El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru
Peruvian restaurant · Northwest Berkeley ·

El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru

Peruvian restaurant · Northwest Berkeley ·

Peruvian dishes like ceviche, paella, and burgers

El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru by null

Information

1300 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710 Get directions

$20–30

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Information

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1300 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710 Get directions

+1 510 778 8884
elmonofresh.com
@elmonofresh

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Dec 5, 2025

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El Mono - Review - Berkeley - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"This Peruvian restaurant, with its first location in El Cerrito, has opened a second in West Berkeley. They serve everything from ceviche and chaufa de mariscos to Peruvian paella and a burger. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Julia Chen

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/el-mono
El Mono | Fresh Flavors of Peru

Naomi Renbarger

Google
We went to Peru over the summer so trying out local Peruvian restaurants and happy to have lunch here today. Still very new and a nice vibe. A great selection on their menu. I want to try more things on the menu, but the Paella was burnt on the bottom and had a strong smokey taste. Ceviche seemed to be in chunks and not easier to eat bite size pieces of fish that we are used to gettir. The yucca fries and the calamari were great. Excited to go back and try more options.

Bruce Moore

Google
We’ve been regulars at El Mono in El Cerrito for years, and on our last visit, the owner’s daughter told us about their new Berkeley location on 4th Street (opened this past May). We decided to check it out—and we’re so glad we did. The Berkeley space is much more stylishly decorated than El Cerrito, bright and airy with lots of sunshine. We started with the aguadito de pollo—absolutely stunning, with a bold hit of cilantro and a perfectly balanced broth. For our main course, we couldn’t resist our usual favorite, the Super Mariscos: a whole fried seabass served over a nest of seafood paella. The bass was so fresh it tasted like it had just been caught that morning, and the paella was loaded with shrimp, clams, squid, and mussels—spice, heat, and salt in perfect harmony. At the staff's suggestion, we finished with the Crema Volteada—a silky flan infused with brandy, a spicy red wine reduction, and a toffee base. Literally cherries on top! Service was warm and charming, and the location—away from the main 4th Street hub—means there’s parking and none of the usual crowds. El Mono Berkeley is a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. We’ll definitely be back.

Green

Google
Food was very good and the portions are good. They have outdoor seating so our dog was happy to come with us. The staff was very friendly. Totally would be coming back here again. Oh they also have propane gas tanks at the outdoor seating area so you are comfortable while eating if it's cold outside 😊 Also lots of parking 🅿️

Brianna

Google
The website and menu are very impressive and beautifully done! With that said, the staff was friendly but the service wasn't great. The wait times were long for everything. We sat at the table for 15-20 minutes before we were even offered water, and that pretty much set the pace for the rest of the experience. Everything from water to take out containers and finally paying the check we had to flag down the staff to get help for. We got the calamari as an appetizer, and to be honest, it was overcooked and rubbery, and we barely ate it. My fiancé ordered the Saltado de Camarones, which he really liked and finished his plate. I ordered the Peruvian Paella. It was a beautiful presentation, and the flavors were good, but again, the seafood was overcooked and rubbery. My stomach was upset once i got home and for the rest of the night. Maybe this isn't the greatest place to order sea food from. This restaurant is newly opened, so they may just be trying to find their flow still. I really wanted to love this place.

Pedro Vicente

Google
Expensive and bland. Not worth the price for quality and location. 26 dlls for a tiny piece of octopus with a very generic BBQ-like sauce, come on. We also waited more than usual for somebody to take our order. Honestly, you are better off at other places in the Bay Area.

Erika Hardy

Google
Had a great time at El Mono. Love their new location! Had an excellent Aji de Gallina and their drinks were delicious. Can't wait to try more of their menu.

Pablo Alexander Vazquez Camargo

Google
I order Lomo saltado lunch soup and fresh water called maracuya drink because they are so good I like lomo saltado and maracuya is good! 😊 Pablo is a real boy like Pinocchio he’s a good boy!

Khris Sanchez

Google
I’m so proud to see how far El Mono has come along! The business owners are extremely caring and really makes sure all customers leave with a smile on their food with amazing delicious Peruvian food, as well as stellar customer service! The vibes inside is very cozy greeted with warm welcomes from the family owned business. You gotta check out this new location in Berkeley, it has a more modern feel to it. My favorite dishes were EVERYTHING: Papa a la huancaina, the Trio De Antojitos, Super Mariscos (Peruvian Paella), and their Mono Burger is by far the BEST burger I’ve ever had! Sooooooo juicy 😍

Josh G.

Yelp
Food was amazing! I've been to Peru several times, and although I will admit the flavors aren't 100% the same as they are in Peru, they are incredible! And definitely more authentic than any other Peruvian restaurant I've tried in the bay. I ordered the Lomo Saltado and it was unbelievable! The El Mono Burger was amazing too. Great service as well, shout out to Christian!

Nikolle S.

Yelp
food was amazing!! Loved the ceviche! Taya was so sweet and amazing!! Will definitely be coming back :)

Marleny C.

Yelp
The food is always a 10 for me I love the Lomo saltado is my favorite I go to el cerrito location and decided to come this new location the food is always delicious , but the SERVICE IS A NO NO FOR ME My husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary They didn't welcome us like they would at any other food place. They took a long time to take our order. They didn't offer us water. I had to ask for it myself. After receiving our food, I needed it more. They never asked if everything was okay with our order or if we needed anything else. The service was very slow for me They have lots of parking, nice music the ambiance is relax
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Bryant C.

Yelp
Great food, atmosphere, and customer service. I ordered the Lomo Saltado, and the food hit the spot. Christian was our server, and he was awesome, very welcoming, informative, and attentive. He checked on us regularly and made the experience even better. 10/10, I highly recommend this place to friends and family, especially when they come to visit us.
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Ramon C.

Yelp
I highly recommended this Peruvian Restaurant. The food we ordered were all delicious, the ambiance is cool, customer service is great, thanks Matt. Every one of their staff is wonderful. We will be back for sure
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May C.

Yelp
Food, service & ambiance is excellent. We ordered the Peruvian Paella & the Pescado A La Mocho, it was sooo delicious. The appetizer was also good.. Customer service is excellent. Thanks Matt for the great service. We will definitely back to you.
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Yoomi C.

Yelp
I had Peruvian food for the first time at El Mono with my family. We were very impressed by the flavor and the friendly staff. We ordered yucca fries, lomo saltado, arroz con pollo, and chupe de camarones. The chupe de camarones was our favorite. This is a creamy shrimp chowder that was rich and comforting and it was perfect with the rice. The yucca fries were also delicious I just wish there was more! The restaurant is nice and clean and the staff was very friendly. I can't wait to go back to to try more seafood dishes!
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Monica V.

Yelp
Food and service is great. Thank You Taya for the great experience suggestion we're perfect. We will be back soon
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Kimberly N.

Yelp
First time trying El Mono. Some of the dishes were good, while others were okay. I came with friends and I got to try a few dishes. There is a parking lot at the restaurant which is very convenient. The staff is friendly and attentive. Now for the food: -My favorite dish was the Yuca Frita 5/5: these were delicious! Not oily and just right. The dish came with a delightful chili aioli sauce. -Lomo Saltado 4/5: This was my dish. It came with rice, fries and angus steak cooked in a tomato sauce. The sauce was very flavorful, and the fries were crunchy. However, this dish tasted more like steak with tomatoes; still tasty, just different from what I've had at other places. I could choose between a soup or salad to go with the dish and I chose the soup. It was delicious! -Ceviche 3/5: this was ok. It was a bit bland, and it needed more lemon. -Tallarin Verde con Pollo 4/5: My friend had this dish, and it was good but very dense. The noodles came with a green sauce and chicken, using the same tomato sauce as my dish. It came in a large skillet, so this is perfect for sharing or taking some home. I would order this. It was good! -Drinks: we had a Maracuya 3/5, this would have been delicious if it wasn't too sweet. I had to add a bit of water to dilute the drink. Chicha 3/5, same as the other drink. It has a good flavor but it is too sweet. Overall, I had some good dishes here and tasted some ok ones. If I come back, I would try the tallarines. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if I am craving some of the dishes, I would still give it a try.
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Jocelyn H.

Yelp
We were visiting from Los Angeles and decided to stop here on our way to the Redwoods. I was especially excited because my boyfriend had never tried Peruvian food before and as someone who loves it, I was really looking forward to introducing him to the flavors. If I'm being honest, the experience didn't quite blow me away. The food was okay, but not something I'd go out of my way to return for. The portion sizes were fair and everything we tried was fine, but it just lacked that "wow" factor I usually associate with Peruvian cuisine. Service was also just okay not bad at all, and I want to acknowledge that the staff were very polite, but it didn't feel particularly warm or memorable either. Definitely not the worst but nothing that stood out. All in all, I'm still glad we stopped by and gave it a try, but for me personally, it wouldn't be a must-stop next time. That said, it might still be a nice option if you're craving something different while passing through.
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Kaelin C.

Yelp
i love lomo saltado so i decided to stop by el mono, and I have no regrets! The lomo saltado was perfectly flavorful and balanced, especially with the addition of the green sauce! The seafood paella was gigantic, packed with seafood, and bursting with flavor. I also ordered the passion fruit juice which was divine. i want to go back already! ps free parking lot!!
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Thomas B.

Yelp
What a wonderful new discovery. Authentic Peruvian food with a flare. Flavors that you have never tasted before and combinations with proteins that totally work. Not only was the food amazing but everyone we met. There was so nice. Christian was our server and Maisey saw to our needs as well. Located westbound on Gilman Avenue on fourth it's easy to find and they have plenty of parking. I like that they have a nice handicap slot right outside the front door and a wheelchair ramp next to it. I thought that was very forward thinking. I noticed as we approach the front door. They had a nice seating area outside with heaters that were set up and ready to go for customers. Sometimes it gets windy and cool there but you're protected and you get a little heater with it. Once through the front door is walking and I noticed that the place smelled wonderful and Was very clean and organized. With the hard floors and the high ceiling, it can get a bit noisy in there, but that's to be expected with the architectural design. We were immediately seated and our servers and were absolutely wonderful. The three of us shared our specific meals with each other. My daughter had the Salado de Pollo and my wife had the Lomo Saltado. I found these very unique in the sense that they had basically the same spices but they let the flavors of the meat change the overall flavor of the sauce. How brilliant is that? I had the Cerviche which was one of the most excellent and balanced I have had in a long time. Everything and it was cooked perfect perfection, and just the right tenderness and flavor to it without being overpowered by the lime. For dessert we shared the Peruvian Affogato. Surprisingly it's an ice cream in a cup with espresso coffee put over it. What a nice way to finish the meal. My daughter also had the Miri Miri which is a sweet beverage and impaired perfectly with her entrée. It was delicious. Is this a place I would return to for a food experience? Absolutely each of us enjoyed it completely and would certainly return. I have to say it was a truly unique experience. I knew nothing about Peruvian food. I was surprised that I want to explore it again.
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Kathy N.

Yelp
I have always loved the food at el mono and I was super excited they opened this new location. The interior is beautiful and it felt more spacious. I also loved how spacious the parking lot is considering that I drive an SUV and parking was always tight for me at the el cerrito location. I just don't know if the slow dining/slow service works for me. I was greeted immediately and was told to sit wherever I liked. After about 5 minutes, we still weren't given any menus so I had to get up and ask for one myself and I was asked "how many do you need" lol as if they didn't remember me walking in or something. It took another 10-15 minutes before someone came to take my order. And as I sat there waiting for my food, I saw them bringing menus, waters, and nuts immediately to other tables so idk why we were the odd ones out. I did have to ask for water 2 times before someone brought it. But don't get me wrong, the staff here are super friendly and as I mentioned, I love the food here, it taste amazing. It's just the slow service that doesn't work well with me and will most likely do takeout in the future versus dine in. It was my boyfriend's first time getting Peruvian food and I recommended the lomo saltado to him and I got the aji de gallina. The steak was a little bit dry but the sauce/seasoning made up for it. Loved the aji de gallina as always. We also got a Shirley temple and the passion fruit juice. Our total came out to be $70 not including tip.
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Eugene L.

Yelp
I was in the Neighborhood visiting my Friend Dave , He is a Professional Mixologist friend of mine!!! I was Famished when I left his home. So I stopped by El Mono a Peruvian Restaurant!!! I rolled in and was Greeted and Seated!! My very Beautiful Server asked for my Food Order!!! I Ordered Calamar Frito for my Appetizer!!! For my Main Dish I Ordered Peruvian Paella !!! I was brought Roasted Corn Nuts to Start With. Seriously Service is Top Notch!! I was Checked on quite Frequently!!! When I Finished My Calamari Appetizer the Plate Was Cleared within Seconds!!! The Ambiance is really Nice and Clean !!! My Peruvian Paella arrived next on a Flaming Hot Cast Iron platter!!! It was a Delicious and Generous sized Platter!!! For dessert I ordered a Strawberry Flan !!! It Arrived very quickly!!! It was a Nice sized Piece and Each Spoonful was Heaven On Earth !!! Service was Fast and Efficient!!! I paid by Credit Card and Rolled Out!!!? For all These Reasons This Is A Baller On A Budget Approved Establishment!!!! I keep my Pimp Hand Strong !!!
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Tim C.

Yelp
Amazing! Super authentic Peruvian cuisine with a nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. Parking out back. Super fire!!!!
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Chad P.

Yelp
July 19. 2025 1:30 pm 2.9 stars. A conscientious server saved the day. A wise diner once said "If you're craving something in particular, don't go to some place that you've never been to before." Wiser words than this have never been uttered. After reading some misleadingly good Yelp reviews and ignoring a few bad ones, we were off for the first time to El Mono. I planned to share my wife's dreamed about rotisserie chicken with her and a fried calamari plate. At the last minute my son joined us and had an Angus burger and Yucca fries. We dined family style. When we arrived, we decided to sit outside to avoid the din of diners chatting over slightly too loud mood music. The setting outside felt a bit like a parking lot covered with a roof though. Some dying plants, a bit of litter about. Cold breeze and traffic noise blowing through. It definitely does not feel like a "dining out experience". We chose to take our chances with the indoor din. Inside, Mono is very cheerful. The bright wooden tables all look inviting. The staff moving around with their hello's and smiles. A charming server, Bella, with her smile and a warm welcome, brings us home made corn nuts to snack on. We place our order and within 20 minutes we are snacking on a suprisingly large, tasty plate of calamari and enjoying, for our first time, yucca. We snack about 15 more minutes and our half chicken with rice and salad is here. The salad is covered with onions. I'm allergic and will skip that. The chicken looks pretty interesting. I wonder what makes rotisserie chicken that color? And then all dining Hell, at first slowly, and then like hurricane, breaks loose. As my wife is wrestling to cut the both of us portions of chicken, I see my son's burger coming towards us and I notify him. Wait. What? I'm wrong? The server (not Bella) turns left with a burger and heads to another table. That table rejects it and the server takes it back to the kitchen. She has a discussion and 15 seconds later, here she comes with that burger again and she gives it to my son. The Angus burger looks like a masterpiece. Two huge meat patties. Veggies and melted cheese. They even threw a fried egg and I think fried plantain in there. Some new customers with a dog arrive and sit at the next table. Is this damn place Dog Friendly? My wife is afraid of "those filthy biters" . The puppy is on a leash at least. Good. The woman let's the leash out. The dog comes towards my wife and I had to yelp at the mother of the fur baby to pull her child in. Bad. Now my wife has conquered that chicken and I take a bite of the drumstick. It tastes like S**T. Too much SALT. I'm not talking KFC or Popeye's chicken salty. I'm talking almost salt it up so it will stay preserved without refrigeration salty. Now my wife loves to put salt on everything. She thinks soy sauce is an every day spice and even she says it's too salty and won't eat it. Ok. I'll skip the chicken and eat the rice and some of my son's beef that he pulled out of the thick burger. I chew the beef. What?! It's way too Salty. My son says it is the saltiest burger he has had in his lifetime. I decide to eat the rice. Take a bite and it tastes ok. How can plain white rice be salty right? I take another bite and strike three on the food. It is not salty but there is some very unpleasant (to me) sauce under and soaking into the rice. Our party is finished eating and the three of us are chatting. I'm feeling a little annoyed but I dont want to take it out on Bella. She seems to be the best thing about this place. I excused myself to use the one restroom. It is a "choose your own sex" restroom. Darn. Its occupied. I walk back toward my table and see a female employee exit the restroom. I go in. The restroom floor is littered with many formally good but now waisted eighth inch thick piles of seat liners. I look at the toilet and Crap! Some woman has hovered over the seat leaving -well you know. I dont know if that exiting employee was the culprit but she sure as hell should have remedied the situation. I hunt Bella down and in a calm shaking voice explain about the chicken, the burger, and that hoverer. Bella springs into action and takes care of everything. Her employer should have several more like her. First she gave heartfelt apologies for shoddy work that wasn't her fault. Next, she quickly assembled a team to clean up after the hoverer. Then she comps the two s**ty dishes even though I told her earlier I wasn't after that, and brings us two delicious complementary deserts. Flan and some fancy ice cream. Lastly, she also smartly gave each of us a ticket for a free appetizer on our next visit. We gave all tickets to our son. It is highly unlikely I will be back with my family but my son might go with his friends. On our way out, in come more customers with another canine fur baby.
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Rosa C.

Yelp
Hubby and I came on an early weeknight to try El Mono at their Berkeley location. It's located on the tail end of 4th street with plenty of parking and outdoor patio seating. It seemed like you needed a reservation to sit in the main dining area, but we got a table immediately despite just walking in. We ordered a sampler for the appetizer, with my husband getting the steak for his main. I got the individual sized paella, which was packed full of seafood and had enough food for two. The rice was slightly overcooked but the flavor was on point. I'd love to come back again to try the other menu items!
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Karen W.

Yelp
One of my friends and I have eaten at the El Cerrito location and since it was her birthday, we decided to try the Berkeley location which is located on 4th and Gilman. There is a free parking lot right next to the restaurant so very convenient! The restaurant has only been open for 3 months according to our attentive server, Christian! It is very clean and comfortable inside. I made open table reservations and the 3 of us sat near the window. We ordered a variety of dishes, and we started off with drinks, 2 of us had Miti Miti, which was delish and made of Chicha (organic Inco purple Corn Drink with a hint of cinnamon and Maracuya which was delish and one of us had the Maracuya which is organic Passion Fruit. One friend had the ceviche and Papa a la Huancaina, the birthday girl ordered the lunch special with salad Aji de Gallina, and I had the lunch special with salad Pescado Frito, fried bass which was lightly battered and very tasty. I almost forgot to take a photo of it as it was so delish. For dessert, Christian brought over a complimentary dish of Lucuma Ice Cream which tasted like coffee with maple syrup, so yummy! Delicious food, clean and attentive service, free parking, you can't ask for more.
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Kyra K.

Yelp
My best friend and I got together for my early birthday celebration. We'd dined at El Mono in the past and enjoyed having exposure to Peruvian food. So we thought, why not try their new location? We both preferred this one for many reasons! My best friend and I arrived at the opening on a weekday. We were one of a few customers but over time more folks came in. The layout of the restaurant is quite spacious and well-lit. There's a bar at the front and ample tables for all parties. Plus a nice outdoor patio. Service was fine. You look at the menu through the QR code but a worker will take your order. From there, your food will be brought out to you but you won't have many interactions or be checked on. My only note was my napkin provided was dirty and there was a plant in my water glass. Since we came in the afternoon, we both got the Lunch Special. I opted for the Aguadito Soup as my side and Tallarin de Camarones. My soup was wonderful and soothing, with lots of tender pieces of chicken and a perfect cilantro ratio. My pasta I also enjoyed. Decent amount of shrimp but a unique sauce--savory yet sweet! My best friend enjoyed her meal as well. For those who like Peruvian food, El Mono is worth a visit. I like this location more off Fourth Street and Gilman Ave. for space and free parking in their lot compared to their spot in El Cerrito.
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Nicole R.

Yelp
The newest location of El Mono had to visit i been to El Cerrito so i thought i would stop by. The food was still oh so tasty and the place is super cute surrounded by a lot of windows natural light comes in. They do have a bar area if you wanted to come in for some drinks. the service was so welcoming and so fast since i came in for lunch. My favorite is the lomo saltado which it comes with a salad or soup.
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Ray B.

Yelp
I remember rolling up to their original location right after we moved to the east bay. It was a great experience for us in this strange and wonderful new town. I love this place and the family vibes - I may still be partial to their first spot, but am happy they're growing. BB
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Jenn N.

Yelp
Food came hot and right on time Christian gave us terrible service Pricing was also very good
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Jennie O.

Yelp
Service - went on a Friday night without a reservation and got seated at the bar, which is fair. Sat for 20 min and nobody came to take our order. After the order we placed, waited another 30 min for the food to come out. Food - probably the worst peruvian food I've had. The lomo saltado was dry and most of the pieces were burnt, flavoring was off too. We were very disappointed!
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Marge M.

Yelp
Loved this place! I got the classic lomo saltado and it was so good. Everything on the menu sounded great and I already want to come back to try other items. Staff is super friendly as well. Our server Christian was wonderful.
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Jaimie N.

Yelp
Our server, Christian, was delightful. Came here with a friend and had a wonderful time. The atmosphere feels upscale, but cozy and the food is quality. Great flavors in the food--just wish I could have tried more dishes.

Renee G.

Yelp
Love the soup and chicha, the fries are so crispy and good, hard to stop eating them!!!
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Micah B.

Yelp
Great lomo saltado and calamari! And awesome service. I will be back! Their chimichurri is good with the lomo saltado as well.
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Dorian G.

Yelp
Brunch time at El Mono was interesting to say the least. My girlfriend and J were the youngest people in the restaurant by at least 30 years which isn't an issue but for a hip spot it just wasn't expected lol. The side door of the restaurant remained open for the entire time which made it almost unbearable to sit and eat while freezing cold lol I literally had goosebumps. The food however was pretty good. I'd give it a 6.5-7 out of 10. I feel like because the door was open it cooled my food down so it wasn't piping hot. The inca kola was GAAASSSSS
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Zoey R.

Yelp
Wasnt very impressed with the food, I ordered the Pollo con Arroz and the chicken was very dry. The waiter didnt seem to know much of the menu and couldnt give many recommendation. Good location but thats about it.
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Cecilia S.

Yelp
Marlene was so sweet! We tried the ceviche and seafood paella and they were both great. Ambiance was pleasant and welcoming.
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Lexi L.

Yelp
Hmmmm I love Peruvian food. I spent a few months in Peru after the earthquake in 2008 and really fell in love with the food and the kind people. I really want to love this place but the chicken, which is signature, was over salted, over seasoned, and overcooked. Salad was undressed Rice was great though!! The rice was great lol. The servers were nowhere to be found and you have to order from qr which is so stupid. Just give me a menu. The seafood with aji sauce, Antonio's Special was quite good though. The fried yuca was cold and hard. The aji sauce could have been spicier. The beans had no flavor and weren't even peruviano beans. But the seafood was great do it was redeeming for the terrible chicken. Anyway they are new hopefully they work out the kinks. As dry chicken is Sadface They did comp half of the chicken as we ate half so there's that Good luck!! Do better.

Vandan P.

Yelp
Enjoyed the truly authentic Peruvian experience. The lomo saltado steaks were so tender - cooked to perfection!

Bianca B.

Yelp
El Mono is such a cute restaurant to enjoy with family and friends. Isabella was an amazing waitress, very kind & gave good food recommendations will definitely be back!
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Nelly Y.

Yelp
Desire is SO SWEET. Both servers on shift were very attentive. I usually go to the original location but this one is so much more convenient! And the food is JUST AS GOOD. I always have to get the Trio De Mar whenever I come. Get the Miti Miti for something refreshing! Love the very minimalist style of this location and how bright/inviting it looks. We were lucky to come in on a day where it wasn't packed (heard from Desire that it usually gets so busy). Also the parking lot? MAJOR PLUS.

Gina C.

Yelp
Found a good place to satisfy our Peruvian cravings. El Mono has excellent food - we ordered Peruvian Paella and Pescado ala Mocho as our main and started with the Frito Mix and we are so full and satisfied. Nice touch on the free fries in a corn. Service is excellent from wait staff to the Matt, the owner taking the order and assisted with the serving. Love the vibe of the place and cool decor and ample parking. A place that for sure you'll go back to.
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Carmen P.

Yelp
This is the second "El Mono" I've been to, and it's as good- if not better- than the original. Beautiful setting, fast but never rushed service by true " consœurs "  of the Peruvian cousine, including the owner, who's there most of the time. Regarding the food, the ceviche was magnificent, and the lomo with tallarines verdes almost made me lick the plate. And I almost forgot the "yucas with salsa" appetizer, so yummy! Extra points for the ample parking lot and the cozy terraza. This may become my new favorite restaurant in Gilman.
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Shyam S.

Yelp
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary yesterday and honestly had a perfect meal at El Mono. Every aspect was superb: the decor, attentiveness of management (Matt rocks!), ease of ordering, and of course, superb food with authentic ingredients. We experienced an array of new foods including lucuma fruit; rocoto peppers; and Peruvian Chinese flavors. There's something for everyone on this menu (including vegetarians). Don't skip out on the bright Miti Miti nonalcoholic drink and their version of affogato!

Coffee L.

Yelp
Great service, my pasta and steak was so GOOD!!!! place is a vibe. You definitely have come and stop by.

Allen G.

Yelp
Amazing food and great service. The place has a really nice atmosphere. My highlight of this experience was probably the dessert it was amazing!!
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Jongmoon L.

Yelp
the food was very good! for weekday lunch, it comes with salad or soup and the suggested menu is definitely worth a try. staff was also very polite and friendly. manuel was very helpful with the menu. also the decor indoor and also the patio outdoor is well done in theme. looks very well put together. i would recommend this place for anyone who wants to try peruvian food!

Jo D.

Yelp
LOVED THE FOOD. Everything had such rich flavor, and the mitimiti drink was refreshing. We had a beautiful server named bella with radiant hair. She was very kind and attentive. The environment was very nice and lively.
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Janet T.

Yelp
Every dish is full of flavors. There's plenty of parking. Our family of four ordered two tapas and a paella with whole fish. The three servers took real good care of us. It's on our list to return.

Miguis S.

Yelp
I am impressed with the food they serve, I ate a Seco the cordero and it is the best I have ever tried. The server cristian is super spectacular. He is very knowledgeable about the food they serve and provide an excellent service. Completely recommend it
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Alejandra V.

Yelp
Food was really good and the service was ni me and kind. Christian was our server and all the time he was making sure we were good. I'm half they opened another location now closer to me :)

Iris M.

Yelp
First time at El Mono, Berkeley on Gilman. The space is large and intimate at the same time. We were seated fairly quickly and the service was quick. Cristian was quite helpful with questions we had about the menu. I had tallarin saltado beef - highly recommend.
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Gabriel G.

Yelp
Nice local Resturant for date night. I like the remodel. Service was cool, took about 30 min are so to get food but it was close to when they opened. About 25-30 dollars an item. I would go back for special occasions.
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Vanessa N.

Yelp
Excellent food and customer service! Christian did a great job! Thank you!! For the main course, the lomo saltado was a standout. The beef was tender, the wok-fried vegetables were crisp, and the soy-based sauce had just the right amount of umami. Served over fluffy white rice with crispy fries, it was comfort food with flair. Ceviche was delicious!!
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latrina r.

Yelp
OMG this restaurant is just what 4th street needed!!! I can't wait to go back to get the full dining experience. I came today during the closing period 5 mins before 3pm. Thankfully I allowed to order food to go
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Visions V.

Yelp
Leaving a 4 star review because I do love this place!!! But I have one complaint. Although the seasoning on the chicken Anticuchos is amazing the chicken itself is soooo tough and dry that it ruins it all. Truly wish they knew to pound the chicken and/or slow cook it as this would likely solve that problem. I have cooked and been served chicken breast and the like my entire life and have never had it both this tough and dry! Again, flavor is bomb but what good is that if the chicken itself is not suitable. With all that said, I do still really like this place (which is honestly why I'm leaving a bit of harsh feedback, because I know they have the capacity to cook great food). Their burger is GREAT and reminds me of my mom's but with their seasonings, so good. The Estofado de Pollo is SO GOOD has the exact opposite texture of the Anticuchos is so nice and TENDER of chicken. The rices are incredible and the side sauces amazing! I even enjoy the fries. I usually order from doordash or do a pick up order but have once brought my family here to eat and the staff was incredibly kind and the space was very inviting and clean. Also, a huge plus is that THEY HAVE PARKING!!! The food is great here and I think with a few tweaks on the Anticuchos (because they can clearly make a good tender chicken as shown with the Estofado), this place would be 5 stars. One of my go to spots and am so in love! Check it out!! :) EDIT: ordered the Estofado de Pollo again today and it was far less good than the first time and I am sad about that because their food is quite expensive. Have to add now, that the food is inconsistent in taste and tenderness. I am hoping they can train the chefs to make the food consistent and as good as it can be.