Culantro Ann Arbor

This place has a super chill, no frills vibe that makes you feel right at home. It was our first time trying Peruvian food, and what a great experience! We kicked things off with the ceviche, empanadas, and patacones picante, which gave us a tasty preview of what was coming next. For our main dishes, we tried the Lomo Saltado, Carnipapas, Culantro Bowl, and Aji de Gallina. Everything was delicious! The Aji de Gallina had a slightly different texture than expected, but the flavor was on point. We also sampled all the non-alcoholic drinks on the menu, and they were all super refreshing. The food came out fast, and overall, we had an awesome first taste of Peruvian cuisine!

The decor and atmosphere is so charming! Service is great- the guy on shift was super friendly and gave us his opinions on what he likes when we ordered to help us choose. Food is affordable which is also a plus, but the food!? Amazing!!!! I got the culantro bowl with plantains on the side. The plantains were perfectly aged and the bowl had great flavor and multiple textures which was nice. I was also able to order is spicy. I got a couple desserts to go but haven’t eaten them yet. I will definitely return. Great food!!! My photo doesn’t really do it justice.

Culantro is the kind of spot that doesn’t need flash. The food does all the work. I ordered the Aji de Gallina, and it was rich, smooth, and full of flavor without feeling heavy. My wife had the Arroz con Mariscos and loved it. Every bite tasted fresh and balanced. I also tried Chicha Morada for the first time, and it blew me away. It’s sweet, a little spiced, and reminds me of a fruit horchata. Easily the best drink I’ve ever had. The gentleman behind the counter was kind and patient. He explained the menu, answered questions, and made us feel completely welcome. The place itself is simple, but the food more than makes up for it. Culantro feels honest, warm, and worth coming back to.

My husband lived in Peru for years and was so happy to come here! Very authentic food with a great atmosphere and vibe. The drinks were amazing!

My first experience with Peruvian food. I was not disappointed. The food is very flavorful. You should definitely try one of their drinks with whatever you choose. They are very uniquely flavorful in a good way.