Mochica

Peruvian restaurant · Potrero Hill

Mochica

Peruvian restaurant · Potrero Hill

5

1469 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

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Highlights

Peruvian restaurant with classic entrees like ceviche & cocktails  

Featured in Eater
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1469 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 Get directions

mochicasf.com
@mochicasf

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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1469 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 Get directions

+1 415 278 0480
mochicasf.com
@mochicasf

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Sep 20, 2025

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@eater

Spring 2025: Check Out These 7 Dining Deals During San Francisco Restaurant Week | Eater SF

"From chef Carlos Altamirano, this Potrero Hill restaurant is offering a three-course dinner (dishes to try include Cebiche pescado, Peruvian-style paella arroz con mariscos, lomo saltado, and vanilla bean panna cotta) and a simpler two-course brunch (marscapone pancakes or chicken and waffles, then alfajores or suspiro a la limena); brunch is $25 and dinner $60, with reservations available through OpenTable." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/2025/4/4/24401174/san-francisco-restaurant-week-deals-dinner-lunch-2025
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The Best Restaurants in Potrero Hill | Eater SF

"This welcoming Peruvian restaurant is the place to go when you’re looking for a casual, but delicious dinner or a perfectly concocted cocktail and snacks. Most dishes are meant to be shared; favorites include the ceviche, empanadas, and Peruvian skewers. As far as cocktails go, you can’t go wrong with the pisco sour." - Dianne de Guzman

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-potrero-hill-san-francisco
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Peruvian Restaurateur and Chef Carlos Altamirano Will Open a New Restaurant in San Francisco - Eater SF

"In addition to Costanera, Altamirano and his wife own Potrero Hill’s Mochica, Bernal Height’s Piqueos, and Valencia Street’s Sanguchon." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/2023/8/14/23831601/peruvian-restaurant-opening-san-francisco-nopa
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@eater

A Running List of San Francisco Restaurants That Are Open For Delivery And Takeout - Eater SF

"Mochica offers Peruvian cuisine for takeout with curbside pickup." - Eve Batey

https://sf.eater.com/2020/3/17/21184129/san-francisco-takeout-delivery-coronavirus
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@eater

Peruvian Food Truck Sanguchon Opening Valencia Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant - Eater SF

"Altamarino’s restaurant group has established itself with businesses like Mochica." - Caleb Pershan

https://sf.eater.com/2018/10/15/17980146/sanguchon-opening-valencia-peruvian-food-truck-permanent
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Aimee Huang

Google
This Peruvian restaurant was such a delightful find! The seafood paella was packed with fresh, flavorful seafood and perfectly seasoned rice, while the seafood bolognese was rich, hearty, and absolutely delicious. The service was friendly, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome from start to finish. A wonderful dining experience that we can’t wait to enjoy again!

Khiem Nguyen

Google
I thoroughly enjoyed this place. My only gripes were the price, the portions, and the slight heat. The service here is spectacular. Our server saw that we were going to eat family style so they got extra serving spoons for us and even got an extra mimosa flavor for my MIL. The location itself has a very vibrant atmosphere. I can tell you though, for brunch, don't get the sandwiches. They're fine but nothing special and the fries are very commonplace. The sandwich was good but a bit greasy. The main courses is where your attention should be. The chicken and waffles is very cinnamon forward. The chicken is white meat and juicy but the pieces are small and comes with little else. The omelette and the vegan bread that comes with it is spectacular. Everything on the plate was enjoyable. I think our favorite was the chilaquiles. It was so flavorful and well-balanced, the portion was appropriate, and the eggs were runny.

David Huey

Google
Mochica is such a treat — if you haven’t been, you’re seriously missing out. I skipped the usual lomo saltado this time and tried a few other dishes that totally delivered. The seafood paella was packed with flavor — saffron rice cooked perfectly and loaded with shrimp, mussels, and calamari. You can tell they don’t cut corners on ingredients. The seared tuna was a standout too — super fresh and beautifully plated, with just the right amount of seasoning and a nice little kick from the sauce. I also tried the grilled salmon, which was perfectly cooked — crisp skin, tender inside, and paired with a light, zesty salad that balanced it out really well. And don’t sleep on the burger! It sounds basic, but it’s far from it. Juicy, flavorful, and stacked high — kind of a hidden gem on the menu if you’re not in the mood for seafood or traditional Peruvian. Service was great — friendly, attentive, and they really know the menu. The vibe is warm and relaxed, and it’s a great spot whether you’re on a date or just grabbing dinner with friends. Definitely coming back — still so much on the menu I want to try

J

Google
Honey, let me spill the tea on Mochica – that Peruvian hotspot in SF that's serving LOOKS and FOOD! Your queen had quite the experience, darlings! Four fabulous stars for the flavor, but mama needs to talk about that NOISE! My eardrums were LIVING for that smartwatch reading - 84 decibels?! No wonder I felt like I was trying to enjoy ceviche at a Beyoncé concert! The elote de la Calle was good, but $11?! For corn?! That's like paying designer prices for H&M, sweeties! But the chaufa pork belly? WERK! That dish was serving rich flavor realness with every bite - the rice was giving everything it needed to give! And that vegetable salteado side? Miss Thing was a STAR! Fresh, flavorful, and fabulous - like your hostess on a good wig day! Would I sashay back? Probably! But next time I'm bringing my noise-canceling headphones, because this queen needs to hear herself think while she's living her Peruvian fantasy!

Laszlo Lengyel

Google
Not the cheapest Peruvian place, by a mile... but the food and drinks were very fresh and not a disappointment, at all. My Peruvian wife prefers the more traditional ceviches, but I really enjoyed the "fusion" ceviche "Tasting"... especially the coconut milk one that had a bit of spicy bite to it! We went classic with the main course... the Lomo Saltado... it had the most perfectly grilled beef, with plenty of sauce to mix with the rice and French fried potatoes. I had the Peruvian Pilsen a Pilsner beer from Peru, and she had a traditional Pisco Sour. We finished off with a tasty "Quinoa" Flan for dessert... and washed it down with the a Peruvian Inca Cola (which tastes kind of like Bazooka bubble gum). 2 main course entrees were not needed to fill us up... and though we often like to take some home, we left nothing on those plates! The wait staff were also, Top Notch! Highly recommend this Off the a Beaten Track spot!

Clark Chan

Google
The ceviche tasting ( pescado and camarones and chifa) were good. The acidity was a little off across all three of the ceviches. Because ceviches are usually acidic, it is difficult to get the balance just right. La Mar still serve the best ceviches in my opinion. But this place lacks a little something to temper the acidity. The pescado a lo Macho was okay. The bouillabaisse tasted more like a light curry. The coconut rice did not seem to work with the flavors with the bouillabaisse, as the sweetness dominated the base. The pulpito (octopus) was good. The octopus was cooked well. The lavender mash was a little bland and quite dry. They pour a good amount of alcohol in their beverages, which I liked.

Rebecca Gordius

Google
We came here craving ceviche, but the ceviche pescado ended up being really underwhelming. Pieces were too big and just not enough flavor. Other plates were really good - mushroom chicharrones, lomo saltado, pork shoulder - although we generally felt everything was slightly overpriced. My glass of albariño was lovely, and I wish we'd tried the desserts!

Andrea Santos

Google
this potrero hill peruvian restaurant hits all the right marks. from the service, to the food and drinks, it was a great overall experience. all the staff were kind, especially the bartender Miguel. The drinks were well thought out and the food packed flavor. overall, would come back again! ceviche chino: one of the best ceviches i’ve ever had. perfectly marinated and melted in your mouth chicharonnes pollo: well fried with flavor. juicy chicken pork belly fried rice: must try! pork belly was perfectly cooked and combined while the rice itself was packed with flavor arroz con mariscos: pretty tasty and not dry. pisco trio: passionfruit, hibiscus, regular pisco sours. tasty but nothing too memorable police officer: smoky, spicy, delicious mezcal drink
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Kiki C.

Yelp
Unfortunately, we were so hungry that we forgot to take any photos. This lovely spot on the corner in the Potrero Hill neighborhood was a nice surprise. We got there for the Happy Hour, which is between 4-6pm, and we ordered the Leche de Tigre Cebiche with the Pisco Sour cocktail and Sangria. All were so delicious! We also included an order of the grilled octopus and Lomo Saltado, and the in-house made dessert of Alfajores, which is their famous Peruvian artisian cookie filled with dulce de leche. Everything was scrumptious, and the customer service was excellent! Our server was knowledgeable and considerate like knowing when to check up on us and giving us space to enjoy the food and company. Highly recommended!
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Rudy B.

Yelp
I'm not a fan of leaving bad reviews, but at some point your patience is tested. I live in the neighborhood, Mochica has been my go to spot for brunch for the last 8 months. Food is delicious and you get a seat very quickly in comparison to other spots in the area... it's quiet and cozy. I love that. My go to breakfast every time is the fig lemon pancakes, every time. Its absolutely delicious. I ordered my usual but something slightly different came out. What was in front of me was not what I initially ordered, no biggie... there are two pancake dishes, I understand confusion happens. When I mentioned it to the server, he at first didn't understand that I asked for the fig. He went back to view the menu to clarify what I was talking about. What frustrated me the most was when he tried to tell me 1st that the dish I ordered was the fig. He said but sometimes they put berries in it... if thats the case, mention that to me when I order, what if I had an allergy? I sat there for a while debating on what to do, I was insulted, the dish that I have eaten plenty of times was not in front of me and the server tried to gaslight me into thinking it was. When he noticed I wasn't eating anything, he made his way back and asked if something was wrong. I kindly let him know that this wasnt what I ordered as the triple berries were obviously on my plate... he then told me, they do the triple berry compote when they dont have fig... again, mention that to me at the beginning perhaps? At that point i was annoyed enough to simply send the food back that I didn't touch and paid for the only thing I consumed which was coffee. Had he just been upfront and honest with me, I wouldn't be writing this novel. I would have eaten my meal (though slightly disappointed) and went about my day. Instead, I walked across the street to Cracked and Battered and had breakfast there instead. I would say this left a bad taste in my mouth, but I didnt even eat the food, so there ya go.
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Diana G.

Yelp
Bunch of us decide to try Mochica for brunch on Sunday. Great food and relaxing atmosphere lead to some interesting conversation. The best dish was the Pescado a lo Macho...Seafood bouillanbaisse, pan roasted fresh salmon, Chupe sauce with coconut rice. it was sweet and savory! Had my taste buds dancing. Food arrived at a decent pace and our coffees were refilled without having to be asked.
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Vira P.

Yelp
My boss gave me another food rec, which was Mochica. I hadn't been here since they moved from Soma, so I figured it was time to try them again. Plus, it was Restaurant Week (RW), so it was the perfect time to try their menu. The three-course menu was $55 and the portions were large! I started off with ceviche. It was delightfully citrusy and with nice contrasting textures between the fish, sweet potato, and yucca chip. I wish there were more chips because I love a good crunch. My friend and I both started with that, and we probably could've shared it. But tbh, it was so delicious that I'm glad we each got our own. We added the Mac and cheese as an extra to our RW dinner. It was rich and cheesy with the right amount of truffle oil. I'm not sure where the aji amarillo sofrito was, but it was still good. I wish it had breadcrumbs on top, but I love texture so that's just me. I would totally order this again. Next up was the arroz con mariscos, which was savory and comforting. It had a lot of seafood, from mussels to squid to fish. They did not skimp out. They unfortunately ran out of flan, so I got panna cotta. It was tart from the passion fruit, but was calmed by the coconut. Though I would've loved to try the flan, ending the meal with a light dessert after a heavy entree balanced the dining experience. The restaurant is divided into two spaces and we sat at the left space (if you're facing the restaurant). Not sure about the right space, but the left space can get really loud. The ceilings are tall and conversations get amplified. But that's part of the vibe - food with bold flavors to experience with friends. Also, the Pinot noir I ordered was delicious! Def check out their wine list. Service was good. I had some questions about the RW menu and the waitress was super helpful. One thing I'd comment is to make sure you address your allergies. I put mine and my friend's allergies on the OpenTable reservation, but unfortunately the dessert she ordered had an ingredient she couldn't eat which wasn't listed as one on the menu. Some restaurants do go over what's listed on OpenTable, but just be sure to state any allergies in the beginning. Parking is difficult so take other means of transport or allot some time to find a spot. I would totally come back here for the ceviche alone.
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Lisa Z.

Yelp
I first knew about Mochica was years ago when I lived in San Francisco. Back then, it was located in SOMA, but after closing, it reopened in Potrero Hill--a quieter neighborhood I rarely visit. I'm glad I finally made it here. Mochica is one of several restaurants owned by Chef Altamira, whose other spots, like Paradita in Walnut Creek and Emeryville, and La Costanera on the coast, I've enjoyed. He also has a new one in his namesake Altamira' restaurant and bar. This was my first visit to the "new" Mochica, which has actually been around at this location for about 10 years now. The interior feels modern, updated, and culturally relevant. I appreciated their convenient hours: on weekends (Friday to Sunday), they're open continuously from noon through dinner, offering both brunch and the regular dinner menu. On weekdays, they serve lunch and dinner. The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet, with relative easy street parking, and the view of the downtown skyline is spectacular. The food was excellent, with generous portions. For appetizers, we tried the "ceviche pescado" and the "plátano maduro frito" in reduced tamarind sauce, which was delightful. The "bolitas de yuca" were decent but a touch too salty and mushy for my taste. For mains, the "1/2 Pollo La Brasa"was beautifully marinated, with tender meat and a refreshing side salad. The "arroz con marisco" was packed with flavor. The standout for me was the Peruvian classic, "lomo saltado"--it looked right, was prepared perfectly, and tasted authentic. The drinks were equally impressive. The "pisco sour trio"--featuring the classic lime, chicha morada, and passion fruit versions--was aesthetically appealing and well-balanced, with a pleasing mix of tartness, sweetness, and a hint of bitterness. Service was exceptional--friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. The dining area had a great layout, with well-spaced tables creating a cozy yet lively ambiance. Mochica is a true neighborhood gem, serving honest, authentic, and upscale Peruvian cuisine. While it doesn't generate the same buzz as La Mar, it's exactly the kind of place that keeps diners coming back for more.
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Stephanie B.

Yelp
Mochica is an excellent restaurant in Potero Hill. We were at UCSF in nearby Mission Bay when we came for dinner. Even without reservations, our party of 6 was seated immediately on a Monday night for dinner. The restaurant is good sized with lots of lacquered wood and fun artwork and plants. They have a full bar and a generous menu. The service is attentive and friendly. The food is simply outstanding - we had an excellent tuna ceviche, some of the best mac and cheese on the planet (with aji amarillo), fabulous chaufa pork belly, and delicious Camarones Crocantes. The Argentinian malbec was reasonably priced and delicious. It was a fantastic meal, and I cannot wait to come again for these dishes.
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Christine W.

Yelp
Came here with a friend to try out the happy hour menu! The ambiance was great, and I enjoyed the location and the interior decor! The lights, wall decor, and even the windows added to the aura of the space! The service was also good and the waiters were attentive, checking up on us periodically. My friend and I got two non-alcoholic drinks, and both were fantastic. We also ordered two apps from the happy hour menu, and both had amazing taste! Food summary: Calamari chicharrones 9/10 Fried very well, with great flavor! I enjoyed the toppings, which helped to pull the overall dish together. Would definitely order this again! Cebiche 10/10 Definitely choose to get yuca chips with this- they add a very nice touch, providing a nice crunch and a little sweetness! The fish used was very fresh, and the flavor was just the right mix of sour and salty! The addition of the varied veggies was also good, creating an amalgamation of flavors. Drinks 10/10 The chicha morada may be my new favorite drink! It was fragrant and sweet, and I definitely will be ordering it again! It is the purple-colored drink in my photo.
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Allison W.

Yelp
Might be my new favorite spot in Potrero Hill! Came here on a Friday evening with a reservation for 6 and a dog. Even though some of our party wasn't there yet, the staff were super kind and let us sit down early at our outdoor table. They gave a water bowl for our dog as well, which was great. We came at just the tail end of happy hour, so we were able to enjoy some of the cheaper dishes and cocktails. We got the Ceviche Pescado to share, and I got the Chilcano cocktail, Arroz con mariscos, and ice cream with chicha morada and berries. Ceviche Pescado: 5/5, so fresh! The fish was delightfully tender. Loved the Yuca chips that we got with them as well, a perfect blend of the salty and sweet! Chilcano: 4/5, great drink that masks the alcohol! The ginger beer and lime keep it very light. Arroz con mariscos: 5/5, absolutely amazing and my favorite dish of the night! So much seafood, and the rice is soft enough without being overdone. Bonus for being such a visually stunning dish! Half of us ordered it and our plates were clean after. Ice cream with chicha morada and berries: 3/5, a good sized portion and overall flavors were yummy. I just couldn't taste the chicha morada very much in it due to the berries being fairly dominant. The waitstaff were super attentive even though we were outside! They were good about refills and checking in to see how we were doing, plus they were more than happy to turn on the outdoor heater for us upon request. Super great food, dog friendly environment, and convenient location -- will absolutely be back!
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Luisa S.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious! The ribs were so good, and so were the bolitas de yuca. I wasn't a big fan of the ceviche nor the seafood rice. I felt it was lacking some salt, hence the flavor wasn't entirely there. The restaurant is pretty, and the staff very friendly. We had a great time and would definitely come back!
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Ashish K.

Yelp
I went there on a Saturday and it wasn't too crowded. It is a great place for big groups. The servers were kind and gave their full attention to us. Cocktails were great! And food was overall delicious. For starters we got the ceviche and empanadas, both were chefs kiss! For mains, I got the salmon and the sauce on it was heavenly. Food quality is good here and I would recommend this place!
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Susan B.

Yelp
Stopped by for SF restaurant week, and had their menu. There was easy street parking, and the restaurant was large, well lighted and maybe a tad too loud. I did appreciate the food mural, yummy. Their starter ceviche was generous and delicious. The lomo saltado was also delicious, but it was smaller than the ceviche. Less meat, lots of rice and fries. I asked for some hot sauce, and they brought a little cup of rocoto. I like a little heat with my lomo. To wrap things up, I had the flan which had the heavy rich texture of Peru which we call crema volteada. They said it had quinoa in it, but not so you noticed and they dished it up like a crème brûlée and topped the hard sugar with maracuya sauce, like a lilikoi curd. Plus points for not only having Cuzqueña regular, but also dark and Pilsen, all national Peruvian beers. My friend had a pisco sour that was really strong. Usually a pisco sour tastes like lemonaid and they are dangerously smooth, but I felt that this one was pretty strong. My friend liked it so that's what matters.
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remy m.

Yelp
Lomo saltado was great. Dessert delicious. Service was fast especially because we had a large group
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Kimberly N.

Yelp
The only reason I rated this place so low was that we seen a ROACH about a feet from us on the counter when we sat at the bar. It climbed into the bar area. The staff was slightly apologetic but didn't seem surprised. Our bartender said he'll deal with it later when we're done eating and didn't try to look for it. We were disgusted part way through our meal. The ceviche mixto was good. Very refreshing! And the chips paired well with it. Our cocktails were so cute!! The tiki bear and mi lady were both good!
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Jasmine Y.

Yelp
Took my parents here and they had a great experience ! The waiter made them feel at ease, and helped us make great selections based on what we said we liked. Unfortunately the Peruvian corn was not available for a side and only sprinkled into dishes . The seafood dishes were best! I do not recommend the short rib, could use a little more salt. The meat was tender but a little dry. Great little spot, would like to come back and try different menu items
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Avey S.

Yelp
Food: really tasty! I ordered the yuca fries, a cocktail, and the saltado. Everything was delicious and we were able to sample some of the cocktail (sorry can't remember the name!) Service: incredible, fast, and very friendly. Ambiance: beautiful, bright, airy The menu was extensive and made it hard to make a decision (in a good way!)
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Andrew M.

Yelp
This place was awesome! Came here for an early dinner and they definitely did NOT disappoint. As we were 1 of the first customers of dinner, we got service right away and attention our entire meal. Food was delicious, got about 5 plates and between the 2 of us we were definitely full. It tasted amazing and was out quickly. Decor/ambiance was perfect, and can't really tell you about the noise since we were like 1 of 3 groups there. Definitely would come back again
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Jillian P.

Yelp
Stellar staff and great happy hour. This Peruvian bar is conveniently located just two blocks away from the public library - so I decided to bring my freshly loaned book to the bar! Started with a pisco sour, which was deliciously tart and a nice way to kick off the weekend. For nibbles, the waiter recommended their ceviche with a side of yucca chips to "scoop it all up." Both were solid recommendations, and I paired it with a glass of their Albariño. Overall, a lovely spot to enjoy aperativos and wait out traffic!
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Anthony H.

Yelp
Some of the best Peruvian food I've had. The salmon was cooked to perfection. The Peruvian paella was a fantastic twist on a classic. Melvin our server was phenomenal and gave us a history and culture lesson on the drinks we ordered. Really went above and beyond. The atmosphere is cute and in a really nice location. I especially love the lamps and the view from the street.
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Nichole B.

Yelp
Stumbled upon this hidden gem on a Wednesday. One word: WOW!!!! We were warmly welcomed and sat by the window. The music was fantastic. They were quick to bring us water and excited to talk about the menu with us. We ordered foods we were familiar with and both agreed this was the best version of the dish we had ever had! Everything was clean and the staff was so kind. I will absolutely be returning here!! Highlights: the Mocktails! Big and full of flavor! The Lomo, The Ceviche, the yucca chips! I will absolutely be back!
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Geeta S.

Yelp
I remember coming here a year back and feeling that there weren't so many veg options. Since then they have improved their vegetarian and vegan options tenfold! I had so many choices and it was delicious. The service is really good here and they always offer free samples at the door. The ambiance is upscale and chic!

Arlyn G.

Yelp
I've been coming to mochica for my birthday for a few years now. But last night they made it such a beautiful & special experience. All the food was amazing. Highly recommend the tequeños, lomo saltado, pork belly fried rice, & the Mac & cheese. I appreciated that they made my cocktail less sweet when I requested, since I don't have a sweet tooth. Everything was perfect, the music, weather, & the staff were so caring & delightful. Thank you to our server Melvin who surprised me with birthday alfajores & singing las mañanitas. It was all truly perfect, Mochica is such a great place for everything you go to a restaurant for & more.
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Sydney E.

Yelp
AMAZING service, food, and ambiance! Came for a birthday brunch and had the best time. Breakfast food was out of this world and lunch was amazing too. Could easily spend a few hours here. Staff was beyond attentive and nice. Shoutout to Mary K for being amazing!!
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Seth B.

Yelp
Decent Peruvian standard fare and friendly service in a nice space. Overpriced as others point out which makes for faster seating if you can't wait for other popular brunch spots around here and overpay for essentially diner breatfast
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Romel M.

Yelp
Excelente atención, Vanda fue muy amable, la atención del personal muy buena . La comida excelente presentación y muy deliciosa. Recomendado 100%
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Magda M.

Yelp
Grabbed brunch here on a Saturday - made reservations in advanced for table of 2. Had wonderful cocktails (one called Police Officer and also a pisco sour). I'm a bit of a diva when it comes to cocktails and these were simply perfect!! I got the pork belly fried rice dish and it was really delicious!! It was hard to pick from the extensive menu. The vibe overall was fun and relaxed - a place I'd definitely return to!

Steve P.

Yelp
Superb neighborhood classic w lots of upscale touches. It can be casual burger at the bar and catch a game or celebrate something special. It's all about quality here w zero shortcuts. Decent cocktail program and a short but smart wine list. Service is professional, very friendly and attentive. Prices are fair for the level of integrity. All in all it's a destination worthy Latin inspired spot that checks all the boxes.
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Angel L.

Yelp
4.5/5 stars rounded up! Oct 2023 Mochica is an awesome choice if you're in the mood for Peruvian food. I've been saving this receipt to remember to write this review haha. I treated my friend to a meal here for her birthday! We ordered the pisco sour, sunny ginger, ceviche, chancho de adobado, and coconut rice. Our drinks were happy hour price at $10 each. Everything we tried was delicious!! Our server Melvin was fantastic and even sang to my friend for her birthday. I am looking forward to coming back here. :)
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Vanessa D.

Yelp
Came here twice in 1 week, both times just for drinks but the food looks amazing (a friend for ordered a meaty dish and it was such as large portion). Happy hour is 3-5pm A drink I tried was a mezcal margarita until I realized traditionales are pisco drinks, including pisco sour. I tried both the maracuya and chica pisco sours and they were both delicious
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John S.

Yelp
This place is a delight! PRO-TIP: Come here for Happy Hour to get the best deals. Happy hour is Tuesday through Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. The Happy Hour menu features a variety of drinks ranging from ritas, to vino, to draft beer, to chela y mezcal. However, I highly recommend ASKING FOR THE SANGRIA. Its only $8 at Happy Hour times. And its fantastic! So fruity and sweet and pairs well with the food offerings. Speaking of food offerings, you MUST try the Happy Hour special called the Chicharron Pollo. Its a crispy chicken marinated in sea salt & lime juice. The condiment is a tasty chile Rocoto aioli. At only $14, you'll walk away with your appetite satiated at a fair price. The other Happy Hour menu item to try is the "1/2 Rotisserie Chicken". Its an organic chicken marinated in Peruvian seasonings. It comes with fries - be sure to ask for them crispy. And also a salad. Its a lot of food, and a good deal at only $20.
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Adriana H.

Yelp
When: Sunday Brunch @11:20 Parking: easier than parking anywhere downtown. It is in an area with lots of restaurants but we found parking less than a block away as soon as we arrived. Ambiance: rustic modern decor with nautical touches. Very clean restaurant! Bathrooms too. Cocktails: Pisco Trio Tasting- classic, passion fruit, chica morada. Presentation: 10. Taste: Classic-7/10: have had better. I used to bartend at Puerto 27 & they had the best! Passion fruit- 9/10: almost perfection. Nice balance of tart and sweet. Chica Morada: 7/10- barely noticed chicha morada flavor. Color was on point though. Food: Ceviche Classico- 9/10: Fresh, great selection of seafood, portion was plentiful. Tangy salty crunchy deliciousness!!! Personally wish for a bigger portion of sweet potato. Roasted beet salad- 7/10: Cubed chunks of beets with a few chunks or purple sweet potato. Light tasting yet fiiling. Menu said cheese but barely any noticeable on the salad. Wish it came on a bed of arugula or baby lettuce. Lomo saltado: 8/10: Flavor profile on point!!! Asked for fries on side because I like mine crispy. Hubs just puts them in the sauce when they arrive. Tender cuts of beef. Veggies not soggy. Rice was perfect. Portion was as expected for city prices/portions. Service: 9/10: attentive enough. Only had to go up to hostess desk once.
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Priyanka S.

Yelp
Mochica had pretty solid Peruvian food, however some of the dishes that we ordered fell a bit flat. My favorite dishes included the fries with sauce, as well as the roasted corn on the cob. We also got the fried rice, which while good was not as flavorful as I hoped. Mochica is a solid place for Peruvian food but if you were looking for extremely flavorful, food and depth and flavor, I highly recommend checking out La mar instead.
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Steve K.

Yelp
Tasty food, attentive service, light-hearted ambiance. So why only four stars? Price. This place is not a $$ but should be a $$$$. We have been here twice and had enjoyable dinners, drinks and desserts. But the final bill smarted a bit. Not an every day place on our budget. But for a special occasion -- Enjoy!

Giselle R.

Yelp
I want here brunch and it was absolutely delicious I stayed on the parklet on the street where they had live music and the musicians. They were so good I definitely will be coming back for another brunch. Their servers were good and sat me before my whole party was there which if you brunch on the weekends in the city you know does not happen often
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Jana S.

Yelp
Great food in a lowkey environment! Peruvian food is so underrated and Mochica has something for everyone. Prices are fair as the quality of food is amazing. The sangria is also fabulous. Service was friendly and quick. Definitely would go back
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Amelyn C.

Yelp
Oh, my! What a gem. Ceviche is so fresh. Service is super friendly and attentive. Drinks were delicious! And what a perfect place for happy hour (4-6p). ($10 pisco drinks that are super beautiful!) Easy parking on a weeknight. This may be my favorite Peruvian restaurant! I look forward to dining again so I can verify that!
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Lynn F.

Yelp
Was hankering for some Lomo Saltado. Mochica did not disappoint. The steak was tender & juicy, generous wedges of tomatoes & onions, fries on the side so they don't get soggy, & the rice forms a perfect cube. Bonus side of potato chips included. Lot of potatoes, but not complaining. Super friendly & prompt service. Easy to get table inside, definitely a wait for the Parklet on a sunny day. You'll work up a hunger walking up the hill to get there. Or just park nearby on the street, not that difficult to find a space. I'll definitely be back, truly casual, destination dining.

Stephanie H.

Yelp
The food was sooo good! We loved the tequeños and Camarones crocantes appetizers. The salmon bandido entree was delicious and bursting with flavor. The corn was okay, it could use a little more flavor/seasoning. Melvin was great, very friendly and attentive. It was also very cute inside. We would love to come back when we are in the area.
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Sharon B.

Yelp
Great Peruvian restaurant in Potrero with bottomless brunch! We just went for the food this morning, and everything was so tasty. I loved the Chaufa Pork Belly and Aji De Gallina. The Aji De Gallina was so creamy and full of flavor, and the chicken was perfectly cooked. The Chaufa Pork Belly was a huge portion. I've honestly had better fried rice, but this was still pretty good and had a lot of meat and veggies to fill up. The restaurant also had a nice decor and ambiance, and outdoor seating option too! A lot of the other restaurants on this street were pretty packed for brunch but we were able to get a table pretty easily here - def recommend if you're in the area!
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Otis M.

Yelp
Highly recommend the ceviche variety appetizer, as well as the tequeños!! We got large plates for dinner and it was a lot of food!! Way too full to even look at the dessert menu. Will definitely be returning here! Watch out for the hostess asking if you want sparkling water. We all got individual Topo Chicos.
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Christie L.

Yelp
Mochica is a solid spot to go to for Peruvian food! Located in Dogpatch, Mochica is on a cute street with so many little cafes, restaurants, and shops to stroll around in the sunny side of SF. The area can be a little challenging to find parking, since it's mostly street parking plus this hills can make it intimidating, but it's better compared to areas closer to downtown. The inside of the restaurant has plenty of seating and the windows bring in so much natural lighting! The moment you enter the establishment, you're greeted by such friendly staff members and everyone at the restaurant were all so cheerful! It was my first time trying Peruvian food so I wasn't sure what to expect. We went on a Tuesday afternoon and they were still serving their brunch menu! I got the Pan con Pollo Sandwich with a side salad and it was absolutely delicious! The ciabatta bread was so soft and easy to bite into. My friend and I could not stop commenting on the bread because of how fresh it was! The chicken was fried and seasoned with a variety of spices that complemented each other so well. The inside of it was also so tender and juicy, each bite was always packed with so much flavor. Although the food was amazing, I think the service is even better. Our waiter was so accommodating and friendly! Even when my friend asked for a side of extra bread he was more than happy to provide it to us with a smile on his face! Overall, I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a local Peruvian restaurant on the Mission Bay side of SF!
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Leonardo B.

Yelp
I'm a big fan of Peruvian food, and of course, I have to try the while in San Francisco. Mochica, the food was tasty, and the portions were plentiful. Also, the servers were very attentive. I would suggest that if you love Peruvian food, you check this place out.
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Rona C.

Yelp
Service: We made a reservation for 4 at 1pm Sunday and we were seated promptly in the more quiet side of the restaurant. Our waiter continuously filled our water cups during our meal and checked if everything was good. Food: We ordered Arroz con mariscos (seafood paella), pulpo constanera (octopus with purple mashed potatoes), cilantro broth seafood soup, and a breakfast dish. A special request we wanted was only egg whites for the breakfast dish. I don't remember the proper names for the last 2 dishes, my apologies. The paella and octopus were magnificent! The octopus legs (came with 2, one for me, one for my bf) was cooked perfectly! Just the right amount of chewiness and softness that made it enjoyable! The paella was teeming with flavor, would come again to have this dish!! I think the cilantro and the white onions helped provide a small palette cleanser throughout the meal! I also tried my bf's mom's cilantro soup, very refreshing, good amount of cilantro flavor! Wasn't overwhelming! I didn't try the breakfast dish, but apparently, it did lack a bit of flavor compared to the other stunning dishes we had here!

Stacy M.

Yelp
Great Restaurant! This restaurant surprised me! Sooooo delicious! We have had alot of peruvian food and this restaurant really surprised us. The lomo salteado & salmon were delicious. Great service! Can't wait to come back!!!!
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Tiffany N.

Yelp
Got the empanadas trio and lomo Saltado and they honestly were the best dishes we ever had. We have gone to other popular Peruvian spots in the bay such as la mar and limon and honestly those places can't compare to here. The empanadas were super flaky and perfectly crispy and not overly hard like other places we've tried. The lomo Saltado was perfectly cooked, meat was extremely tender and just melts in your mouth. Other places we've tried were so chewy, tough and very salty. We absolutely will be back again!
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Jaky Y.

Yelp
Came to Mochica for a group dinner with friends and had high hopes. We ordered a bunch of different food items and drinks, but nothing was spectacular. Drinks tasted average and were on the smaller side; one of my friend's drinks came in a bear glass, which was cute but also held so little liquid, especially considering cocktails are almost $20 each. For food, we ordered lomo saltado, ceviche, mac n cheese, and a rice dish. Everything was fine, but nothing blew us away. Service was also a miss. We actually tried to order another round of drinks during our meal, but no one came by to check on us. We also tried to flag people down but couldn't get anyone's attention. All said and done, dinner was $250 for 4, and none of us were that impressed or that full.
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Robbie R.

Yelp
Came here for HH and will definitely return for dinner at soon. The margaritas were delicious and the empanadas the best I've ever had. You must try them!!!
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Aura B.

Yelp
This was a great experience for a Sunday brunch! We sat at the bar with my friends. Everyone was super friendly from the hostess to the bartender. The ceviche de pescado was on point, the chilaquiles were tasty with a good portion, and the churros were the cherry on top. This was the perfect dessert to finalize our brunch. Also, the drinks were really good. I am an Irish coffee lover and the bartender (Bryan) did a great job with this cocktail! On Sunday they have live music which gives a nice vibe to the restaurant. We will be back for sure
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Jenna T.

Yelp
Cute spot and great service. Parking can be hard in the area, but it's doable if you go early. They have happy hour until 5pm on weekdays. It gets pretty busy later in the evening so make reservations. They also have sangria and margarita pitchers! The appetizers were tasty esp the green and yellow sauces. The squid was my favorite, with the soft mashed potato side. The fries were also crunchy and the batter was light. The chicken on the skewers was well seasoned too. I honestly would recommend getting apps over entree dishes, it seems to be more flavorful. Had a great dining experience and wouldn't mind coming here again, maybe some weekend for some mimosas.
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Amy C.

Yelp
The food here is really good! Good portion size as well. We got the pork belly fried rice, rotisserie chicken with fries, corn, and paella. Prices were reasonable at $25-32 for entrees. The corn was a bit expensive at $11 for a single corn on the cob. My favorite was the pork belly rice, which had very tender chunks of pork belly and was well-seasoned. The rotisserie chicken was very good as well. Overall a tad salty but very tasty.