes out on her own with this full-service follow-up in Midtown. Pulling inspiration from her childhood and from her grandmother, after whom the restaurant is named, Chang uses quality seafood to deliver bright, citrus-forward Peruvian flavors. Those who’ve eaten with Chang before will recognize some of the dishes: Black grouper, kanpachi and ocean trout arrive dressed with the likes of aji dulce, kiwiberries, finger limes and passionfruit.
Inspector notes: "Meaty entrees like chicken milanesa and oxtail saltado strike heavier chords, but we’re quite happy to stick with seafood in the grilled dorade with aji amarillo beurre blanc."
La Mar by Gastón Acurio
500 Brickell Key Dr., Miami, 33131, USA
Gastón Acurio and Executive Chef Diego Oka opened this Peruvian hangout on Brickell Key back in 2014, and yet, in a city that prides itself on staying young and looking good, there is still no restaurant that can match these views. At the base of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the space's expansive terrace sits right on Biscayne Bay in full view of the Miami skyline.
Inspector notes: "Start with seafood. Ceviche loaded with grouper, shrimp and octopus arrives dressed in a tangy leche de tigre, while meaty, jumbo scallops come grilled with parmesan foam."
Los Angeles
Pollo a la Brasa
764 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, 90005, USA
Peruvian in Koreatown? You bet, at least at this family-owned and run spot that has been at it for more than thirty years. Expect a casual neighborhood restaurant that's a touch warm on the inside from the heat of the live-fire cooking. All of the chicken is cooked over a wood fire that you can smell a block away and delivers smoky meat with a crispy skin that's marinated with their family secret.
Inspector notes: "While there are a few options on the menu, make sure that you order the chicken by itself, or choose from their sides, but don't skip their twice-fried French fries and consider ordering a second container of their spicy green aji sauce."
Studio City
Leona’s Sushi House
11814 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 91604, USA
Chef Shigenori Fujimoto has teamed up with Frank Leon and Evan Ross on a Japanese fusion menu that never misses a beat.
Inspector notes: "Dishes are often irreverent, as in rich and savory udon carbonara with paper thin smoked pork belly, creamy egg and parmigiano; and the sticky-sweet oxtail-stuffed bao is craveworthy."
Half Moon Bay
La Costanera
260 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay, 94019, USA
Where else can you stroll in after a day at the beach and get a delicious Peruvian meal? La Costanera, nestled within the darling coastal town of Half Moon Bay, of course! Traditional and modern art abound, but it's the boldly flavored plates from Chef Carlos Altamirano and his team that garner attention.
Inspector notes: "Palta rellena, which fills half an avocado with roasted chicken chicharrones and lime-infused mayonnaise, is a fun and light-hearted interpretation of the dish. Cebice pescado marinated in aji rocoto leche de tigre is both tangy and kicky, while arroz con mariscos is a savory and satisfying dish tucked with plenty of seafood."
Washington D.C.
Causa (One Star)
920 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, 20001, USA
Chef Carlos Delgado delivers a taste of his birthplace in a dual concept space in Blagden Alley. Nestled on the first floor, Causa seats around 20 for a tasting menu that takes diners on a journey of flavors inspired by the topography of Peru. It all begins in Lima with coastal seafood, then progresses into the Andes and the Amazon.
Inspector notes: "Chicha morada kombucha, made from purple corn, is a perfect partner for the Peruvian classic and namesake dish, causa, with its mashed potatoes hit with aji amarillo paste, then topped with cucumber, avocado and tuna tartare."
China Chilcano (Bib Gourmand)
418 7th St. NW, Washington, 20004, USA
Bring a group of friends and keep the pisco coming at this José Andrés marvel, where the vibrant décor and bold, flavorful cuisine are anything but humdrum. Specialty ingredients from Peru find their way into many of this kitchen’s dishes, and the menu brings together three major culinary influences in the country: Chinese, Japanese and Criollo.
Inspector notes: "Thick and buttery slices of Ora king salmon ceviche arrive in a pool of tart yuzu juice, garnished with creamy avocado, trout roe and whole sweetie drop peppers. Meanwhile, a wonderfully seasoned stir-fry of smoky lomo saltado gets added crunch from a nest of fried potato sticks."
El Secreto de Rosita
1624 U St. NW, Washington, 20009, USA
Chef Cristian Granada's dynamic menu certainly leans Peruvian, it also embraces the nation's wide terrain—from the coast all the way to influences from Europe and Asia.
Inspector notes: "Behold the tiradito, featuring sashimi-grade ahi tuna with a passion fruit-and-orange sauce. Classics, like ají de gallina, is served with rice; while the much raved-about arroz chaufa is a global delight."
New York
Caleta 111 Cevicheria (Bib Gourmand)
111-27 Jamaica Ave., New York, 11418, USA
Everyone knows the old adage about being on the right side of the train tracks, but what about being under them? That’s the story of this humble Peruvian cevicheria, set just a few steps north of the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Cushy pillows atop tree trunks act as chairs outside; inside, by the door, speakers blare with Latin beats.
Inspector notes: "Perhaps the most surprising dish of all is the pork tamal, hidden away in the corner of the carte. It is presented in a bamboo steamer and highlights the magic that is soft, fluffy masa."
Contento
88 E. 111th St., New York, 10029, USA
This bright spot is brought to you by beverage director Yannick Benjamin, business partner George Gallego and Chef Oscar Lorenzzi. No wonder there's always a crowd in the intimate room, outfitted with exposed brick walls and an orderly kitchen in view—a rarity among other dining rooms—largely as it's been designed with accessibility in mind.
Inspector notes: "Sample the ceviche classico revealing diced pieces of wild striped bass in a leche de tigre with cancha and slivered red onion."
Llama Inn
50 Withers St., New York, 11211, USA
Upbeat, modern and cool, Llama Inn pays respect to all styles of Peruvian cooking but with the technical flair of Chef Erik Ramirez who has trained in New York’s top restaurants. The result is always fresh, fun and spontaneous cuisine that elevates Peruvian food.
Inspector notes: "Begin your meal with one of the variations of ceviche, ranging from seafood to vegetarian styles. The asparagus is punctuated with a bracing potato leek leche de tigre."
Mission Ceviche
1400 Second Ave., New York, 10021, USA
What began as a string of incredibly popular ceviche bars in the Gansevoort and Canal Street Markets, has now become Chef José Luis Chávez’s first sit-down restaurant. This fresh space is clean and modern, with a polished, easygoing vibe; a solid wine list; and some terrific cocktails (including a few creative takes on pisco sours).
Inspector notes: "The brilliance of Chef Chávez’s citrus-marinated ceviches is the traditional way in which they are presented—something like a Peruvian cousin to the poke bowl. Also on the roster are other classics from the same nation, like corn, quinoa and potatoes woven into hearty mains."
Chicago
Cabra (Bib Gourmand)
200 N. Green St., Chicago, 60607, USA
Tucked into the 12th floor of the Hoxton hotel, this light-soaked and plant-draped beauty overlooks the Windy City's skyline. Its tropical vibe makes the perfect backdrop for Chef Stephanie Izard’s wonderfully inventive pan-Latin cooking, which she punches up with global touches pulled from her diverse culinary background. The menu may lean Peruvian, but it also offers such favorites as ceviches, empanadas, botanas, and anticuchos.
Inspector notes: "The kitchen takes liberties with traditional tastes, producing dishes that celebrate the area's vibrance and bounty. To wit: salmon ceviche with pistachio, avocado, and leche de tigre; as well as chicharrón del puerco with pickled vegetables and apple salad."
Hero image: Rey Lopez / Causa
