Tanta Restaurant by Gastón Acurio

In Gastón Acurio's vast constellation of restaurant projects, Tanta holds a very special place. Unlike his other gourmet ventures, this restaurant aims to capture the heart of everyday Peruvian food: the kind that is shared at home, at family lunches, on neighborhood street corners and in markets.

Founded with the idea of paying tribute to Peru's everyday table, Tanta offers an experience where simplicity is sacred, flavor is the star, and every dish has a story to tell.

Gastón Acurio's vision for Tanta

Gastón Acurio imagined Tanta as an extension of the Peruvian home. Not as a fine-dining restaurant, but as a place where families can reconnect with flavors that are part of their identity.

The word "Tanta" comes from Quechua and means "bread", the food that, like Peruvian food itself, is universal, accessible and comforting.

According to Acurio, the purpose of Tanta is to make diners feel at home: "That they sit down at a table and say: this reminds me of my childhood, my grandmother, my neighborhood".

With that philosophy, Tanta was born in Lima but quickly found an echo in other countries, from Chile to Bolivia, as well as Madrid and Barcelona.

Tanta is a celebration of Peru's culinary diversity, with dishes that embrace the coast, the highlands and the jungle. Its menu is long and varied, offering starters, main dishes, sandwiches, juices, desserts and traditional drinks.

Some of its most iconic dishes include:

Ají de gallina: made home-style, with a thick cream of ají amarillo and pecans.
Seco de res con frijoles: slow-cooked beef stew, served with white rice and salsa criolla.
Causa limeña: with chicken or tuna, served with avocado and egg.
Lomo saltado: the classic beef stir-fry with onion and tomato, served with fries and rice.
Pan con chicharrón: a pork sandwich with fried sweet potato, sarsa criolla and ají.
Tacu tacu con apanado: a true tribute to Sunday lunches.

Its fresh juices and soft drinks also stand out, such as chicha morada and lemonade with mint.

As for desserts, there is always suspiro a la limeña, mazamorra morada, arroz con leche (rice pudding) and homemade alfajores.

Cozy spaces and functional design

The design of Tanta's restaurants aims to reflect the spirit of a modern Peruvian dining room. Warm woods, walls with typical Peruvian sayings, handcrafted details and warm lighting create a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for sharing with family or friends, or for eating alone.

The kitchens are usually open or partly visible, conveying transparency and closeness. In many locations they also offer Peruvian products for sale, such as bread, empanadas, jams and drinks to take away.

Tanta around the world

Tanta is not only in Lima, it has also crossed borders:

Tanta Santiago (Chile)
Tanta La Paz (Bolivia)
Tanta San José (Costa Rica)
Tanta Madrid and Barcelona (Spain)
Tanta Chicago (USA) [closed in 2018]

Each location adapts some ingredients to the local market, but keeps the Peruvian base of preparation, seasoning and philosophy.

Commitment to tradition and local products

One of Tanta's pillars is respect for local products. Whenever possible they work with ingredients of Peruvian origin, and when cooking abroad they prioritize fresh local products, adapting recipes without sacrificing the soul of the dish.

Tanta is also committed to training young cooks, offering cooking students the chance to join a professional environment, both in Lima and in its international locations.

Tanta's legacy

In a world where fine dining often grabs the headlines, Tanta reminds us that everyday food is culture too. That arroz con huevo, pan con chicharrón, ají de gallina or lomo saltado are also worth celebrating.

Tanta represents the part of gastronomy that doesn't need artifice, because it is already full of soul. In every dish there is a grandmother, a local festival, a market, a memory.

Contact and reservations

📍 Lima: Av. 28 de Julio 888, Miraflores / San Isidro / Salaverry / San Miguel
🌐 Official website: tanta.com.pe
📞 Online reservations available on the website and through delivery apps
📅 Opening hours: Every day, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (varies by location)

Why is Tanta a must-visit restaurant?

Because it puts everyday Peruvian cooking in the spotlight.
Because it is within everyone's reach, without losing quality.
Because it represents a country's culinary identity in every dish.
Because it has taken everyday food to other cultures without losing authenticity.

Perú Comidas recommends

At Perú Comidas, we highlight Tanta because it represents the soul of Peru in every forkful. Because there is nothing more powerful than a simple dish done well. And because every time someone walks into Tanta, they are celebrating Peruvian culture as it is: rich, generous and welcoming.

If you visit Lima, or any of the cities where Tanta has a restaurant, don't miss the chance to rediscover what you already know. And if you're not Peruvian, Tanta is a friendly, delicious door into our cuisine.

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