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    El Mono

    4.7 (413 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM - 8:45 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    EL MONO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - El Mono

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    Maracuyá and iced tea
    Mark S.

    Delicious Peruvian food. I had the breaded fish and my wife had the Arroz Tapado. All part of the lunch special menu. If we were local we would be regulars! If you like Peruvian food this is a must visit. Matt was also great.

    Crema Volteada (Flan)
    Karen W.

    Brought another group of friends here to try their delicious food and tried to make reservations for 6 people online but it wouldn't let me so I messaged the business and they were able to make a reservation for 6 people. The food, service and ambiance are on point. Two of us ordered the maracuya (passion fruit drink), while we waited for the others to arrive. One of my friends is allergic to garlic and the restaurant mentioned that they can make food without garlic, as everything is made fresh. My friend decided to order her own dish separately of pasta with shrimp while the rest of us, ordered food to share! We ordered the trio sampler of ceviche and fried calamari which was flavorful, the poor man's steak medium rare and what a big steak that was to cut and share with plantains, fries, fried egg and jasmine rice, very tasty, Isabella salad, paella (more than enough to feed 5 of us and very fresh and delicious). For dessert, 2 of us had coffee, 2 of us had affogado, 2 of us had the lucuma with the cookies and I had the lucuma ice cream. My friends enjoyed the flavorful food and dessert!

    Everything is so delicious, from appetizer to main dishes, cocktail and really good customer service . We celebrate our 21 anniversary and we open the door the lady at the front desk was really friendly and Criss the waitress was always attentive asking if everything was okay. So nice , clean !

    Chupe de Camarones
    Lexi R.

    My husband and I have been to the El Cerrito location quite a few times since it happens to be our favorite Peruvian restaurant in the whole Bay Area. We were stoked when we realized this second location opened up and decided to try it. I love the interior at this location! And they have some parking in the back of the restaurant which is nice. Matt and Andres took care of us and were fantastic. We came in with a hangry toddler and Matt quickly got crayons and a coloring page that kept our baby entertained until the food arrived. They always made sure we had what we needed and offered other sauces to go with our meal (hot sauce, tartar, etc). We ordered our go-to dishes: pescado a lo macho and chupe de camerones. Listen, we've been chasing these flavors restaurant after restaurant throughout the bay, hoping to find somewhere closer to our home that is just as good. Nowhere else has come close to being as delicious as El Mono. Both the dishes we chose are seafood based dishes, with pescado a lo macho having a variety of seafood and chupe de camerones having shrimp. In both dishes, the seafood is cooked perfectly. No over-cooked, rubbery, dry pieces to be found. And the sauces are heaven sent. Oh! I also have always loved the corn nuts they serve complimentary when you first sit down. Definitely eat it with the green sauce they give you. It's scrumptious.

    Estofado de Pollo
    Willy H.

    Aesthetically pleasing delicious food! The service is amazing. Please set it down quickly. Drinks are great. The place has a good ambience to it. Tasteful decor. Five stars.

    Andres G.

    Good service and food is delicious. W servers and W food. Adding this restaurant to the W list for sure

    Pranthik S.

    All the dishes were great! We're glad we saved space for desert. The Lucuma Ice Cream was delicious. Matt and Niurka took good care of us. Overall great atmosphere, not too loud and nice place for date. We're definitely coming back to try more of the dishes.

    Bianca H.

    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!

    Lomo Saltado

    Great service from Nivrka, Criss, and Taya! And the food was amazing! Definitely worth it

    1/2 Rotisserie Chicken was on point
    Terrance S.

    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.

    David C.

    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.

    Peter Chul Heon J.

    Criss!! The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the service was excellent!

    Chaufa de Camarones (Lunch)
    Dani K.

    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.

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    5 months ago

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    El M.

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    5 months ago

    Very clean,friendly,parking easy. Please support the restaurant and Matt was great. Food was great! I love the new location!

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    4 months ago

    amazing food and service! was thoroughly impressed with every food item. the ambiance was perfect too

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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Excellent service and food was so flavorful! Also good portions. Will definitely be returning here.

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Amazing food...great flavors and wonderful owner Matt! will definitely come back for more Peruvian food

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Good food, good vibes, and good service. Shoutout Christian for making sure we had everything we needed.

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food. Been to the other location on San Pablo st. Both are great and amazing. Cant find another peruvian in the area

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    6 months ago

    Taya rocks - the perfect level of friendly and attentive . Food is delicious and had a lovely time. Everything was well prepared

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Great menu, unlike other local Peruvian restaurants. Food was delicious, good portion sizes, and service was solid. No complaints!

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Isabella and Taya were great servers! Taya recommended amazing dishes, and really made our night. Thank you girls!

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    6 months ago

    Service was great, my chafa de res taste good but was a bit hard to chew. Other wise was a great experience . The Yuca was delicious.

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    1 year ago

    Lomo saltado was really good. Beef was tender and everything was seasoned well. Staff was friendly and efficient

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    7 months ago

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    Page 8 of 11

    El Mono Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Mono

    Can we request "no cilantro" on some of the dishes such as Lomo Saltado and Paella?

    I'm quite sure that's easy for them. The foos there is yummy!

    Are there things on the menu that don't have garlic or tomatoes as a friend has an allergy?

    Yes there are a number of items that do not have garlic and many other dishes can be made without the addition of garlic. Please speak with our staff upon arrival or call the restaurant. Thanks!

    Do they have liquor license yet?

    We are currently waiting for our Beer and Wine license to be approved. More than likely by the end of August 2025. Thanks for your patience!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Close up of Paella Tres Cerditos ($52) - roasted pork shoulder, panceta, chorizo, cider, arugula. Good. A bit on the saltier side.

    La Marcha Tapas Bar

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    0.9 miWest Berkeley
    $$$

    Met a friend for a very quick lunch and service was spectacular. Food came out fast and when we…read moretold her we were in a hurry, she made sure to grab check right away. Very kind! Food itself was pretty underwhelming. We had the brussel sprouts which were the best part of our meal- tangy and crispy. The calamari was yummy with the squid ink- perfectly cooked. The short rib was not to our liking- a bit too watery to be deep fried on the outside. The patatas bravas had a smoky taste we also did not enjoy. They also drenched it on the sauce so it was pretty unavoidable. Ambiance was cool! Def more casual than fancy!

    We were genuinely excited to eat at La Marcha and had specifically made a reservation for a…read more**table**.Unfortunately, what should have been an enjoyable evening started with some of the worst customer service we have experienced. When we arrived, we were told that our reservation was actually for seating at the bar. We explained that our booking showed **standard seating** and that we had reserved a table, not bar seating. Instead of acknowledging the discrepancy or trying to resolve it, the maître d' told us that the reservation was "open to interpretation" and that, to him, "standard seating" meant sitting at the bar. It was incredibly frustrating to be told that *we* were wrong about the reservation we had made and that the wording could simply be interpreted however they chose once we arrived. What made the experience particularly upsetting was the way we were treated. We came in excited to support this restaurant and enjoy a meal, but we left feeling as though we simply **weren't worthy of being given a table**, despite having made a reservation for one. There was no sense of hospitality, accountability, or genuine effort to make the situation right. Instead, we were made to feel as though expecting the seating we reserved was unreasonable. A reservation should mean something. If "standard seating" at La Marcha can mean bar seating rather than a standard table, that should be made explicitly clear when guests book--not reinterpreted at the door. We were really looking forward to dining here, which makes the experience even more disappointing. We ultimately felt unwelcome and as though we somehow weren't "good enough" to receive the table we had reserved. No guest should leave a restaurant feeling that way.

    Photos
    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Dining area

    Dining area

    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Piquillos

    Piquillos

    La Marcha Tapas Bar - Croqueta de Ternera

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    Croqueta de Ternera

    Asu Mare Peruvian Restaurant - Ceviche carretillero

    Asu Mare Peruvian Restaurant

    4.3(66 reviews)
    3.0 miRockridge, North Oakland

    The atmosphere is absolutely amazing. You got art on the wall of Machu Pichu. The restaurant is…read moreclean. I had Arroz Chaufa (my favorite) and it certainly didn't disappoint. Would be coming way often if I was a local. Owners were friendly and treated us all with respect.

    I was in the area looking for some Peruvian food as it's one of my favorites and I came up on this…read moreplace on google. My partner and I arrived and got no greeting even though the guy was in front he just started at us. We sat ourselves and he just kind of dropped two menus in-front of us and left for a little. He came back and took our order ( 2 lomo su mare & 2 incacolas) he immediately brought us our drinks which he very roughly put in our table. Our food came out in record time and the cook came out and nicely asked if we needed anything more. The meal: My partner and I both agreed that it was just okay, not something we would come back for. It was very greasy and did not taste like lomo Saltado( it lacked the juice the lomo Saltado usually has and this juice literally makes the plates flavor) the fries were regular but had no salt (again if the lomo Saltado had the juice the fries having no salt would not be a problem as it's usually a bit salty because of the soy sauce). We finished our meals and I got up to pay trying to get alfajores but got informed they were unfortunately out. In total I paid around $75 without tip. The price is very high for it to lack the traditional flavor. I would not come back to this place but not essentially because of the food but the service as well. Although this place has a wheelchair ramp the restaurant is so tiny and has no place for a wheelchair to actually enter ( we brought our baby in a stroller and had trouble coming in)

    Photos
    Asu Mare Peruvian Restaurant - Tumi

    Tumi

    Asu Mare Peruvian Restaurant
    Asu Mare Peruvian Restaurant - View from the street

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    View from the street

    Limón - Lomo Saltado

    Limón

    4.3(896 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    Limón Rotisserie has been in my restaurant rotation for YEARS -- long before the Oakland and Walnut…read moreCreek locations opened. And after all this time, it's still hands-down my favorite Peruvian spot. I've been to several of their locations, but I especially love Oakland and Walnut Creek. The food is consistently flavorful, and there's one thing I recommend every single time: GET THE POLLO PAPAS. Seriously. The rotisserie chicken with those potatoes soaking up all that flavor is enough to keep me coming back on its own. If it's your first time and you don't know what to order, start there and argue with somebody else. I've watched Limón expand around the Bay over the years, and the food is still hitting‼

    The number of times I've gone to Limón…read more... I've tried lomo saltado dishes at other restaurants (because I have found the need to always get this dish at a Peruvian restaurant ever since my first time at Limón), but nothing compares. I've tried a couple that have come close though! Came here on a Tuesday evening (made a reservation online for three). Lomo Saltado: always my go-to dish. I very rarely venture away from this dish (will usually get ceviche in addition). Flavorful and filling. Miscellaneous: - If you're going with a larger group or during peak meal times, recommend making a reservation - Parking is available via street parking - Good for small and large groups - The restaurant is loud

    Photos
    Limón - Inside

    Inside

    Limón - Chicken Empanadas

    Chicken Empanadas

    Limón - Pollo a la Brasa: Rotisserie Chicken

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    Pollo a la Brasa: Rotisserie Chicken

    Parche - EMPANADITAS BRAVAS yuca masa, pulled pork & tamarind, housemade hogao

    Parche

    4.4(651 reviews)
    5.0 miUptown

    Parche has become one of my favorite spots for dinner in Oakland. I've been for date nights,…read morecompany dinners, and birthday celebrations, and it somehow fits the bill for all of them. The staff consistently strikes that great balance of being laid-back and welcoming while still attentive and professional. The drink menu is varied and interesting, and the food is even better. Every dish I've tried has been flavorful and interesting. I suggest you order as many things as you can and don't be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone. You'll be rewarded for it. The atmosphere is lively and fun without being so loud that you can't have a conversation, which is increasingly hard to find. Don't forget to save room for dessert and get the Oblea - trust me!

    Parche has a lot going for it. The service was excellent, the cocktails were outstanding, and the…read moreambiance and location make it a great spot for a night out. The food was decent overall. The ceviche was good, and the steak was cooked properly, though it's hard to mess up a steak. The Brussels sprouts were underwhelming, and the chicharrones portion was pretty skimpy. Overall, it was perfectly acceptable, but I probably would not go out of my way to come back. The service, drinks, and setting were the strongest parts of the experience.

    Photos
    Parche - Bar area

    Bar area

    Parche - Plantains

    Plantains

    Parche - Mocktails - Dark N' Spicy in the long glasses. Short glass were complimentary so I'm not sure but delicious!

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    Mocktails - Dark N' Spicy in the long glasses. Short glass were complimentary so I'm not sure but delicious!

    Casa Barotti - Special

    Casa Barotti

    4.5(180 reviews)
    3.4 miRockridge, Elmwood
    $

    I was around the area, had done quite a bit of walking, and wanted something light that wouldn't…read moreleave me feeling too heavy. I came across Casa Barotti on Yelp, saw the photos, and it immediately caught my attention. The moment I walked in, the atmosphere reminded me of a calm little lounge. The music and overall vibe made it a really relaxing place to sit and eat. I was greeted and welcomed by one of the staff members, and since it was my first time, he was very patient and helpful when I had questions. After ordering, I sat by the wall and noticed some of the little details around the restaurant. They were pretty creative, even using an empty tomato can to hold the utensils and everything you need to eat! They also had pepper and chili oil available on the side. I wouldn't have minded having some extra seasonings like dried oregano, but that's just a small preference. I ordered the classic Margherita pizza and the mushroom & leek pizza. The presentation was beautiful. Both pizzas came out fresh from the oven on wooden boards, and they even sliced them up. The crust had the perfect crunch, and the Margherita was simple but incredibly flavorful without feeling too heavy. But if you're feeling adventurous, I'd definitely recommend trying the mushroom & leek. It was absolutely mouthwatering and had so much flavor. Overall, this was a really enjoyable meal with a great atmosphere, beautiful presentation, and delicious pizza. I'd definitely come back again

    Where the focaccia? My mother, (rest her soul) used to say:…read more"Focaccia is God's scourge on the world". And she was not too fond of Kenny G. She had some strong opinions. However, she would dig this cool spot. What a cozy, lovely, well appointed space this is on College Avenue in Berkeley. Beautiful aesthetic, terrific menu selections, and you can even get half a beer! What's not to like? There's nice music playing and the small space has every possible square foot utilized in a nice manner. And, absolutely delicious focaccia! Today I went for the pesto zucchini which is awesome. Very lovely staff members and an incredible neighborhood for other types of shopping. My mother would have become a focaccia fan here. However, Kenny G still makes John Coltrane turn in his grave!

    Photos
    Casa Barotti - Picture from my archives during the holidays

    Picture from my archives during the holidays

    Casa Barotti - Pizza

    Pizza

    Casa Barotti - Inside peek

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    Inside peek

    El Mono - peruvian - Updated August 2026

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