Isolina Taberna Peruana

Legendary criollo portions, built for sharing.

  • Address: Av. San Martin 101, Barranco 15063
  • District: Barranco
  • Cuisine: Criollo, huge family-style portions
  • Chef / group: Chef Jose del Castillo

Isolina Taberna Peruana is chef José del Castillo's homage to the old taverns of Lima and to his mother, Isolina, a cook who opened the cevichería La Red in San Miguel in 1981, where he took his first steps in the kitchen. Opened in 2015 in the heart of Barranco, it fills a historic building that keeps its original colonial tile floors, old wood paneling and bar. The cooking rescues recipes from the family's old notebooks and serves them slowly cooked, with respect for local products and in portions famous for being enormous, ordered by the table rather than by the person. Classics include asado de tira, osobuco, pejerrey, arroz tapado, lomo saltado, escabeche, causa limeña and the "fuentes de cariño", the dishes of affection. Isolina won Best Creole Cuisine (Mejor Cocina Criolla) at the Premios Summum 2025 and again at the Premios Summum 2026, when it also ranked #10 in the Top 20 of Peru's best restaurants. Book ahead: without a reservation the wait can run 30 to 60 minutes.

Why we chose it

  • Premios Summum: Best Creole Cuisine in 2025 and again in 2026, plus #10 in the 2026 Top 20 -- decided by Peru's own restaurant industry.
  • Chef Jose del Castillo's tribute to old-school Lima taverns, with portions famous for being oversized and meant for the table to share.
  • One of the highest review-volume traditional Peruvian restaurants in Lima.
  • A different, heartier register of Peruvian food than the tasting-menu destinations.

Highlights

  • Mejor Restaurante de Cocina Criolla, Premios Summum 2025
  • Legendary oversized criollo portions, built for sharing
  • Asado de tira, osobuco, pejerrey
  • One of Lima's highest-reviewed traditional restaurants
  • Opened in 2015 in a historic Barranco building with colonial tile floors
  • Family recipes from the chef's mother, Isolina
  • Arroz tapado, lomo saltado, escabeche, causa limeña and "fuentes de cariño"
  • Best Creole Cuisine, Premios Summum 2025 and 2026; #10 in the 2026 Top 20

Ideal for

  • a hearty, traditional criollo meal
  • groups who want to share several dishes
  • travelers who want Peruvian comfort food, not a tasting menu
  • a long Sunday-style lunch in Barranco
  • travelers who want to understand Lima's home cooking

Practical information

Hours
Monday to Wednesday noon to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday until 11 pm, Sunday until 7 pm; confirm current hours before you go
Price
About $25-40 per person, depending on how many dishes you share
Reservations
Strongly recommended, especially weekends -- without one, expect a 30-60 minute wait. Phone +51 1 247 5075 or reservas@isolina.pe
Payment
Major credit cards accepted
Tips
Order fewer dishes than you think you need -- portions are built for sharing and consistently described as oversized.
Good to know
Isolina is at Av. San Martín 101, Barranco, a short walk from the Bridge of Sighs area.

Frequently asked questions

What is Isolina known for?

Isolina, from chef José del Castillo, is a homage to the old taverns of Lima, serving criollo classics -- asado de tira, osobuco, pejerrey -- in portions famous for being enormous.

How should we order for a group?

Order fewer dishes than you'd think you need. Portions are built for sharing, and it's recommended to pick a few dishes for the whole table rather than one plate per person.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes, strongly recommended, especially on weekends -- without one, expect a 30-60 minute wait.

Is this a tasting-menu restaurant like Central or Maido?

No -- it's the opposite register: hearty, traditional criollo comfort food in generous shared portions, not a multi-course tasting menu. A good choice if you want authentic Peruvian home cooking rather than avant-garde cuisine.

Is it good for groups?

Yes -- the oversized, shareable portions make it one of the best choices in Lima for a group meal built around passing dishes around the table.

Where is Isolina?

At Av. San Martín 101, in Barranco, Lima, in a historic building with its original colonial tile floors.

What are Isolina's opening hours?

Monday to Wednesday from noon to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday until 11 pm and Sunday until 7 pm. Confirm current hours before you go.

Has Isolina won a Summum award?

Yes. It was named Best Creole Cuisine (Mejor Cocina Criolla) at the Premios Summum 2025 and again in 2026, when it also ranked #10 in the Top 20 of Peru's best restaurants.