Jalea Peruvian Bistro

Awesome Peruvian restaurant with you food you can't find anywhere else The plantain chips and potato croquettes were delicious starters. As a group, we tried all 3 of the platos fuertes and you really can't go wrong with any of them. All the dishes were super flavorful and plenty of food to go around. Even the cocktails were super tasty, with Peruvian ingredients, like Inca Cola (Which is wonderful if you've never had it before). Cannot recommend enough, especially to those who want to break out of their comfort zone and try something new.

Just a great experience. The service was fantastic and he was solo doing everything from making drinks to running food. The food was amazing across each dish. Appetizers to mains to the drinks were superb. It is a cozy place with seating for no more than 50 or so. A couple window seats to watch the main street. All the dishes had seasoning that was incredible .

An absolute symphony of flavors! Everything was cooked to perfection. The drinks were delicious. The owner was exceedingly friendly and genuinely happy to see us. Definitely one of my favorite places!

Absolutely delicious! I love that their menu is simple yet so tasty! My wife and I both had the Chaufa Aeropuerto (though one portion would have been enough for both of us). It was a MOUNTAIN of fried rice with big pieces of mixed meat in there and covered with fried egg sauce. I went here because I love trying new ethnic food places and this place did not disappoint!

It was an excellent experience! A super cozy place, well decorated, and the service has a contagious friendliness. The menu is simple and delicious! I wanted to try new plates, so we chose Chaufa and Jalea Mixta. Delicious! They easily serve two people! The fried items were perfectly dry (not greasy), and my favorite was the Chaufa. The Ceviche is delicious, and the fried plantain and corn appetizers are too! Everything was very well seasoned. We will definitely be back. LOVED IT! The ceviche, so, so good.

The ceviche was super fresh and full of flavor, the lomo saltado was cooked to perfection with that unique Peruvian touch. The service was excellent—everyone was friendly and attentive. And of course, the pisco sour and chicha sour… absolutely delicious! Highly recommend coming here and trying it, totally worth it.

Jalea in St. Charles is an absolute gem—one of the best Peruvian dining experiences you’ll find in the STL area. From the moment we sat down, everything about the evening was incredible. The food? Next-level. We started with flavorful, beautifully presented appetizers and moved on to Paella, perfectly cooked chicken, and tender, juicy steak. Every dish was packed with vibrant, bold flavor and plated with care. The traditional Peruvian cocktails were also a highlight—unique, well-balanced, and the perfect complement to the meal. And don’t even get me started on the desserts… absolute chef’s kiss! Jalea is family-owned and operated, and you can feel the love and passion in every detail. The service was warm and welcoming, the ambiance was cozy yet stylish, and we left already planning our next visit. If you haven’t been yet, make a reservation—you’re in for something special. Follow me for more STL foodie finds, local gems, and unforgettable meals! #TheSassySaint #JaleaSTC #PeruvianCuisine #STLEats #SupportLocal #HiddenGems #FoodieAdventures #STLRestaurants #FoodiesUnite

This restaurant is truly a hidden gem! The food was absolutely amazing — full of flavor, freshness, and authenticity. I ordered the seafood paella, which was specially prepared by the owner himself. I was super excited, and it did not disappoint. One bite took me straight back to Barcelona — slightly different, of course, but the flavors were a solid 10/10. Their chicha (Peruvian version of horchata) was another highlight. Honestly, it was better than anything I've had at other Peruvian spots — including some well-known ones in Brooklyn. Refreshing, not overly sweet, and so addictive that I couldn’t stop drinking it! There was a slight mishap with our order which caused a delay, but the owner personally brought over complimentary appetizers to make up for it. That level of care and hospitality really stood out. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for authentic, delicious Peruvian cuisine with top-notch service. I'll definitely be coming back!

Everything about our experience was amazing. A friend recommended that we give Jalea a try while visiting the St. Charles area recently. Upon entry we were warmly welcomed by an older gentleman. As we had made reservations he promptly seated us. The ambiance is warm and inviting. This gentleman gave us the lowdown on Peruvian food and flavors. Our waiter arrived and answered additional questions and gave us recommendations for drinks and food. The food was delicious. Very flavorful. We had the chicken, shrimp ceviche, yuca frites, and plantain. I will be back next on my next visit to that area.

I've been waiting to try Jalea for a while, and it lived up to my expectations! Food at Jalea is unique to anything else I've had in St. Louis or St. Charles area, and it's such a great addition to Main Street St Charles! Tried: calamari food cart, Jalea mixta Loved: the calamari food cart ceviche - hands down the best ceviche I've had! The Le Tigre marinade they use on their ceviche is amazing, and the seafood is so fresh! I enjoyed everything about the dish, including the sauces and the plantain chips The Jalea Mixta was also amazing, and a good addition to our ceviche. I recommend dipping the fried fish from the mixta into the ceviche marinade - so good! Disliked: it is smaller inside (also a plus because it is homey inside), so even a weeknight gets busy - I recommend getting reservations or just planning ahead in general. On weekends street parking can also be more difficult but there are parking lots closer to the river to park at

Celebrating my daughter's graduation was a momentous occasion for our family, and we couldn't have chosen a better venue than Jalea Peruvian Bistro in old St. Charles. From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance exuded warmth and sophistication. This gem offered not just a beautifully curated meal, but a moment frozen in time for my family to cherish forever. Our culinary journey began with a ceviche bar to greet the guests as they arrived and set the stage for what was to come. Each dish was a masterpiece crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients that showcased the chef's skills and creativity. What truly set Jalea apart, however, was the impeccable service we received throughout the planning stages and into the evening of the event. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that our celebration was nothing short of perfect. From the attentive waiters to the accommodating manager/owner, everyone made us feel like VIP guests, catering to our every need with a smile. Whether it's a graduation dinner or any other special occasion, this culinary haven is sure to exceed your expectations. I know my family and I will definitely reserve another private event at Jalea with no hesitation. It truly was a phenomenal experience.

Fantastic experience at Jalea! It isn't very often we have Peruvian food but we have yet to be disappointed every single bite was delicious. The service also outstanding. The restaurant is very cozy, perfect for a date night. Don't miss out on drinks, I ordered the Pisco Sour and my husband ordered the Peruana. Both were so refreshing. First time in awhile I would say both our drinks were evenly matched in taste. We enjoyed the plantain chips as a small appetizer. The entrees were both delicious: he ordered the Chaufa Aeropuerto and I the Pollo a la Braza con Chaufa. I can't remember the last time I ordered a chicken dish at a restaurant where it was cooked and seasoned so perfectly. If you tend to get full easily I do recommend sharing an entree. If you are not able to go back home and refrigerate left overs then certainly a good idea to share an entree! To top it all off we had the best dessert. Sweet plantains with ice cream/dulce de leche. Definitely do not skip out on dessert here! So nice to have a place like this in St. Charles. Props to Jalea!!

Upon arrival we were greeted promptly and warmly and were shown to our table. There were plenty of booths and tables in the beautifully decorated dining area. Once seated our waiter supplied us with drink and food menus and also a high chair for the little one. This was my first visit for Peruvian food and I was unsure what to order, but everything looked amazing. Our group decided on sharing a couple appetizers and we ordered our own entrees. Our choices were so full of flavor and extremely tasty! The dish I ordered had rice in it and I can say, it's the best rice I have ever had. I look forward to another dinner at Jalea! Such a great local eatery.

A Culinary Gem Jalea offers an intimate dining experience that is perfect for various occasions. With its candlelit tables, the ambiance creates a warm and inviting setting, making it an ideal choice for a romantic date, double date, or any special celebration. From the moment we walked in, the staff at Jalea went above and beyond to make our dining experience truly memorable. The hand-shaken drinks at Jalea were nothing short of phenomenal. The Chicha Sour, a delightful blend of fruity and fresh flavors, proved to be a refreshing start to our evening. The Mojito - hands down the best we've ever had. When it came to the food, Jalea surpassed all expectations. The presentation was beautiful. The use of high-quality ingredients shone through, giving an authentic taste of Peruvian culinary perfection. Whether it was the perfectly seasoned paella, the savory lomo saltado, or any other dish we tried... Jalea has undoubtedly mastered the art of creating an extraordinary menu. After our delightful experience at Jalea, it's safe to say that this hidden gem deserves to be shared. I will wholeheartedly recommend Jalea to friends and family - a true local gem waiting to be discovered.

An absolute gem. The best meal we had in St. Charles over a four day period. Pisco Sour - 5/5 Tart and refreshing. Be sure to try one. Chicha Morada - 5/5 Christmas in a glass. Ceviche Mixto - 4/5 On the pricier side for the size, but excellent. Lomo Saltado - 5/5 An excellent rendition of a traditional peruvian dish. Meaty and salty with rice and an expertly fried egg to cut the salt. Polla a la Brasa - 5/5 A sleeper hit, the brining on this chicken, plus the cremas, make for a very flavorful meal. Arroz con Mariscos - 4/5 The rice here I found a bit too salty, but the seafood items cooked together with it were excellent. Chicken Curry - 5/5 Don't miss this Peruvian take on an asian classic. Scrumptious.

Simply elegant. The family touch, the beautiful dinner. 5 out of 5! Definitely will go back!

This place gets ALL the things right! The cocktail was both delicious AND gorgeous! Check out that ICE CUBE!!! A friend and I stopped here for dinner before a concert @ Lindenwood and enjoyed our meal VERY much. We shared everything, so we wouldn't walk out feeling like stuffed pigs and it worked quite well. We started with Mixto Ceviche as an appetizer and it was GREAT. My friend wasn't fond of the octopus, but that was just a personal thing. Then we shared the Lomo Saltado and it was FANTASTIC! Such great flavors and textures... And THEN, because we had roooooom, we shared the Lucuma Tiramisu. Some of the best tiramisu EVAH! Service was perfect, attentive without being intrusive. The ambiance was SO NICE! The layout is really nice and it's a quiet place to enjoy your meal.

Got a whole new group of things the second go around and now I'm sad we are moving in less than two months because this place is solid. Every food item we had was well made and the lomo Saltado was loved by all even our two year old who only loves delicious things.

Our new favorite place to eat! It's a small place at the far end of Main Street St. Charles. Ambience is cozy and warm. Service was amazing. Our waiter was so attentive and helpful. The food is AMAZING. The ceviche was our favorite dish but everything else we tried was great. The pollo was pretty average chicken but the fries and dip that went with it are so good. Some other highlights were the agave butter in the sourdough bread appetizer, the plantain chips and cilantro based dip, and the yuca fries. Will definitely be back here!

Jalea reminds me of family- your warm comfort bubble where you're always welcome and there's always great food waiting for you. The restaurant itself is small, but don't let that fool you because their food and service will blow you away. The staff are quick on their toes and are some of the FRIENDLIEST people you'll meet. Not sure what to order? Let them walk you through their menu. They have a small menu, but filled with items that are done exceptionally well. We have not had a dish we didn't like. Start off with their plantain chips with aji verdi and move on to their ceviche as it is bright and crisp. Their cocktails are boozy and delicious and desserts are decadent.

It was our first time having Peruvian cuisine. We loved the setting here. My server was super friendly --he explained in details when we had questions on some items on the menu. He also told us his favorites and recommended some good drinks. We absolutely loved every single plates. Their sauces were very delicious and complimented their dishes well. They have Fall menu now, which wasn't updated on the website yet. I was glad that we made a reservation because the tables were filled up pretty quickly around dinner time. Also, it will be a little hard to find street parking on the weekend. Overall, we had an amazing experience at Jalea. Highly recommended!!!!

Great food, excellent service and wonderful atmosphere! First time at this place as I was visiting my brother in the area. His wife and him frequently visit here and I can see why! We had enough leftover for a second meal!

Stopped by Jalea after work with a friend. We haven't tried much Peruvian food so wasn't sure what to expect. The server was very helpful and excited to discuss the menu with us. The bartender very kindly gave us a sample of a drink (I don't drink so I can't remember specifically what it was ) but my friend liked it and the gesture was nice. We had the frites with cheese which is made from yucca. I'm the Philippines we call this plant cassava. It's a fruit very much like a potato and I loved them fried. She also got pasta and we split a salad. I loved the cozy, intimate interior as well.

Jalea is the Peruvian vacation that your tastebuds need this summer! Everything on the menu is light, fresh, and will leave you satisfied but not stuffed! Street parking available. Reservations recommended! MY FAVS: Ceviche, Sanguchi, Pollo a la Parrilla, Pisco Sour

Closest I've had to the food I had when visiting Lima & Cusco. This is authentic Peruvian food and one of the few Peruvian restaurants in all of Missouri. The jalea was excellent. Fried shrimp were super plump and fried nicely. Ceviche was balanced with acidity and texture. Did wish there were different types of fish in the ceviche though. That would be my only critique. Service was friendly and drinks came out fast. Food did take some time but was well worth the wait. This was my 2nd time here, def won't be my last.

Jalea is Peruvian food at its finest. If you are craving Peruvian food, a quick drive to St Charles from St Louis will give you a taste of the best Peruvian food. We tried the Clasico ceviche and the plantain chips + Aji verde as appetizers. The ceviche was fresh and well made. For the main course, we had the Pollo a La and Chaufa Aeropuerto. The chicken was well marinated and extremely flavorful. It came with a side of steak fries and house salad. The fries were crisp. The Chaufa Aeropuerto was very unique dish. The Peruvian fried rice was charred to perfection. The shrimp omelette complemented the dish perfectly. The pork belly and short rib were delicious too! This was our favorite dish and I would highly recommend it. The portions were large and perfect for sharing. For the drinks, we had the Pisco sour and Perunana. Both were excellent! This is a family run restaurant and the flavors are reflective of it.The service was prompt and efficient.

They are well-known for their seafood and It's true!! Everything is flavorful, served fresh, and hot. The ambiance is very cozy, great for a lil date night. The staff was so so friendly and helpful.

Fresh, healthy food. Crisp drinks. Impeccable service. Highly recommend the mixto ceviche.

How did we miss this place? It is a little gem on Main Street. This place is medium to small size. 10-12 tables inside. Reservations 4 people max. If your party is larger than 4, you can make another reservation for them and let Jalea know you will be sitting together. Our party was 8 peeps and they made a big table for us, even if we didn't mention this during reservation process. They are very helpful! Our waitress was nice and helpful too. We came here around 7pm on a thursday night. Our food took 1 hour to arrive. It is ok, we got busy ordering their delicious cocktails, import & domestic beers and chatting. :) Just a heads up, Imported pilsen is a tiny bottle of beer and $10. Food is mostly seafood. Yuka fries, plantain chips, Ceviche, Jalea.. everything was delicious. If you pick the "traditional" option, comes with 3 different type of seafood. This place has a nice fancy vibes. We really enjoyed every minute here. I didn't get a chance to try their pistachio cocktail, our friend did, and looked so good. We will definitely come back. Finally, be prepared to see 7-8% tax plus 1% tourism tax since it is on the Historic Main Street.

We had an amazing time at Jalea - the service was wonderful and everything on the menu looks tasty. We ordered the Yuca Fries and Ceviche and both were spectacular. The ceviche was very fresh which is hard to find in the St. Louis area. The location is right on the Main Street of St. Charles so there are many walkable activities to do before or after your trip to Jalea.

The food was great! I loved the ceviche, Jalea, and the pollo a la brasa. We also got the fried yucca and that was a crowd favorite. The restaurant itself was beautiful and since our table wasn't ready we waited by the bar and ordered our drinks. I got the mosquito and loved it! The staff was attentive and checked-in on us. Overall a great place to eat. We did have a longer wait then expected for the food but it was worth the wait.

Absolutely fabulous food! I love Peruvian food and this place delivers! The ceviche was my personal favorite, especially with the added shrimp on top. Absolutely chef's kiss! All of the 3 drinks we ordered were incredible, the paella was flavorful beyond belief, and we got 2 desserts because....why not?! Needless to say, we were absolutely stuffed and thrilled with the whole dining experience. Truly one of my new favorites in STL (I'm from here but visiting from Dallas). My only recommendation would be to upgrade the A/C. I was so warm and it was hot outside. It could be an older building issue, but adding fans would be wonderful. Really great experience and can't wait to return!

Tried Jalea based on all the recommendations. Left it to our server Jose to recommend to be on for the evening. The ceviche was amazing, just a flavor explosion in your mouth. The Arroz Con Mariscos was beautiful and flavorful. Just as heads up the dishes have a prominent amount of cilantro, which can be overwhelming to some. I am sure they can accommodate cutting it back or eliminating if that is not your thing.

una experiencia increíble. La comida fue super buenísima y rico. Volveremos pronto por supuesto!

Amazing food and service! The chicken seasoning was unforgettably delicious! My 85 year old mother loved the Ceviche and the Purple Soft Drink. I think it was called Chicha Morada. I had the Arroz Con Mariscos and I will go back and order that again!! It's nothing like Mexican food, but it's Peruvian and they know how to work magic in the kitchen! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed

Love this place ! Food and services always amazing . One of the best ceviche in STL. Menu is limited but everything on the menu is delicious.

Food was outstanding. We weren't in the mood for ceviche so opted for the Jalea entree after a snack of plantain chips with a creamy, spicy dip. The plantain chips were sliced long and paper thin, and were outstanding and not greasy. The entree was a seafood mix of breaded, flaky white fish, jumbo shrimp and calamari which was outstanding. Along with some yucca spears and a sprinkling of Peruvian corn and homemade tartar and aji-citrus sauces, it was much better seafood meal than you might expect - enough for two meals, actually. We capped our meal with a Peruvian-inspired beer and a Pisco sour, which were both very nice. To top it all off, the service was outstanding and the owner kindly thanked us for choosing his restaurant for our meal. It's nice to see this end of Main Street have some variety in its restaurants. We will return.

Great service, beautiful ambiance and most importantly amazing food! We come from California where we have many options but this has been one of the best experiences I've had. Thank you Jalea for making our dinner memorable.

Food is absolutely incredible. Ordered all the apps and devoured every last one. We ordered the Lomo and arroz con camarones dish. They were out of this world delicious.

Wonderful experience. Great ambience and amazing service. I would recommend this place for date night or evening with friends. This place is great for smaller groups of 6 or less. Food was flavorful, fresh and delicious. Highly recommend this place. Would definitely go there again

It was worth the trip to St. Charles. The food reminded me of my Peru visit, with authentic flavors and an American touch. We loved the Lomo Saltado. Portions were generous.

My first visit tonight to Jalea and will surely not be my last. My Pollo a la Brasa (chicken) was super moist with a delicious smoky flavor. The dinner included steak fries and salad, along with 4 different dipping sauces. I added a side of Mr Meowski's sourdough bread to help sop up the Leche de Tigre sauce on the Ceviche. Other standouts on the menu were the Ceviche, Arroz con Mariscos and the Jalea Mixta. Service was very attentive to the last detail. Please hurry to Jalea! You won't be sorry.

Peruvian Food at its best. The Spices, the temperature of each entrée , each component complimented one another bringing out bold flavors in every bite. The service was spectacular and the ambiance energetic and warm. I highly recommend this restaurant. Enjoy! A.W. :)

Phenomenonal peruvian cuisine! Lomo was very authentic. Ceviche was perfect. The restaurant is cozy and just enjoyable to be in. Beautiful downtown area as well. The staff are fantastic. They were so helpful and accommodating. We will be back for sure.

Very nice. Pleasant place with friendly and attentive waitstaff. Yucca fries were lightly seasoned, crispy outside, moist inside. Ceviche mixta was great. Fish, shrimp, and Spanish octopus. Sauce managed to be both tart and savory somehow. Highly flavorful, and memorable. The serving didn't look that big coming out, but I didn't realize the depth of the bowl. So it turned out to e quite filling. The wife's cod jalea was also very good, and she commented on how she also liked the salad/salsa that accompanied it. Dessert was delicious, too - lucuma & chocolate, served in a martini glass but large enough to share. Lucuma fruit mousse, chocolate cake (crumbled in it), and dolce de leche. That dolce was a bomb.

The highlight of the dinner was the mixed ceviche, we also had the Chaufa Aeropuerto which was good but nothing really special, it was just fried rice. Back to the ceviche, it's slightly odd to me this was an entree I usually think of ceviche as a shareable/appetizer but I guess it's because this was a generous portion (for a ceviche) the fish, shrimp and octopus were all delicious. I did order extra plantain chips, after eating the first order as appetizer, because I felt something was missing with the ceviche, I like to have something to eat it with, plantains chips are great but maybe some sort of bread would be good and it would give a more filling feel to the dish. The service was fine, got a bit slow when the place got busier but it was okay, expected. They do have a nice soundtrack/ambiance music going, I enjoyed it.

Everything was over the top amazing. I am admittedly cheap and it was worth every single penny and more. Will definitely return.

The family that owns the place are so nice. The meal and drinks were fabulous! We will be back.

Wow. The food is fantastic, the service was friendly and the atmosphere was warm yet inviting. I was so excited to see Pisco sours on the menu. We ordered the Chaufa Aerupuerto(fried rice with egg omelette on top) and the Jalea/Ceviche combo. So much flavor all around. Will definitely return.

Towards the end of main street, few steps away from Baked bear. I had Peruvian food for the first time in NYC and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I am so glad to have Jalea come to Saint Charles. We ordered the: Plantain chips with Aji Verde and Yucca Fries+ Huancaina as appetizers The Lomo Saltado (steak), Pork Belly Carapulcra, Tuna Tiradito (ceviche style), Jalea 1/2 (deep-fried calamari, fish, shrimp, etc), and Arroz con Pollo (chicken). Every single dish was delicious. For me, it's all about the Aji Verde sauce. It's like the main highlight for all the Peruvian food and wouldn't have gone if they didn't have this sauce. They make changes to the menu and I want to go every time to try out everything different! Prices are high, but affordable! Recommend reservations and checking the place out!

WARNING: Please prepare yourself for an epic flavor experience!!!! I am always a little wary of food "on this side of the river" IYKYK!!! This place has been featured several times in the local restaurant scene publications. I had an open evening, so I made a reservation. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The team is so welcoming and friendly, I felt like I was at a friends place for dinner. I had a beautiful cocktail called Chilcano with ginger, lime, and bitters. It was bright and refreshing. Of course, the yuca fries were a must. A crispy outside and a soft pillowy inside made for a perfect bite!! The signature items are the ceviche and the jalea (pronounced ha-lay-uh) which is crispy fried seafood. I went with the Carretillero which combines both dishes on one plate. This was the most beautifully executed meal I've had in some time. The ceviche is fresh and bright and the fish has a firm texture paired alongside sweet potato and corn. I was offered a spoon so I could take in every delicious bite!! The shrimp had a tasty crispy coating and sat on top of thinly sliced plantains to keep them crispy. I plan to visit again soon, as I overheard rave reviews about the arroz con pollo (chicken with rice).

I went here with friends to celebrate my birthday and it was a nice little evening. I adore the dish jalea so it felt like a perfect place to go. We all got the entree that combined jalea and ceviche. It was a great, flavorful dish and the service was good as well.

Food was top notch as was our server. We had no familiarity with Peruvian food and he did a great job making suggestions to give us a good breadth. Everything we ate or drank was amazing. We hit a snag at the end of the evening when the manager tried to evict us from our table because he had reservations arriving and no where to seat them (we had finished our main meal but not presented with our check, and we had wanted to try the dessert). The owner contacted me later with an apology for that treatment, which I accepted. It was probably a moment of panic because the restaurant was packed and the staff was struggling to serve everyone and keep things moving. But it is packed for good reason because this place rocks.

Food was fresh and delicious! We loved pico and the service was great! We will be back!

We've been over 5 times now and will keep coming back. The roasted chicken is amazing and I love the fried fish too. It's not too breaded or heavy. I love the atmosphere and the service is always friendly and the right amount of attention.

Really glad we found is gem in St. Louis! We order the Pollo a la Parrilla, and the portion was great, the chicken was super juicy. We also ordered mixto ceviche, *chefs kiss*. MUST TRY if you're a seafood lover.

Perfect food and service every single time. Have been with friends, just me and my man, and also booked a massive table for over 10 co-workers plus my boss. Chicken and beer nights are great on Tuesdays! My favorite dish is chaufa aeropuerto. Chaufa means rice (in Mandarin apparently, according to my friend.) I love the fusion of Chinese x Peruvian. I'm glad they have food like this in St. Charles. I'm so tired of bars and chain places. Will continue to eat here as much as possible at least until my show diet begins!! :)