Yes Manuel Iguina founder of the McLean wonderful Caribbean restaurant he was born from a restaurant family in Puerto Rico but what's very important he used to manage very famous Washington DC restaurant Cafe atlantico for a very long time with Andress Alvarez. The first Cafe atlantico is a big success from 1991 in Adams Morgan then after it was another one in downtown DC and also Jaleo another Latino place. Yes I know after all the years of experience he opened the place in McLean with his wife it's a family person and his mission is to deliver the best quality let you know to go this one is to go yeah read more

Everything they serve you is delicious. Service is exceptional. Great atmosphere a jewel of a restaurant. So many delightful dishes, so little time. read more

4.12.25 I came for lunch with a friend to celebrate her birthday. Upon entering, there was only one table of patrons. When those patrons left, while we were there, only one additional table was occupied. They aren't very busy even on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a mural, colorful string lights, and decorative pillows. There is limited parking in front of the restaurant. They also have patio seating. Our server was wonderful - friendly, attentive and helpful answering questions and accommodating my friend with requests for her food. Although I love the ambience and service, I have mixed reviews on the food. The beef empanadas and flan were delicious, however, my smoked brisket mashed potatoes and potato wedges were just average. Although our server said that the brisket is popular and highly recommended, I thought it was chewy, hard, and the barbecue sauce wasn't anything memorable. It didn't really stand out and I have definitely had better brisket at Mission BBQ. My friend or mofongo, brussel sprouts, and Ropa Vieja. She she said of the three, the Mofongo was her favorite and really good. She also liked the brussels sprouts. Final thoughts: beautiful ambience, great service, but mixed reviews on the food. read more

See all

This is a mixed review, and here is why ... Let me begin by saying the atmosphere, both inside and out, have a nice vibe to it. Very colorful and cozy. It made an impression when I first walked in. In addition, the service was quite good. Unfortunately, the food was not quite there. My wife and I decided to order the Brisket. Although the flavors were nice, the brisket was overcooked ... to the point where it was dry and lacked tenderness. The sides were fine, but we couldn't get over the poor handling of the brisket. read more

The restaurant was so cute with lots of seating and outdoor seating as well. Limited parking with some out front and street parking nearby. The service people were really nice and friendly. The food was delicious. We ordered ceviche as a starter and it didn't have shellfish which was nice since some of us had allergies (it had white fish). I had the brisket and it was so good. The brussel sprouts were delicious! The fries were ok - just two big potato wedges. The corn bread was really good. The mango tea was underwhelming. The other tea was good since it was hibiscus. It was easy to pay since you can scan a QR code and split the bill. read more

Pikoteo - Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

See all

It's a happy day when a food craving is fulfilled and an even happier one when it leads you to discover a wonderful new neighborhood gem. Being in the mood for empanadas, I loaded the request into Yelp and out popped Pikoteo. I was surprised to see that it was right around the corner in one of those places that Waze likes to lead you around and around and around until you get to the parking lot (FYI - the lot is super small but you can park in the parking garage around the corner.) The restaurant is really welcoming in every way. We were greeted with such friendly cheer the moment we walked in. The space is full of color and flowers and bright graphics. There is more color to be found in all the cushions that line the banquettes. The music is upbeat and pleasant and not at all loud so it is easy to talk. Everything just says "warm" and "come on in for a fun and relaxing meal." The vibe is palpable and I rarely say that. The menu has a great variety of dishes from small to larger. We often opt for a variety of small plates. This time we tried the empanadas, the tuna tartare, the Caribbean ceviche, the chicharron and then the brisket with the sweet plantains and the brussels sprouts. Everything came quickly and we had so many dishes, they kindly pulled over another table so we would have more room for everything. Everything was delicious - especially the empanadas which are the best we have had. The skin of the chicharron was so crisp you could audibly hear the crackle when it was cut by the knife. The food was tasty. The sauces were tasty. The chips served with the food and the sauces were tasty. What a great meal. We also ordered the limeade, lemonade and the mango iced tea. The limeade was the favorite, tasting like a mojito without the alcohol. I think the mango iced tea might have been a regular iced tea because we didn't taste much mango. Next time, and there will definitely be a next time, we will stick with the other drinks. For dessert, we ordered one of everything - thank you! The cuatro leches was comforting and the flan had a really nice light flavor and consistency. The chocolate cake was the great just a little bit goey consistency - mmmm. In a very short period of time, nothing was left and the plates were scraped clean. We really enjoyed our lunch at Pikoteo and are so glad we just happened upon it. We are most definitely sure to be back. read more

See all

Wonderful food in a very nice environment. We have three experiences with Pikoteo so far: two carry out and one dining-in. The food has been excellent each time. Service is friendly and attentive with good recommendations. We felt welcome even when picking up an order. We will work our way through the chef's many offerings of creative approaches to Caribbean and other regional favorites. read more

This is a true gem waiting to be discovered in McLean. My family and I stopped by on a Saturday night by chance because the restaurant we were trying to eat at had a 30 min wait, and our kids were too starving to wait. Finding the place was a bit difficult in the dark, and their parking spots are limited. Luckily there is also free parking on the streets nearby. Upon entering the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by the owner, Manuel, who made it a point to talk to everyone who came into his restaurant. This welcoming and hospitable feeling stayed with us throughout our meal. They serve Latin inspired cuisine and every single dish we ordered tasted like it was prepared with lots of love and soul. I loved the Arroz con Pollo the most; the rice was so flavorful and infused with chicken flavor, and cooked to just the right texture. We will be back for sure! read more

See all

This is a relatively new spot and this is probably the best Latin American food in this whole town. The decor is adorable; it is adorned with various paintings and the outdoor seating is decorated for lights. The empanadas have a crispy exterior and filled with beef. The Mayo ketchup added just a bit of sweetness. The brisket 1/2 pound comes with two sides; I chose the Brussels sprouts and the green plantains. The Brussel sprouts were crispy and wholesome, and the plantains were crispy on the outside with that carb-y deliciousness of the plantains. The smoked brisket isn't too fatty and is incredibly tender and soft. It's refreshing to see the owner helping out around the kitchen and taking orders. I had a lovely chat about his culinary journey. Although I will say, I called earlier that night to request a reservation and they told me there was no need to. However, they were PACKED on Saturday evening, and we only got seats at the bar. Still, great food and great atmosphere. read more

Pikoteo - Empanada - Latin American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

See all

Service is amazing! You can tell this is a family owned restaurant with close ties to the neighborhood. I felt like I was the only one who didn't know the staff! They're super casual and just having a good time - but still delivering delicious food. We started off with the octopus and Mofongo balls. Both really good, the mofongo balls were different and unique! My husband wanted the ribs but sadly they didn't have anymore that evening. Instead he got the chicken wings, he said they were fine but really sad about the ribs. I got the ropa vieja and it was delicious! Very flavorful, exactly what I was expecting. Cute spot! Hopefully we'll be back soon! read more

See all

Cute restuarant! The food was tasty, the service was good and I do recommend this place for great latin american bbq. The parking lot right in front of the store is very small and tight, but maybe there's other parking around I don't know about. The arepitas were so good! They were crispy, yet soft and fluffy. The flavors were amazing. The brisket I got was so tender and flavorful! The bbq sauce was great - sweet and slightly tangy. I asked for a different sauce (can't remember the name) than my boyfriend's, who got their standard bbq sauce, but both tasted the same. The corn bread was unique and not sweet, and the plaintains were cooked well. My boyfriend got the pork platter and it was also great! Wish it came with more fries, though. Overall, a cool place to try some great food. read more

Pikoteo - Brisket plate - sides: corn bread and sweet plantains - Latin American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

My wife and found Pikoteo on yelp and the menu look good so we decided to give it a try. Pikoteo hasn't been open long maybe about three months, based on conversation with the staff. Aesthetically Pikoteo has a great cozy feel filled with flowers, plants, and wonderful artwork. The vibes in here were great. They also have an outside area as well. Everything inside was nice and clean. The staff was very welcoming, and you can tell they took pride in the new restaurant which attributed to the great customer service. We ordered the mojito and the sangria and let me tell you FRESH! If I had to choose a favorite it would absolutely be the sangria, so that is my spirit recommendation. Out of the two appetizers we had the beef empanadas were phenomenal, the filing you can tell was fresh and homemade and I highly recommend it. The mofongo balls were good, but we felt that they were a little on the dry side. The sauce that accompanies it helps, but I would certainly try another app next time. As for the entrees we went with the 1/2 rack of ribs and the smoked wings. First off, the portions are awesome, so don't be afraid to share. The ribs had a good bite, and the sauce was tasty, I would get them again. My critique of the wings is even though they are in the smoked section I didn't get a ton of smoke flavor, and sauce was put on them. Although the sauce was good and the wings were decent if you're not a fan of sauce on your wings get it on the side. The sides were decent out of all of the sides we had the Brussel Sprouts were the favorite, then I would go plantains, steak fries then rice and beans. Lastly the Cuatro Leches Cake was a winner and highly recommended. Overall Pikoteo will certainly get another visit, to try other menu items. read more

See all

We do not usually eat Peruvian food, but we wanted to try something new. We were glad that we did. Caribbean Ceviche: Very refreshing Brisket: Loved the sauce and the very soft Whole Smoked Chicken: It was very bland. We didn't enjoy it. I think this place has potential. I wanted to try some other dishes. read more

See all

Very welcoming. The ceviche and the brisket were remarkably flavorful. Definitely recommend.

Great food and drinks. Owner and staff are amazing you feel like family the moment you walk in. Highly recommend this place.

My husband and I ate here recently on a Wednesday evening. We started with a margarita and shared the ceviche. The drink was fantastic, the perfect balance of not too strong but you know you got a real drink. The ceviche had large chunks of fish with a mild citrus tang. Both were excellent. I ordered arroz con pollo for dinner, which was a huge portion of authentic, delicious flavors. My husband had the brisket, and he quickly realized why this is one of the most popular dishes. He chose rice and beans and brussels sprouts as his two sides. He thoroughly enjoyed everything. The restaurant is adorable, and the staff and owner are very attentive to their guests. Thank you to all of them for the lovely meal and genuine hospitality. read more

Fun atmosphere, friendly service and unique menu. Empanadas are terrific and complimented well by a pisco sour

Great food(a bit on the salty side), responsive and warm service. We sat outside, it was very nice if weather is good. Friendly to kids.

We loved this newish place in McLean. Much needed in a community craving high quality restaurant choices. Pikoteo is a great spot in downtown and offers great food, wonderful and friendly service, and a nice selection of drinks and cocktails. Ambiance was elevated casual and on a nice night there's outdoor seating. The owner, Manuel, came around and spent a little time with us during the meal. Very friendly and a nice touch. We ordered a couple of apps (empanadas and the ceviche) as well as some smoked chicken with beans, rice, and plantains. Overall this place was outstanding! Definitely go -- you'll be happy you did! read more

See all

How am I just now finding this local haunt that has been open five months?!?! Yelpers of the DMV (not the drivers license place for visitors), get yourselves to this amazing Puerto Rican / street food of the Caribbean and Latin American countries. My nephew enjoyed the mofongo balls, the pork chicharrón and the black beans and rice. I brought home a choripan sandwich for the hubby who devoured it (minor note that they sent *literally* three fries, albeit the bigger wedge cut ones. But three. Other option was a salad. That wasn't going to cut it. We sat outside on a great patio, mango iced tea and Boylans soda are excellent and service was excellent. The server really heard me about my allergies and talked to the chef and wasn't upset when I declined. Overall I will 100 percent be back. Was impressed with everything, the inside is beautiful and the check out system was so easy, you can scan a barcode and pay online. Really nice. Go visit and support this local business. read more

Pikoteo - The August 2023 menu. - Latin American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

The food was amazing and the ambiance was fun. Great wait stuff. Thanks for a fun time.

Love this place. Mclean needs more local feeling places like this. Very welcoming family run restaurant with a fun mix of Caribbean and S American dishes. Loved to see Mahou on tap. Food was very good. Looking forward to returning. read more

See all

This was my second time at Pikoteo. I had been out for a long day of sports coaching and wanted a relaxing place to have a good dinner instead of the fast food I would normally get. When you get into the restaurant, you are greeted by hanging lights that provide just the right amount of brightness for a warm glow that accents the modern art on the walls without making the dining room super bright. The interior is not huge, but big enough to not make you feel like you are the only people in the place. For appetizers we had arepitas, which had the perfect blend of savory from the cheese and sweet from the corn fritter part. The star of the appetizer menu, though, is the ceviche. Beyond the seafood being fresh, which for me is a must, the delicate taste of the fish was perfectly accented by the pineapple and cantaloupe, which were in turn accentuated by the onion. I could have eaten a pound of it. For a main course, my wife had the smoked pork with Brussel sprouts and green beans. The pork melted in the mouth, with the perfect level of smokiness that gave the definite smoked taste without leaving a dry feeling in your mouth. The vegetables were roasted to perfection with the perfect amount of right to give them taste. I had the ropa vieja, shredded slow cooked flank steak. It was seasoned just right to add good flavor without overpowering the taste of the meat. The rice and beans complimented it well. Two of my kids were with me, and they both had the plain burgers. The older of the two said it was the best burger he ever had. For desert, we split the flan and the ward chocolate sponge cake. Both were exquisite. So basically, we loved our experience. Next will be a trip there for brunch. read more

The minute I stepped inside Pikoteo in McLean, I was greeted by a friendly waitress. The restaurant has a fun and colorful decor. I immediately formed a positive impression. Luckily, my impression was reinforced by the food. I tried the ceviche, calamari and the BBQ brisket. All were delicious. I can't wait to return to try more dishes. read more

See all

What a treasure to find Pikoteo in downtown McLean. Loved the neighborhood feel with the ambiance of a true Latin American restaurant. Our dinners were excellent and another couple enjoyed their dinner so much that on their way out they stopped at our table to share their selections. I have a food allergy and the staff was so attentive to my needs. Our server was friendly and helpful. The owner was gracious in welcoming us when we arrived, checked in during our dinner, and thanked us for coming in as we were leaving. We will definitely be returning soon. read more

I had the taste for chicharrones and my goodness this is the best pork belly that Ive ever had in my life! Ive had pork belly in Spain, Italy, and Mexico and this is the best ever! WOW read more

Absolutely wonderful. Strong Latin American flavors and nice variety. Live music Thursdays. Hope it stays at this caliber.

Glad these folks are back in business again! Not your usual cuisine and unique flavors! read more

See all

I've been on the prowl for a Puerto Rican place and I'm so happy I found one. PikoTeo has high quality, authentic dishes. The cracklings in the mofongo add an incredible smoky flavor, and the smoked pork was tender and juicy. Their cocktails are excellent also-- I had the Caipirinha (not pictured) which was very refreshing. Highly recommended! read more

See all

Such a lovely restaurant with colorful artwork and great selections of wine by the glass (and bottles of course!) Great food from Central and South America, and the owner from Puerto Rico is always greeting guests as if they're long lost friends. So happy to have this very unique restaurant here, it's like an oasis in a food desert. read more

Pikoteo - Argentinian red - Latin American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

See all

This is my new favorite restaurant! I am so picky with the quality of food I eat out and I give this place 10/10. The chicken and the plantains were the best I ever had in a restaurant honestly. The ceviche is so good. I can't wait to visit again! read more

Food and service is very good my biggest complaint is the portion size is so very small.

The food is delicious! And the staff are so friendly. I've been here twice and have not been disappointed. The empanadas, ropa vieja, and mojitos are great. It's a small place but I love the ambiance! It's definitely a must-try! read more

What a lovely night I had with my girlfriends. It was my birthday celebration and it was a perfect evening. We spent 2 hours eating and drinking and we were treated like queens. The food was phenomenal and the service was impeccable. My heart and belly are full. Thank you Manuel and your staff for a memorable evening. read more

Food was amazing and authentic. Tried the Arroz con Pollo and the Ropa Vieja and both were delicious. I went with my Puerto Rican friend and she agreed! Service was good and it was not crowded when we went on a Saturday. Nice ambiance with colorful flowers and pillows everywhere. read more

My wife and I had dinner on a Thursday. The food was terrific as was the service. Sat on the patio. Highly recommend. Will eat here again soon. My wife had the chicken with rice, I had octopus and beef empanadas with a great habanera sauce. Owner and crew are very pleasant and welcoming. Great addition to the McLean food scene! read more

Lovely food! Great service and drinks. Empanadas were a standout and very cute interior

The food was delicious and the staff was professional and friendly. We will definitely go back!

Beautiful patio atmosphere. Food was great too...tostones made just as I expected. Also appreciated the few vegetarian options but wish there were more since I enjoyed everything else I tried! read more

This place is an absolute gem right in the heart of McLean, which is not exactly known for having the best restaurant choices. It has a bunch of different and really interesting Latin American dishes, the kind of menu that makes you want to try more or less everything on it. The service is wonderful, and there's also a terrific little outdoor patio area that is really quiet and off the main drag of Old Dominion. Check out this hidden gem and you will not be disappointed! read more