Restaurante de mariscos La Cueva del Pitufo — Restaurant in Bajo Boquete

We love Peruvian food and will try it wherever we can find it. BUT, in all our tastings, nowhere compares to “Restaurante La Cueva Del Pitufo Boquete”. Rodolfo, the chef owner is a wizard in the kitchen! His flavors, textures and presentation are just — magic! We told him we could taste the love of his craft in his creations, he totally agreed, that each dish he presents, comes from the heart.

So hard to make choices when you know that everything will be delicious - but there are a couple of dishes that tell you just how good a Peruvian restaurant is. Causa! 2. anticuchos de corazon. 3. Suspiro Limeño (sadly, for this visit, we had eaten far too much to consider eating this feather light delicacy during this visit - BUT let us tell you that this is the BEST Suspiro we’ve ever had).

We had the Causa Limeña de Camarón (of course!) - with shrimp - it was a feast for both the eyes and the palate - the potato was so fine - so lemony - silky smooth and the shrimp were beautifully presented, as juicy as they could be, as only perfectly cooked shrimp can be. Delicious, rich perfection.

Anticucho Típico Peruano - sizzling on a platter, two skewers of flavor bomb! Cooked as we ordered (medium rare), slight chew, slight char … mmmmm!!!

Pulpo al Olivo - we thought we ordered the GRILLED octopus and were very sad when his octopus in PINK sauce arrived at our table… BUT BUT BUT …. first bite and heaven! This is cold marinated octopus in a black olive sauce, we’d never had it before - we will be having it again. The acidity of the olives in this creamy sauce with the chew of the octopus .. this was an experience in flavor and texture…

Steak - normally we would not order steak - but it sounded so delicious and sadly I cannot find the name of the steak we had!!! But it was large, tender and bursting with flavor and prawns - I cannot think about it without my mouth watering - just describe it to the waitress, she’ll ask Rodolfo!!! If you like steak, try this stuffed with prawns - your mouth will thank you.

Corvina Bajareque - Grilled Corvina fillet with prawns and clams in yellow chili sauce, mushrooms. There are no words to describe the flavors - the textures - the sauce was beautiful and silky, with a mild warmth - I would not call it a chili sauce - I would just say delicious!!!

One additional thing to consider - Patacones!!!!!!! This Peruvian chef, Rodolfo, makes the very best Patacones ever - they are soft and tender on the inside and have a crisp, bite worthy exterior that crunches .. mmmm......

So - sadly, we were too enthused and ate too much to get the Suspiro Limeño - but we will be back!!! Many, many...

Tucked away on a quaint side street in Boquete, you'll find a true culinary treasure: a charming little Peruvian restaurant that's as delightful as it is unassuming. This hidden gem may not boast grand décor or flashy signs, but what it lacks in visibility, it more than makes up for with incredible flavors and an authentic dining experience.

The menu is a wonderful showcase of Peruvian cuisine, featuring an array of dishes that highlight the vibrant and diverse flavors of this South American culinary tradition. Whether you’re a fan of ceviche, with its perfectly marinated fish and zesty citrus kick, or a hearty fan of traditional lomo saltado, this restaurant serves up each dish with a level of care and authenticity that’s truly impressive.

The standout here is undoubtedly the freshness of the ingredients and the skillful preparation. Each dish is a celebration of bold flavors, expertly balanced spices, and impeccable presentation. The service is warm and friendly, adding a personal touch that makes you feel like part of the family rather than just another customer.

This little Peruvian restaurant is a testament to the fact that sometimes the best dining experiences come from the least expected places. If you’re in Boquete and craving a taste of Peru, this unassuming spot offers an unforgettable meal that will leave you eagerly planning your next visit. Highly recommended for anyone looking to discover a hidden gem in the...

The food was a delightful surprise at this unassuming and cheerful restaurant. The pulpo al carbon was so good we had to get a second dish of it. Each member of the staff was friendly and knowledgeable (and patient as they explained the differences between between the four soups). I highly recommend the camarones chupe. A thick bisque-y style soup with shrimp, cream, rice, peas and a fried egg. The other soups were equally good (others in my group had them- we tried 3 of the 4) - this was my favorite! Give this restaurant a try- you’ll be happy you did! The food at this restaurant was quite possibly the best Peruvian food I’ve eaten!

Update: we found ourselves eating here two more times! Because the food was amazing, the staff accommodating and friendly and the price was fair. Langostinos al Inca, Camarones Chupe, all of the Corvina, Pulpo al Carbon and the ceviches! All were...