Picantería La Capitana
A historic Arequipeñan picanteria serving generous portions of traditional Peruvian dishes with a true local feel.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Picantería La Capitana
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic Arequipeñan picanteria serving generous portions of traditional Peruvian dishes with a true local feel.
Arrive Early
Beat the queues by arriving before peak hours, especially on weekends. Doors open at 12:00 PM.
Cash is King
Be prepared to pay with cash as card payments may not be accepted.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Peruvian
Price
$
Phone
+51 54 256591
Address
C. los Arces 209, Cayma 04014, Peru
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Arequipeña Cuisine
Savor time-honored Arequipa dishes like Chupe de camarones and Rocoto Relleno in a cozy, rustic setting.
Generous Portions & Local Charm
Experience massive portions of traditional, delicious food served with a warm, local vibe.
A Taste of History
Established in 1899, this picanteria offers a true taste of tradition, often cooked with wood-burning stoves.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early
Beat the queues by arriving before peak hours, especially on weekends. Doors open at 12:00 PM.
Cash is King
Be prepared to pay with cash as card payments may not be accepted.
Daily Menu Changes
The menu varies daily based on ingredient availability; embrace the surprise!
Share the Table
Embrace the local custom of sharing long tables for a communal dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early
Beat the queues by arriving before peak hours, especially on weekends. Doors open at 12:00 PM.
Cash is King
Be prepared to pay with cash as card payments may not be accepted.
Daily Menu Changes
The menu varies daily based on ingredient availability; embrace the surprise!
Share the Table
Embrace the local custom of sharing long tables for a communal dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Picantería La Capitana is celebrated for its authentic Arequipeña cuisine, generous portions, and affordable prices, offering a true local dining experience. Diners love the traditional flavors and the lively, communal atmosphere. However, some visitors note that service can be slow during peak times and advise bringing cash as cards are not always accepted.
"Highly recommend this Picanteria! We arrived just after open and got a seat for two people straight away. The waitress was very friendly and recommended us a couple of dishes, which did not disappoint. The service and food were excellent! And a really welcoming local vibe."
ben allen
"So I’ll just add the menu for now until I have the pleasure to eat in this place. Don’t get me wrong, they seem really good! Is an authentic old picantería. Buuut, on the weekends hell yeah… wait for an hour to get table, we couldn’t get it so once we get the chance I’ll edit this review!
PD: they should tell people in advance that they only have few dishes on the menu. At least a heads up instead of waiting forever!"
M Brooks
"Traditional Arequipena food, this place is legit and you can see by the clients it’s well established. Yet the prices are still reasonable and the service is good. You might wait a little outside but the line moves fast. The food is great, tastes like grandma is in the kitchen. In fact I believe they are cooking only on wood burning stoves. Menu will variety depending on the day so don’t get your heart set on a certain meal. For me it was mainly about the atmosphere. Lovely place"
Jack Fitzgerald
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
A Picantería is a traditional restaurant in Arequipa serving hearty, local cuisine, often featuring rich soups and stews.
Chupe de Camarones and Rocoto Relleno are highly recommended, along with the daily specials.
It is recommended to bring cash as card payments may not be accepted.
It's best to arrive early, especially on weekends, as the restaurant is very popular and can have long queues.
Yes, the menu varies based on daily ingredient availability, offering a chance to try different traditional dishes.
The ambiance is cozy and rustic, with a strong local vibe and often communal tables.
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Not to be outdone, La Capitana was established in 1899, and you will have to cross the Chili River to enjoy this one, but it is a great way to see another part of the diverse city of Arequipa, and enjoy an evening walk back to the center as you digest. This is a real ‘eat where the locals eat’ type of place, and you will receive a full menu of traditional dishes and flavours in a busy yet casual dining experience.
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Aunque queda un pelín alejada del centro histórico de Arequipa, dicen que se trata de una de las mejores picanterías de la ciudad y merece la pena el esfuerzo (o los 10 soles que te cuesta el taxi). Eso sí, si te decides, ven temprano porque el lugar se llena pronto. Es un restaurante tradicional bastante sencillo, con mesas corridas y banquetas (no te sorprendas si compartes mesa con desconocidos), manteles a cuadros y muchísima variedad de platos típicos de la gastronomía arequipeña.
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Located in the charming Yanahuara district of Arequipa, La Capitana is a hidden gem that offers a cozy and authentic dining experience. This picanteria has a rustic and welcoming ambiance, with brick walls, wooden tables, and traditional decor. Here, you can sample some of the most delicious and hearty dishes of Arequipa’s traditional cuisine, prepared with time-honored techniques and fresh ingredients.
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Cerca de la Avenida Ejercito se encuentran muchas de las mejores picanterías de Arequipa. Nosotros visitamos La Capitana y sin duda fue una decisión acertada ya que cumplía con todo lo que podíamos esperar de este tipo de restaurantes. Los platos son bastante económicos a la vez que generosos, la carta está repleta de los platos típicos de la región y pidas él que pidas está delicioso.
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La Capitana es una picantería tradicional en Arequipa que ofrece deliciosa comida peruana y latina, especialmente sopas. Los precios son cómodos y la atención es excelente. Su ubicación céntrica y las diversas características, como la opción de llevar, los asientos cómodos y el acceso para sillas de ruedas, lo convierten en una opción atractiva para los amantes de la buena comida.
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This picanteria was recommended to me by the locals I bought my SIM card from on my first day, though I couldn’t try it out until my last day. This seems to be an extremely popular local joint. I got there around 12:30 for lunch and was able to squeeze into a shared table (with a clear plastic wall guard between myself and the two other women at the table) without much problem.
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La Capitana is a traditional “picanteria” where you can taste the local cuisine for a good price. The chombas de chicha, the wood-fired kitchen, the use of the fulling mill, the ashlar walls and above all the unique and traditional flavor that can still be savored in each dish of this spicy restaurant. Address: Calle Los Arces 209 – Cayma
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Packed to the brim with locals as soon as it opens, La Capitana is the place to go for traditional Peruvian cuisine. All of the tables are shared, which encourages conversation and makes for a great atmosphere. Ask for some Rocoto Relleno with Pastel de Papa and forget everything else!
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La Capitana, in my opinion, is the best place in terms of a price/quality balance. It is very traditional, simple and offers lowest prices among all other Picanterias listed here. So, if you will have just 1-2 days in Arequipa, I recommend you to visit this one.
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La Capitana is a traditional Peruvian cuisine restaurant located very close to the Santa Catalina Monastery. It has vegetarian options and serves mainly soups and typical local recipes. Its price range is approximately €25-40.
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Places like Picanterías La Capitana, La Cau Cau, La Nueva Palomino, and La Mundial are must-visits. They offer a taste of Arequipa’s rich culinary history. Don’t miss the famous Adobo spots in Cayma District either.
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The consensus seems to be that the last authentic picanteria in Arequipa is La Capitana. We wanted to try it so bad on our last day in Arequipa we cancelled our tour to Colca Canyon.
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Picanteria La Capitana: As mentioned above, a local vibe abounds here, recommend that you check it out for lunch - expect to pay around $4 USD for a set menu.
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Picanteria Super Adobo Arequipeno: Specializes in adobo Arequipeño dish, open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays and 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.
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But one woman was so fanatical about La Capitana (at Los Arces No. 209 in the Cayma neighborhood) that I headed there for lunch.
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Where to eat it: at La Capitana (Los Arces, Cayma) you will find one of the most delicious and big rocotos in the whole city.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit