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    El Mono

    4.7 (320 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    EL MONO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Mono

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    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.

    Candy N.

    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.

    Mar M.

    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!

    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.

    Patacones (Peruvian Tostones)
    Chris B.

    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.

    Frito Sampler
    Kirsten L.

    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!

    Peruvian Flan! Get with sauce on the side! or light sauce
    Annabelle H.

    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!

    Andrew S.

    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.

    Skinny Dee R.

    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.

    Fillet & 5 Shrimp
    Robert C.

    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!

    Calamar Frito
    Matthew C.

    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.

    Poor Man's Steak
    Elaine R.

    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..

    Grilled octopus after it was cut up at the table

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    1 month ago

    Awesome, with Christian! Will be back for more and will bring our friends! Loved the paella and affagoto.

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    One of the yummiest places in Berkeley. Service is fantastic. Try the chichi or miti miti (now as a sangria option).

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    8 days ago

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

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    Great food, mocktails (especially the piña colada) and service. The Pescado Frito is delicious!

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    1 month ago

    The service and food were excellent as always! Cristian and Andres were friendly and provided fast service.

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    Good food - octopus is really great in particular. Nice ambiance and great service from Christian, our server.

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    El Mono Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Mono

    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!

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    Acme Bar & Company

    4.0(377 reviews)
    1.0 miWest Berkeley
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    Local iconic cocktail bar with a standout whiskey and mezcal collection. Always enjoy the warm…read moreambience and impeccable service available here. We hosted my wife's 40th Birthday party at Acme for 40+ guests and worked directly with Jennifer (owner) to plan the whole thing. Jennifer did an absolutely knockout job ensuring the party had the best variety of tasty finger foods (including platters of fresh oysters from Monterey Fish Market with champagne to start), a hosted bar with specialty cocktails (Terence's drinks are always ), and incredible staff to keep my wife - and all our guests - incredibly happy. We were able to reserve a cute patio area with private bar and a private large room for our guests. I cannot wait for the next opportunity to host an event here again!

    I'm not sure whether it was the bartender who assisted me that evening, but unfortunately the…read morecustomer service I experienced was very disappointing. I tried to start a friendly conversation and ask a few questions about the drinks, however the responses I received were very brief and limited to only the drink names, which made the interaction feel unwelcoming. I also noticed that we were the only Latino guests there at the time, and throughout our visit we felt largely ignored. As a result, the overall atmosphere did not feel comfortable or inclusive to us. Based on this experience, I did not feel welcomed at this bar in Berkeley and would not recommend it. Even though we live only a few minutes away, it didn't feel like a place worth returning to or spending our time and money at.

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    Roses On Adeline

    Roses On Adeline

    4.5(115 reviews)
    2.6 miSouth Berkeley

    The one thing I'm always looking for when I go out with my fiancé is good food, good drinks, and a…read morecozy vibe with great ambiance. And what a nice surprise it was to have Roses on Adeline hitting the mark on all 3. We've been to Roses on Adeline twice now, once as a walk in and the second time with reservations. Both times we went for happy hour. Their drinks are creative and yummy. The smash burger here is absolutely delicious. The fries w/ sriracha aioli is also the perfect light bite. But beyond the good food & drinks, the ambiance here is really what brings us back. I love the vibe this place has and am so excited to have this as our new local staple for a date night. But be warned this place fills up quickly - I would recommend making reservations if you can!

    I was very pleasantly surprised this place. I had eaten dinner with the fam before meeting up with…read morefriends for drinks here so didn't get to experience too much, but I was very happy with the things I did get. The spring milk punch was SO GOOD. Like, way too drinkable. I usually like to try multiple drinks on a menu, but I just kept ordering this one. For a snack, I decided to get the crudite platter even though when I asked the server, she said it would just be lettuce, radishes, and something else... it turned out to be so much more! Endive, super sweet purple snap peas (which I've never seen before??? and now want to grow in my garden because they were like the best peas I've had in a while!!!), radishes, and some carrots. I'm still thinking about those snap peas haha.

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    The Berkeley Boathouse - Crab and Shrimp Roll

    The Berkeley Boathouse

    3.5(320 reviews)
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    We had the most beautiful Mother's Day experience at Berkeley Boathouse. We originally came after…read moreseeing a blogger recommend it, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The food was phenomenal, the service was superb, and the ambiance was stunning. Sitting by the water while enjoying an incredible meal made the whole experience feel special from start to finish. What truly made this visit unforgettable, though, was the kindness from the staff and manager. I noticed a small plant sitting off to the side that caught my attention. It reminded me so much of my mother, who recently passed and was a huge plant lover. Since losing her, caring for plants has become something deeply therapeutic for me. I jokingly offered to buy the plant, and instead, the manager kindly gifted it to me. That simple act of compassion meant more than they will probably ever know. On a day that can feel heavy while grieving a mother, they gave me a little piece of comfort to take home. Beautiful restaurant, beautiful people, and a kindness I won't forget. Five stars without hesitation.

    After all this time I've lived in Berkeley, I somehow never ate at the Berkeley Boathouse…read more(restaurant in the DoubleTree Hotel) until yesterday. First off, the renovation is beautiful. It has an amazing waterfront/courtside view of the Bay, dock access to a ferry (I think it's Hornblower?), and a lot of natural light and open space. They also have a new chef and friendly staff. My homegirl and I started with the Green Curry Mussels, and they were definitely flexing like Mr Olympia. The curry broth was the star -- 10/10. We dipped everything in it: bread, fries...hell, it would have made tree bark taste good. I had the fish and chips, and the cod was perfectly battered like an amateur boxer in his first pro fight. Crispy, golden, and lightweight. My homegirl's cioppino was a little too tomato-heavy, so the waitress had the chef remix it. He did by adding more garlic, and it went from mid-sauce to perfect. I hope they keep that change! The staff said the new chef is considering updates to the long-stagnant menu -- and clearly, he's listening. They do need to bring the price of everything on the mini down about $5 :-), or else have happy hour specials. The restaurant got quiet after a cruise group hopped on a boat. It was relatively empty, and it totally has to be because of the marketing. If you're thinking of a nice alternative to Skates By The Bay (also very delicious!), It's a nice detour. This spot deserves more love. We'll be back.

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    Trader Vic's - Lettuce Cups

    Trader Vic's

    3.6(1.3k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    This place is known for it's mai tai's, but they have lots of other fruity and colorful cocktails…read morehere. I think the main attraction of this place is the location. It sits on the beautiful Emeryville Marina. It's an amazing piece of real estate, right on the water. The service here is decent, but nothing special. Everyone seems to have worked there for quite some time. There wasn't a lot of enthusiasm in the service, but they tolerated my questions. Parking is easy. There's a parking lot right out front.

    Not what I was expecting…read more It's been a little while since I have been to Trader Vic's. And especially this location. I will say 3 nice things about this experience. The location is gorgeous! The last time I was here it was at night. This was an afternoon visit and it was still a beautiful view of the water. The food is amazing! Great flavors and wide variety of selections even for the time we came which was in between lunch & dinner. The portions were a good size. The overall look of the restaurant is very well kept together. Very well themed and sits perfect with the Hawaiian esthetics. Okay there are my three nice things. Let's get down to business because this is where the experience lacked. SERVICE! We came at a time where we didn't know they stopped serving lunch (The in between I mentioned earlier), which was not a problem. Our family knows how to pivot and adapt to situations. What I didn't like was that our server made us feel really unimportant. Let's start with the greeting. It was ready to order? As if we were a burden. It wasn't busy at all. 2 people at the bar, a couple opposite of us in the bar area (yes we were placed in the bar which is fine, because the dinning room is being set for dinner service at 5), and a gentleman to the right of us. Clearly not busy. We finally get our food and we are missing a Tuna Poke. We asked the food runner where it was and he said this was all that was on the ticket. Okay that's fine. Can you send our server so we can get it taken off our bill? The server/ bartender never came back to check on us to see if everything came out until we were almost finished. By that time we had empty drinks for our entire meal. And we asked for refills and our check. We get the check and sure enough the Tuna Poke was on the bill. You know the one that the food runner claimed wasn't on the ticket. This place (due to the standards I have always experienced going to ANY of their locations) my family should have been taken care of and treat like guests instead of burdens or even forgotten in an empty bar seating area.

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    Tallboy - Deli dog

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    4.4(172 reviews)
    3.9 miTemescal, North Oakland
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    This place is great! The drinks are delicious and very affordable. Service can be a little slow at…read moretimes but that's completely understandable since it's usually packed. Making drinks for a crowd takes time and the staff always does their best. The people who come here are super friendly which adds to the welcoming, cozy vibe of the place. It's the kind of spot where you instantly feel comfortable. If you love a good martini this is definitely a place you should check out.

    I'll give it to them, Tallboy is a solid concept with their "tinis & weenies". However, a clever…read moreconcept can carry a place so far. Customer service is a close second to concept. Tallboy's martini menu is well-executed. While I didn't personally try one of the slushies, a friend ordered the espresso martini version and gave it a solid thumbs-up. Unfortunately, the experience falls apart when it comes to food and service. Waiting 30+ minutes for two hot dogs (after paying) is hard to justify. When I checked in with a server, she was curt and dismissive. She was quick to explain there was only one person in the kitchen, with no effort to offer a solution, timeline, or even basic courtesy. I understand staffing issues happen. However, customer service is a close second to concept. How an issue is communicated and addressed is what separates good service from bad. What's more frustrating is that these aren't customer problems to absorb. If the kitchen is understaffed, if tables aren't being cleared in a timely manner at a seat-yourself spot, those are management problems. Guests should not have to choose to leave without the food we paid for. There's a lot of competition out there, and concepts alone aren't enough to bring people back. I genuinely wanted that hot dog. That's probably the most disappointing part of the whole experience. Great drinks, solid ambiance, but the service needs serious attention.

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    Skates On The Bay

    Skates On The Bay

    3.5(3.3k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    Ordered ToGo on a Saturday about 2:30 pm, which I thought was a good time, since it was after the…read morelunch rush and before the dinner crowd. But no. After ordering at the desk, waited 45 minutes, and then asked how much longer. Turns out, my order was sitting behind the desk, but have no idea for how long. I was sitting right in front of them. So, 1star on service. No detailed receipt. If you call, no answer. Food was excellent, although pricey. The mussels were yummy and will order again. The artichoke dip we had before, and I forgot to order TWO servings! So very very good!! The clams we had before and were delicious, so ordered again, but this time they were very spicy so will NOT order again. Other than spicy, had little flavor. Overall, very good food, beautiful place, extremely busy even at 2:30. Will order 2 artichokes dips next time and the mussels.

    AI suggested this for neurodivergent child, saying it was large so noise dispersed ... just for…read moreother parents out there, no it was noisy. I called to make reservation explaining waiting didn't work for our son and she said if we came at 8 instead of 7:30 we wouldn't have a wait. We went at 7:45 and waited half an hour (just missing the sunset over the water ;( We got our food an hour later. fortunately we got an appetizer in only half an hour and he was ready to go after that. So we ate very quickly and packed his up. The mahi was dry, the green beans were mostly yellow (old), the couscous good, melted in your mouth except for the pieces that were literally hard as rocks (maybe rocks?). The waitress forgot about the non alcoholic drink, when reminded after 40 minutes, she apologized and it came in 10 minutes and was way too surgery... was supposedly ginger, elderberry, lime (hmm... didn't taste the elderberry and the drink was clear no blue/purple so ...?) too much trouble to get the waitress and ask about this. She was very nice, just not on it. My husband and son left (we had 2 cars) and the waitress came 5-10 minutes later asking if we wanted dessert ("we" weren't there anymore) The hostess that seated us was very sweet and on it. I never post reviews but wanted to get it into the AI that parents with autistic children use to scan for places.

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    El Mono - peruvian - Updated May 2026

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