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    The Peruvian Spot

    4.4 (109 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    The Peruvian Spot Reservations

    Order The Peruvian Spot Takeout or Delivery

    The Peruvian Spot Photos

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    THE PERUVIAN SPOT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - The Peruvian Spot

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    Picarones (4 Units)
    Daniel D.

    Located in a small business lot across the street from 7 eleven near San Diego Mesa College, this small unassuming casual restaurant serves up some pretty tasty Peruvian food. Parking can be limited but there is some street parking. You order at the counter and pick one of 6 tables to sit at. The decor is culturally appropriate and minimal. The server is friendly and the food comes out fairly quickly except when they get a lot of mobile orders. We went here twice and ordered a ton of food each time. The food is yummy and tastes more like Asian food than you would think. Every dish was flavorful and unique, but our favorite was definitely the chicharron sandwich. Our least favorite was the donut dessert. It is a bit on the pricier side for casual dining, but definitely recommend this spot if you're in the mood for Peruvian food.

    Tin-Trung P.

    I got the ceviche here, and wow it was beautiful! I mean, it reminded me of some of my favorite Peruvian ceviche. Rich in color, full of all the things you would expect. Some sweet potato, some starchy corn, and best of all some heat drizzled on top. All that being said, I felt like I was a bit sad to feel like it didn't quite hit. I personally, prefer a more richly seasoned ceviche, but I won't fault it, because I think others prefer a more light and clean ceviche which actually makes more sense haha. But if I were craving it, I would totally make the trip to pick this up, because the ceviche was very well done. And it's hard to find a place serving ceviche with leche de tigre.

    Audrey W.

    There's not many places in SD that I've found with authentic Peruvian food, but this place is legit. The chicharron sandwich was amazing with a soft bread, and fatty chicharron. Their aji de gallina was also amazing and filling. Portion sizes are big and fairly priced. There are no waiters, you order at the front and grab your tray when called, food finishes cooking quickly. The interior is clean and the restrooms are clean as well. When I went it wasn't too busy and there were many tables to sit at. Overall, I would highly recommend if you are craving authentic Peruvian food!

    The Peruvian Spot!
    Stephen C.

    I seek out Peruvian restaurants. San Diego has several, but none have truly blown me away--until I discovered The Peruvian Spot near Mesa College (close to Mira Mesa). It's only been open about a year, and since I hadn't been in the area, I somehow missed it. I'm so glad I finally tried it! I ordered the Lomo Saltado and their Inka Asada Fries. The Lomo Saltado was spot-on--perfectly balanced, with that just-right touch of vinegar that so many places get slightly off. The Inka Asada Fries were a revelation: a salty, flavorful twist on carne asada fries, loaded with steak, crispy elements, and a vibrant green Peruvian sauce that made every bite pop. And of course, no Peruvian meal is complete without a cold can of Inca Kola (or Inca Coca-Cola, as some call it)!

    Jamie L.

    stopped by for a quick bite on saturday afternoon. ordered the Tallarines Verdes (Peruvian Pesto) since it came highly recommended. i am a big fan of pesto and this was my first time having peruvian pesto. it was very rich, flavorful and savory. the sauce had a smooth and silky texture. i liked the beef and veggies, although i do wish it was cut into smaller pieces. overall, it was really good! it's more self-service by ordering and picking up at the counter. the restaurant is spacious, bright and airy.

    Shelf of Peruvian goods
    Angela W.

    I LOVE Peruvian food and am always looking to try new spots in SD. The reviews I've read praised the authenticity of this restaurant, so my expectations were high going into this meal. I really enjoyed my food and will definitely be back. The Peruvian Spot is located in a small strip mall, 3 shops down from the bustling Homestyle Hawaiian. As a result, parking was rather difficult but I got lucky and snagged a spot. The shop is spacious and clean, with plenty of seating. This is a very family friendly restaurant, with a small children's play area featuring a Peruvian Restaurant mainstay, a large llama figurine. There is a shelf near the front that sells Peruvian snacks and sauces, as well as a cooler with drinks and desserts. The owner and his wife were working and both were super super friendly! I ordered the aji de gallina and also tried a bite of my friend's tallarin a la huancaina. The portions are large and both dishes were scrumptious. I had enough leftovers for a second filling meal the next day. My aji de gallina came with both rice and thick potato slices, we love a double carb moment. Both starches were perfectly cooked and not mushy. The golden stew itself is savory, packed with tender, shredded chicken, and creamy but not too cheesy. It tastes nostalgic, familiar, and homey despite this dish being something I have only had once before. It is super soothing with a slight tingle of spice that swells with each spoonful. I did like mine with a bit more black pepper, but it was very good regardless. The sprinkling of walnuts on top added a good crunch to contrast the very soft dish. The tallarin was perfectly al dente and the sauce was also super rich. It paired fantastically with the steak and sauce that it came with. After we finished eating, we sprung for ice cream. It is

    Picarones
    Melissa S.

    We came here for breakfast. I ordered the Lomo Saltado, Maracuya - Passion Fruit drink and we shared an Alfajor and Picarones. The highlight for me at this place was the Alfajor and the Picarones. The Picarones were the best I've ever had! We ordered at the counter and all of our food came out quickly. They were nice enough to fry up the Picarones once we were nearing the end of our meal and it was delicious and fresh! We ordered the Alfajor to go and devoured it later in the day. This location had easy parking, was clean and had cute Peruvian decoration inside.

    Outside front
    Michael P.

    What we ordered: * Pan con chicharron - recently won the world cup of breakfasts. Give it a try, but it may be worth splitting as it is heavy. 8/10 * Lomo saldado - classic peruvian dish. Good flavor and quality of meat. 8/10 * Picarones - I am not usually crazy about these, but we received ours freshly fried and had AMAZING flavor. The best I've ever had. 10/10 Service * You order at the counter and then they call your name to pick up your food * Informal, but the cashier was very friendly Ambience * Some nice peruvian decor, paintings, and of course, Sami the llama. * It feels like a local family spot. Classic home style feel with oeruvian music playing.

    Picarones (4 Units)

    Love coming here! The owners are so welcoming and nice. They make you feel right at home. Whenever I'm in San Diego, I make sure to come here if I'm craving anything Peruvian. Everything is delicious. Last time I went for dessert with my parents and they did not disappoint. Try the picarones, chocolate cake, and alfajores. Trust me! Also parking is easy which is always a plus.

    Pan con Chicharron

    I've been searching for authentic Peruvian food in San Diego for years, and The Peruvian Spot has completely blown me away. From the moment we walked in, the warm, vibrant atmosphere made us feel like we'd been transported straight to Lima -- cozy lighting, lively energy, and a staff that genuinely makes you feel welcome. The food is absolutely the star of the show. Tamales, pan con chicharron, emoliente, etc. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Our server walked us through the menu with obvious pride and passion, which made the whole experience even more special. For the quality and portion sizes, the prices are beyond reasonable. This is the kind of place where you leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. Easily one of the best restaurants in San Diego, Peruvian or otherwise. Highly recommend!

    Lomo Saltado Beef
    Emily D.

    Wow!! I had such an amazing experience dining at The Peruvian Spot. We were greeted by a super kind lady at the register, who explained the menu items to us and answered all of our questions. I would highly recommend the lomo saltado and chicharron sandwich. I was literally in awe when I saw how huge their sandwich was, and in even more awe when I took that first bite!

    Chicken Causa

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    15 days ago

    The food and service were perfect! I got the ceviche and ahí de gallina. I will be going back

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    The Peruvian Spot Reviews in Other Languages

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    No we don’t sell alcohol

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    Extraordinary Desserts

    Extraordinary Desserts

    4.0
    (9.2k reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

    This place is properly named extraordinary dessert for a reason. They are known for their desserts…read moreboth in taste and in aesthetics. Desserts: 5/5 We got a blood orange scone and a strawberry danish. The scone was warm and delicious. The orange essence was well infused. The danish was crispy and creamy. Everything was so picturesque. Food: 3/5 Unfortunately, the food was not the best. We got the smoked salmon sandwich which was not very flavorful. The salmon was also slimy. The pesto spread was good though. It was creamy and the artisan bread it was served had great variety. Ambiance: 5/5 This place is such super cute. When you walk in, the desserts all look super appetizing. The seating areas are super cute and the floral decor are stunning. Service: 5/5 It is an order then sit down establishment. There is great attention to their dessert. I saw them heat up a knife just to cleanly cut the cake. The food service however did take some time to come out.

    The sugar bun was delicious! I might be a bigger fan of their pastries than their cake…read more The Shrang-la cake was decorated so beautifully! I loved the white chocolate shavings all around. Unfortunately the cake didn't hold well in my commute to Temecula (esp during the heat wave). The dairy ended up hurting our stomachs.

    Photos
    Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup
    Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup
    One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.
    One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.
    Chocolate lemon bon bon

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    Chocolate lemon bon bon
    Pappalecco

    Pappalecco

    4.3
    (3.1k reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $

    A cute authentic Italian neighborhood cafe in Little Italy serving coffee, treats, gelato, and…read morepaninis. My friends and I were just looking to get a coffee in Little Italy, but when we walked in and saw all the delicious treats we had to try something else as well. I ordered a latte and neglected to tell them it was for here so I was given a paper cup, but they give real cups if you ask. The latte was good, and my friend bought a kitchen sink type cookie with chocolate, coconut, and macadamia nuts. It was warm and gooey good! Another friend tried the gelato and said it was very good. There are a few tables inside and tables out in front outside. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful San Diego weather. The decor and tables definitely gives you an old school Italian neighborhood vibe with Italian markets right next door. If I am in the neighborhood again, I would definitely come back here to try the gelato and/or a piece of an excellent looking lemon pie bar I spotted.

    If there is better gelato in San Diego, I have not tried it…read more They have more than gelato here but gelato is all we tried. It was later in the day so they were out of or running low on some flavors. Nevertheless, the two flavors we tried were incredibly rich and flavorful. A little goes a very long way. Parking is incredibly tough in Little Italy but it is worth it for gelato this good.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Soup Tomato.
    Soup Tomato.
    Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato

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    Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato
    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    Went on Memorial weekend and was surprised how quickly we got seated. Waitress was nice and warned…read moreus the kitchen was backed up but honestly we didn't wait long. We ordered a calamari (10/10), lasagna (10/10), Penne Quattro Formaggi (7/10) and Fusilli Genovese (11/10). The Formaggi was a little too rich for me... but my son loved it. We will definitely be back!!

    Came here for lunch on a Saturday mainly because my husband just really wanted some gelato…read moreafterwards Lunch-- 3 stars Gelato - 0 stars Service - 3 stars Price - 4 stars my husband got some sort of fettuccine alfredo with shrimp, I got a Italian sandwich, and my best friend got a woodfired margarita pizza. Pizza was good, but soggy in the middle. The pasta was good, no complaints there. The sandwich was very lacking in the meat department... It was basically a bread and arugula sandwich. Had very low expectations for the gelato to begin with seeing as the colors were extremely unnatural and the way it was heaped was a clear indication to me that it is not legitimate gelato and unfortunately, I was proven very right. I got the strawberry so that my toddler could have a few few bites and it was so unnatural and weird tasting that she didn't even want any... And if that doesn't say something! My husband got the coffee flavor and he literally took three bites and threw it away as well. I will say, though, on the food front, the prices are reasonable here all things considered, but maybe stick with pasta... based on everything As a whole though, you can likely get a much more legitimate Italian meal somewhere else in the area, but it will probably cost you more.

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    Cute restaurant in little Italy
    Cute restaurant in little Italy
    Fusilli Genovese
    Fusilli Genovese
    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

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    Nonna + Zucchero

    Nonna + Zucchero

    4.1
    (575 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    Came to this place of a beautiful afternoon on my trip down to San Diego…read more This place and basically all of Little Italy is such a vibe! Ambiance: 5/5 We for seat outside and I swear, I can spend the whole day just people watching here. It's a lively neighborhood. Food: 5/5 The food was delicious, probably one of the best calamari that I've ever tried. It was crispy and the warm marinara sauce paired so nicely. The rigatoni pasta was really good but the fettuccine funghi was a little too oily for my liking. The pizza had a crispy crust and the toppings all complemented each other. Service: 5/5 We got seated immediately even though it was a busy Saturday morning. Our waiter was hilarious and kept cracking jokes. It made our dining experience really enjoyable.

    Food: - fungi pasta: 7.5/10, strong mushroom flavor…read more - carbonara: 5.7/10, too much sauce and noodles were overcooked - lemon meringue cheesecake + Sicilian cannoli: super authentic cannoli, cheesecake was good but nothing special Service: - hostess was not friendly - they ran out of white peach Italian soda but instead of asking what other flavor we would prefer, they just brought out a vanilla Italian soda - ordering took forever but once our food was in, it came out in less than 10 min Ambiance: - outdoor seating Skip Barbusa (sister restaurant) and come here instead, at least there is better dessert

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    Nonna + Zucchero
    Beef carpaccio
    Beef carpaccio
    Tortellini Funghi

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    Tortellini Funghi
    Nibble Chocolate

    Nibble Chocolate

    4.6
    (74 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $

    Stumbled upon Nibble Chocolate and I'm so glad I did. Ambience is sweet and cozy. It's a cute…read morelittle shop that feels like a hidden gem, especially if you're someone who appreciates good quality chocolate. They have a great variety to choose from, whether you're into milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even non dairy options. I also love that they offer chocolate drinks and coffee, so it's easy to turn a quick stop into a little treat moment. I tried the peanut butter dates and they were so good. Smooth, rich, and just the right size when you want something sweet without going overboard. I also had a dark chocolate truffle and that one was just as good. You can really taste the quality. Customer service was a highlight. The guy helping me was super personable, gave great suggestions for drinks, and was genuinely kind, which always makes the experience better. Honestly, I'm just happy I found a chocolate spot within walking distance. Definitely worth stopping by if you're craving something sweet but still want it to feel a little elevated.

    I don't usually seek out vegan products, but Nibble chocolate is a Bean to bar chocolate shop in…read morelittle Italy in San Diego with single origin chocolates. I sampled chocolate from Peru, Madagascar, and Kenya, and they all had unique fruity characteristics. Because they're vegan, so they use oat milk for their chocolate instead of dairy. My wife and I also wanted some drinks while we were here. I had a hot chocolate. My wife had hers with espresso shots. Good espresso in pure chocolate will never not be good. They are family owned and they only add chocolate, sugar, and oat milk to make their bars. Overall, this was a fun place to check out at Little Italy, and they also had a stall at the Farmer's Market.

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    Nibble Chocolate
    Nibble Chocolate
    Nibble Chocolate

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    Bobboi Natural Gelato

    Bobboi Natural Gelato

    4.8
    (281 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    We stopped by this little gelato shop in Little Italy after seeing all the great reviews, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to the hype. We got lucky and arrived just before the rush. There was hardly anyone in line when we walked in, but by the time we got our gelato and turned around, the line was out the door! I travel to Italy regularly for work, so I've had my fair share of authentic gelato. I have to say, the quality and flavors here were outstanding. Rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. What made the experience even better was the staff. One of the employees was incredibly friendly, energetic, and genuinely passionate about the gelato. He encouraged us to sample flavors, asked what kinds of flavors we enjoyed, and made thoughtful recommendations based on our preferences. It felt like talking with a wine sommelier--someone who truly understood flavor and wanted us to find the perfect match. You could tell he genuinely loved his job, and that enthusiasm made the whole experience even more memorable. We took our gelato outside, sat at one of the sidewalk tables, and spent the evening people-watching. It was the perfect way to end a beautiful San Diego night. The shop itself is casual, with just a few seats inside and several tables outside. It's a great stop whether you're on a date, out with friends, or enjoying a family night in Little Italy. Definitely a five-star experience. I'll be back the next time I'm in San Diego.

    After a lovely dinner at Sugarfish we walked a block to Bobboi Gelato…read more They had some interesting flavors. I sampled Rose Almond (Lebanese Rose Water with Organic Almond Butter), Pure Watermelon and Stracciatella. The Rose Almond was fragrant, Pure Watermelon refreshing and Stracciatella was a classic. I chose Rose Almond and Stracciatella in a Piccolo cup which was perfect for me. The gelato was dense and delicious - I really enjoyed every bite of it. It was nice to be able to sit near the windows and people watch.

    Photos
    Pumpkin Amaretto, Mediterraneo, Pistachio
    Pumpkin Amaretto, Mediterraneo, Pistachio
    Small Vegan pistachio and matchatella   2 Flavor Gelato Container
    Small Vegan pistachio and matchatella 2 Flavor Gelato Container
    Seating by the open windows

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    Seating by the open windows

    The Peruvian Spot - peruvian - Updated August 2026

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