PAPA LLAMA

Peruvian restaurant · Lake Terrace

PAPA LLAMA

Peruvian restaurant · Lake Terrace

5

2840 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806

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Highlights

Cozy Michelin-starred spot where husband-wife duo serve up fresh, polished Peruvian fusion with shareable dishes and natural wines in a sleek, intimate space.  

Featured on Michelin
Featured in Eater

2840 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806 Get directions

papallamaorl.com

$100+ · Menu

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2840 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806 Get directions

papallamaorl.com
papallamaorl

$100+ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@michelinguide

All the 2024 Florida MICHELIN Stars

"Don't be fooled by its modest surrounds, as the interior is modern and cool. Leather chairs are especially inviting, and tables offer a view of the gleaming kitchen.The natural wine program is impressive. Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Maria Ruiz prepare modern Peruvian cuisine full of bright ingredients with a bit of polish, and the multicourse tasting menu is an approachable (and affordable) way to sample their sincere cooking. Nigiri kicks off the meal with a smart nod to the Peruvian tradition of Japanese fusion, delivering dialed-in flavors with confidence. Bok choy is elevated with bold, contrasting textures, while chicken thigh roulade with aji amarillo aioli is simply spectacular. For dessert, sweet potato donuts over a blueberry compote seal the deal." - MICHELIN Guide

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/michelin-stars-florida-guide-ceremony-miami-orlando-tampa
View Postcard for PAPA LLAMA | Good Food & Natural Wine
@michelinguide

Papa Llama

"Don't be fooled by its modest surrounds, as the interior is modern and cool. Leather chairs are especially inviting, and tables offer a view of the gleaming kitchen.Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Maria Ruiz prepare modern Peruvian cuisine full of bright ingredients with a bit of polish, and the multicourse tasting menu is an approachable (and affordable) way to sample their sincere cooking. Nigiri kicks off the meal with a smart nod to the Peruvian tradition of Japanese fusion, delivering dialed-in flavors with confidence. Bok choy is elevated with bold, contrasting textures, while chicken thigh roulade with aji amarillo aioli is simply spectacular. For dessert, sweet potato donuts over a blueberry compote seal the deal. The natural wine program is impressive." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/florida/orlando/restaurant/papa-llama
View Postcard for PAPA LLAMA | Good Food & Natural Wine
@eater

Orlando’s 38 Best Restaurants - Eater Miami

"Kevin and Maria Ruiz garnered a rep for serving some of the finest Peruvian fare in the city with their pop-up dinners, so no surprise their inviting brick-and-mortar operation in Curry Ford West has solidified it. The bright, modern space has been a draw for its list of natural wines and a prix-fixe menu playing up the tapestry of “New Peruvian” cuisine with such dishes as wild-caught Florida snapper with charred banana leaf and rocoto leche de tigre, or bone-in short rib al carbon with a lomo reduction. For those averse to natural wines, Inca Kola is also served." - Faiyaz Kara

https://miami.eater.com/maps/orlando-best-restaurants-map-guide
View Postcard for PAPA LLAMA | Good Food & Natural Wine
@eater

Orlando’s 2023 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped

"Bib Gourmand. Peruvian cuisine and natural wine bar. A la carte menu available. (Temporarily closed until June 28.)" - Olee Fowler

https://miami.eater.com/maps/orlando-michelin-star-guide-map
View Postcard for PAPA LLAMA | Good Food & Natural Wine
@michelinguide

2022 Florida MICHELIN Bib Gourmands

"For a Peruvian menu that's diverse in its brevity, this is your spot. Come with a crowd to make the most of this shareable menu, full of bright, approachable ingredients given the depth of flavor treatment." - The MICHELIN Guide

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/2022-florida-michelin-bib-gourmands
View Postcard for PAPA LLAMA | Good Food & Natural Wine

AC Slater

Google
Very good meal with the highlight being the plump shrimp anticuchero. Everything was good to great. Natural wine wasn't a huge hit for me but my partner loved the pairing. What's most impressive is the entire restaurant is run only by the husband and wife team. I can't think of any starred restaurants anywhere around the world that can share that achievement.

HJLee

Google
We loved Papa Llama for several reasons! First of all, the food was really tasty. Five dishes over 3 courses were super fresh and well balanced. I especially loved the shrimp anticuchero. The ambiance is cozy and unpretentious. From the playlist to the appetizer toothpicks, everything was done with intention and a lot of attention to detail. Maria was friendly and welcoming, making the entire dining experience all the more enjoyable. Highly recommended!

Ajeeta Khanna

Google
A very well thought out menu of Peruvian classics with a modern approach, and it couldn’t have been more perfect with their carefully selected wine pairings. You can tell Maria and Kevin put their heart and soul into their dishes, so much so that they’ve concocted such a wonderful vibe, service and of course, incredible food. I love that Maria & Kevin are a husband-wife team whom you can tell care for the guests dining at their establishment; they’re so friendly and made the experience truly a wholesome one. This is most certainly the place you tell your friends to dine at. Thank you again for such a beautiful night, I cannot wait for the next time. 🙂 Edit: allow me to say, they deserve way more than 4.5 stars. Kindly do not let a silly numerical rating dictate a thing from dining here. If you’re reading this, please give this local hidden gem a go because you will NOT regret it.

Mallory Hoppe

Google
What an absolutely delicious experience!!! Everything tasted so incredibly fresh. And what a fun, relaxing experience which is refreshing compared to other Michelin star restaurants we’ve been to. Loved the intimate setting. Cannot wait to try what they come up with next, will definitely add this to one of our regular stops when we’re in town. We chose to have the drink pairing with the meal which I definitely recommend- several courses you’d get 2 different types of wines so it was a good value for the amount. And I LOVED that they offered to box up your left overs. It’s served family style with generous portions so come hungry. All of the staff was extremely welcoming and the owners were so sweet and I loved how involved they were.

Patrick Farrissey

Google
This was simply a delightful experience from start to finish. Sitting in a strip mall it is deceptively simple from the outside. But the inside is very tastefully decorated and feels so homey; like you're sitting in someone's kitchen at home. The food was delicious, but my personal favorites were the starter dishes: the cucumber salad and the u10 shrimp. The shrimp may be the best I've ever tasted with a spectacular char. The salad had a delicious dressing. But every course was really something. Had a great wine selection and Maria was so knowledgeable about the different opinions. I loved that they had several options of Orange wine, which is not very common! It's basically a two-man show, which is even more impressive. Very deserving of their first Michelin star and can't wait to go back!

Sean M

Google
Out of the 10 1-star Michelin places we’ve dined in across the globe, this place lands at #3! The decor and atmosphere were pleasant with the small footprint of only 7 tables accompanied by soothing Latin music. The one server took care of all tables with ease and a smile as she explained the menu and answered any questions. Of note- not only is there only 1 server, there is only 1 chef. What a delight and treat to see something this sophisticated in motion. We opted for the wine pairing which paired nicely with the flavorful dishes. While the presentation of some dishes may not have been to the level of the more renowned 2 and 3-star Michelin restaurants, they were still plated quite beautifully and more importantly the flavor was outstanding! This establishment may be another favorite of ours in Orlando and we are already making plans to return!

Jessi Marshall

Google
We came here last night for my birthday dinner. It was my first time and most certainly will not be my last! We were blown away by every dish of the prix fixe. The combination of flavors and impeccable presentation was delectable! I respect the thoughtful attention to detail. Not only that, but they accommodated my dietary restrictions which I greatly appreciated. Truly an amazing culinary experience. Maria and Kevin have something so special here. I am excited to see their continued growth and success!!

Ben Wageman

Google
This is the best dining experience in Orlando. If you have the time and the money, this is worth every penny. It is a fixed menu which I think is a great treat, not having to pour over pages of a menu to find out what it good. You have to be a little adventurous to trust the menu but I can easily say that every dish, every bite was perfect. Husband and wife owned, they seem to do everything right. My wife did the wine pairing with dinner and they really took care of her. Yes, it is expensive and you have to book out a little bit in advance to make it work but YOU HAVE TO GO! DO IT! you will not regret it.
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Brent B.

Yelp
5 stars for a Peruvian Michelin star spot that lived up to the hype. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about Papa Llama due to its location on Curry Ford Road. There are some really great hole-in-the-wall spots in the area, but I wasn't really sure if a Michelin-star restaurant could work. However, we had some friends who raved about the restaurant, so my wife and I decided to give it a try to go along with our golf and movie day. We arrived at the venue a little before 6pm (it offers 6pm and 8:30 sittings that are pre-paid online) and walked in to see a relatively compact venue with the kitchen on the right and about 4-5 tables on the left. While the tables were a little close, there were some strategically placed planters to help provide some separation. We took a seat at our table and our hostess/waitress provided us with the menu and took our initial drink order (I ordered a beer, while my wife ordered the wine pairing, which we shared and generally liked). She provided excellent service throughout the night with a combination of good insight on the food and good conversation generally without going overboard (a line that can be tough to toe for a small venue). She also helped explain how the menu works (aka everything is large family-style servings) right at the beginning, which was good because one of hangups was how small the menu looked for a $125 meal. The first items that came out were the ensalada and the shrimp anticuchero. The ensalada included the fun traditional Peruvian corn and was pretty solid. The shrimp anticuchero were pretty massive and quite tasty. Both were great starters. We then moved on to the main dishes, which included lomo saltado (aka steak with some cherry tomatoes and onions) and arroz chaufa (aka stir fry rice). Both dishes had some really exquisite flavors, with the steak tasting amazing and the stir fry rice being like a tasty comfort food. Both dishes were also quite sizeable, which led to us getting a couple boxes to take the rest home. Our final dish of the night (which I forgot to photograph) was picarones (aka sweet potato donuts with honey and a strawberry compote). These really reminded me of the type of treats you get off the street in other countries and were quite delicious. Overall, Papa Llama provided us with a great Peruvian experience. The solid service and flavorful food make this a spot definitely worthy of a Michelin star and worth checking out.
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Kathryn P.

Yelp
Let me start by saying, this was one of the best meals Ive had in Orlando in a VERY long time. I cannot believe it's taken me so long to come here. Operated by a husband wife duo, this quaint pre set menu is available on select Friday and Saturday nights at either 6 or 8:30. We had the earlier seating and never felt rushed or not attended to even with a small space and one waitress. The portions are so big and came out family style. The flavors were DELICIOUS seriously so different than dishes I've had elsewhere. Even with the set menu we are already thinking of other friends to bring back and enjoy it together. The meal was absolutely lovely and cannot say enough about this place!!!
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Sherry B.

Yelp
We had heard of the food Papa Llama was churning out before they got their brick and mortar, so when we also heard they got recognition from Michelin, we decided to hightail it over there and finally give it a try. The ambiance, food, and service were all definitely above average. We did, however, find that the price point for our experience did not quite jibe with the meal we had. At the price we paid, we did expect something a bit more varied or unique. That being said, there is not a lot of Peruvian cuisine highlighted in Central Florida, so this is still a worthy dining experience for anyone looking to eat something they haven't tried before. I'm confident that Papa Llama is going to continue to grow and shine and come into their own. This is a restaurant to watch! And if you're tired of the same old so-and-so, Papa Llama needs to be your next dinner reservation, for sure.
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Nicolas L.

Yelp
My wife and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary with a dinner at Papa Llama. This Michelin star restaurant in Orlando lives up to its accolades. Reservations are required as there is a set menu for all guests and each course is served at the same time. The menu included five courses of Peruvian staples served family style to share. The meal started with the Ensalada and the Shrimp Anticuchero courses. The ensalada was full of refreshing crisp juicy cucumber topped with a creamy lightly peppery polleria dressing and crunchy corn. The shrimp were soooo delicious: meaty, tender, briny, and smokey with a flavorful seasoning. Basically, tasted like they were fresh off the grill. Next came the main courses of Arroz Chaufa and Lomo Saltado. Both are dishes that I have tried in Peru and that I love. These versions were phenomenal! The Arroz Chaufa was full of exquisite flavors and textures. Savory rice had a very light crunch and light sweetness and was mixed with fluffy egg and crisp bok choy. The Lomo Saltado was definitely the star of the show and the best I have ever tried. First, the steak was high end steakhouse quality: super juicy and tender with a nice pepperiness. The meat was paired with juicy seared tomatoes that exploded with rich flavor when bitten into, super juicy and tender oyster mushrooms, and crisp onions. I now dream about this Lomo Saltado. The final course was a dessert of Picarones. This doughnut like sweet potato dessert was crisp on the outside and nicely doughy on the inside which was perfect for dipping in the strawberry compote. Overall, Papa Llama is a must visit, perfect for a date night and a culinary highlight in Orlando.
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Diana L.

Yelp
I love Peruvian food and Papa Llama is definitely something different. One of the best tasting chaufa I've ever had - it was the only dish that was served family style and I wish didn't have to share it with my partner! You'll have to make reservations in advance as they don't take walk-ins. The dinning area was neat, clean, and they have an open kitchen where you can watch the chef prepare the dishes.
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Gabe M.

Yelp
It's no wonder the Michelin Guide awarded this hidden gem with a Bib Gourmand in 2022, a first for the Orlando, Tampa and Miami areas. We've been to Papa Llama twice now, and cannot wait to go back again. Papa Llama is a quaint but vibrant restaurant, specializing in modern Peruvian cuisine. It's located on Curry Ford Road, which has seen a handful of really great restaurants come to fruition for the Orlando Foodie Scene. This restaurant was born out of East End Market, and we are so happy to see them growing each year. The first time we went, we only tried the olives, ensalada and lomo. But the second time we went, I brought my parents and we ordered one of everything to share between the four of us. It was perfectly portioned for four people! The presentation of the food is reminiscent of a private chef's tasting menu, with rich textures, colors and flavors facilitating a culinary journey that you can currently only find in a handful of Asian tasting menus in Orlando. Also, the wine menu is not only extensive, but DESCRIPTIVE. How many nice restaurant have you been to that don't describe their wines' profiles and character? That was a win for me. I wish I could describe each of the plates here in detail, but I promise everything is worth it. If you are very limited on budget for two, I would recommend sharing the ensalada, chaufa rice, and the lomo. You can't go wrong with these classics, but just know there's lots more to offer. The service has been phenomenal, special and personal. Papa Llama is a true gem. We cannot wait to go back.
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Chris T.

Yelp
Let me tell you, when I heard Papa Llama was awarded a Bib Gourmand, I a-peru-ved. Set in an un-assuming strip mall, I was llamazed at the decor inside. Setup like a small, trendy, low lit living room, it is a great place for an intimate dinner. I don't know how we landed on a slow Friday night, but it was just my wife and I with the place to ourselves. We got the Olives ($8), Ensalada ($12) and Huanc noods ($18) to share between us. The ensalada was the surprise favorite, the English cucumber with polleria dressing was.. chefs kiss. The huanc noods, egg noodles in a spicy aji sauce, was perfect for sharing and all over the texture map. The olives were the only meh, being pitted felt like a lot of work to get around.
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Marisa C.

Yelp
We finally got around to trying this place and ended up visiting on National Llama day! The restaurant is decorated so nicely and the tables even have the perfect lighting for your food photos! I'm a little obsessed with olives and we decide to start with the olive app to start, $8. I didn't expect them to have pits inside, they were good but I wish it came with a side of bread to dip the oil in. Next, we tried the Ensalada, $12. The sauce on these cucumbers was so amazing, like a spicy creamy sauce. It was topped with cilantro and inca corn. Finally, we went with the Hunac Noodles, $18, which were very unique. The egg noodles had a creamy mushroom sauce with crispy onions. I would skip the olives next time, but the other two dishes were great. We enjoyed our first visit and liked tasting some unique dishes!
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Alexandrea F.

Yelp
It was my husbands turn for our surprise date night and I was pleasantly surprised! We don't frequent this area and this place is very unassuming, but we had a phenomenal experience! Our server (Amanda) was attentive, entertained my husbands silly jokes, and very informative on the background of the restaurant as well as each dish, which we love. It was fun going to a place with no options to order, they just serve what they serve. I was slightly worried with only 5 courses still being hungry when we left, but we were both happily stuffed. They serve natural wines, which was interesting to try. Highly recommend checking this place out!
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Dorsa V.

Yelp
Wow wow wowwwww I love Papa Llama! From their early pop up days to now, I'm just such a huge fan. Immediately walking in, you're met with warmth and coziness. I love the decor and the artwork they chose to display! The wine pairings on the menu are chosen with flavors and ingredients in mind, so our bottle was perfect for our meal. We could tell our food was made with love! Every plate was better than the next and we had such a nice time sharing and trying all of the chefs recommendations.
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Rachel W.

Yelp
I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is my new favorite restaurant in Orlando. There aren't a ton of options on the menu, but each item is so thoughtfully curated and top quality. The service was quick and friendly. She gave us some advice on how to order since each dish is meant to be enjoyed family style. We started out with the ensalada, which was really refreshing and had tons of flavor. It was a great way to start the meal. We decided to also order the Lomo and the Huanc noodles. I don't know how they do it, but both the Lomo and Huanc noodles are some of the best dishes served in Orlando. The Lomo was packed with flavor, and I was tempted to drink the leftover broth in the bowl. I've never had noodles quite like the Huanc noodles. They were creamy, a little spicy, and exactly what I want in a pasta dish. They serve beer and natural wine by the glass or bottle. I had a glass of Orange wine that was being promoted that night. It was the perfect addition to an actual perfect meal. RUN, do not walk to Papa Llama if you're looking for an excellent meal you won't forget.
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Melissa B.

Yelp
I've been a fan of Papa Llama since their pop-up days and their food keeps getting better and better. How is that even possible?!? I believe it has to do with their dedication, creativity, and passion for bringing Peruvian fusion cuisine to Orlando scene. I think it also has to do with how they incorporate a combination of locally sourced, high quality, and fresh ingredients. The dining experience created by the helpful and welcoming staff and owners also keeps me coming back! I had the offerings from the prix fixe menu and they were de-li-cious. I almost licked the plate several times. They were was also incredibly accommodating as I cannot eat much gluten / raw foods, and I cannot drink much alcohol. I'll continue to come to PL for date nights, girls night out, parents night out, birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners, 'just because' dinners - you name it. I'll continue to come to PL because the food and ambiance are *that* good!
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Stacy F.

Yelp
Goodness we're embarrassed that this place has been here two years and we just tried it even though it's less than two miles from our home. What a miss! This place was excellent from start to finish. It's a smaller location but they pack it all in without trying. The seating is very nice and there are several different options of table types. The menu is smaller but I love that so it's easy to make choices. We did the pork belly fried rice and lomo. Both were super good and made to order. You can see the kitchen from anywhere in the restaurant, which I love - dinner and a show. They are a bit pricier, but you can tell they carefully select great ingredients and use the best products, so it's well worth it. Staff was also really friendly and helped us make a few selections when needed! Overall: A+ Wonderful place, definitely a must try for a solid date night location!!
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Blake S.

Yelp
No apologies for the 5 star rating here. Papa Llama deserves a 6 star review. Service is on point and deftly performed. Used silverware, dishes, and glassware whisked away and replaced flawlessly and without being intrusive or asked. Dinner is a 5 course prix fixe (set price) 5 course meal that is exquisitely plated and technique driven. It is 5 courses of art on a plate for you to shove into your face! You get no ala cart menu whatsoever. You don't want one either. Just trust the chef to produce the meal of his imagination and your delight. The menu can change daily so there is no way to plan in advance for what you think you will have. The one thing that seems to stay on the menu often is the Short Rib Al Carbon that is probably the best seasoned meat I have placed in my mouth! It was delicious, and it left me wanting more.......a lot more. I would go once a week just to eat that short rib! Wow! We selected the wine pairing last night and the wines were expertly paired with the courses. I have trouble at times being able to tell why a wine was selected for a meal/course and that was not the case here. I felt each wine contributed to the overall enjoyment of the course. Well done! I had a fantastic night with the two ladies in my life (wife & daughter) feeling like a king and grinning ear to ear. Nice job Papa Llama! This meal will be in my memories for a long time.
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Maha K.

Yelp
Very warm and inviting restaurant and can be intimate if you want it to be. It's an open kitchen, so you can see the chef cooking while you're seated, which I thought added to the experience. The menu is Peruvian style cuisine with great shareable options. They set up their menu making it very easy to order as everything is listed to enhance your taste experience (start to end). Also, their wine list(w/ natural wines) is made to pair so well with the style and flavors of the dishes. Highly recommend the Picarones for a warm treat! And don't be fooled by its low key vibes!
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Gabriela G.

Yelp
Loved the food, the place is small and quiet, service was top notch which all added up to be an excellent dining experience!

Juan ..

Yelp
Food: great Concept: set menu Wine pairing: amazing Went there a few months before they got their Michelin star .
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Todd D.

Yelp
Papa Llama, 2840 Curry Ford Road, Orlando- 4-Stars Michelin Recommended- Bib Gourmand! Peruvian immigrants, Kevin and Maria Ruiz, say they founded Papa Llama in 2016 as an experimental pop up and opened the doors of this location in August 2020. In 2022, they earned the Michelin Guide's coveted "Bib Gourmand" award for establishments that serve good food at reasonable prices so naturally, I got excited. Paulina, my server, was well prepared and knowledgeable, making for an auspicious beginning in a gorgeous environment featuring good prices for dishes that could be made to satisfy both carnivores and herbivores alike. I ordered the entire family style menu which was, according to Papa Llama, "designed to be tasted together, shared, and fought over." So much food for just over a hundred dollars. The prices may have been cheap but the taste and quality of (most) victuals valieron un Perú! A hearty Big Boy Thank You (Sulpayki!) to Kevin and Maria and the culinary dactylograms of their ancestors, on this amazing cuisine (Somaq Mihuna!). The first item on the menu was Olives--whole green Castelvetrano olives marinated in house with aji panca--which were so delectable I could eat them all day. Next, the Red + Gold Beets, a minty beet salad with honey ají amarillo vinaigrette, queso fresco, and candied pistachio, which started out smooth and creamy and ended with a pleasantly piquant bite. Papas a la Huancaína followed, a fingerling potato dish with spicy aji amarillo cream, wakatay (black mint) salsa verde, and beef chicharron, topped with a fried egg. The potatoes themselves were not the star, but the combination of flavors in the sauce were amazing, unctuous but smooth. Papa Llama carries a long list of natural wines, more wines than food items, actually. That evening, I chose the Yuzu Sake, and may I say, "Holy smokes!" How refreshing after consuming so many peppers. The rest of the dishes I would give 4.5 to 5-Stars, EXCEPT for the side of frozen Sysco French fries which almost ruined an otherwise stellar meal. There are over 300 kinds of potatoes in Peru. Over 300! Perhaps in the United States we don't have the same abundance as found in El Valle Sagrado (the Sacred Valley) but, por favor, do not stoop to this! The Big Boy says, "Eat here. All the authentic Peruvian flavors at Papa Llama are 5-Star, but skip the fries, which are a corporate conglomerate frozen food disappointment."
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Lucy L.

Yelp
I have been to Papa Llama several times now, and I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience. The menu changes regularly, which is always exciting and keeps things fresh. My favorite dishes so far have been the Squid Chicharron, Ensalada, the beef fat Chaufa (Rice), and of course the lomo - all of which are incredibly flavorful and satisfying. However, on my most recent visit, I was pleasantly surprised by the beets salad, which quickly became a new favorite. One thing to note is that they only serve natural wines, which can be quite pricey, so we tend to opt for a bottle of Acqua Panna water instead. The ambiance is cozy and quiet, making it perfect for a quiet date night or a small gathering of friends. Reservations are definitely recommended, as the restaurant can get quite busy. Overall, I highly recommend Papa Llama for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
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Kelsey F.

Yelp
A perfect place for date night! The overall space brings a warm, intimate and cozy atmosphere. The menu is quite limited, but they do accommodate to everyone's dietary preferences! Dishes are served family style, so my husband and I ordered the huanc noods, beef fat chaufa, and the lomo. Don't be fooled, the dishes were much larger than we thought and had to take the rest home. Also- definitely come hungry!!! Most of their dishes are carb heavy! Overall, we were blown away. We absolutely love Peruvian cuisine, so we thought this modern twist really elevated our experience.
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Jordan C.

Yelp
I have been to Papa Llama a few times now, whether take out or dining in (most recently for their grand reopening) and you can taste the passion and love Chef/Owners Kevin and Maria put into their food and restaurant. The flavors are incredible and the vibe is warm and welcoming. We have referred many family members and friends and they all come back to us raving. They have e-gift cards too, which make perfect gifts :) Go support this awesome local restaurant and arrive hungry and ready to try/share and pair with one of the many delicious Natural Wines. It is a drive for us, but worth it. Happy to answer any questions I can about any of the items and my experience.
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Jane S.

Yelp
Reservation only. Latin fusion, not Peruvian.  Check menu on website before making reservation.  $25 per person if you don't cancel two hours prior to reservation time. Casual dining in Curry Ford strip mall next to Atomic tattoos. Be prepared for a limited menu. My visit was a few weeks ago, but I waited to post because I cannot understand all the rave reviews on here.  The morning that I made my reservation,  I made sure to check thier website for the current menu due to my food restrictions.  Fortunately,  it was the same menu I had seen photos of for two months on this Yelp acct.  Perfect, I made the last available reservation for that evening. Upon arrival, we were told that changes had been made to the menu that evening.  If I had known two hrs prior, I would have canceled my reservation.  Super disappointed to see there was No arroz chaufa, No chicharron calamari, No papa rellena...everything I had been reading about for months, no mas.  My fault for waiting I guess. My husband enjoyed the Lomo, delicious sauce with a proper cook to the steak; small portion. The avocado app was everything you can hope for in lightly seasoned avocado.  The Shroom had fantastic texture and crunch to the saucy bite.  Truth is, I ordered the Shroom after I got the Chicken al Carbon. The smoke seasoned chicken thigh that I had to dip in my Shroom sauce for flavor; another unfortunate disappointment. Dessert was a Peruvian style "donut" per say, in a glazey light sauce. Papa llama: unique concept with good craft beer.
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Amy C.

Yelp
Had an awesome experience at papa Llama. I have been wanting to try Papa Llama but they were always booked. My friend found an open reservation for a Friday night and we snagged it. We did the pre fixe menu which was 5 courses. We started with a glass of organic wines. You can get wine by the bottle or just the red or white organic glass. The wine was interesting but not my favorite wine. I went for a sparkling white. Our food started coming along. It did take a little bit. We started with the snapper tiradito. It was delicious. Sauce was salty though but it was really good. Next was the cruda. That was good as well. Followed by papa a La huancaina. Potatoes. It was starting to get filling by then. The potatoes were good. Our entree was the best. Al carbon, the bone in short rib. Came with a bowl of rice. The bones are my favorite part. Meat was cooked right. Sauce was great with the ribs and rice. Very tasty. Our last dish was the picarones. The sweet potato donuts. Those were all right. My most favorite was definitely the snapper and the short ribs. Our waitress was also wonderful. Service was great overall. I highly recommend this finish experience. Must make reservations.
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Tom M.

Yelp
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while, so was excited to see they'd recently reopened the restaurant for dine-in. The space is small and cozy, with an open kitchen, string lights, and a modern minimal aesthetic. The menu is concise with around half a dozen options, but we were a fan of everything we tried. The squid chicharrones were some of the best fried squid I've had in any format and the pollo a la plancha was seasoned to perfection (although would have benefited from some kind of side. It comes as two large pieces of chicken on their own). The real highlight of the night was the Lomo which is comprised of rice, steak, stir fry vegetables, and fries. The sauce that it's cooked in is addictive, and the fries/rice soaking it up creates perfect bites full of flavor. My only complaint would be that drinks are a bit pricey with many of the craft beers falling in the $8-$15 range. That being said, the food and overall experience are more than enough to make it worth it. Looking forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu, highly recommended!
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Anna L.

Yelp
We enjoyed a lovely date night at Papa Llama this weekend, and I'm so happy I finally got to check out their quaint little brick and mortar restaurant located in the Hourglass District off Curry Ford. I first fell in love with Papa Llama's elevated Peruvian dishes when they were doing pop-ups around town at places like Redlight Redlight and The Heavy. When I found out they were finally opening their own restaurant, I was so stoked for them! We made reservations online through their website, which is highly encouraged since it's a pretty small place (seats less than 30 people). The atmosphere is intimate and cozy with the tables well-spaced out and an open concept kitchen where you can see the chef's preparing the food. The menu features natural wine selections, craft beer, and a small curated culinary menu. There were about 4 starter/appetizer options, 3 entree options and one dessert. I actually prefer menus to be more limited like this so that I can easily hone in on the specific unique items I'd like to try. By our server's recommendation, we started with the Avocado Anticuchero, which is a torched avocado in a delicious sort of pasty sauce served with Olde Hearth sourdough bread to spread it on top of. This dish was simple and so tasty... we really loved the sauce! For our mains, my husband got the Lomo (skirt steak stir fry) and I opted for the Shroom (maitake mushroom stir fry). They are both essentially the same thing, but the mushroom one is veggie friendly. We decided to share a bit of each others and both were soooo yummy, but overall I think I preferred the Lomo. The steak was so tender and flavorful, and all the veggies were cooked to perfection. I also loved the pile of French fries served on top of both dishes. The portions don't look very big, but we were honestly so stuffed after this. We didn't even have room for dessert! I look forward to coming back to Papa Llama and trying more of their small plates. I'm so happy to see that locals are loving this place and supporting this family-owned venture!
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Juan Ernesto L.

Yelp
This place is amazing! The food was delicious and each course arrived at just the right time, everything from presentation to taste was executed to perfection. The service was outstanding and made us feel at home. The place, although located in an awkward spot, is nicely decorated and has a nice atmosphere to it, there are only around 12 seats so it feels very private. Overall a great experience.
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Julio H.

Yelp
I have been wanting to have a full meal at PAPA LLAMA ever since they were a food truck parked on Corrine Dr. They then moved to Winter Park and I still had no chance to stop by. So I waited patiently for the brick and mortar place to open, and here I am. First off, I will say that it is hard to find this restaurant. There is no big sign or anything telling you where this place is. That concerns me a bit. The social media is a bit passive also, and seeing that there are very few reviews for this place bothers me. I had tried their food and found it innovative and almost fine dining, so the reception is disappointing. Whatever happens to this place, I hope you at least try it and keep PAPA LLAMA in your memory. It's all good. I tried the "lomo saltado", which uses skirt steak and cherry tomatoes instead of tenderloin and regular tomatoes. I find the flavors to be on point and different, especially liking the explosion of flavor that the cherry tomatoes provide. The sauce for the "lomo saltado" was also very good. The fries were a bit generic, and the rice was well cooked but could have had a very powerful delivery of flavor. If you are Peruvian, you know how Peruvians make rice, and that is what I mean. All together, the meal was filling and flavorful as they use very good quality meat. I am not a regular meat eater, I may eat it a few times in a year, so I do taste good meat, fresh meat, fatty meat, etc. After my meal, I ordered "picarones", and even though they were a little on the harder side, the flavor was on point. The syrup was so good, I wouldn't mind drinking it alone. This restaurant is on the small side. Not many tables but a very large kitchen for only one person cooking. I hope things pick up for them so that the kitchen is filled with people. The same for the waiting staff. I appreciate the good service and the attention to detail because PAPA LLAMA is a very different kind of restaurant, it is borderline a food experience. I sometimes felt that I was at one of those places with strange twists to traditional food that work and taste delicious. Whatever style they are, they are worth a visit.
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Jenna H.

Yelp
We visited Papa Llama on a Wednesday evening close to 6pm. It's in an unassuming strip mall, but don't let the exterior fool you. We were the first ones to arrive for dinner service and were quickly seated even without a reservation. The hostess was polite and friendly, she had a great attitude and was very welcoming. Our server was just as friendly and attentive. It's a small space was an open kitchen and the decor was minimalist. If you've ever been to The Strand on Mills, it's a very similar layout. We each tried a glass of the house Tempranillo and it was wonderful. A little steep at $12 a glass, but the temperature was absolutely perfect and I wouldn't hesitate to order again. They have an extensive wine list, and take care to ensure the wines are natural and sustainable, without preservatives or additives. This means the wine is high quality, but with that comes a higher price tag, which we are happy to pay. We shared the ensalada which was essentially cucumbers with a light creamy sauce and toasted corn nuts. It was light, fresh, and crisp. We also ordered the Pollo a la Plancha, which was my favorite dish. It was two pieces of chicken thigh, perfectly cooked with a delicious seasoning and served with lime wedges. It was so tender and juicy! My husband ordered the lomo and it was great! A little smaller portion than the typical lomo I've had at other Peruvian restaurants, but the steak was juicy and flavorful, and the fries, tomatoes and onions were fresh and tasty in the sauce/jus! We also ordered a side of fries and chips which came out hot and fresh. We were a little disappointed that there was no dessert menu, but the server said it was in the works. Despite the smaller sized portions, we left stuffed and happy.
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Anthony O.

Yelp
My wife an I came to the restaurant for our anniversary and this restaurant complimented this celebration. Let's get one thing out of the way. This restaurant is not your typical Peruvian restaurant, this restaurant is at a whole different level. It's cozy, elegant and the food is Michelin worthy. The service was outstanding. We were served by the owner herself and every dish she brought to the table were properly introduced with all the ingredients they used to create these wonderful masterpieces. The same with the wines. These wines were also at another level. They were not your typical wines found at your local supermarket. We definitely recommend having every dish paired with a glass of wine. There's no other way to get the full experience. Although this restaurant is not your typical Peruvian restaurant the flavors of all your Peruvian herbs and spices are there. It is an amazing experience for all regardless of where you are from. I read through the few negative comments and all I can say is, they don't know what they're talking about. Honestly. To the owners and staff, BRAVO!!
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Marlon I.

Yelp
Previously dined here prior to Michelin guide coming to town and loved it (a la carte at that time). They now have a tasting menu and optional wine pairing (or purchase a few wine options by the glass or more extensive list by the bottle). Reservations are required. Don't be surprised: It's located in a strip mall but the interior is lovely. It's an open kitchen with tables for two (placed together for larger parties), nice ambience for date nights, less for families with small kids. The service was great and the food was delicious. I would have given 5 stars but the pace of the courses was slow and we found ourselves tapping our fingers in between the first 3 courses (our server even apologized as she brought our 2nd course). There was only one person cooking the food and it was a full house, so that's probably why the pace was off. Hoping that will improve. Would love to come back.
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Alex L.

Yelp
The food with wine pairing was such a treat!! Service is top notch. Come here to enjoy delish food in an intimate setting with hard working employees.
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Judy B.

Yelp
We went before it was a set menu but loved everything we had. The organic wine was incredible and our server was great about recommending dishes and ways to share. It is a small and intimate place and would be great for special occasions.
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Luis V.

Yelp
Love the friendly staff. I didn't realize they just reopened as well. The food was Peruvian fusion dishes with a great organic wine selection as well as some unique bottled cider as well. Love their lomo that was so tender and flavorful. The prices are not so bad, buying a bottle for dinner can be expensive but you can take it to go if you don't finish it for later. I love the snug design of the restaurant with the open kitchen almost in the middle of the restaurant. Seeing the chef in action is always a plus for me. Since the space is on the smaller side I would reserve just in case. Parking is amazing since it shares a huge parking lot with the plaza. They don't have their dessert menu up yet, but I'll be back for sure to try it out.
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Kari S.

Yelp
Recently discovered papallama & was honestly super surprised I have not tried it before As a fellow Peruvian, I find it my responsibility to try every Peruvian restaurant in Orlando & beyond They offer craft beer, and lots of natural wine options The food portion of the menu is small but super mighty! They were awarded with the Michelin Bib Gourmand The food was freshly made, and was absolutely delicious. My fave was hands down their Lomo Saltado It was super flavorful & made to perfection ‍ HIGHLY recommend! Make sure to make a reservation because they have limited sitting, however they do accept walk-ins

Raphaela A.

Yelp
This was our second time at Papa Llama and goodness the food was even better this time around. It had us sitting there planning a trip to Peru. Maria was super attentive, providing us with the background of each dish and wine pairing that had been selected. Knowing that the owners are both the ones cooking and serving you is a testament to their dedication and love for what they do. The vibe is intimate but also so approachable. I love that they only have a few tables in the entire restaurant which means you know that they are putting every ounce of attention into preparing the perfect bites of food for every dish they serve. Now the food--I feel like this menu was curated just for me. The olive starter with the aji panca... who doesn't love a bowl of good olives!? Next came the Shrimp Anticuchero and the Cucumber Ensalada. As it stands, cucumbers are already my favorite bite of any salad--so to get a cucumber salad, we'll that's just ideal for me. Individually both dishes tasted fantastic but when the shrimp's aji panca seasoning happened to mix in with polleria dressing from the salad on my plate-- that took it to a whole new level. That polleria dressing and the aji limon were the stars of the salad. We will now be trying to grow some aji limon in our garden. Next came the main course... the Lomo Saltado and the Arroz Chaufa. Rice is my top 3 favorite things I love to eat and few things are more comforting to me than a plate of well-made rice. The rice topped with marigold petals was absolutely beautiful to look at but even better to eat. The Lomo was delicious in it's soy-based sauce and my husband was obsessed with the quality of the cook on that skirt steak while I was obsessed with the tomatoes that had been added to the dish. About half way through we were both feeling pretty satiated but there was no way we weren't eating every single bite...it was just too good. Finally, the picarones---I had been dreaming about these since the first time we ate at Papa Llama a year ago- and they lived up to their original hype. Perfectly fried except this time paired with a citrus clove honey that had me wanting to lose all dignity and lick the plate clean. A perfect end to a perfect meal. Can't wait to check out the next menu rotation.
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Meli D.

Yelp
Stopped by papa llama with a group of friends to have a family style meal. We were a total of 6 people . We started off with a lovely bottle of orange wine which was absolutely delicious! The olives and cucumber salad to start were so fresh and delicious! We ordered about 3 arroz chaufas it was so good but failed to take a picture before it was scarfed down. The papa a las huancaina we're a lovely modern twist in the original version so yummy. I would say for sure get both the vegan and regular lomo saltado they were amazingly delicious. We finished off dinner with a rose from Italy with strawberry under tones and had what I believe are buñuelos with honey for dessert. Will be coming back for sure!
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Wally Z.

Yelp
Was excited to try out this place as I'm half Peruvian and finally got around to taking my parents and partner here. Don't let the strip mall location fool you, the inside of the restaurant is modern and trendy. As for the food it definitely isn't traditional Peruvian (to the disappointment of my mother); they lean heavily on the fusion aspect so as long as you come in with an open mind you'll thoroughly enjoy your meal. The lomo, which was arguably the most traditional of all the fusion dishes, was flavorful and rich. The thin fries were a twist, but again, fusion. Squid chicharron was perfectly crisp and the sauce that accompanied it was outstanding. Pork belly fried rice was a safe bet and easy to share for our party of 4. To finish it off we ordered picarones for dessert, light fluffy fried hot donuts dipped in syrup, which were tastefully hot and airy. Be aware that the portions are a bit small for the prices of the dishes. Would definitely return again when it opens back up as it is temporarily closed. No doubt this restaurant deserves its newly awarded Big Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide!
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Heidi B.

Yelp
Restaurant is small so make sure you make a reservation. The food is phenomenal. It's a smaller menu with no substitutions but that's ok too. The beet salad was delicious, one of the best I have had. The dessert Picarones were great. The wines are all natural and interesting. Not the run of mill Pinot Greigo here. Staff were on point. We had an early reservation and. Felt a bit rushed as they had to turn the table for the next reservation. I'll be back
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Genesis R.

Yelp
Excellent Peruvian cuisine. I found then when they were a pop up and once they had an actual restaurant I had to try them. Delicious food, great environment, very good service. It looks like they have a fixed menu now which, I haven't had a chance to try yet. If you do, let me know! It looks great on the socials!

Kaitlyn O.

Yelp
Papa Llama is a gem! The atmosphere, the people, and of course the FOOD! The new 5 course menu is delicious! Here's a photo of their latest short rib al carbon dish... Need I say more? In their service, they take time to curate dishes with flavor, sustainability, and so much love. You can tell as soon as you taste it.
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Alex G.

Yelp
We just love this place! If you haven't been, make yourself a reservation and check it out. I would list out my favorite things, but that would be everything on the menu. Go with a group and order everything and just share it. So good! If you can't do that, I would narrow it down to the cucumber ensalada, beets, and the beef fat chaufa. Service is always great, they are super kind and easy to talk to. Their natural wine selection has gotten really big. We really enjoyed the wine we had last night (Rarefratte Vespaiolo). Never had a bad experience here.
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Kheila L.

Yelp
I love this place with a "but". We arrived right at opening without reservations and they were kind enough to seat us. The place itself is small and minimalist in decor except the rather out of place disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The seat are super comfortable (random but true). I ordered the Pork belly fried rice and my husband ordered the Lomo. The pork belly tasted 98% better than it looked (thankfully) honestly it was really good, well flavored. Could have done without the sweet potato. My husband RAVED about the Lomo... i didn't even taste it because i was scared i wouldn't want MY plate anymore. His fries were DIVINE. We also tried the picarones and it was Interesting. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. Here is the "but" when we ordered we were told the portions were sharable, they are not. Also, there is a 20% service charge added. Now, personally I always tip 20% or more but I know some people might need to be aware of this prior to. I think the need to not set the expectations of "sharable" because that kind of threw me off. Otherwise it was a lovely dinner. I would come back and try some other plates in the future but probably not regularly.
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Bunny E.

Yelp
Finally made my way to get some Papa Llama at their location off of Curry Ford. It was pretty early for dinner so we were the only ones in there at the time. The restaurant was very minimalistic but very nice. The food menu was as well- not many options. However, I like it like that because then I don't get overwhelmed with choices. The food was fantastic and I was really impressed with the flavors that the pork fried rice had. Service was great too- everything was awesome for dinner.
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Kelly T.

Yelp
First I have to say, every other time I have been here, I Loved it. Our recent visit was quite a disappointment. For a $95 prep fixx meal, I don't think we got our money's worth. It was 5 courses. 1st: snapper nigiri : very flavorful and delicious..but rice fell apart easily... It was my favorite course. 2nd: oysters. I liked the flavorful sauce, but smelled too fishy. 3rd: charred bok choy. This was enjoyable with a spicy sauce. Wished there was more bok choy and less sauce. 4th: "Pollo a LA brasa". This was the main course and was a huge letdown. Their meats have always been amazing here, then there's this. It's some kind of ground chicken roll with spices mixed in? Then some chicken skin on top. Came with a little side salad, which was pretty pretty sparse, but had a tasty dressing. 5th: the usual sweet potatoes doughnuts. 2 small doughnuts with a syrupy sauce and 2 yellow cherries. Looking at the menu prior to going, they list a couple more items they may have. I was expecting grouper, but got my hopes up for nothing. I can only hope they ditch this prep fixx idea and go back to tapas. We won't be back until they do. Oh service was impeccable!
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Rebecca R.

Yelp
The service was amazing. The food went from glad I tried it to licking the plate and wanting more. Pacing was a little slow, savor your food and be patient. It was chilly inside, bring a sweater.
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Natasha S.

Yelp
Wow!! I am Peruvian, so it's exciting to find Peruvian-owned establishments. I remember when Papa Llama was only a pop-up. So it is great to see them succeed in their restaurant. I came here with my dad for my birthday dinner. Highly recommend making reservations as it's a small dining space with only so many tables. The staff is very friendly and laid back. The decor is cute and cozy, and unexpectedly sophisticated for a spot tucked away in a no frills strip mall. We ordered the lomo, pollo ala braza, ensalada, and olives. Everything was stupendous! The olives were maybe the least exciting, but still good. And I love all types of olives. They were good to snack on as we waited for our meals. The salad was really delicious and refreshing. A great blend of sliced cucumbers, a creamy dressing, tomatoes, cilantro, and crunchy cancha. Next, we had the lomo--kind of like a Peruvian steak frites. The flavor on this was out of this world. Whatever the seasoning and marinade that is used permeates the fries and even the tomatoes. The meat is juicy and tender. Phenomenal flavor. And don't sleep on the pollo. It was also an explosion of flavor with a spicy, citrusy, tangy taste. The portions are not huge, but still plenty to share. The quality is great. I guess this is like elevated Peruvian cuisine, but not stuffy, and still reasonably priced for the quality of food you get. Don't come her if you're looking for ceviche or any seafood for that matter. They do not have it, and their menu is very limited. But what they do, they do exceptionally well. I will definitely be back.
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Sloan Y.

Yelp
Fantastic food and cozy ambiance! Everyone who works there is awesome and you can tell they love what they do.
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Tisha S.

Yelp
Wow! A breath of fresh air. Papa Llama is the perfect date night restaurant. It's super intimate and has a unique set up. The menu is limited, but it doesn't matter...everything we tried was excellent. From the wine to the lomo...I would give it a 100/5 if I could.
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Jessica W.

Yelp
The meats are perfectly cooked but for the price there should have been more of the steak slivers in the lomo. I'm glad I tried it bc it was very tasty and I will order it again, unfortunately I doubt I'd return to Papa Llama. Our 9$ olive seeds were left at the table throughout the meal and there were no olives left. I moved it out of the way to get to my SO chicken which was perfectly cooked and heavily seasoned, but I squeezed the lime dry for more acid and flavor on the chicken. Knowing I'd likely not return I tried the desert which were hot and airy but bland tasting. I really was hoping for the calimari and the avocado dishes which are no longer available. Seems like they specialize in natural wine which I'm more into food than drinks.