Great casual dining experience for anyone looking to try some traditional Peruvian ‘criollo’ dishes in a laid-back, vibrant restaurant.

The Isolina restaurant is named after Co-owner Jose de Castillo’s mother Doña Isolina and pays homage to her cooking and spirit. A single mother of four, she struggled to make ends meet until she took out a rent on a small shop and started her own restaurant. Little by little, she learnt how to cook and develop her own style of traditional Peruvian cooking.

Based on the concept of a traditional Peruvian ‘taberna’ or tavern this is a modern, high-end tavern serving traditional Peruvian and Limeño (Lima) recipes. The menu offers dishes similar to those that the locals eat for 6 or 7 soles in the local markets but this is the high-end version that you can eat in safety without fear of picking up an unwanted guest!

Isolina is located just three blocks from Barranco’s main square in a traditional Barranco style house that was once the summer residence of a wealthy Lima family. The house has been restored, giving it a modern feel with traditional touches like the original wood frame walls and old-fashioned sweet jars.

Nothing about this restaurant speaks of formality. The vision is clear – a place to come and share food with friends and family in a casual, vibrant atmosphere. Tables and chairs are wooden mismatched sets, with many chairs donated by friends of the Isolina family. Tables are set with old-school plates and dishes are served in large old-fashioned enamel bowls or dishes. The owners want you to feel at home in a modern setting that reminds you of when you spent time with your grandmother as a child, hence the  floral plates and old knives and forks.

Food is served to share and trust us when we say portions are LARGE. Pick a few dishes to share and don’t make the mistake of ordering a main just for yourself. (If you absolutely don’t want to share, our advice is to order a half portion.)

Starters include a delicious pejerrey sandwich served on a crusty bread roll with the typical salsa criolla (onion, tomato and cilantro salsa). Fried to a light crispy perfection, we fell in love with this entrée. We also loved the ceviche served with deep-fried squid (their ceviche is served the traditional way that you can find on food carts around the city) and were delicious.

For mains, the beef melted off the bone and was tender and succulent. (They don’t provide knives to prove that the meat is tender enough to eat with a spoon… and yes, it is!.) Isolina specializes in the more traditional dishes from Lima that have been forgotten over time. This includes a selection of innards such as the boiled chicken blood with potato and cow stomach or the tripe stew which are the signature house dishes.

Doña Isolina is famous for her deserts and this is a great place to come if you want to try traditional Peruvian deserts. The crema volteada was firm, creamy with a delicate caramel sauce and is one of the best we have tried in Peru so far. Other sweet treats include the mazamorra morada (a thick jelly with fruit made from purple corn) and the famous Peruvian rice pudding ‘arroz con leche’.

The Isolina restaurant is one of Barranco’s newest eateries and we really enjoyed the vibrant, laid-back atmosphere and their modern take on the traditional Peruvian tavern.

Best of Peru Travel recommends:

  • Prices are very reasonable given that portions are large and can be shared between two or three people.
  • Isolina has a nice range of cocktails which pack a punch. This is a good choice if you are looking for somewhere to spend a few hours drinking and tasting a few different dishes.

Check out more of our favourite restaurants in Lima here

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