Where to get Peruvian from during Covid era… and for Fiestas Patrias?

The restaurant industry has been terribly impacted during the pandemic. At first, only deliveries were allowed and many restaurateurs struggled to maintain their places open. As numbers started to decrease, we entered phase 4 and restaurants again saw the possibility of reopening, this time offering outdoor dining.

Considering that I know many Peruvian restaurateurs and their great food offering, I thought it would be a great idea to compile a list of Peruvian restaurants in the NYC area. Many of the below restaurants I had the pleasure to enjoy their food and others have been highly recommended. As Fiestas Patrias (Peruvian Independence Day) approaches, here’s a list of where you can go to grab a bite or get delivery from:

Manhattan

Midtown

Chirp: The Chrip team prides itself on locally sourcing their chicken, which is marinated overnight in traditional Peruvian spices and combined with smoky flavor, creates a tasty and flavorful rotisserie chicken. They have several combos available that are served to go and for delivery.

Pio Pio: Finally the Hells Kitchen location reopened and is now offering delivery of its popular menu, options like the Matador Combo or their yummy Lomo Saltado. Outdoor dining is also available, on a first come first serve basis. Their Jackson Heights location is also open.

Upper East side:

Mission Ceviche: It combines traditional Peruvian flavors with modern techniques. Lead by our amigo Chef Jose Luis Chavez, who created a  menu specialized in Ceviche and Tiraditos, and that also offers other healthy and delicious options.The restaurant offers delivery and outdoor seating, first come first serve basis.

Lower East Side:

Don Ceviche: Lenny, also known as Don Ceviche, has a booth at the Essex Street Market, where he boasts a varied menu of Peruvian seafood, rotisserie chicken and more. Don Ceviche offers delivery and to go options. Follow them on social media to find out if their next Pop Up is near you.

Qoyas NYC: Co-founded by chef Magaly Ponce, Qoyas NYC offers the Peruvian food experience in several forms. From catering traditional Peruvian dishes, to Chef to your home. The Qoyas are currently working on a creative and new presentation of Peruvian cuisine, follow them on social media to find out more. Chef Magaly is currently offering delivery of soft and creamy, Alfajores.

West Village:

Llama San: Sister restaurant of one of my favoritest, Llama Inn. Llama San is an upscale Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) alternative. The restaurant offers outdoor dining and delivery.

Baby Brasa: The fun and tropical vibes of Baby Brasa are back, thanks to its new outdoor dining format. It offers a varied menu, from lomo saltado to quinoa salad, and so much more.

Panca: An old timer and one of my to go ones. I remember I ate at Panca when I first moved here. The menu continues to evolve and offer long time Peruvian favorites, from aji de gallina, to ceviche, and don’t forget Arroz con Pato.

Brooklyn

Williamsburg:

Chimú: Traditional Peruvian restaurant that offers many of our beloved Peruvian home-made dishes. They are currently offering delivery and outdoor dining.

Llama inn: Llama Inn is your non-traditional Peruvian restaurant, but I’m here for it. Their dinner menu, created by Chef Eric Ramirez, offers Peruvian inspired dishes with innovative and creative techniques. I’m in love with their brunch and now it’s finally back. The restaurant offers delivery for now.

Park Slope

Surfish Bistro: From Chef Miguel Aguilar, winner of Knife Fight and trained by Iron Chef Bobby Flay, Surfish offers a very varied menu. With very traditional dishes always with an edge, such as Pork belly sliders, Ceviche, Parihuela or Chupe, to more innovative ones, like Black Paella and other delicious options. The restaurant offers delivery and outdoor dining by reservation.

Sunset Park

Bravazo: Chef Ezequiel has worked at several Peruvian restaurants in NYC, and finally opened his very own place, Bravazo. His ceviche is one of the best ones I’ve tried in NYC, and his offer is diverse and flavorful. Available for delivery and outdoor dining. Bravazo has a second location  in Corona, Queens

Downtown Brooklyn

Pollo D’Oro:  I went to this restaurant over a year ago and I was really impressed with how good and tasteful its ceviche and arroz con pato was. Pollo D’Oro offers a diverse menu, mainly focused on traditional Peruvian food. This restaurant is available for delivery and outdoor dining.

Queens

Long Island City:

Jora: I haven’t been to Jora in a minute, but I heard from friends that it has updated its menu and the food is tastier than ever. The restaurant offers Peruvian cuisine with several alternatives, from anticuchos, to empanadas. It offers delivery and outdoor dining.

Forest Hills:

Amar Peruvian Kitchen: I haven’t been to this restaurant but my friends in Forest Hills area, which is my dearest old neighborhood, brought up to my attention Amar Peruvian Kitchen. It offers classic Peruvian dishes, and it’s open for delivery and outdoor dining.

Rockaway:

La Cevicheria: Due to Covid the concession at Rockaway beach closed, however, Xime and Leyla (the two sisters behind it) partnered up with Thank You, so they can offer their yummy and fresh food again. I love La Cevicheria because it makes me reminisce when I used to go to the beach in Lima and got to eat my ceviche overlooking the ocean. Now they are delivering to the beach, so if you are at Rockaway, you know where to get a bite from.

Corona: Bravazo

Jackson Heights: Pio Pio

Warique: I haven’t been to this new location, last time I visited Warique was when they were in Astoria. However, I still remember how tasty the food was. Their menu is very broad, they have comida criolla, seafood and even dishes from the jungle of our Peru. They offer delivery and outdoor dining.

I’m sure that there are many Peruvian restaurants open in the NYC area, if you know of any, let me know so I can update this list. Enjoy!!!

–Peruvian Chica in NYC