Il Caffè Della Nonna — Restaurant in Arequipa

Came on a weekday night around 6:30PM. When I arrived, there was a table of 5 and a table of 2. There was live music but it was loud (and the singer wasn't the best). I put in my order shortly after arriving (pineapple juice without sugar and a prosciutto / apple / arugula pizza). Turns out I had to wait for 4 pizzas and 3 lasagnas to be made before I got my food, and I waited about an hour for it. Really ridiculous! Everyone gets complimentary focaccia and hummus (but the focaccia is really just...thin slices of bread, not really sure what it is exactly), and they gave me a cinnamon roll with apple / apple syrup while I was waiting forever for my food. I had thought about ordering one for dessert but I'm glad I got it comp'd because it wasn't very good; not chewy and fluffy, just sweet bread.

Pizza finally arrived, I asked for olive oil and something spicy (ended up getting spicy olive oil) - olive oil didn't have any flavor. Pizza was thin and chewy, pretty good but I didn't like the apple (that's just personal preference though, not a fan of salty and savory, I probably should've asked for it without the apple).

In any case, their kitchen seems to be extremely small, the table of 5 got 2 pizzas, then much later, 1 lasagna, and by the time the last 2 pizzas arrived, the two people who already got their pizzas had already finished them.

Just too slow. Prices were alright, typical of the area I guess. Workers...

Very high expectations (due to many good reviews) turned out to be very disappointing evening. First of all, there are two spaces for smokers and non-smokers but they have no difference. All the smoke spreads out everywhere. We had to ask 3 times before we were moved upstairs. Secondly, when we ordered food, we asked for hot water as well. Once finished, I asked for refill because I ordered a dessert as well but was refused by a server “We only can serve hot water once”. That’s nonsense which I’ve never heard before. Providing that I also worked in a high-class restaurant in Canada. If I was to say that to a client, I would have been fired immediately. In this case, I canceled my dessert order. Then the senior manager (or the owner, not sure, she didn’t even introduced herself) came and started with “Why are you complaining so much”. Never said sorry for anything. Worst service in my life for such prices!

PS. The food didn’t taste good, mostly average, not for its cost. I’m glad I didn’t eat Tiramisu as my friend said it was awful (the reviews below say same thing,...

A Hidden Gem in Arequipa! As Italians travelling for a long time, we were delighted to discover Il Caffè della Nonna, a beautiful restaurant that brings authentic Italian flavors to the other side of the world. My boyfriend, a chef himself, and I were truly impressed by the chef’s expertise and the evident passion put into each dish. It’s rare to find such a perfect balance between traditional Italian cuisine and the use of high-quality Peruvian ingredients. The pizza was exceptional, and the pasta was just as good – you can really taste the care and attention to detail in every bite.

The owners are young, warm-hearted people who create an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, which adds to the charm of the place. The setting is perfect for a wonderful evening in Arequipa, whether you’re here to enjoy a casual meal or a special night out. We didn’t get to try the desserts, but they certainly looked mouthwatering.

Il Caffè della Nonna is a must-visit for anyone seeking a true Italian dining experience with a local twist. Highly...