That ceviche tradicional and maduros for desert from La Costeña just cannot be beat on a summers afternoon for lunch... or dinner. Bright and refreshing, perfectly spiced ceviche; sweet, fried just right maduros. Ordered it as take out today to bring to friends' house who had never had it before; they were as delighted as I was. If you're in Lancaster, don't miss it! Yum!!! read more

sone of the food was great , excellent service but you should do the original purple corn juice , not using the costumers as guinea pea unless you said in your menu what extra will be in the juice. i went to your restaurant to eat and drinl a traditional purple corn juice not to drink a mix (purple corn juice with prune and orange skin) on top of that charging 14.99 the pitcher . i won't return again due to my allergies . you should warn your costumer that you are putting and extra ingredient in the purple corn juice ... shame on you for that !!!! read more

One of my favorite spots in Lancaster. Food is fresh and flavorful. Friendly staff with a cozy atmosphere. Great portions, I always end up taking some home. I had ordered ceviche for my mother to take with me, and I was not aware that there would be clams as she is allergic. It is not explicitly listed on the menu, so just make sure to ask as some items do not have full descriptions. read more

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Best Lomo Saltado in town! Everything on their menu is good. Check them out... 85 characters is bit a excessive yelp. read more

Best Peruvian restaurant I've been to outside of LA & Peru. Authentic in every sense. Well portioned, well executed and just damn delicious. BYOB - so bring your own, a big appetite, and a translator lol. This is defiantly worthy of a repeat performance. read more

La Costena Restaurant - The after math - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The food was just okay because I've eaten at many Peruvian restaurants in NYC and in Lima, Peru with much better food. The main problem was the service and attitude of the waitress. My date and I shared an appetizer and couldn't get plates so it was difficult to eat without dripping sauce on the table. Language wasn't the problem because my date ordered in Spanish. He noticed the poor service as well. In addition to the appetizer, we each had an entrée and a drink. I understand when a party of 6 or more has an added gratuity but for 2 people??? When we asked for the check, it wasn't provided and instead we were allowed to glance at her hand-held calculator. A tip of 18% was added to our bill. This doesn't seem fair and I left feeling cheated and ripped off. Prices were high for the quality of food and service. So, if you're in Lancaster and hungry for Peruvian food, go ahead and try it. I hope you don't have the same unfriendly experience we had. read more

Great traditional peruvian food. Ate there during covid and they complied with social distancing guidelines. Food was great. Many dishes to choose from on the menu. The chicken was juicy and tender. Food was flavorful and the perfect amount. Would eat here again esp coming back for chicken tamal which they had run out of. read more

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This is a place where the food is ok. Now lousy service. I ordered for 3 people, including my 2-year-old son. They brought me the food from this one when we had finished eating. They charged me an extra item. I ordered an inka kola from the bottle and they brought one from the can. Terrible service. And the saddest thing is that they charged me for tips that are supposedly OBLIGATED and that no one informed me before. I'm not going back to that place. read more

La Costena Restaurant - Ceviche Mixto - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Horrible. From the food all the way to the service. We paid $192 + a fixed $35 tip for poor service & food. Waitress came back like twice and had no sense of customer service. She didn't even bring a slip of what was being charged, she just brought over the clover and said "it's $192" way over priced for everything we got. Both steaks were undercooked - the empanadas were disgusting. Will never be back. read more

Decent Peruvian food in an inconspicuous place. I had a seafood dish that was good, but I would definitely pass on it again and go for the Churrazco, which was tasty. Decor is simple inside with plenty of room for large parties. We went on a Saturday night and it was very quiet - except for the music that was blaring from above the restaurant. Service was pleasant and our food came out quick. read more

La Costena Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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La comida estaba ok, el servicio y la actitud de la mesera pésimo. Tienen precios bastante altos y cobran el 18% del servicio incluido en tu factura read more

So I am not sure what authentic peruvian food taste like but this was really good food. I had the ceviche and the yuca rellena which left me more than satisfied. The service was good and they were taking the appropriate COVID precautions. I will be returning here I'm the near future. read more

Great place, food is delicious, service is great... small little secret place in Lancaster PA.

It was dead,no music, no people. To top it of they turned on the TV like if i was home, like really. Then I ask for a plate that said fish with seafood sauce and the bring me a plate covered with different seafood that i'm allergic to and I told them I was allergic and I wasn't going to eat it . The Owner gave me an attitude and told me that what restaurant do you go to and don't pay for something you don't eat. I stood quite but honestly an American restaurant will treat me way better than a hispanic place by them taking the plate giving me something else and taking it off my bill. Time came to paid and they where asking who was going to pay for that plate if it was going to be on my sisters bill or mine. I was in shock but I saw that the place was empty and they need it more than what i did so i paid for the plate I didn't even touch and thanks to the owner and the service we got the waitress didn't get tip from no one I figured that the $18 i spend on a plate i didn't even touch could be her tip. They are rude to customers and if you didn't like something you will have to pay for it. So if you want good service and food your going to eat and not waist money go somewhere else because I give them a 0 star. read more

Stopped by on a complete whim, while exploring the town. Staff was incredibly professional and very friendly, atmosphere was quiet and relaxed, with some quiet but excited banter between staff that only added to the atmosphere. The food cannot be overstated, I had the beef heart with potato, it was absolutely flawless and was too my mind reasonable at 12$ for a plate. I have not one single complaint and I cannot wait to return, if you are in the area for any reason it comes highly recommended from yours truly. read more

La Costena Restaurant - Peruvian beef heart - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Tonight was my first experience at this Peruvian restaurant. Located in Lancaster, tucked in among row homes and businesses on King Street, the exterior is unassuming. Parking is on the street, and access is challenging if you or someone in your party has mobility challenges/limitations. There was a large group of us, and I saw many dishes, and sampled many, and since I atypically have waited so long to finish this review I have misplaced my menu so some names of dishes escape me. But... The food was sumptuous, portions were large, and the service was attentive. The plantains were a great starter, as the yucca and the tamales. Another appetizer consisted of chicken and potatoes with a gravy. I had a house special, which was a chicken and potato dish with rice and a gravy as well. One word of advice, come ravenous, and share things family style! And leave room for bread pudding!!! The seafood soup looked amazing, and I plan to try it my next visit. It is a family owned and run affair, so large groups like ours (nearly 20 folks) challenged them, but they handled it well. The restaurant is BYOB, and for those unfamiliar with the area, grab a bottle of wine before coming in... The closest wine purveyor is a few blocks away. Not for everyone, but a solid find! read more

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The restaurant was very nice. The waiter was knowledgeable. The food was excellent. Our issue was our bill. We made note of the price of 2 of our dishes. When we got our bill we noticed each dish was several dollars more. We pointed it out to the person in charge. She basically said those are the newer prices on the bill. If it said $10 on the menu than that is what we should have been charged. She handled it poorly. We should have been refunded. read more

I really like this place. I am no authority on Peruvian food but I know that the flank steak on top of the basil? pasta is truly my definition of comfort food. It seems that if a place is not within 1 block of the square that it won't get a strong backing from the community or out of towners. The neighborhood is a bit sketchy but I have never had an issue. Give it a visit. It is worth the trip. As a side note, I work as a school counselor in York County and I have a Peruvian student and this is where his family comes to get legit cuisine. read more

La Costena Restaurant - Flank steak and pasta - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This Peruvian restaurant (in my opinion much more authentic than El Serrano, the other restaurant in Lancaster that serves Peruvian food) has a very minimal atmosphere, but the food is unbelievable and very reasonably priced. The seafood here is outstanding. One of us ordered the seafood stew and were surprised to have the soup come out with a whole lobster in it...on top of a liberal quantity of clams, squid, fish, and a variety of other seafood. I also tried the cevice, and it was outstanding. I like certain dishes here more than others...some of them are a bit mild, possibly bordering on boring. So, as much as I still give this place five stars, it can be a bit hit-or-miss. It's five stars because the "hits" are so amazing that it more than compensates for the "misses", and the "misses" are still perfectly tasty, just...not quite as interesting as some of the other items on the menu. read more

In Lancaster (Summer 2010) for a youth soccer tournament and staying downtown. In an adventurous attempt to find some good food, we happened upon a review of La Costena. On a block that some may *feel* is less-than-safe, we stumbled in... The service could not have been friendlier. They were simply thrilled for us to be there... The food was great. Sizable portions of interesting combinations of flavors, but everything deliberate and cared for... My son has another Lancaster tournament this summer and we'll be going back... read more

We first heard about La Costena from a family friend who raved about it. After hearing such good things BF googled it and discovered Lina's blog entry. That was a couple of months ago, it has been on our food to-do list ever since. Today BF finally convinced me to go, even though I wanted to stay in. After calling to check their hours (8pm on weekdays), we arrived about an hour before closing, and were the only diners. The atmosphere is very casual, with a big screen TV playing Las Tontas No Van al Cielo (Dumb Women Don't Go to Heaven), a Mexican telenovela on Univision. Our waiter was friendly and directed us to seat ourselves wherever we wanted. I was nervous that the menu would be incomprehensible to my remaining high school Spanish skills, but was pleasantly surprised to find descriptions in English as well as photos of many of their dishes. BF and I started with Choclo con Queso, described as "Large kernel corn served with cheese', and that was just what it was. I had never had corn with such huge kernels before, they had a starchy taste and texture, that was less sweet than white or yellow corn. The corn and cheese were served with a slightly spicy cheese dip. Dinner was Arroz con Mariscos for BF and Aji de Gallina for me. Both were very generously portioned, the Arroz con Mariscos was more vibrant and colorful on the plate, with a whole prawn on top. Both plates were flavorful, the Aji de Gallina being slightly more spicy. Altogether a very enjoyable and tasty experience. BF and I agreed we would return and bring friends. read more

La Costena Restaurant - Aji de Gallina - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Ceviche was delicious, a little on the spicy side. Lomo saltado had a good balance of flavors. The yucca was good too.

This is hands-down my favorite restaurant in Lancaster. I have been going there for years. They serve authentic, delicious Peruvian-style cuisine. I get the arroz con mariscos every time I go-- it's what I imagine when I picture my ideal meal. My dining companions have always been impressed with their selections, as well. This restaurant doesn't have a lot of frills (one might call it a hole-in-the-wall), but please don't let that deter you. Great food, reasonable prices, every time. read more

One of the best meals I have ever had! My entree was authentic, delicious, savory, cooked perfectly, presented beautifully and hot! It was completely satisfying and inexpensive! The restaurant is beautiful! Adorable tables/chairs and decor. Service was nice-we had a "trainee" and he did well-didn't hurt he was extremely handsome! I thanked one of the ladies who cooked our meal and she was super appreciative and you can see the pride in her face!!! I would totally recommend this place for a true AUTHENTIC Peruvian meal!! read more

La Costena Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

First time at "La Costeña" and it is a bit hidden like some people said but you will be able to locate it on the gps. I had papa la huancaina (potatoes with cheese sauce) as an appetizer and that was amazing and the cancha (fried corn) too. The main dish lomo saltado (sauteed strips of meat with onions, tomatoes and fries accompanied with rice) was not so good. The meat was not cooked well and it had a peculiar taste. Also the chicha morada (purple corn juice) was too sweet. The flan did not taste homemade. If I went back I would go for the papa la huancaina only. read more

I'm giving this place 2 stars because my service was horrible! The server acted as if she had an attitude the entire time ! We asked if we could pay additional for steak to be added to a meal and that was not an option! Although our food was good the service makes me never want to to come back! read more

My daughter and I ate here this past weekend. We both enjoyed it. It was late and very quiet, with only one other table occupied. We both had the Lomo Saltado, which was delicious! They have a nice selection of Peruvian non-alcoholic beverages. The atmosphere was very basic, but pleasant. Chairs and tables were very comfortable. I would recommend this restaurant for a change of pace from the usual Lancaster restaurants. read more

Traveled 45min and it's closed. How disappointing when it is posted as open and it's closed. No signage to indicate why it was closed, no business hours posted. Difficult location to find because the streets are organized into many one ways. May update if I ever get to try the food. read more

Ok, we tried this for the first time tonight... Not the greatest neighborhood but the food was incredibly delicious! We ordered 5 different dishes, every one was very very very good, and huge portions! Our niece is from Lima, Peru and according to her this is the real deal. We will definitely be back, and so will our friends! read more

La Costena Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Excellent food! All the ingredients are authentic and their entrees are really well made. This cozy place is worth the visit!

I'm give this place 2 stars bc the food really is good, however their hours are BS! We have been trying to go here after our first time for 3 weeks. I called 20 min before leaving our house so we could walk there. I was told they were open until 7:30pm despite their website saying 8:30pm. The hours are NEVER accurate. So we walk there and upon entering we are told they are closed! At 5:30pm bc they ran out of some things. Manage your stock better and an apology would've been the professional thing to do. Absolutely inconsiderate and inconsistent. read more

Wonderful authentic Peruvian food. Being Peruvian I can actually say that! Excellent prices for the choices and the large servings. This isn't haute cuisine Peruvian, but Peruvian as it is served at home and at roadside restaurants. They also have a mini food section with candy, sauces, corn, and I've cream including lucuma. No liquor is served but it may be possible to byob. We will be back. read more

Really great food! Quiet, not a lot of people in the restaurant. Thought I wouldn't be a fan of Peruvian, but I loved it because the food was well made. 10/10. read more

YUMMY! I got the seafood soup and it's a hearty portion and well stocked with seafood! My fiancé enjoyed his meal as well. read more

Authentic Peruvian food! I got Arroz con Marisco (shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari on rice) which was delicious. Another got Pollo a la Parrilla (grilled chicken, rice, and potatoes) and he cleaned the entire plate. Another enjoyed the Cerviche de Pescado. read more

One of our favorite places. The food is authentic Peruvian every day food. This is not haute cuisine. We've never had anything here that hasn't been great. My only quibble is they have simplified the menu and no longer offer their great soups. Be sure to have the national drunk of Peru - Inca Kola. I'm ready to head back to Peru!! read more

La Costena Restaurant - Pescado a lo Macho - Latin American Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This place is like no other in Lancaster. The food has amazing taste and the ingredients could not be more fresh. The portions are perfect, usually need a doggie bag. They are very friendly and put a lot of care into each dish. read more

Everything was SOOO good. We had this drink made of corn, apples, and pineapples. It tastes like really good fruit punch. Amazing! We also ate the corn shown in the photo; the spicy sauce and cheese that it comes with makes the corn worth eating. I ate the Lomo Saltado, which is one of my favorites. It was also had great flavors and the meat was cooked nicely, although I would have liked it more if it were medium rare instead of medium well. The prices are very reasonable. There was a good sized crowd on Friday night when we went. read more

Really great spot. I had a dish with steak, fries, rice, egg, and ripe plantain. Everything was delicious and seasoned well. Service was good. No complaints really. They forgot my egg but brought it out promptly. Peruvian food differs from other Spanish food in that there is a lot of potato and yuca dishes. There is some rice and beans, but potatoes are a big thing. We also shared a cheese stuffed fried yuca appetizer. Very delicious! You'll pay a little more here than like a typical Spanish place like La Cocina or Gran Sabor. Dishes are $10-$15. But its worth it. The sign says there's off street parking out back, but we found ample parking on the street in front, and Sundays in Lancaster is free street parking. read more

Absolutely wonderful meals. I went in a group of 4 and we shared appetizers / sampled each other's dishes. The arroz de mariscos is sumptuous, the ceveche is AMAZING and everything was very fresh. The portions are huge, too! read more