El Chalán

Buen restaurant, buen servicio y muy buena comida. Ambiente acogedor en buena zona muy bueno para familias, amigos y enamorados. Saludos

Ceviche was good and Lomo Saltado was pretty tasty… wasn’t bad, but wasn’t blow your mind either.
Interesting ambiance, kind of dark, kind of loud, but then kind of home-​y too.
If you want peruvian, and you’re in the area… it’s an A-​OK choice.

Excellent Peruvian food and great ambiance. Place is very cozy and I love the Catholic decorating on the wall. I am taking down one star because the roof was leaking right over my head. I’m not one to complain but the waiters saw that I kept looking at the roof above my head and they saw that water was dripping on my shoulder; I would have to wipe my arm or shoulder every now and then. Other than that the portions are huge and delicious. Expect to pay over $ 60 for 2 people if you’re going to order an appetizer and drinks. A little too expensive for me but it’s good for when you want to splurge or on a special occasion.

I’ve been chasing down a solid Peruvian restaurant in the DMV since my trip to Peru two years ago, and I think I may have found one in El Chalan!
THE AMBIANCE: This place is a few blocks from the White House and perfect for a sit down meal with coworkers. Tip — They take reservation for parties of more than 4 people. We only had 2, so we made sure to arrive prior to the lunch rush — around 11:40. We were seated immediately, but the restaurant definitely filled up by 12:15. It was somewhat crowded, but everyone — from the waitstaff to the guests, seemed genuinely happy to be there, which was a big plus!
THE SERVICE: Fast and efficient. Our drink glasses were never empty. No complaints!
THE FOOD: I am not a Peruvian food connoisseur, but I like to think I know the basics, and this place does them very well. First was a delicious basket of fresh bread. With that, we also had a ceviche mixto (marinated raw fish), which was good, but could have benefited from more brightness (maybe some more citrus). It was also missing the massive corn kernels typically found in ceviche, which was a small disappointment. However, there was a ton of seafood in the dish and a little mound of beautiful sweet potatoes.
For our main, we shared the aji de gallina (stewed chicken in a creamy sauce). Any type of stew with rice is my jam, and this one was an A+ in all respects. It came out piping hot and full of flavor. The chicken was moist and complemented perfectly by a hard boiled egg and melt-​in-​your-​mouth potatoes. The sauce was creamy without being too heavy. I’ll be ordering this one again! We also had the lomo saltado, which is basically a beef stir fry with fries, peppers, onions, and rice. The beef was super tender and the sauce had nice flavor.
All in all, I loved El Chalan and saw a lot of other items on the menu that I want to try out. I’ve already sent an invitation to my work pals for round 2!

This place is seriously amazing. I guess I don’t understand how folks could give them a poor review. Ignore them and listen to the hundreds of positive reviews as they’re the ones that matter.
The first time I found it was when my friend and I ducked in to escape a thunderstorm. Little did we know it was fated for us to find one of DC’s hidden gems. They’ve been a cornerstone of this area since 1982, and like a fine wine, they’ve only improved with age. The food is absolutely amazing. Try the ceviche, paella or pollo al vino. I’m sure the rest of the options are beautiful as well, but I’ve found what I love there. The service is attentive and they know when to stop by the table. The vibe inside is really intimate, but not uncomfortably so. The mood is set perfectly for an amazing dinner, regardless of if that’s with a date, friend or your boss (I’ve experienced 2 of those 3). The drinks are special– give the Pisco Sour a shot. It’s strong and delicious. Can’t say enough amazing things about this place. Go. You won’t be disappointed.

El Chalan is a nicely decorated restaurant hidden away in the basement-​like area of the building. If you were walking past it, you probably would not even notice it. Inside, the restaurant’s ambiance a combination of relaxed and intimate. I loved the décor but the food, not as much.
I got a Pisco Sour which is one of their signature drinks however the drink was too acidic for my taste. Maybe they are supposed to taste like that? I am not sure, it felt like eating a lemon. I ordered the Cau Cau de Mariscos, the seafood stew, and I was underwhelmed. It was bland and the squid was a bit overcooked. The star of the night was the complimentary bread which I preferred to eat over my meal.
Unfortunately, I am quite disappointed because I was expecting much better based on the other reviews.

Bread is so good– homemade, yeasty, slightly sweet. My lomo saltado/​beef strips had the most delicious flavor ever! My husband also enjoyed his shredded chicken in a sweet, spiced walnut sauce. 5 stars for the food, 3.5 stars for the service and the price.

This restaurant has been in DC for decades. The place itself is very nice and trendy, but the food left me underwhelmed.
As a born and raised Peruvian living in the USA i can certify that there are better options for lomo saltado, or aji de gallina, than here. Even «Guapos» (who’s supposed to be ‘Mexican’) has a better lomo saltado.
Lastly, for a ‘trendy’ looking place as this to have paper napkins seems utterly ridiculous.
The good reviews miss what experience always says: the best is the enemy of the good. And this one is NOT the best.

Poor service. Food was slightly above average.
Good: food (especially bread)
Bad: service and service
I just got in to DC. I love in NY and I haven’t had service this bad.
5 minutes at the door waiting to tell them I’m dining in. Another 5 before water came out. Another 5 for bread. Another 5 for the server to come. The food came quickly. The server didn’t look at me again until I waved him down to get the check. Someone brought the check after about 3 minutes but said someone else will come pick up the card. 7 minutes for the server to come with the tablet to swipe the card.
Only 3 stars because the food was pretty good.

Located in the lower level, the cleanliness and exceptional décor of this restaurant provides a unique dining experience in this part of DC.
Tables are available– we didn’t need a reservation fortunately as the «not so interesting» founding fathers had a 90 min wait.
All three of us had the Lomo Saltado. It’s awesome. Drink options seem limited.

I’ve been a patron of El Chalan since 2007. It’s an institution in Washington D.C. and is often frequented by diplomats and other staff from the many international organizations nearby. The restaurant is always packed on weekdays during the lunch rush hour and seating is a bit cramped, so I would suggest coming for dinner for a less crowded dining experience.
The décor of the restaurant is quite interesting — another Unilocaler described it as «Spanish Colonial» and I would agree with that description. The religious imagery on the walls may seem a bit odd to some diners but I think that the paintings framed in gold, along with the dark wooden furniture, adds to the dramatic feel of the restaurant.
I always order the lomo saltado, which is my favorite Peruvian dish of all time. El Chalan’s version of this beef stir fry dish is excellent and perfectly seasoned. At the beginning of your meal they give you complimentary bread with spicy aji sauce, which I use to put on my lomo saltado. The ceviche is also quite tasty but I wish they would serve it with the correct type of corn — in Peru it’s always paired with toasted corn (cancha tostada), not sweet corn kernels from a can!
If you’re looking for decent Peruvian food in downtown D.C., El Chalan is the place to go!

I’ve never had Peruvian food before so El Chalan set the bar pretty high. I came here with my bf and his family for dinner around 8:30 PM on a Wednesday. We got seated immediately. The restaurant is located downstairs in a basement but it feels charming and intimate. I could see a lot of couples here on their dates.
We ordered a pitcher of their house made red sangria for the table– I highly recommend ordering a pitcher if everyone is drinking sangria. We got at least 3 refills each and considering a single glass costs $ 9 (the pitcher is $ 30), it’s way more cost effective to order the pitcher.
We each ordered a different dish and I got the Peacado a Lo Macho with fried tilapia. The sauce was rich and flavorful, kind of like gravy in texture but so much more delicious. They didn’t skimp on the seafood either. I got so much calamari, shrimp, and scallops I thought as one point it was too much seafood (keep in mind they serve the whole fish under a bed of seafood). I was super full at the end of the night. I’m so glad I discovered this place because I’m coming back more often!

Bread is killer. You know you’re about to get a good meal when they bring out the bread and it’s so freaking good. Bread was soft, fresh, slightly sweet, and just amazing. I’d prolly just eat the bread and be content for the night, seriously.
We went a Friday night around 8 and luckily we were seated right away without a reservation. They had a live guitarist playing and the service was very prompt. Food was also basically delicious. I got the Peruvian Chicken and my boyfriend got the Peruvian Paella. We were basically scarfing down the food as it was very flavorful. The Shrimp and butter app we ordered was cooked perfectly and delicious. Food gave me a home cooked meal vibe and it was delicious and comforting. Portion was also huge and we were fully content and had a ton of left overs. The red wine we ordered was smooth and really good.

We decided to try this place out! It’s on I Street in D. C, it’s not really hard to find but it is underground (you have to walk downstairs from I street to get to the front door).
Upon walking inside, it looks like it’s expensive. They have the white tablecloths, glasses for water, and silverware on each table. However while looking at the menu, it was reasonable prices for Peruvian cuisine, actually cheaper than a lot of Peruvian restaurants that I’ve been to.
Server wasn’t very friendly, but the guy who dropped off the yummy complimentary bread was super nice! My husband asked him if they had Leche de Tigre after not seeing it on the menu, and he said no. He then returned a couple minutes later with a small cup of basically leche de tigre. We really appreciated that and it was delicious!
The menu does not have a lot of options compared to other Peruvian restaurants. We did go at 2pm (lunch hour) so maybe when they re-​open for dinner at 5:30 they have a bigger menu.
Anyways, we ordered ceviche de pescado ($ 12), choros a la chalaca ($ 8), and causa a la Criolla ($ 7). Prices are great, very reasonable and the portions are perfect. My husband enjoyed the ceviche, his only complaint was that they use American corn instead of Peruvian which has a completely different taste. My choros weren’t very good, they tasted very watery. I used the leche de Tigre juice to add flavor. The causa (made with tuna) was delicious as well, although I prefer chicken instead of tuna.
We’ll definitely be back! But we’ll go after 5:30, hoping that the menu will be bigger.

Lovely and cozy little restaurant that’s downstairs and off the street. It has a refined yet rustic atmosphere. Bread is served (not very traditional, but doesn’t matter) with a delicious aji amarillo (spicy sauce). I had the Tacu Tacu con mariscos. It was absolutely delicious. My husband had the Arroz con mariscos which was equally delicious.

I am so glad we went here for dinner tonight. We initially called to see if there were available tables for the two of us, and they told us to simply come over as they have enough space. So we did.
Instead of ordering an appetizer and a main dish, I ordered two appetizers, as they looked more interesting than the main dishes. I ordered the beef hearts (anticuchos), which was delicate and well-​made, as well as the ceviche de pescado. A hot dish, as well as a cold dish. Both dishes were superb, flavorful, and impressive.
I also ordered a pisco sour, and while it was a good pisco sour, it wasn’t the strongest pisco sour I have had. That still has to be the pisco sour I have drunk while I was in Santiago de Chile 5 years ago.
I am withholding one star for the service. The service is great, but have some unpolished corners. I wanted a two-​course meal, but instead of having an appetizer followed by a main dish, I told the waiter that I wanted the ceviche FOLLOWED by the anticuchos. However, he delivered the dishes together. Was it too loud in the room that he didn’t hear me? Maybe there were too many tables cramped in the basement room? Maybe he wasn’t paying enough attention? Or maybe I am just being a European foodie elitist trying to impose higher European standards on a more casual American eating culture.
Long story short: I liked the food. If that was all that matters, they’d easily earn 5 stars. I guess they say that when in Rome, do it as the Romans do, so I won’t get my panties in a bunch too much. I’d definitely come back here if given the chance, I’ll just lower my standards a little bit when it comes to presentation and service.

Came here on a super busy Saturday night. We had a reservation and they seated me even though I was the only person from my party to show up on time.
The fish ceviche is SOOO good! My favorite dish here! The fish tastes 0% fishy and the corn and yam are a nice buffer to how tangy/​lemony the dish is. You’ll have to mix the dish when you get it since all the ingredients are separated on the plate.
Like most people, we got the Lomo Saltado and Aji de Gallina.
Lomo Saltado was solid. We got the fries on the side and didn’t feel like this compromised the taste of the dish. There was a bit more soy sauce than I would have liked, but salty is in its name!
Aji de Gallina… I wasn’t so impressed. It was bland compared to the rest of the dishes. What redeemed this plate was adding the spicy sauce that comes with your bread at the beginning of the meal.
There are pictures of St. Mary on the walls! I hope to be back again.
Note: the chairs are set so low that you feel like it’s broken, but that’s normal lol.

Disclaimer: I’ve lived in Peru for three years and know a thing or two about Peruvian food.
This was a bookmarked restaurant and we finally had a chance to try it out on Friday (also they were the only place with no reservation needed for 6:30pm on a Friday night!)
I was excited to order the aji de gallina because most Peruvian restaurants don’t serve it and it’s one of my favs. We also ordered the ceviche mixto, anticuchos and a pisco sour. I appreciated the warm sweet bread and the aji amarillo (yellow instead of green) for dipping sauce. The ceviche tasted too cold– almost like it was just thawed and so I wasn’t a fan. I liked my aji and would order it again.
Overall I was underwhelmed with the food, especially for the price as many reviewers have noted. In addition I was sitting in an area where there was lots of foot traffic and the wait staff kept bumping into my chair. :/​that probably didn’t help things.
I’ll have to find another Peruvian place that serves aji de gallina. I know Peruvian brothers do from their truck so I’ll have to look for them.

Wednesday night, our first night here in D.C., my husband and I argued over where to eat. I picked someplace trendy that ended up having an hour wait while he wanted something more low key. Él Chalan saved the day because it was a great compromise between both of our choices. We haven’t eaten a whole lot of Peruvian food, so this restaurant definitely introduced a palette of flavors that were somewhat familiar but still a shade different.
The Lomo Saltado Especial and the Seafood Paella were our favorite entrées! We also enjoyed the ceviche appetizer and the papas (it was like a mini Peruvian beef pot pie pastry puff type appetizer. I know… Complete blasphemy of its true description but absolute deliciousness nonetheless!) And the Pisco Sour cocktail went well with everything!

SALTY!!! The food was way too salty for my taste and I am actually very used to salty food! I visited recently with a good friend, and though the restaurant is very conveniently located and is a good spot to catch up over lunch in the city (it’s conveniently located between Farragut and Foggy Bottom), the service and food weren’t all that great. The service was efficient, but our waiter did not smile or speak with us warmly. He seemed to be completely stone-​faced the entire time. Sorta strange…
My friend and I both ordered the Lomo Saltado (a staple in Peruvian cuisine). I have had Lomo Saltado a few times before elsewhere and had loved it. But at El Chalan, I felt it was a bit overpriced (about $ 15) and was way too salty to handle well. I had to chug tons of water. The dish came with marinated strips of sirloin, onions, tomatoes, and fried potatoes and a small scoop of rice on the side.
Overall, I had a decent enough experience and it was a nice restaurant to catch up with my friend, but I’d probably check out other Peruvian restaurants before visiting El Chalan again.

The service was slow and food was mediocre at best. Overall, it was not a good experience.
Disclaimer: Now, I don’t consider myself to be a connoisseur of Peruvian cuisine. But I did spend almost two weeks and had plenty of amazing dishes.
Drinks:
1) Chilcano = «Peruvian Moscow Mule» made with pisco instead of vodka… like duh! It’s a strong drink!
2) White Sangria — Not Peruvian but whatevs
Food:
1) Ceviche Mixto (2 stars)
2) Lomo Saltado (3 stars) — Good, but not the best I’ve ever had.
3) Arroz Con Mariscos (1 star) — Pure disappointment, the seafood was WAY overcooked. The shrimp was so dried out. I’ve never left so much food on my plate.