Great food and even better service. We really enjoyed our paella and will be back thanks to Taya

We came in around 2:45pm, right before the kitchen was set to close at 3pm, and asked Matt if we could still dine in. He was super accommodating and let us stay, which we really appreciated. The food did not disappoint, everything was amazing, especially the lomo saltado. The beef was incredibly tender, and the sauce was rich and full of flavor. You can tell they really know what they're doing in the kitchen. Great service and great food. I'd definitely come back! read more

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OK i'm not Peruvian, and i can't tell you what authentic Peruvian food is, but i can say this is damn good! This place is off the beaten track, so unless you frequent Ashkenaz or something like that, you'd probably never know about it. It's worth the trek up there. Hey they have a parking lot, a truly RARE thing for any restaurant in Berkeley! Wow! You don't have to drive around looking for parking and then walk 3 blocks, or put money in the damn meter! Just drive up there and park! We ordered Arrroz con Mariscos, or as they call it, Paella Peruana, and it was delicious. It's basically like Mexican rice, orange rice with peas, and then they add shrimp, mollusks, i forgot what else. They serve it on a sizzling hot pan for show. The owner said get family size but i figured one order would be a lot of food and yes, it was, enough for leftovers. We got some bread for a very reasonable price, and a nice fresh green salad with hard boiled eggs and olives, very good. We didn't care for the dessert, maracuyá mousse. I thought it was just boring, hardly any flavor. I couldn't even finish my half (we shared it). I love maracuyá agua fresca, which has flavor that explodes in your mouth. Well, this doesn't. It's just a sweet creamy rather bland dessert. Our waiter was Cristián, and we enjoyed chatting with him. Service was excellent. It made the night. We also loved the decor, metal animals based on the Nazca lines in the Peruvian desert. That is refreshing, when other Peruvian restaurants all seem to focus only on Andean decor. Perú is very diverse, and has many indigenous cultures as well as African, Asian, Spanish, wow, really interesting, and the Andes are only one fascinating aspect. Overall we had a really enjoyable night. A friend i used to have opened a Peruvian restaurant in Contra Costa county. She said the Peruvian customers would gripe & complain no end about the food not being real, not authentic, no good, totally sucks, whatever. She commented that there are many Peruvian spices and chiles you just can't get here, so it was impossible to make real authentic Peruvian food. Also they couldn't find any Peruvians to hire as cooks so they hired Mexican cooks and trained them. Well, Mexicans may be fabulous cooks, but they don't know anything about Peruvian food, so it never really came out right, except the days my friend was there cooking herself. So the restaurant went under. I see many Peruvians here complaining similarly about this place, el Mono. Hey give them a break, for the above reasons. If you want 100% real Peruvian food, buy a ticket and fly to Perú. Anyway i asked, and the cook who made our food that night IS Peruvian. We'll have to go back some day, as the menu has so many options and it was hard to decide. We wish this place well, and encourage everybody to go try it out. read more

Came on a Friday for lunch specials and I was not disappointed! It wasn't busy when I came, but by the time I was leaving, the restaurant was almost full! Matt immediately helped me find a nice spot to sit, and quickly took my drink order. He also recommended several items for me to try, since it was my first time. He recommended I try the cebiche, paella, and their fish with rice. Everything was seasoned to perfection and cooked perfectly. The cebiche was fresh and melted in your mouth in every bite, and pairing it with the veggies, nuts, and sauce it came with, was the perfect combination in your mouth! The paella came out piping hot! It was good and I wish I got 2 plates for this. It's a lot but I wanted leftovers, I couldn't help but finish it in one sitting. The fried fish was delicious and breaded evenly. It didn't feel too heavy and was the perfect amount to pair with the rice that was provided. I can't wait to come back and try more items! Definitely highlights the tastes and flavors of Peru! read more

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This was my first time trying this spot. I've driven by it a few times while passing through the neighborhood, so I was excited to finally stop in. I'm a huge fan of rotisserie chicken--especially the kind you find at Peruvian spots--so it's always great to discover a place that offers something healthy yet hearty. The staff was warm and welcoming, and I really liked the vibe of the place. Overall, it was a great experience. I ordered the rotisserie chicken, salad, plantains and Peruvian beans, and everything was top-notch. My server, Christian, did an amazing job and was attentive throughout my entire visit. If you're looking for good, wholesome Peruvian food, this is the spot. Don't miss out on this gem. read more

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The food at this El Mono is as authentic as the original. Maybe even better. The menu is the same (feels like they got more items). Feels new but traditional food staples are papa la huancaina, (puff potatoes with ceviche). arroz Chanda (fried rice) , and the desért ice cream is a buet chocolate coffee that's delicious. the pulpo parillado (grilled octopus) appetizer is amazing but only available weekends. Also they have a lot indoor and outdoor Spaces. And parking. Taya was our waitress and she was great she had great recommendations and knew the menú back and forth. read more

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New spot, big flavors, ceviche that lives rent-free in my head Came through **El Mono's new Berkeley location** to check it out, have a quick bite, and I'm so glad we did. The space is super clean, bright, and welcoming. Right off Gilman in a chill neighborhood. It already feels like it belongs there. The menu looks stacked. Like...so many things I want to try, plus a solid lineup of drinks. Definitely one of those places where you already know you're coming back before you even leave. We ordered the ceviche and WOW. Full stop. That dish alone is worth the visit. Fresh, bright, perfect, and honestly one of the best ceviches I've had. Spring day? Summer afternoon? Random winter craving? I'd come back for this every single time. We literally drank the sauce. Whatever that mix was, I want it on everything I eat for the rest of my life. Also shoutout to the super woman Zoraida. Absolute powerhouse. She was everywhere: kitchen, picking up plates, cleaning, moving nonstop. Total badass energy. Love seeing her efficiency and care. Can't wait to come back for more food and more drinks. If you're in Berkeley, go check this spot out. El Mono is doing it right. read more

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Freshly made and well balanced dishes. I'm really impressed with all the sauces that accompanied my dishes -- I don't always like the sauces that are provided at some of my local Peruvian spots, but these were simply delectable. Great service and a menu that has something good for everyone. read more

El Mono - Chaufa de Camarones (Lunch) - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Not my first time at El Mono, but my first time in the Berkeley location. Was familiar with the menu since dining at the El Cerrito location previously. The location is on a corner, and has an outdoor patio, but we dined inside. Service was courteous and welcoming. We shared some patacones and plátanos to start, and I went with saltado de pollo for my main. All was tasty and the addition of green beans to the saltado was a winning move. With the diverse and reasonably priced menu, we'll definitely be back. read more

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Authentic Peruvian cuisine. We were a party of twelve for my daughter in law birthday. Great service, good food. Highly recommend read more

While searching for our favorite food, we stumbled upon El Mono Restaurant. The food was 100% bursting with authentic flavor; I always say that in another life I must have been Peruvian, given the love I have for this culture and cuisine. Matt was an excellent waiter, and the kitchen--though physically the least visible part of the establishment--is definitely where all the magic happens. From appetizers to dessert--we will definitely be back! read more

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Food: 4.5 out of 5 Spectacular food. Everything was seasoned well with quality ingredients. Service: 4 out of 5 Service was a bit slow. Please try and stagger your servers throughout the restaurant so I don't have to get up to get someone's attention. Environment: 4 out of 5 Interesting restaurant because fantastic food but provides a fast casual restaurant. I would recommend more comfortable seats and cushion. A lot of dishes take time and that's not the problem, but ensure your patrons feel comfortable. Overall: 4.5 out of 5 I was instantly transported back to Peru and reminded of why I enjoy their culinary scene. The chica morada is a must and traditional drink. I ordered it with less sugar and it was still flavorful. Come with a group to try a lot of different dishes and you won't be disappointed. Fair warning that there will be a wait for certain dishes. Amazing food takes time! read more

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The food is amazing. I've door dashed here and decided to take my dad in person. Dnt forget to order a chicha sangria :)

We went to El Mono over Thanksgiving weekend and had such a delicious dinner. We had requested outdoor seating (hard to find in the cold, windy Bay Area), and Desiree and another gentleman whose name we didn't catch made it happen. They got the heater running and even grabbed another propane tank so we'd be warm. Above and beyond already. It was my partner's family's first time here (and my first visit to the Berkeley location), so Desiree gave us some of her favorite recs -- and honestly, TAKE HER RECCS. Everything she suggested was spot on. My partner ordered his usual, the aji de gallina, and it was great like always. I got Antonio's Pescado al Achiote, which she highly recommended, and wow... so good. Definitely getting that again. I also really like the Tapado A lo Pobre. For apps, she suggested the trio de antojitos and my hands-down favorite was the beef heart bites. Will 100% be ordering that again. For dessert, I recommend the Peruvian flan. It's rich, creamy, and delicious, but ask for the wine sauce on the side. We both liked the flan a lot more without as much sauce. My only tiny complaint: for the price point, I wish the portions were just a bit bigger. I'm a decent eater, so I need both an app and entrée to feel full here, and I usually like having a little leftover at this price range. And for Antonio's dish in particular, I would've loved one more spoonful of that sauce/soup/curry -- I like my rice saucy and didn't have enough to cover it all. But honestly, everything tasted high-quality and made with care, and the service was incredible. All in all, a wonderful dinner and the staff truly went above and beyond to accommodate us. Thank you to the El Mono team! read more

El Mono - Peruvian Flan! Get with sauce on the side! or light sauce - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Food was great, hard to find peruvian food sometimes. The Yuca Frita appetizer came out with crispy fried cassava and servied with zesty rocoto chili aioli. The yuca fries were definitely double fried and came in thinner cuts/slices than I normally see. It was hot and fresh, went well with their aioli. The Lomo Saltado had a decent amount of tender meat and side of fries. It is a classic stir fry tender with angus beef, onions, tomatoes, crispy fries, and cilantro, tossed in a savory soy sauce served with garlic jasmine rice. Recommend passing on the Arroz Con Pool which has cilantro rice served with 1/4 pound rotiserrie chicken, marinated in herbs, spices, and zesty lime before wing roasted. The chicken was dry and wish it had more flavor to it. The herbs and spices seemed lacking on this dish and we ended up barely touching it. The paella was the best dish here. Looked like everyone was ordering the paella and for good reason. Highly recommend trying the selection of paella here and it's large so easy to share in groups of 2 or 4+! 1 dish per person seemed way more than enough for the table and not including the appetizer. read more

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Drove by on a Friday night, saw the place packed. Google the spot to see what all the hype was about that night. Found an episode of Check Please Bay Area of the restaurant talking about how good they were. Come in a Wednesday afternoon only to find out it's better than Good. It was amazing. I have only eaten Peruvian once before at a more commercial spot and was like "it's okay." But the journey of real Peruvian flavors MATT took us on was so AMAZING. I have never tasted these flavors interpreted like that before. From the MITI MITI CHI CHA to the Ceviche and the Paella with this green sauce and chimichurri, my wife and I were so amazed. Can't wait to get back. Ask for Matt if you don't know what to eat. But get ready he will take you on a ride to flavor city. Thank you MATT for making our day. Matt. read more

El Mono - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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My receipt shows what I ordered as 1 Fillet & 5 Shrimps. I can't seem to locate it on the online menu. Anyway the fish was delicate and the sauce was most pleasing. The shrimp was a good option to take advantage of. It was a Sunday night and business was slow. Previously I had been to the San Pablo Avenue location years ago and I was overdue. I need to come back soon and try some other items. The food looks so good here! read more

El Mono - Fillet & 5 Shrimp - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I went here with my family the day after valentines. It wasn't too busy so we got in time to have dinner. This is their newest location and it is quite better. I do miss eating at this restaurant that closed down in Concord and this place was quite similar. I enjoyed the hospitality they gave us. The food was pretty good. We will be back to try other things. In addition, they accommodate gluten free people. read more

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Customer service was really good. Mat checked on us multiple times. The food was delicous & savory. The poor mans steak was my favorite meat was perfectly made. The flavor on the papa la haucaina was yummy. For desert we got the lucuma icecream which was so good The atmosphere is nice + good music! Will be coming back.. read more

El Mono - Poor Man's Steak - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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What a wonderful new discovery. Authentic Peruvian food with a flare. Flavors that you have never tasted before and combinations with proteins that totally work. Not only was the food amazing but everyone we met. There was so nice. Christian was our server and Maisey saw to our needs as well. Located westbound on Gilman Avenue on fourth it's easy to find and they have plenty of parking. I like that they have a nice handicap slot right outside the front door and a wheelchair ramp next to it. I thought that was very forward thinking. I noticed as we approach the front door. They had a nice seating area outside with heaters that were set up and ready to go for customers. Sometimes it gets windy and cool there but you're protected and you get a little heater with it. Once through the front door is walking and I noticed that the place smelled wonderful and Was very clean and organized. With the hard floors and the high ceiling, it can get a bit noisy in there, but that's to be expected with the architectural design. We were immediately seated and our servers and were absolutely wonderful. The three of us shared our specific meals with each other. My daughter had the Salado de Pollo and my wife had the Lomo Saltado. I found these very unique in the sense that they had basically the same spices but they let the flavors of the meat change the overall flavor of the sauce. How brilliant is that? I had the Cerviche which was one of the most excellent and balanced I have had in a long time. Everything and it was cooked perfect perfection, and just the right tenderness and flavor to it without being overpowered by the lime. For dessert we shared the Peruvian Affogato. Surprisingly it's an ice cream in a cup with espresso coffee put over it. What a nice way to finish the meal. My daughter also had the Miri Miri which is a sweet beverage and impaired perfectly with her entrée. It was delicious. Is this a place I would return to for a food experience? Absolutely each of us enjoyed it completely and would certainly return. I have to say it was a truly unique experience. I knew nothing about Peruvian food. I was surprised that I want to explore it again. read more

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Our first time here and definitely coming back! The restaurant has its own parking lot and is spacious with indoor and outdoor dining options. Inside, the ambiance and decor were nice. Our server Christian was so friendly and welcoming. He gave recommendations and checked in several times. For food and drinks, we ordered the Yuca Frites, Lomo Saltado, Peruvian Paella, Miti Miti and Spearmint Limonada. Everything was delicious and I'd order them all again. I especially appreciated that you can adjust the sweetness of the Limonadas. read more

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First time trying out this restaurant and had an enjoyable dining experience. The ambiance was chill with good lighting. Service was delightful (shout out to Christian for personable and welcoming service)! Drinks: - limonada 10/10, no notes - virgin michelada 8/10, tasty overall but rimmed glass barely had salt or held in place Food: - yuca fritas 7/10, tasty but a bit too heavy/dense - grilled octopus 10/10, perfect balance of charred flavor with firm texture but not chewy - Peruvian paella 7/10, tasty and good portion even for a single serving (forgot to take a pic) Overall: 8/10, looking forward to trying other dishes in the future read more

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Everything was delicious and service by Christian was super welcoming. Spacious and easy parking in the back. read more

El Mono - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have always loved the food at el mono and I was super excited they opened this new location. The interior is beautiful and it felt more spacious. I also loved how spacious the parking lot is considering that I drive an SUV and parking was always tight for me at the el cerrito location. I just don't know if the slow dining/slow service works for me. I was greeted immediately and was told to sit wherever I liked. After about 5 minutes, we still weren't given any menus so I had to get up and ask for one myself and I was asked "how many do you need" lol as if they didn't remember me walking in or something. It took another 10-15 minutes before someone came to take my order. And as I sat there waiting for my food, I saw them bringing menus, waters, and nuts immediately to other tables so idk why we were the odd ones out. I did have to ask for water 2 times before someone brought it. But don't get me wrong, the staff here are super friendly and as I mentioned, I love the food here, it taste amazing. It's just the slow service that doesn't work well with me and will most likely do takeout in the future versus dine in. It was my boyfriend's first time getting Peruvian food and I recommended the lomo saltado to him and I got the aji de gallina. The steak was a little bit dry but the sauce/seasoning made up for it. Loved the aji de gallina as always. We also got a Shirley temple and the passion fruit juice. Our total came out to be $70 not including tip. read more

El Mono - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Amazing ambiance, extremely welcoming. Matt is so courteous and professional. Food was out quick and it was an explosion of taste. Their ceviche mixto is fresh, well seasoned and just overall delicious. Had to have fried yuca and chicha to finish with a bang. Great for dining alone or big parties. Come try El Mono, you will find a new favorite spot in Berkeley. read more

El Mono - Ceviche mixto, Yuca Frita (5 pcs) (Lunch), and chicha. - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I was in the Neighborhood visiting my Friend Dave , He is a Professional Mixologist friend of mine!!! I was Famished when I left his home. So I stopped by El Mono a Peruvian Restaurant!!! I rolled in and was Greeted and Seated!! My very Beautiful Server asked for my Food Order!!! I Ordered Calamar Frito for my Appetizer!!! For my Main Dish I Ordered Peruvian Paella !!! I was brought Roasted Corn Nuts to Start With. Seriously Service is Top Notch!! I was Checked on quite Frequently!!! When I Finished My Calamari Appetizer the Plate Was Cleared within Seconds!!! The Ambiance is really Nice and Clean !!! My Peruvian Paella arrived next on a Flaming Hot Cast Iron platter!!! It was a Delicious and Generous sized Platter!!! For dessert I ordered a Strawberry Flan !!! It Arrived very quickly!!! It was a Nice sized Piece and Each Spoonful was Heaven On Earth !!! Service was Fast and Efficient!!! I paid by Credit Card and Rolled Out!!!? For all These Reasons This Is A Baller On A Budget Approved Establishment!!!! I keep my Pimp Hand Strong !!! read more

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Great food and service by Christian. The green sauce is amazing. The ceviche was fresh and delicious. read more

Great food and great service! We had the cevice, limo saltado, and octopus. Everything was amazing. Thank you Matt for taking care of our party! read more

July 19. 2025 1:30 pm 2.9 stars. A conscientious server saved the day. A wise diner once said "If you're craving something in particular, don't go to some place that you've never been to before." Wiser words than this have never been uttered. After reading some misleadingly good Yelp reviews and ignoring a few bad ones, we were off for the first time to El Mono. I planned to share my wife's dreamed about rotisserie chicken with her and a fried calamari plate. At the last minute my son joined us and had an Angus burger and Yucca fries. We dined family style. When we arrived, we decided to sit outside to avoid the din of diners chatting over slightly too loud mood music. The setting outside felt a bit like a parking lot covered with a roof though. Some dying plants, a bit of litter about. Cold breeze and traffic noise blowing through. It definitely does not feel like a "dining out experience". We chose to take our chances with the indoor din. Inside, Mono is very cheerful. The bright wooden tables all look inviting. The staff moving around with their hello's and smiles. A charming server, Bella, with her smile and a warm welcome, brings us home made corn nuts to snack on. We place our order and within 20 minutes we are snacking on a suprisingly large, tasty plate of calamari and enjoying, for our first time, yucca. We snack about 15 more minutes and our half chicken with rice and salad is here. The salad is covered with onions. I'm allergic and will skip that. The chicken looks pretty interesting. I wonder what makes rotisserie chicken that color? And then all dining Hell, at first slowly, and then like hurricane, breaks loose. As my wife is wrestling to cut the both of us portions of chicken, I see my son's burger coming towards us and I notify him. Wait. What? I'm wrong? The server (not Bella) turns left with a burger and heads to another table. That table rejects it and the server takes it back to the kitchen. She has a discussion and 15 seconds later, here she comes with that burger again and she gives it to my son. The Angus burger looks like a masterpiece. Two huge meat patties. Veggies and melted cheese. They even threw a fried egg and I think fried plantain in there. Some new customers with a dog arrive and sit at the next table. Is this damn place Dog Friendly? My wife is afraid of "those filthy biters" . The puppy is on a leash at least. Good. The woman let's the leash out. The dog comes towards my wife and I had to yelp at the mother of the fur baby to pull her child in. Bad. Now my wife has conquered that chicken and I take a bite of the drumstick. It tastes like S**T. Too much SALT. I'm not talking KFC or Popeye's chicken salty. I'm talking almost salt it up so it will stay preserved without refrigeration salty. Now my wife loves to put salt on everything. She thinks soy sauce is an every day spice and even she says it's too salty and won't eat it. Ok. I'll skip the chicken and eat the rice and some of my son's beef that he pulled out of the thick burger. I chew the beef. What?! It's way too Salty. My son says it is the saltiest burger he has had in his lifetime. I decide to eat the rice. Take a bite and it tastes ok. How can plain white rice be salty right? I take another bite and strike three on the food. It is not salty but there is some very unpleasant (to me) sauce under and soaking into the rice. Our party is finished eating and the three of us are chatting. I'm feeling a little annoyed but I dont want to take it out on Bella. She seems to be the best thing about this place. I excused myself to use the one restroom. It is a "choose your own sex" restroom. Darn. Its occupied. I walk back toward my table and see a female employee exit the restroom. I go in. The restroom floor is littered with many formally good but now waisted eighth inch thick piles of seat liners. I look at the toilet and Crap! Some woman has hovered over the seat leaving -well you know. I dont know if that exiting employee was the culprit but she sure as hell should have remedied the situation. I hunt Bella down and in a calm shaking voice explain about the chicken, the burger, and that hoverer. Bella springs into action and takes care of everything. Her employer should have several more like her. First she gave heartfelt apologies for shoddy work that wasn't her fault. Next, she quickly assembled a team to clean up after the hoverer. Then she comps the two s**ty dishes even though I told her earlier I wasn't after that, and brings us two delicious complementary deserts. Flan and some fancy ice cream. Lastly, she also smartly gave each of us a ticket for a free appetizer on our next visit. We gave all tickets to our son. It is highly unlikely I will be back with my family but my son might go with his friends. On our way out, in come more customers with another canine fur baby. read more

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Hubby and I came on an early weeknight to try El Mono at their Berkeley location. It's located on the tail end of 4th street with plenty of parking and outdoor patio seating. It seemed like you needed a reservation to sit in the main dining area, but we got a table immediately despite just walking in. We ordered a sampler for the appetizer, with my husband getting the steak for his main. I got the individual sized paella, which was packed full of seafood and had enough food for two. The rice was slightly overcooked but the flavor was on point. I'd love to come back again to try the other menu items! read more

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Our waiter Cristian was amazing! The food, service, and overall experience were all excellent. The prices are reasonable, and honestly, everything on the menu looked so good that it was hard to decide what to order! read more

El Mono - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of my friends and I have eaten at the El Cerrito location and since it was her birthday, we decided to try the Berkeley location which is located on 4th and Gilman. There is a free parking lot right next to the restaurant so very convenient! The restaurant has only been open for 3 months according to our attentive server, Christian! It is very clean and comfortable inside. I made open table reservations and the 3 of us sat near the window. We ordered a variety of dishes, and we started off with drinks, 2 of us had Miti Miti, which was delish and made of Chicha (organic Inco purple Corn Drink with a hint of cinnamon and Maracuya which was delish and one of us had the Maracuya which is organic Passion Fruit. One friend had the ceviche and Papa a la Huancaina, the birthday girl ordered the lunch special with salad Aji de Gallina, and I had the lunch special with salad Pescado Frito, fried bass which was lightly battered and very tasty. I almost forgot to take a photo of it as it was so delish. For dessert, Christian brought over a complimentary dish of Lucuma Ice Cream which tasted like coffee with maple syrup, so yummy! Delicious food, clean and attentive service, free parking, you can't ask for more. read more

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My best friend and I got together for my early birthday celebration. We'd dined at El Mono in the past and enjoyed having exposure to Peruvian food. So we thought, why not try their new location? We both preferred this one for many reasons! My best friend and I arrived at the opening on a weekday. We were one of a few customers but over time more folks came in. The layout of the restaurant is quite spacious and well-lit. There's a bar at the front and ample tables for all parties. Plus a nice outdoor patio. Service was fine. You look at the menu through the QR code but a worker will take your order. From there, your food will be brought out to you but you won't have many interactions or be checked on. My only note was my napkin provided was dirty and there was a plant in my water glass. Since we came in the afternoon, we both got the Lunch Special. I opted for the Aguadito Soup as my side and Tallarin de Camarones. My soup was wonderful and soothing, with lots of tender pieces of chicken and a perfect cilantro ratio. My pasta I also enjoyed. Decent amount of shrimp but a unique sauce--savory yet sweet! My best friend enjoyed her meal as well. For those who like Peruvian food, El Mono is worth a visit. I like this location more off Fourth Street and Gilman Ave. for space and free parking in their lot compared to their spot in El Cerrito. read more

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Great service by Taya, Cristian and Lauren. The food was also great. Will definitely be back.

If you're reading this come check out this spot. The food was delicious and the service was delightful. The paella was 10/10 ! It was sizzling hot with fresh. The Lomo Salado 8/10, good flavor and presentation. Only downside was it came out a lukewarm warm. Christian provided 10/10 service. Everyone inside was kind. Come check out this location. read more

El Mono is hands down one of the best Peruvian spots I've been to. Everything we ordered hit, but the ceviche alone is worth the visit - super fresh, bright, perfectly citrusy, and just the right amount of heat. You can tell they know exactly what they're doing. The rotisserie chicken was insanely good, juicy, flavorful, with that perfect crispy skin. Paired with the fried yuca (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside) and the plantains (sweet, caramelized, and addictive), it was one of those meals where you don't want it to end. Shoutout to Christian, our server, who made the whole experience even better, super friendly, and attentive. Service was great, vibe was relaxed, and the food absolutely delivered. Will 100% be back. read more

The new Berkely location has the same family feel as the main El Cerrito restaurant. When you walk in, you see the familiar faces of the staff, all smiling to greet you. The food is the same at both locations. Large portions, full of flavor, and prepared to order. Go check them out!! read more

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We had such a great experience at El Mono in Berkeley, and a big part of that was our server Matt. From the moment we sat down, Matt was welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about the menu. He took the time to walk us through some of the dishes and made great recommendations without making us feel rushed. We ordered the Peruvian paella, the lomo saltado, and the pesto pasta, and every dish was delicious. The paella was packed with flavor and perfectly cooked, the lomo saltado had that amazing savory sauce with tender steak, and the pesto pasta was fresh and comforting. You can really tell the kitchen cares about the food here. Matt checked in on us at just the right moments, kept our drinks filled, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. Service like that makes a big difference when you're dining out. If you go, definitely ask for Matt -- he'll take great care of you. We'll absolutely be back! read more

El Mono - the Peruvian paella, the lomo saltado, and the pesto pasta - Peruvian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Highlights: good service, amazing ceviche The causa and anticuchos were also really good. read more

I had Peruvian food for the first time at El Mono with my family. We were very impressed by the flavor and the friendly staff. We ordered yucca fries, lomo saltado, arroz con pollo, and chupe de camarones. The chupe de camarones was our favorite. This is a creamy shrimp chowder that was rich and comforting and it was perfect with the rice. The yucca fries were also delicious I just wish there was more! The restaurant is nice and clean and the staff was very friendly. I can't wait to go back to to try more seafood dishes! read more

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