AlmaZen Organic Cafe Thrives in Lima
I haven’t seen much of my brother-in-law El Filósofo and his wife La Orgánica lately. That’s because they are busy until 1 in the morning every day with their new vegetarian restaurant AlmaZen, which opened two months ago in old Miraflores (see address below; update, as of 2020, the restaurant is closed).
What makes AlmaZen different from nearly all vegetarian eateries in Lima is that its menu is organic. EF and LO buy their ingredients from small, certified organic farms throughout Peru, and that practice guides the entire philosophy of the restaurant. The menu reflects what’s fresh and being harvested now, so one week you might have stuffed squash as a side dish, the next, zucchini and tomatoes. Eating in tune with the seasons is not only healthy for the body, it also promotes a more sustainable relationship with local farmers and the earth, since produce isn’t being shipped from far-off growing centers. When you eat at AlmaZen, you help organic farmers in Peru support their families and their communities. How many restaurants in Lima can claim that?
I won’t pretend to provide an objective review of my in-laws’ restaurant, which I’ve watched grow since the idea took root more than a year ago, but if you want to know what makes AlmaZen so special, check out these glowing reviews from food critics.
Living in Peru writer and fellow blogger Ben Jonjak loves the restaurant’s calm ambiance and its unique dishes, which he characterizes as “blissful surprises bursting with flavor.” That’s high praise coming from a strapping North American who admits to being a “long time carnivore.” Jonjak adds:
I was uncertain as to whether I’d feel full after a meal at AlmaZen, however I can assure you that I left completely satisfied. Additionally, the food has a distinctive lightness to it which provides you with a pleasant burst of energy (unlike other meals that can sometimes leave you distinctly drowsy). For vegetarians, AlmaZen is the type of restaurant you might dream about. For the rest of us, it’s simply an enlightening experience.
(Read the complete Living in Peru review, which includes some beautiful photos of the food, here.)
Peru21 gives a thumbs-up to AlmaZen as well, praising its union of “organic products, healthy food, homemade taste and spiritual peace.” Reviewer Gonzalo Pajares Cruzado notes that the restaurant’s owners have been preparing gourmet, organic food for three decades in Lima, where they organized the Saturday BioFeria by Parque Reducto.
(Read the review in Spanish here.)
Vegetarians typically haven’t had many dining options in Lima, but with the opening of restaurants like AlmaZen, that paradigm is changing. La Orgánica bakes her cakes and muffins with whole-grain flours, natural sugar substitutes and tofu, so it’s possible for health-food fans to have their cake and eat it too.
Buen provecho!
AlmaZen (tel: 243 0474)
Mon. to Fri. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Recavarren 298 Miraflores
Barbara
I am an American writer who lived in Lima for seven years (2007-2014), where I covered Andean traditions, melting glaciers and daily life in the capital for Miami Herald, MSNBC and Huffington Post. I now live and work in northern Florida where I champion climate change advocacy and compassionate, affordable eldercare.
20 Comments
Fiorella
It looks really good. I definitely want to try it, I will be in Peru in 3 weeks so can’t wait.
Barb
Great, Fiorella. Hope you have a great time in Lima. As you know, the food scene here is fantastic. Some really interesting new places to try, too.
Jude
I’m with Fiorella, it looks great, and is definitely on my list next time I’m in Lima.
What’s the price range?
Alejandra Vera
Gracias tia! 🙂
Danielito
It looks delicious. I am glad there are more vegetarian restaurants in Lima. I am myself vegetarian 🙂
Barb
De nada, Ale.
Jude — good question! Since the menu changes daily, I can’t consult a printed menu for prices but I will ask my in-laws and post something to help everyone see what a typical meal there costs.
Nice to see that there’s interest in vegetarian food in Lima.
Magaly
Bummer! It is a shame I didn’t know about this place when I was in Lima last June.
It looks wonderful, besides organic food is not something that has been available in Lima or Peru for that matter.
Some friends and I were just talking about that during my last trip to Peru, and how wonderful it would be for organic food to be regulated and offered as an option for people in Peru.
Good Luck to AlmaZen! We need more places like this.
Barb
Magaly, you and your friends might be intererested in the Ecologica Peru project, which began in 1998 and is an organic certification project for organic growers in Peru (http://www.ideas.org.pe/ecoperu/ ). The group helps growers understand and learn to comply with organic regulations. It also organizes the weekly BioFeria that takes place in Miraflores by the Parque Traditiones on Saturday mornings. It’s the hub of the organic scene in Lima. There are also bioferias in Surco and San Isidro, I believe, but I don’t know what organization puts them together.
Bob
There is also a small organic food market in Cieneguilla on Sundays.
Santiago
I was there yesterday and was just FANTASTIC!!
the atmosfer, the view, the sounds, the atention, THE FOOD. the salad was for no forget.
Thanks. be there again.
Barb
Thanks for the feedback, Santiago.
Re prices: things aren’t fixed yet, but last time I remember paying 15 soles for soup, 17 soles for stuffed tomatoes, 30 soles for pastas and main dishes.
Paul Cox
This seems to be the way of the future and I am waiting with my surf board. Cooking with the seasons and keeping it as local as possible seems to not only make it healthy, but more tasty.
A lot of smaller in the DelMarVa region of the States is doing the same. Yay Micheal Pollan!
Barbara
Great that these trends are happening through the hemisphere, north and south. I know that California has been on the slow food and locally grown food kicks for a while. It’s good to hear of it gaining popularity on the East Coast, too, where I’m originally from.
juan pablo
The place is amzing. Beautifull people and great food. Very goo optons for vegans and vegetarins and everyone who want to spend the afternoon withan exquisite tea… highly recommended
Barbara
I agree; the teas are really good. La Organica (my sister in law) is a fanatic about collecting and making different teas.
Holly
We were vegetarians when we lived in Lima… we would have LOVED this! And it would have been so close to home. *sigh*
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Gretchen
Best one of the best restaurants I’ve ever had the privilege of eating. Especially nice after spending a month deep in the amazon! Organic local loved food. Great owners who gave me the opportunity to briefly get to know. Clean environment, friendly and helpful servers. Many vegan options, including dessert. Moby was here a week before, eating before his show.
I truly appreciated having come across El AlmaZen in Lima! Thanks for all you both do (and your staff)! Your work and food make the world a better place 🙂
Barb
Coming from you, Gretchen, that is a real complement. I will be sure to pass the message on to El Filosofo and La Organica (my in-laws who run the restaurant). Yes, they did tell me that Moby was eating there while he stayed in Lima. 🙂
Rox C
I found your blog through HappyCow.net and I am looking forward to trying AlmaZen. I am Peruvian but have lived in Florida for many years, and the only Vegetarian rest. that I remembered was the Bircher Benner, but being that my American husband is a vegetarian I wanted to search for new options. We will definitely give your in-law’s place a try, and I cannot wait to visit my old neighborhood of Miraflores again!