We went out for a belated Valentine's dinner last night and found a hidden gem. I can't believe this hasn't made it to Hamilton's top 10.
Everything on the menu is a hand crafted and authentic. The kitchen is immaculate and staff is very friendly.
Thank you chef Juan for an amazing experience!
Culantro is an amazing restaurant with killer food and a clean, cozy atmosphere inside and a huge outdoor patio that can seat a HUGE group.
There's also a hidden parking lot out back so don't street park!
The waiter we had was very attentive and pleasantly chatty. The manager Susan is incredibly accommodating. Juan the owner is the nicest! Honestly, the friendliest staff around :)
If you haven't given the place a shot you are missing out! Te veo allí (see you there)!
Culantro took our group of 13 at the last moment because another restaurant couldn't accommodate us and it was the best thing that happened. The atmosphere is fabulous the staff were incredibly friendly and the food was phenomenal. I had the shrimp ceviche as an appetizer and the empenada special. Both dishes were excellent and the portion sizes were pretty decent as well. If you're looking for a quaint place with nice decor and great food then this is it. I will definitely be back
Amazing food and healthy. Yum yum �
I recommend it to anyone. Must try
And service was � five star +
Thanks JR
Amazing food. The quality is top notch and the price is great. We had an amazing time. Loved everything about this place!
We ate here yesterday for a friends birthday/girls night. Our first experiance with peruvian food. The food was incredible, the service was friendly and prompt. Inviting atmosphere, excellent food. Really great experience. Will be returning.
What an amazing spot for empanadas and other yummy Peruvian dishes! Love the artwork!
Christina Maria Karunu
+5
Great food friendly service atmosphere casual very relaxed will definitely go again lovely place
I have not been so impressed at a restaurant in a long time, maybe ever. They fit us in without a reservation and the food was amazing!! I was brought special dishes which were a taste delight in each bite and specifically to cater to being gluten free and the Pisco Sour's (and the staff) were perfection :)
We were there yesterday. A nice, cosy atmosphere with a very friendly Cheff. Algarrobina cocktail really good. Papa rellena is one of the challenges of Peruvian cuisine. Really difficult to make, however Cheff Juan prepared it for us and it was outstanding, spectacular! Lomo saltado super tender. Excelent job! I am from the north of Peru, where we know how to cook and how to eat really good Peruvian food and I can tell you, Cheff Juan is really good. Thank you Culantro Peruvian Cookery !
Amazing dinner, don't find food like this anymore. Everything including the ice-cream made from scratch. Sooooooo gooooooood<3
Had the lamb shank, wonderful flavour and the meat literally fell off the bone. I had no complaints about the serving size, more than I could eat at one sitting. Very friendly service.
Always excellent food and attention to detail. Served up with friendly smiles. People who care about serving good food.
The best of the best! Juan is a master in his Peruvian kitchen and happy to share his culinary art for all to enjoy!
A truly exceptional experience in every sense! This is a true Hamilton gem and we are so lucky to have Juan and his staff putting together such an amazing atmosphere, and most of all delicious food! The experience you will have in this restaurant... will be like no other. No one can compare to Culantro!
AWESOME!! Me and three friends went for dinner this evening. The owner came out and talked to us about the menu and explained what everything was. He's a very good chef. We started with 2 empanadas and yucca fries - delicious. One of my friends had been there before and had the fish. She asked about it so the owner made an appetizer for us to try the fish - again delicious. We ordered our main dishes - chicken, steak and lamb shank. All the dishes looked lovely and were absolutely delicious. Everything is cooked fresh daily.
I will definitely go back again and recommend this restaurant to everyone.
Wow!! So impressed! I didn't eat in, although I will definitely next time because when I picked up my order the owner was super friendly and the restaurant was very clean. I got 2 quarter chicken dinners with 4 sides and some empanadas. Mmmmmm everything was really great and I am so satisfied and full. The chicken was great with an interesting delicious BBQ sauce. The Yucca fries I tried for the first time in my life werr absolutely amazing! I may never eat potatoes again!
The vegetable medley with beets, carrots, red bell pepper and green beans was also a huge hit with me. The quinoa salad was meh. And potato fries were a little overcooked. I loved the yummy sauce that came with my meal. Overall I am very impressed and am excited to go back for the eat in experience. I will update with details about that in the near future. As I said to my fiance, this restaurant is DEFINITELY going into our rotation (lol we eat out quite a bit!).
Theresa Black McCourt
+4.5
I have been here many times. I have always left enjoying the meal
Atmosphere- I am so glad they moved from King William to this location. There is parking at the bcck and it has a larger area for groups.
Food- empanadas. I have had every type and I like them all. I do prefer the beef one the best. The salad is always fresh. The corn snack they put on table is ok but the food is always so scrumptious. I like the roasted chicken with the unique coating. The lamb is fall off the bone. I especially like it when they have fruit empanadas for dessert.
Service- The girl who served us was lovely making you feel comfortable
Impression- I will be back before 3 months for sure.
Absolutely fantastic from start to finish, welcoming atmosphere and service paired with exceptional food make Culantro a must try for anyone in the Hamilton area.
Fantastic cocktails too!
It was really a great surprise to find Culantro again, we were customers at the previous location but we lost the track of the restaurant as it was moved.
Juan is a very good chef and all the people serving at the restaurant is very helpful and friendly.
The new space is nice and cozy inside, but Culantro also has a nice outside patio at the new location.
We definitely recommend Culantro and we'll return again.
Christine Robinson Hart
+5
Juan was amazing !
The atmosphere of the new location is energetic yet subtle . The food is to die for , and I can't wait for the Grand Opening April 29th .
Culantro has been on my list of Hamilton-restaurants-to-check-out for a while and the opportunity finally came. It started with a tweet about the special for the day – beef hearts and pork belly tamales. Hamilton foodies united and we made a reservation. Culantro is a very small eatery on King Williams beside The Baltimore House. The dining area seats only about 20 people because it’s run by chef and owner, Juan Castillo. He is a one-man-show in the kitchen and sometimes, front-of-house! Juan’s approach is to introduce his treasured family recipes to the table by presenting them in a familiar way and making it affordable.
Tiny little restaurant just off of James St. The staff were all friendly and helpful, it was my first time with Peruvian food. I had the Pollo a la Brassa and a Carne Empenada. Everything was very good. Try the blue corn drink, Chica Mirada, who would have thought that you could make a drink out of blue corn. Try it out.
We went on a Saturday afternoon to be greeted by the most friendly service I've ever seen. The food was fresh and delicious. Definitely have the Chicken empanada and steak for your entree as they were both cooked to perfection. The imported Incan colas were also a welcome novelty. It's a small menu but everything we had from it was delicious. I would definitely go back again.
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I am a frequent visitor to Culantro over on King William Street. I cannot get enough of the quinoa stuffed croquettes! I could make this whole post about the croquettes, but there is so much more offered at this cookery. If you are gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, meat-etarian, or anything in between, Culantro can provide you with a solid meal. The first thing that you will want to start with is the purple corn juice. It isn’t your typical juice. It is sweet, but not overly sweet. I bet you haven’t tasted anything like this before. If you really need an excuse to try it, just remember that this deep purple juice is rich in antioxidants so it has to be good for you! Instead of bread, you start by munching on these delightful corn kernels which are roasted and lightly salted. Unlike the corn kernels we are used to, they do not “pop”. This type of kernel gets slightly puffed and has a starchy, crunchy texture. It is highly addictive. It is this fantastic hybrid between corn nuts and popcorn. The quinoa stuffed yucca croquettes. These perfect little golden yucca nuggets are stuffed with quinoa and sauteed vegetables, fried, salted and paired with a delicious red onion dipping sauce. Yucca is much like a potato so don’t be too afraid. It has a slightly more chewy texture than a potato but the flavours are quite silimar. I actually enjoy the texture of yucca over potatoes. Chef Juan making some croquettes! I also order
Fantastic all around!. Culantro is fabulous from the friendly service, to the passionate chef and last but not least the incredible food it has to offer! Our server Stephanie took care of us like we were her own family, such a warm charismatic girl. We enjoyed the roasted chicken and quinoa- blown away by how delicious it was. I highly recommend trying it out!
Amazing. My wife and I stopped in for lunch and both had the same empanada special (2 empanadas and 1 side for like $9 or something, GREAT VALUE). We've never had Peruvian food before and we'll defiantly be back here. The cook asked us if we had been there before or if we had tried Peruvian food before (we hadn't) and brought us out some corn pop snacks and some extra sauces for our meal. I can't recommend this place enough, we will be back to try some other dishes.
Great food! The waitress was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
Loved everything we ordered. Highly recommend you try Culantro!
I really liked this restaurant. I'm vegetarian and enjoyed the quinoa empanadas with yukka fries.
RUN...don't walk to Culantro!!. I walked in (on my lunch break from work again) and was immediately hit with wonderful aromas that made me want to order one of everything. But I settled on the Lomo Saltado to take back to the office (and I ordered a whole chicken with quinoa salad and fries for dinner that they will have ready for me after work!).
While I waited, the Chef asked if I'd like to be the first to try their dessert and he brought me a bowl of prunes and raisins that had been poached/braised in a wonderful red delicate sauce/glaze that was warm and not too sweet and sooo soooo soooooo good I really needed a moment!
And the Lomo Saltado? Well, it was absolutely fantastic! Tender steak, peppers, fries, tomatoes in a delectable sauce...absolutely amazing!
What a wonderful surprise!! Big potions, great prices, amazing fresh food, friendly staff. Will definitely return, and bring friends. The empanadas and yucca fries are out of this world!!
Move over guys... I'm movin' in! Delicious, authentic cuisine that was hot, fresh & beautifully presented. The owners are gracious & friendly & present a warm, inviting atmosphere. Empanadas are flavourful & not soggy... quinoa filled pastry warmed my tummy along with deep fried yucca, salad with beets, beans, corn, carrots, tomato. I look so forward to returning for the pollo (chicken). A triple H standing...Hit in the Heart of Hamilton! Thank you J & J.
Delicious and great value. Our family (2 adults, 2 kids) had a delicious dinner at Culantro tonight for less than $30. The chicken was as good or better than we have ever had, the empanadas were flavourful and perfectly cooked, and the sides were fresh and tasty. The empanadas weren't soggy, salty or bland like we have experienced in other restaurants, and the salads were tangy, flavourful, crisp and very nutritious. Even the sweet potato fries were crisp and a wonderful texture, not oily and mealy like than sometimes be. And the sweet corn juice was a yummy treat, lightly spiced and rich.
Juan, the gentleman singlehandedly running the restaurant was friendly, informative and very helpful. Service was quick, and the food was hot on arrival. The restaurant is simple and casual but very clean, and we will definitely be back soon.
This restaurant is tiny, the menu is tiny but the flavours are big and truly Peruvian. If you're looking to explore a new cuisine you won't be disappointed here. Make sure to check the website for their odd hours and come preferrably on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday when all their menu items are available for ordering. I loved my trip to Peru, I love Peruvian food and I'm excited to finally have somewhere I can go to get my Peruvian fix.
Peruvian cuisine is something brand new to me so I was really excited to find out about the opening of Culantro, Hamilton's first Peruvian Cookery. The Sok sister and I went in one day for a quick bite to eat before we headed to the movies. The place was a super small casual dinning spot with about twenty seats and a counter style ordering system. They had a busy lunch the day we walked in so a few items on the menu were already 86'd by the time we arrived but Juan, the chef really made it up to us! We decided to try the empanada plate - one chicken and one beef empanada but while we waited for them Chef Juan sent out some samples from the kitchen. During our entire stay he touched the table, explained the dishes and checked up on us. His hospitality was very warm and welcoming! The shrimp ceviche below was light and refreshing. It was a great preview to what was in store next and it was a very sweet gesture from Chef Juan. The pork belly that was sent out was an excellent treat! The c
Menú is limited but food is tasty. We arrived with no reservations made and apparently you need one, but they accomodated us. The food we ordered was good and generous portions. I would suggest if y don't like spicy hot sauces maybe ask for a possible substitution.
This was a great experience. The food was excellent and service friendly. Will be back soon. Highly recommend the lamb.
Our group of friends had a very nice dinner at Cilantro, my first time at the restaurant in its current incarnation. The food was very tasty and the service exceptionally friendly and efficient. I would have given a fifth star if the wine selection had been better - maybe next time.
Metro Contract Management
+5
I am a regular here and I have yet to order off of the menu. We are served whaat is prepared upon arriving and each time we are amazed at the variety of dishes and consistency of excellence in the food. The food is beyond amazing.
I recommend making a reservation for yourself or your group and enjoy whatever may be servied to you. It is a great experience.
The service is extraordinary , the staff are attentive and it is very clean, There is great beer on tap and the atmosphere is easy and relaxing.,
You have got to eat here or you are missing out
Jamie
Had an excellent meal today. The chef and owner treated us like family, bringing out many dishes that really captured the flavor of Peru. Will be back for sure.
Culantro is just too good. The chef is passionate about what he does and this shines through in his cooking. This certainly is not Swiss Chalet or McDonald's, the food is made fresh to order with high quality ingredients so you can't expect an immediate order if you order on site but calling ahead is fine and well worth the wait any day.
On this occasion, we had the fried chicken with yucca fries and quinoa salad, as well as the shrimp ceviche. Man oh man, so tasty and fresh... Whooooo!! 🔥🔥🔥
Culantro hosted a group dinner for the social group I'm a part of. We had the best service that evening of all the restaurants we've been to so far.
They prearranged tables for us in a square, allowing our whole group to talk to each other comfortably. The waitress was attentive and the food was superb. The environment was cozy and relaxed, they seemed happy to serve our group, answer any questions and the chef gave us his regards. They even prepared a birthday cake.
Sometimes taking a big group to a restaurant can be hit and miss, at times the restaurant won't have the right seating, capacity or staff. However Culantro gave us a great experience, we felt like VIP! There are also some menu items I can't quite find anywhere else like the chicha morada. I have been back again with a friend, and although it was packed they accomodated us at the bar and were super friendly and offered some complimentary snacks.
Will be back again!
Delicious empanadas, will come back again! Really kind owner and staff. We were treated extremely well
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