About
If you're seeking a warm and inviting atmosphere filled with the vibrant flavors of Peru, look no further than Emelina's Peruvian Restaurant in San Carlos. Nestled at 1065 Holly St Ste D, this gem of a restaurant seamlessly combines casual dining with authentic Peruvian cuisine that caters to everyone—from families to casual diners and groups looking for a hearty meal.
Walking into Emelina’s, the ambiance strikes you right away. With its moderate noise level and clean decor, it's perfect for a relaxed lunch or a cozy dinner. The restaurant welcomes everyone, including your furry friends, as dogs are allowed on the premises.
But what's a meal without a refreshing drink? The selection includes traditional options like Chicha Morada and Inka Kola, which perfectly complement the culinary experience. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, every dish promises generous portions that often leave diners with leftovers, a testament to the hearty nature of the cuisine.
Customers rave about the friendly service at Emelina’s, noting that servers are attentive and knowledgeable, making recommendations that enhance the dining experience. For those who love diverse food experiences, the restaurant also caters to special diets, accepting credit cards, Android Pay, Apple Pay, and even cryptocurrency, making it an innovative choice in the culinary landscape.
If you're in the San Carlos area and want to embark on a culinary journey through Peru without ever leaving your seat, Emelina’s Peruvian Restaurant is your destination. The blend of rich traditions, lively flavors, and warm hospitality will leave you wanting to return for more adventures on each visit.
So gather your friends, make a reservation, and dive into the colorful world of Peruvian cuisine at Emelina’s—where every meal tells a story of culinary art and passion.
“ Basic decor but hearty and filling. I had the paella which was massively bigger than I could eat. It had a good variety of different seafood and tastes great. Will definitely back with friends. ”
“ I enjoy Peruvian Food so much. Their leche de tigre & ceviches come well seasoned. I can tell that there's a new chef from the previous times I have visited this place. The food isn't bad, but I can tell a difference in the Lomo Saltao and how certain things are seasoned. The jalea comes nice and crispy, so fantastic Clean and nice place to dine in. I went here for valentines day and it was quite busy but we were still served in a timely fashion. Our waiter was patient and kind, provided answers to our questions and offered samples when we were uncertain about an item. Parking is limited but you can always park across the street. ”
“ Arrived at around noon on a weekday for lunch. There were only a few tables occupied when we arrived, so we were seated quickly. We started with the Anticuchos. I've only had them served on skewers, so I was happy to find these ones served without the skewer. They were tender slices and loved the sauce - only wished we had bread to sop up the sauce. Hubs ordered the Pollo a la Plancha and I ordered the Pescado a la Chorillana. The grilled chicken was flavorful and the Tallarin Verde was also good. The fish was tender and I loved the sauce over the rice. The dishes may look small, but they were quite filling. We each packed up half our orders to take home because we were full - looking forward to eating them for dinner. ”
“ Delicious food, well served portions, fast and cordial service. The place is clean and the food is amazing!! ”
“ Aji de Gallina was as expected, flavor-wise. I did have a dry piece of chicken but it was still very good and I would order it again. Ceviche de pescado was also very good and would order this again as well. Loved the sweet potato and corn. Papas fritas were nothing special. They weren't crispy and I could pass on this but it's a good option if you have little ones. Lomo Saltado was very good but the first time I ordered it, the portion was smaller than portions I've seen from other people's posts so I was a bit disappointed (I forgot to post the picture). The 2nd time I ordered it, it was cut up and piled on top of the fries so it was harder to tell if the portion was the same. Still just as tasty though! Pollo a la plancha was good. Some pieces were a little dry and the rice seemed a bit undercooked. It also came with salad. I might pass on this and try a different chicken dish next time. La chiclayana was a huge serving and came with 3 big shrimp, fish, and it was supposed to have octopus but was surprised to find 2 clams and 2 mussels instead. I wasn't mad. There were also 4 pieces of plantain bananas. There's heaps of rice and after a while of eating it, it became a tiny bit salty. I wouldn't mind getting it again though. Parking during lunch on a weekday can be difficult here so would recommend carpooling. Dinner on a Saturday was not a problem. Service was pretty fast as each time I've went, there weren't that many people. Definitely a mom and pop shop vibe. ”
“ Peruvian food was good :) Appetizers are entree size! Good drinks Small parking lot ”
“ The fried chicken was delicious. Crispy on the outside (without too much breading), moist and juicy on the inside. The sauce, kind of light, pesto-like, made the fried chicken morsels even more yummy. We had other food, but this in my opinion was the best. Then there was the cheesecake. Wow. Beautifully plated. The taste was subtle: not too sweet, buttery smooth, full of delicate flavor. Service was excellent: kind and attentive. The ambience was cozy but open. Highly recommended. ”
“ Authentic and delicious Peruvian food ! We came on a Sunday afternoon and before the rush . The restaurant is clean and super chill. The ceviche is to die for omg . We ordered two , it's so zesty and just seasoned perfectly ! The lomo saltado is one of my fav dishes and they did not disappoint . The alfajores are a must you guys ! ”
“ Another day in the Peninsula, another amazing Peruvian spot discovered. We had the Tallarin Verde con Pollo a La Plancha. This was basically grilled chicken on pasta with creamy pesto sauce. The chicken was excellently seasoned. The pesto sauce was rich and aromatic. This was a hit. Next we had la Chiclayana, a paella-like dish with seafood and rice in cilantro sauce that originated from the northern part of Peru. The cilantro sauce is the star of this dish as the hint of herb compliments the seafood perfectly. I also loved the fried plantains and hominy that add a little crunch to the dish. I will definitely be back again to try the Chaufa and Lomo Soltado. ”
“ Great Authentic Peruvian Food! I had ordered ceviche de pescado, platano fritas, lomo saltado and el borracho. My favorite dish was the ceviche de pescado was so flavorful and delicious. The sweet potato and corn nuts is so well balanced with the dish. The platano fritas were so sweet and caramelized, I could probably eat 6 of them in one sitting. The lomo saltado was good but wish the meat was a little bit more tender and had more flavor. This is my first time trying el borracho which is a Peruvian style paella and it was delicious and savory. I definitely prefer Peruvian style paella over Spanish style paella now. I ended the meal with the alfajores, they were so moist and the perfect dessert to end the meal! ”