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Name: Machu Picchu
Address: 307 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA, 02143
Telephone: (617) 628-7070
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.88

Machu Picchu

307 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA, 02143

(617) 628-7070
Store is closed

Machu Picchu Menu

Bisteck - Steak

Bisteck Apanado

Bisteck Encebollado

Bisteck a Lo Pobre

Bisteck De Carne

Bisteck De Pollo

Milanesa De Pollo

Lomo Saltado

Pollo Saltado

1/2 Pollo a La Brasa

Whole Pollo a La Brasa

Saltado Mixto
Pastas

Tallarin Verde Con Carne (Beef)

Tallarin Saltado Con Carne

Tallarin Saltado Con Pollo

Tallarin Con Mariscos (Pasta Seafood)

Tallarin Con Camarones

Tallarin Saltado Con Calamares

Tallarin Verde Con Pollo (Chicken)

Tallarin Verde Con Pescado Frito (Fried Fish)
Platos Vegetarianos - Vegetarian

Sopa Vegetariana

Palta Rellena

Saltado De Vegetales Con Hongos

Tallarin Saltado Vegetariano

Causa Vegetariana
Appetizer

Causa Criolla

Papa a La Huancaina

Palta Rellena

Anticuchos

Escabeche De Pescado

Chicharron De Pollo
Platos - Entrees

Patita

Aji De Gallina

Combinado De Frijol Con Arroz Y Seco

Combinado De Cabrito

Arroz Con Pollo

Cau Cau

Mondonguito

Olluquito

Arroz Chaufa-Chicken Fried Rice

Combination Fried Rice

Carapulcra

Arroz Chaufa-Beef Fried Rice

Arroz Chaufa-Shrimp Fried Rice
Ensaladas Salad Sopas Soups

Ensalada De Lechuga Y Tomate

Ensalada De Rabanos

Ensalada De Palta

Ensalada Mixta
Mariscos - Seafood

Ceviche De Mariscos

Ceviche De Pescado

Ceviche Mixto

Chicharron De Pescado

Choros a La Chalaca

Pescado a Lo Macho

Pescado Sudado

Pescado Frito

Camarones Al Ajo

Jalea

Calamares Fritos

Picante De Mariscos

Arroz Con Mariscos

Trucha

Saltado De Pescado
Menu Para Ninos - Kid's Menu

Salchipapas

1/4 De Pollo a La Brasa

Bisteck De Carne O Pollo Con Papas Fritas

Huevos Revueltos Con Hot-Dog O Salchicha

Leche O Jugo De Naranja
Bebidas - Beverages

Leche Con Cafe

Cafe / Te

Jugos Frescos De Papaya Pina Y Fresh

Jugo Combinado

Jugo Con Leche

Jugo Especial

Jugo De Naranja
Side Order

Arroz

Camote

Chicharron

Relleno

Papas Fritas

Platanos Fritos

Yucca

Huevo Frito
Postres - Dessert

Alfajor

Helado De Lucuma

Picarones

Crema Volteada

Healthy Meal suggestions for Machu Picchu

Bisteck - Steak

Bisteck Apanado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bisteck Encebollado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bisteck a Lo Pobre [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bisteck De Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bisteck De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lomo Saltado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Saltado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/2 Pollo a La Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Pollo a La Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltado Mixto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pastas

Tallarin Verde Con Carne (Beef) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Saltado Con Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Saltado Con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Con Mariscos (Pasta Seafood) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Con Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Saltado Con Calamares [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Verde Con Pollo (Chicken) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Verde Con Pescado Frito (Fried Fish) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platos Vegetarianos - Vegetarian

Sopa Vegetariana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Palta Rellena [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltado De Vegetales Con Hongos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Saltado Vegetariano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causa Vegetariana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Appetizer

Causa Criolla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papa a La Huancaina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Palta Rellena [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anticuchos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Escabeche De Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicharron De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platos - Entrees

Patita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aji De Gallina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Combinado De Frijol Con Arroz Y Seco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Combinado De Cabrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cau Cau [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mondonguito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Olluquito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Chaufa-Chicken Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Combination Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carapulcra [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Chaufa-Beef Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Chaufa-Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ensaladas Salad Sopas Soups

Ensalada De Lechuga Y Tomate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Rabanos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada De Palta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Mixta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mariscos - Seafood

Ceviche De Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche De Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche Mixto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicharron De Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Choros a La Chalaca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado a Lo Macho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado Sudado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado Frito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Al Ajo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamares Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picante De Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Con Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Trucha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltado De Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Menu Para Ninos - Kid's Menu

Salchipapas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/4 De Pollo a La Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bisteck De Carne O Pollo Con Papas Fritas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevos Revueltos Con Hot-Dog O Salchicha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Leche O Jugo De Naranja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Bebidas - Beverages

Leche Con Cafe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cafe / Te [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jugos Frescos De Papaya Pina Y Fresh [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jugo Combinado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jugo Con Leche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jugo Especial [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jugo De Naranja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Order

Arroz [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicharron [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Relleno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas Fritas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platanos Fritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yucca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevo Frito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Postres - Dessert

Alfajor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Helado De Lucuma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crema Volteada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Terri T.

I think the food and atmosphere is great here. The service can be slow sometimes but I think the food is more than worth the wait. Sometimes they will have someone singing and playing instruments as you eat which was nice. I love the food here because it's so different from what I usually eat. The Ocopa or Hauncaina potato appetizers are delicious!! So are the empanadas and white corn with tropical cheese appetizers. Last night we tried a new one that had pork that was cooked in it's own fat and it was delicious not sure what the name of that one is though. Hen soup was really good too. Good entre's too. Like the chicken wrapped around shrimp with melted cheese and spinach in the middle is really good. It comes with spinach mashed potato's that's different but good. I like the spaghetti with basil or the large shrimp grilled with an avocado salad with rice and fries. I definitely have cravings for this place!!
(5)
liam f.

I love this joint. Lomas saltado--great; algharrobina:strong and good drink. price=good. Don't expect to be in and out, a bit slow
(5)
Tracee D.

Macchu Picchu (union sq) used to be a little down the road, across the street from where it is now. Nice space, it has clean'y- fresh exposed brick. The hostess greets us with her 'pollera' (sorry sp?) Peruvian dress and I was impressed. The menu's are leather stamped authentic masterpieces hand made in Peru and so are the salt and pepper shakers. My chef boyfriend (from Ecuador) who hates everything and just happened to spend most of his young adult hood in the army against Peru (over a sliver of land in the Amazon) was very impressed. Even though I kept on teasing him that he was dining with his enemies. Its all good now. They have great drinks local beers from Peru and the food is on point. Warning: corn is everywhere on the menu so don't go if your'e allergic.I love the corn kernels Peruvian restaurants give you in lieu of bread- the red sauce is hot stuff, but so good.We had chicharon (fried pork belly), livers, yuca, corn. They have a whole page dedicated to ceviche their national dish. I had a salad that was pulverized with lime. Spinach shreds, cheese, corn, avocado and lettuce. We also had meat with a great brown sauce and rice/beans. There's also bread and rice puddings galore, even a purple offering. I don't think that I am loco for Peruvian cuisine but it was nice to try something different in a well done space. A nice addition to Union Sq.
(3)
Julia C.

This is so far the best peruvian restaurant in Boston. I have friends form Peru that go there regularly, I also love it there befor closing becuase of the athmosphere. I am real lucky I speak spanish.
(4)
Michele H.

Incredible ceviche. Cloud light pisco sours. Peruvian beer. Fried corn and jalepeno aioli. Aji de gajina. Cilantro soup. An appetizer with chicken salad sandwiched between cold mashed sweet potatoes is a special favorite. I even took my (somewhat culinarily trepidatious) parents here, and they loved it.
(5)
Ross R.

First time , very good impresion, best drinks pisco sour, Chicano traditional drinks well done , very good service and food, they prepared and item not include at the menu just for me . Until next time definitely we come back
(5)
Ellen T.

I came here a few weeks ago for my friend's birthday dinner. She had made reservations for 9 people and it was all set once we got there. One thing to note is that parking is very limited in this area. So expect to circle around for a while! This is my first time trying peruvian food. Anyways, there is a lot of choices on the menu. For apps, we tried the empanada (I've had better elsewhere and there is just one, about the size of the bread plate), the papa rellena (reminds me of sheperd's pie, but tastes very good and flavorful) and the tamales (it was okay, sweet and savory, with hard boiled eggs in it too!). For the main course, I tried the seco de carn de la nortena. It is a beef brisket that comes with rice and beans. It was okay, nothing too spectacular. My other friends tried the stew with seafood in it. That was pretty good. There was another stew-like dish that was pretty tasty too but I forgot the name of it. So I think the stews you can't go wrong with. Overall, the taste was okay and the service was great (waiters were pretty attentive and helpful in explaining what the dish was like).
(3)
Kimberly B.

I wasn't terribly impressed, to be honest. I enjoyed the corn kernels that they brought out while we were waiting for our food, but the rest just didn't impress. I had the Lomo Saltado and my husband got the Ceviche. The Ceviche was well-executed, but I thought the Lomo Saltado was pretty bland. The ambiance and service were okay, but I walked away pretty disappointed in the quality of the food.
(2)
Moumita B.

Live music, excellent and authentic food !!!!
(4)
Katie F.

My boyfriend, friend, and I went out for dinner here last night after a crazy week when none of us felt like cooking. We got to the restaurant at around 8:30, and although it was busy, we were promptly seated. The ambiance was quite charming, with traditional live music and Peruvian decor. Right when we sat down, the manager Rafael greeted us and gave us some recommendations for drinks. I opted for a Pisco Sour, which I was pleasantly surprised by. I had tried Pisco once straight up and did not like it, but this preparation was quite pleasant. The boys got gin martinis (to each his or her own!) While we perused the menu, a waitress brought over popped corn with a green dipping sauce. I'm not much for mayonnaise (which the sauce tasted like it had), but the corn was a nice light snack. We weren't super hungry, but I ended up ordering the ceviche rocoto and the boys each ordered appetizer samplers. Honestly, as a pescatarian I didn't try the boys' meals, but they seemed to enjoy them. Mine was fantastic! The fish was extremely fresh and the marinade was spiced to perfection! While we were eating, Rafael came over to check on us and see how we liked our meals. We learned that he is also a professor at BU who specializes in Andean culture and history. My boyfriend, being a huge history buff proceeded to talk his ear off. In spite of the restaurant being busy, he chatted happily with us. The portions were pretty big, so we all left with leftovers and the prices were very reasonable. While we can't afford to eat out all the time, we will definitely be back!
(5)
Philip B.

Food was good. I got the saltado de pollo. seemed like more rice but less chicken and other stuff then some of the more dive type Peruvian places. nice atmosphere. loved the whole open windows deal. has inca cola which I love. In a 20 oz rather then a can which alot of places do. desert was good. some cons .. #1 they charge for refills on fountain soda's.. that is a huge pet peeve for me and costs them a star. noone charges for refills anymore.. even if you are a Peruvian restaurant. Im glad I got the inca cola or I probably would have had 5 soda's , cost me 10 bucks and been pretty annoyed. #2 the waiter while nice was very difficult to understand. i ended up paying for tea with my desert because i had no idea what he was talking about. He also didn't come by and check much if we needed anything despite there only being two tables full. Id definatly go back again. and the food was good but 3 to 3 1/2 stars is right. If your ever in california check out el pollo inca .. now thats good peruvian food :)
(3)
Benjamin P.

Good food clean place comfortable atmosphere. Good portion for the price. Been here several times and enjoy the place.
(4)
Betsy S.

My husband I have been going to Machupichu for many yrs we love the food is truly the best. Thank you Machupichu !!!!
(5)
Hayley M.

Very good, authentic Peruvian food. My boyfriend's father grew up in Peru, half the family is still there and sometimes he craves the taste of home. When he does, he goes to Machu Picchu. It's the very best Peruvian in the Boston area, and I don't throw that around lightly. Really you could try anything there, but here's what I like: you can start with Yuquitas a la Huancaina, which is fried yuca with a crazily awesome dipping sauce. It's delicious, who doesn't love fried yuca? For those of you who haven't tried it, it's like the fried potato's Peruvian cousin. The Ceviche, Peru's national dish, is just about the best you're going to get around here. They have six styles and three spicy levels, so unless you hate cilantro, you can find one you love. Overall, if you're looking for a taste of Peru in Boston, it can be rather hard to find. Except at Machu Picchu, where it's all over the menu!
(5)
Juan O.

Went for my moms birthday with my family. Food was mediocre not very good they serve only tilapia as there only fish selection. That raised a red flag, how can a seafood restaurant have one fish for all there menu items. Not real Peruvian food!
(1)
Kat T.

Finally found this place after being seated and somewhat confused at the grill down the street - oops! Arrived pretty late but was treated nicely by the waitstaff. The corn-nuts like item given at the beginning had an interesting taste/texture but I was a sucker for that green sauce it came with... mmm... The food itself was great: I ordered lomo saltado and mixed ceviche. BF and I finished both plates despite not being THAT hungry. I haven't had enough here to really make a judgement but I'm determined to visit again with my Peruvian friend. In the meantime, definitely a fan!
(4)
B D.

Food was realy good, fresh, not heavy but very flavorfull. Nice ambiance, clean and definitely not boring. Recommended.
(4)
Eli B.

Had the Pollo Lomo Saltado...it wasn't very memorable or flavorful. Same goes for the beef version (Lomo Saltado). I wouldn't recommend those. Took nearly a 1/2 hr to get our entreÃ©s. Camarones el Pisco: Not too memorable. Ceviche de Pescado: Very tasty and refreshing. Quite well marinated. Anticuchos Peruanos (beef heart): flavorful, these were good. I remember the first time I ate here, I forgot an item, and they held it until I came to pick it up the next day. Good service, that.
(3)
Lindsay L.

Pros: big space is great for groups, food is reasonably priced, music on weekends, general charm Cons: beer and wine selection is weak and pricy. Pisco sours needed more pisco. Food was good, but not great. Too salty and oily.
(3)
Kyli G.

Amazing food, service, place. I loved it!!! Totally recommend to visit this place!!! You will not regret it. Parking on the street but there's plenty of places to park, family friendly.
(5)
Chris W.

Went there for dinner with girlfriend on a Thursday night. We were greeted warmly when we walked in, and were given a nice table by the window. We ordered two dishes to share: Dish 1) A mediocre Ceviche Mixto which comprised of too much salt, lime and nice helping of seafood (which was fresh enough to eat, but not super fresh). I love ceviche and have eaten a lot of it throughout my years - it's a dish I feel is hard to get wrong. However this one was very unimaginative and rated near the bottom of my ceviche experiences. A little tomato, bell pepper, cilantro, and fresher seafood would have gone a long way. 6 out of 10. Dish 2) An awful Pescado a lo Macho which was one of the worst meals I've eaten in Boston - not that it was bad in any particular way, it's just that it tasted of nothing - salt, seafood and I have no idea what else. Accompanying the dish was some very salty rice, and some oven baked potato (which was probably the best part of the entire meal). While we ate most of it, it left a bad aftertaste in both of our mouths for a some time afterwards. 2 out of 10. In summary, very good service, but poor to mediocre food. Should have good to Indian Palace instead. Will not be back.
(2)
Lusi J.

After my 10+ visits to Lima Peru, I had high expectations for this place. The ceviche flavor was great but the fish was terrible. Their anticuchos were tasty though. However none of their entres really hit the spot for me. Was a good place to try but not planning to come back anytime soon.
(3)
Remi C.

This was some beautiful and tasty food. I will try to find the gorgeous picture of my food soon, but it was great. The waiters were attentive, but we were shoved into a tiny corner by the cold window. The food was a little pricier than I would have liked...and the corn beer was neither corny nor beery. That being said, I'd go there for the wide selection of meat and veggie options. The Pollo Chan Chan (rolled chicken around shrimp, cheese, and spinach) with spinach mashed potatoes was beautiful and tasty. The perfect size. I don't know if I'd go back, but there were some other pretty fantastic looking items on the menu, so maybe!
(4)
Victoria P.

One of the best ceviches I've ever had. Came here with my boyfriend for a late lunch to try their ceviche at the recommendation of one of our Peruvian friends. The fish was cut into large chunks (something I've never seen before) and tasted fresh - no fishy taste whatsoever. It also comes as a huge portion - great for sharing between 3-4 people. I also highly recommend their tamal criollo and the lomo saltado. I was apprehensive about the lomo saltado due to other reviews, but it was delicious! So much flavor and seasoned perfectly. Service was excellent (but there were only a few tables since we came around 3PM). Overall, it was a highly enjoyable experience. Will be back.
(4)
Laura K.

Stellar ceviche! The meal comes with corn nuts and that yummy green sauce! We split the daily special a clam ceviche and a mixed ceviche. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu items.
(4)
Alexandra M.

The decor and band were great, it's not just another restaurant trying to do cultural food, it's really Peruvian. I had the pisco-rita which was great and really tasted like both drinks mixed together. We started with the special ceviche which was made with fish, and no shellfish, which was my impression of what ceviche is normally. It was delicious and had a great orange colored sauce that still tasted like lime. I then had the pasta with basil and spinach sauce which was delicious. My friend said she had it before at another place and it was creamy which I didn't miss. That makes the pasta healthy, right? The owner/manager came over and talked to us to be sure that everything was perfect, which it was. He guessed everything that we were eating and drinking as well, so I know he is there often.
(5)
Sasha N.

Nice atmosphere, great ceviche and cocktails, and solid, hearty food. For all of you complaining about salty and/or bland food: this is authentic Peruvian, so don't knock it just because you came here expecting some fancy schmancy Michelin star shit.
(5)
Jamie Z.

This place is great. Very attentive service and delicious food. I doesn't get any better than that!
(5)
Sarah L.

I was so underwhelmed by this place. The ceviche was ok, but everything else was flavorless. Well- I guess salt is a flavor. I left thirsty because the food was so salty, and hungry for anything else.
(2)
Rajendra S.

Best taste food especially soup and seafood try when you r in Somerville staff friendly
(4)
Nina S.

Can't go wrong with Peruvian chicken. They are the kings of rotisserie chicken. It's flavorful, moist and succulent. But then throw on some of that green sauce and it's elevated a hundred times over. Get the yucca fries as well if you're feeling adventurous. They're like the starchy cousin of a potato. The bf got the mixed platter with chicken gizzard, beef heart and tripe. I can't vouch for it cause it's not my cup of tea but he says it was good. I did like the huge corn kernels (I think it's called wax corn?) That came as a side.
(3)
Jennifer W.

Food is amazing. There's another Peruvian restaurant called Los Andes in Providence. Never thought I'd find my Peruvian gem in Greater Boston, but I have! Great food. Great prices. Coming back soon! Live music on Saturdays as well! :)!
(5)
Kelly R.

Great little spot in Somerville! I had a pisco sour, seafood ceviche, and lomo saltado -- the food was all delicious (but heavy! If you've never had Peruvian food before, beware), and the pisco sour was strong. I also tried a bite of beef empanada and flan; those two dishes were fantastic as well. Wonderful, friendly servers and as a bonus, live music!
(4)
Emilio T.

Great food at an affordable price. I've had the Lomo Saltado many times here and it is always on point. I have to point out the generous servings. I also love the appetizer platter that comes with beef, pork, onion, and corn. Drinks were great; I always order a passion fruit juice that has the right amount of tart and sugar. They have Peruvian beer which is also good. The decor and live band add an element that isn't always found in other Peruvian restaurants. It's clear they want to make the customer's experience authentic. The location isn't great because it's not easy to get there using public transportation. Overall great restaurant! I return to eat here at least 2-3 times a year -- would be more if it was closer.
(4)
Bryan R.

Fantastic! Rare is it that I throw out the 5-star unabashedly, but this one gets it. Low key, clean, friendly, and delicious, I was really impressed with this place. In all, it's just fun. The live music was as nice a touch as was the garb of the servers, who themselves were polite, attentive, and respectful and did not comearound too much. The food was delicious, and not having much experience with the cuisine, I found the dishes an exciting break from the norm. I'd make every effort to come back here again. Hands down.
(5)
A. D.

Excellent food, really. Everything we had was very tasty, unusually so. We ordered some appetizers -- avocado with salad stuffing -- a steak with succulent green beans, and a chicken dish. There wasn't a thing we didn't like. Even the Peruvian beer was awesome! The service was very prompt (albeit not too many people), the waiter's suggestions were very accurate and useful.
(5)
Corey L.

Returned and enjoyed it again. Saturday night around 9 or so and it was empty. A dude was playing guitar, which was nice though I felt bad talking as it was so empty and I'm loud. Very good service. Enjoyed the complementary corn and sauce We both had the Peruvian red sangria, which was sweet and fruit juicy. I liked it, but my tastes in wine-like drinks are changing and I'm more interested in a complex taste and this was more juice-like than I want nowadays. A year ago this woulda been perfect My lady friend had the avocado w veggies, which was okay - exactly what it was supposed to be. 3 avocado halves w veggies on top. Not super interesting Pollo chan chan: I was gonna go with the aji de gallina, as yelpers mention, which the server said was the #2 item. #1 was pollo chan chan. I checked it out, it looked better, so I tried it. Loved it. The chicken/cheese/shrimp combo was super tasty. And the spinach mashed potatoes are also super tasty. Green beans looked plain but were obviously cooked w some sort of good broth. Nicely done!
(4)
Adriana R.

I grew up in DC and had a favorite Peruvian food restaurant when I was there. When I went to college (in Vermont!), I really started to miss having Peruvian food right at my finger tips. Once graduation started creeping up and I decided I was going to move to Boston, I was overjoyed to find that I would be able to have my beloved food once again. I've been here a number of times within the last 4 years of living in Boston and I definitely consider it one of my "treat myself" places. Every time I've come, I've always had very attentive servers and the food has always been delicious. I pretty much stick to the same foods (they're my favorite, what can I say?). The Papa a la Huancaina are delicious potatoes in a (sometimes) spicy cheese sauce. It's served with a hard boiled egg, olives and on a bed of lettuce. It's freaking delicious. Then for my main course I always get Lomo Saltado which is essentially beef stir fry with tomatoes, onions, french fries (yup) and rice. This is also amazing and such a great comfort food. For dessert? Oh, don't you worry. I've got that down, too. Alfajores. Little delicious cookies with dulce de leche in the middle and powdered sugar all over them. I usually get these to go, pour myself a glass of chocolate milk and indulge. Writing this review makes me want to go now.
(5)
Casey A.

Super dank, reasonably priced and well decorated. Slightly cheesy but the food more than made up for it.
(5)
Tana R.

Here you can find the best Pisco Sour in Mass. My husband and I love this place!!! That is why we used Machu Picchu's restaurant to cater for our wedding in Newport, RI. We had nothing but raving reviews from our guests. We had seco de carne, arroz con pollo, choros a la chalaca, causa and empanaditas. Not only did they transport the food to Newport, they also kept the food warm which was a huge undertaking since our reception site did not have a kitchen. Rosy and her staff went above and beyond our expectations. I would recommend their catering service to anyone. Thank you Rosy! We couldn't have pulled off such a wonderful event without you!
(5)
Gian P.

Definitely one of Boston's best peruvian restaurants. Every time I come here I enjoy myself. The food, the drinks and the atmosphere are all amazing. Lomo saltado and ceviche are my favorites. Love this place. Saludos Machupicchu
(5)
Susan C.

Apparently there are 2 Macchu Picchus in the Union Sq. area. So please disregard my prior reviews of this place. On the plus side, I now have a new place to try out!
(3)
Seth S.

Once you walk in, you should double-check your passport for a visa stamp bc, minus the disco ball, it looks pretty authentic; i mean, look at the garbs the waiters have to wear. We were promptly seated and given some roasted half-assed popped popcorn that tastes like crunchy air. We ordered the shepherd's pie roll codenamed 'papa rellena' I'm pretty sure they used ocean water for the mashed potatoes. We had the long-named beef dishes, the bistek encebollado and seco de carne a la nortena. Not to be outdone by the ocean-salted, shepherd's pie roll, the beef dishes were extra salty. I had some fruity, alcoholic drink that came out with a fiery pineapple slice for a garnish. It was quite exciting. Don't try it though, it tastes like sugar soaked in gasoline. Where's Bloomberg when you actually need a sugary beverage that needs to be banned? To sum it all up, everything was Machu salty. Next time, I'll be sure to emphasize that I only need a Picchu salt. That is, if there is a next time.
(2)
Mark S.

I went here a while ago with my brother and my Brother-in-law. I had no idea what to expect. I had never had Peruvian food nor been to ANY Latin American restaurant outside of a Mexican family restaurant. The "starter" that they give to everyone is like a grilled corn nuts and a green creamy sauce that is amazing. I was hesitant at first and I was like "I'm gonna love this food". So, I get a beef plate that comes with a red sauce, vegetables and french fries. I know, didn't expect the french fries, but I didn't see anyone complain and I was too in love with the corn nuts and dipping sauce. The waiter was great and since my Brother-in-law comes from Ecuador, they had a good chat and everything was great. I definitely need to go here again.
(4)
Phillip W.

This review is about 2 years overdue....so maybe things have changed but I remember this meal really distinctly as "one of the worst meals I've ever had in a restaurant".... I'm not sure what happened with Machu Picchu when we went...not sure if I've ever given a 1 star before...I'd been to the char grilled chicken place across the street and that was so good...and this place looks really legit on the outside....but we got two dishes and both were unbelievably terrible. One was like a ground chicken and bean? dish that was horribly flavored (sort of mystery meat-esq) and luke warm. The other was fluorescent green with some pathetic green beans and tasted what I imagine Gak to taste like. Oh well, maybe it was just an off-night or we didn't order their better dishes. Also the service was pretty mediocre at best...we were seated off in this bizarre side room. Too bad :(
(1)
Kathy B.

I've been here quite a few times over the years and this is one of the best places in Somerville. I've had too many dishes here, all of them excellent. I have tried on various occasions figure out how they make the red and green sauce that they serve with the toasted corn to no avail. These sauces are so unique and delicious! Every time I come here, I always order one of their ceviches. My favorite is the ceviche mixto which contains a good amount of fresh seafood and various types of corn. Order it spicy if you can stand the kick. The place has a few unique drinks that are really worth trying. The pisco sour, with beaten egg whites is a well balanced sour drink with a good amount of alcohol. And on the non-alcoholic front, the purple corn drink is very different. Their shakes are also excellent. I highly recommend the passion fruit shake.
(5)
Pete V.

Delicious Peruvian food. Every dish that I have tried has been great. Pisco sours are extremely tasty. Tip: If you are looking for a great vegetarian dish, try the Locro de Zapallo -- an awesome pumpkin stew!
(5)
E K.

The ceviche is very good - not out of this world great, like some of the reviews say here, but probably the best in the Boston area! The beef stew (Seco de carne a la nortena) hit it out of the park, so that's what I would recommend that! Purple corn juice was great too. YUM!
(4)
laura W.

My favorite part of my two hour meal consisting of two appetizers, three main courses and two desserts was the free cancha (roasted corn nuts) and sauce. I could probably have just eaten a bowl of that for eternity and been cool with it. The rest of the meal.. all about $10-$14 in price: * Aji de gallina- chicken in a creamy cheesy sauce was probably the favorite meal, though I could have used a little more spice. * Tacu tacu- rice and beans... a little bland * Cau Cau- beef tripe and rice Sides: Fried plantains.... awesome ($4) Dessert: Alfajores- be prepared to be served a box of cookies. Tasty little things and you get a lot of them (maybe 12?). Mazamorra- this is jelly-like clove-flavored item. Lots of cinnamon on top and served to us warm... I didn't care for the texture but the flavor was fine. Not sure I'll be rushing back but I enjoyed the food.
(3)
Francine W.

One of my favorite places! I recommend the ceviche, corn and cheese appetizer, the poor man's steak! The chicken and shrimp dish with the spinach mashed potatoes, and for desert - alfajores!
(4)
Anshita S.

LOVE the food here. Ate there last night with hubby, thanks to the Yelp coupon ! I have tried Peruvian food before, but this by far is the best. The service was great. Our waitress was superrrr helpful and very accommodating. When I was trying to order the food, she patiently listened to my preferences and made very good suggestions. For drinks we ordered: Mango Shake (my fav at any Peruvian restaurant): Fresh and yummy ! For appetizers we tried: Chicharron de Pescado : Delicate fried pieces of fish served with salsa Criolla and tartar sauce. Excellent ! Perfectly made and very fresh too ! For Entrees : Hubby got Bisteck a lo Pobre. He said the Steak was perfectly made the way he ordered. The plaintains-- OMG !! YUMMY !!! I ordered Lomo Vejetariano -- Sumptuous !!! Thanks to Yelp I tried the place. We would definitely be going back again...and again !!!!
(5)
Samuel F.

Surprised I've neglected to review this place, it's one of the gems of Union Square. Peruvian food (mostly of the simple-but-tasty variety), great drinks (pisco sour!), that incredibly addictive toasted corn that's served with every meal! The desserts are amazing, too. Not the fanciest place, and service can be a bit inconsistent at times (though it's generally pretty good). I've been a few times, but have yet to try their ceviche. I should do that.
(4)
Monica B.

I went with a large group of friends on a Thursday evening. The place was empty at around 7pm, in one hour there were people in 6-7 more tables. They were definitely not prepared for such a large amount of people, on a Thursday night. From the moment I ordered until I got my first dish, it was probably a good 40 minutes. There was A waiter and A waitress. They seemed stressed but, never rude and always courteous. I had a "Amor en llamas" or Flaming love in English, orange and pineapple juice with Pisco sour. You get a piece of pineapple with sugar and pisco on top, then this is set on fire. Sexy drink for sure :-) I had yuca frita as an appetizer but came with my food and it was a bit hard but, good. I also had Chuleta de Cerdo a la parrilla which is grilled pork chops with Spinach smashed potatoes, white rice and green salad. The chuleta was seasoned properly and white rice was delicious. The spinach smashed potato was extremely salty, however. I had to mix it with rice in order to eat a bit more of it. That was definitely a disappointment. I've been there previously and had the Ceviche, it is a must-try. Delicious. I give it 3 starts because, one should be able to order different things on the menu and be pleasantly surprised. Not limited to have the one good thing on the menu.
(3)
Jason L.

This was a weird experience. Now, my dislcaimer to this review is that I did not have a pisco sour and I don't like ceviche, which I see to be the highlights in other reviews. However, we tried so much of the menu and overall came away confused as to what just happened. We tried to sample as much as possible, and started with the sampler appetizer plate which included chicharrones, anticuchos, fried yucca, huancaina sauce. The beef hearts were grilled nicely and had a good meaty flavor, but I wasn't impressed by the overly dry chicarrones. The much-talked about fried yucca was simply done, and bland without the sauce. For entrees, we tried the pollo chan chan and seco de carna a la nortena. This chicken dish is awkward and bland from start to finish. First of all, see the photos for plating. The first thing that struck me is a large circle of bland green mush surrounded by mustard swirls. There were chicken rolls stuffed with shrimp and spinach, and it lacked salt and seasoning. The same can be said for the green mush (spinach mashed potatoes). Their signature beef dish with beans was flaky and tender, served with delicious rice and beans. It's quite a shame that it was so salty the beef was literally inedible. Now I have a pretty strong salt palate, and this was still mouth-cringeing salty I had to wash down each bite with my purple corn drink. Desserts included rice pudding and the waitress' much-hyped but generic flan. The 'rice pudding' was aptly named arroz con leche on the menu. This is probably true Peruvian style, but when I see pudding I expect some sort of texture, and not just literally milk with rice and cinnamon. Maybe that's how they make it. Either way, it was an odd ending to an underwhelming meal. From all the great reviews here, I expected at least to like one of the 5 dishes. Maybe the menu is very hit or miss, and we just kept missing tonight. Let's chalk it up to an inconsistent kitchen. I ate the complimentary toasted corn kernels all night. Food (3/10) Plating (0/5) Decor (3/5) - live band a nice touch Service (3/5)
(2)
Katherine H.

Yum! love this place! They have manar blanco cookies, inka cola, ceviche, and mild versions of traditional Peruvian foods. The only thing I'd want different is more aji Amarillo used in the huancayino sauce and aji de gallino.
(5)
Spencer E.

This Macchu Picchu (yes there are two right next to each other) is more of a sit-down affair, with remarkably authentic Peruvian food! It's not aways for everyone, but for adventurous palates there is plenty to enjoy.
(4)
Alice P.

I am surprised at the high ratings for this place. I can only assume that those are from people who have not have good Peruvian food. My husband is Peruvian, and we go to Peru for several weeks every year. We travel a lot and we often go to Peruvian restaurants, so we were eager to try this one with such high ratings. The food was mediocre at best. While the leche de tigre in the ceviche was good and had the right flavors, the seafood in the ceviche mixto did not taste at all fresh and tasted like it was cooked first and then just had the leche de tigre poured on top of it. My husband had his favorite dish, Lomo Soltado, which was bland and not at all well cooked. I had arroz con mariscos and it was boring. A huge disappointment. And IMHO too expensive for the mediocre food that you get.
(2)
Guillermo M.

Great place to have authentic Peruvian food. We had the choclo as appetizer, the ceviche mixto, a mano milk shake (with real mango) and closed with the alfajores. Excellent food and would love to come back to try more ceviches.
(4)
Jo H.

Love the service and decor. Food was soooo good too! I really like their appetizers: yucca and Peruvian corn (which has huge kernels!!!) Kind of pricy, but worth it.
(4)
Josephine L.

Ever since I backpacked through Peru, I've been dying to re-experience the simple, hearty, flavorful food of this gorgeous country--without needing to take malaria pills beforehand. Luckily, Machu PIcchu scores on all fronts. If this restaurant weren't a 20-minute hike for me, I. Would. Eat. Here. Everyday. Every time I come here, I'm reminded I should book another flight down south. What to get: 1) Pisco Sour: First thing I ever had in Peru and still one of the world's great cocktails, in my opinion. MP's is good, but I like it a little frothier on top. 2) Ceviche Mixto: All their ceviche is good, but this is a great catch-all if you ask for a combination of seafood. 3) Arroz con Mariscos (Paella): I love stews, I love seafood, and I love seafood stews on rice. 4) Gorge on the toasted corn + sauce they serve in abundance like bread in other restaurants. 5) Seco de Carne a la Nortena: Just mmmmm. When you have it, you'll understand. 6) Yucca fries: It ain't Peruvian without yucca. Honestly, though, if you closed your eyes and threw darts at the menu, you'd love everything you ordered. It's that good.
(5)
Crystal E.

Hard to find Peruvian food around here so found this one. It's tad classy than I thought. Good food but I am not sure if I'll be back. Transportation is hard to get by and it is not enough for me to want to go back.
(3)
Lisa B.

LOVE Machu Picchu! I don't know why I never yelped about it, I've been there a few times. Their pisco sours are delightful. The free roasted corn nuts with that green dipping sauce, that arrives when you sit down at the table, are delicious. I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE the chicken salad-stuffed avocado appetizer (at the bottom of the menu page under cold apps). I won't lie-- I've placed an order for those to go and walked down to pick it up in the rain. Favorite entree's definitely the pollo chan chan-- that's the chicken with the butterflied shrimp and spinach mashed potatoes and steamed green beans, right? SO GOOD. GO!!
(4)
Jose R.

The real deal. Ceviche mixto was out of this world. Not too crazy about the pisco sour, it had way too much egg white in it.
(5)
Nate Y.

Peruvian flute music in the background, a bit of a chill in the air, various Peruvian wood decor on the walls, and...a disco ball and dance floor next to where I'm seated? Other than this, it seemed this place would be considered fairly authentic, though honestly I haven't been to Peru so I'll just say the food was good! We started with the toasted corn with a dipping sauce which was spicy yet cool, maybe cucumber. The fish and shrimp cerviche was delightlful. Fresh fish and shrimp that's been "cooked" in lime/lemon juice with red onion and spices. A very refreshing and spicy dish. The Aji de Galina was very tasty. A creamy sauce with string chicken over thick cuts of potato and a hard boiled egg. The Bisteck Encebollado was large flat steak covered in onions and tomato with fries and rice. A very hardy dish which I promptly devoured. We finished with a traditional cookie which is a cream filling similar tasting to flan sandwiched between two shortbread like cookies covered in powdered sugar, very nice way to end the meal. The service was good although we were the first customers of the evening. The waiter was very responsive, bringing us a pitcher of water and extra plates so that we could share our meal. As for the disco ball and dance floor? Next time I'll have some pisco sours, then we're talking.
(4)
valerie d.

So easy to eat healthy here. Quinoa salad is ridiculously good for what is is... a big scoop of quinoa, light green lettuce (minus points), avocado, tomato, and something else I forget. It has a vinegary sauce on it that seems fat free, although it may have oil. Incredibly filling and salty in a good way. Quinoa actually has a ton of calories but it's still crazy healthy. I believe it's the best plant-based protein for your body, but I could be wrong. Ceviche is not the best I've had but another healthy dish and they have a few kinds. BF got a fatty plate and that was delicious as well. Their plantains are awesome. The steak didn't have a ton of flavor, minus points for that as well. Maybe they know their steak is a bit boring because it came with a jar of the greatest condiment known to man... A1. I haven't had that in forever and got giddy when I saw it. Oh and that free corn appetizer thing is pretty gross to me but people seem to love it. It comes with way spicy salsa and a creamy thing that we ate like soup. Not very expensive at all. That quinoa salad makes me want to make this place our go-to, so I wish the steak was more delicious so the bf would want to accommodate that wish.
(4)
Jessica V.

What's not to love? The food is incredible! The portions are large. The price is great. The atmosphere is relaxing! Also, there are many vegetarian options, wonderful drinks, apps., and desserts. A must-try!
(5)
Noah E.

We came here (my third time) for my gfs graduation party. We were seated quickly and the food was great! Large portion sizes. I suggest the tilapia ceviche! Very authentic and delicious.
(5)
Rene C.

delicious authentic peruvian food. their ceviche is very fresh. they also have live music sometimes on the weekends. great place to try something new
(4)
Jimmy G.

I only knew of/tried out this restaurant because of the Yelp Deal. I'm glad I did. I'm not usually someone that will go to a Peruvian restaurant, but it was definitely a good meal and I will be back. Sidenote - while there, one of the other tables got an entire meal accidentally spilled on them by a waiter walking past. At first I thought they were on candid camera. As it turns out, they were not. The meal was comp'd which was a good move by the GM. Nothing like live entertainment with a meal.
(4)
Rob C.

I was underwhelmed here. Not just because 1/2 the menu was ceviche (I get it, it's your national dish, that's cool). The empanadas were less than authentic, actually they looked and tasted a lot like the ones I make at home - and my definitely are not authentic. The braised beef dish I got was mediocre at best. It was a short rib in a basic gravy that was indistinguishable from any other beef stew I've had. My friend got a stew with preserved potato - which was good, but again nothing spectacular. It wasn't bad, I was just hoping for more with all the great reviews.
(2)
Aki N.

I don't know authentic Peruvian food, but fantastic dishes with great flavor and decent prices. Not a lot of ambiance, and easy for a group of seven to walk in on a Saturday night, but would totally go back Josephine L's review is helpful for some recs, and the waiter gave us a great list of recommendations from their extensive menu. We were skeptical about a cocktail with egg whites, but the Pisco Sour was fantastic. I was starving and ate almost the entire bowl of toasted corn with the spicy mayo-ish sauce. The sampler appetizer plate has a great mix for a group to pick at. I had the Seco de Carne, a beef stew on rice and beans, which was good and hearty. With a few drinks, shared appetizers, and a main dish, about $30-40 per person
(4)
Lisa O.

This place is a must go. The specialty of the restaurant is the traditional Peruvian food. They have live music and it is a traditional music. They are friendly and the place is clean. The food is very good the Causa is a must try also teh Lombo Saltado. very good food. Price is ok.
(5)
B S.

groupon and a Peruvian got me there...weekday lunch... only a few tables taken. Friendliest staff, excellent food - we sampled several dishes and loved everything...meat seafood and vegetarian. Some of the dishes are a bit on the bland side - in Peru not. They need to add SAZON !!
(4)
Dee B.

Met a friend for a light dinner here on Easter Sunday. Service could have been better, but the food was definitely good, as were the price points. I had a salad which was very fresh and crisp, plus the avocado on it was perfectly ripe and the dressing was appropriately light. Definitely one of the better salads I've had in a while. The fried yucca was perfect.
(4)
Aravind P.

Very nice people. Very nice service. 5 of us friends went to this placed ordered 5 different dishes - both veggie and nonveg - to sample them all. We all loved each and everyone of them. And they have live music. I wanted to give 4.5 stars but there was no way to do that. This would have gotten a 5 stars if they had an awesome dessert menu too.
(4)
Emma H.

I'm always hesitant to give out a full five stars, but this place was just so great! Our waiter was just adorable, super friendly and attentive, he even asked at one point if I needed a quarter for my meter. I didn't drive, but I almost wished I had just so I could have taken him up on the offer. The pisco sours were delicious, the corn and cheese appetizer comforting, and my ceviche mixte - YES. The friend I was with order a rice and sea food dish which worked out perfectly for sharing as I did want something starchy on the side. Made me want to go back to Peru asap! One of those local places you feeling great about supporting.
(5)
Alex R.

This was my first Peruvian experience, so it's tough to say it was the best, but honestly even with the high expectations set by other yelpers of this place, my girlfriend and I were blown away last night! Service slowed down as it got busier, but unlike some, I both expect that and appreciate taking a long time with my dinner. And the food was as unique and varied as it was delicious. Only low point was the beer, but I really have never been a fan of Spanish or Latin American lagers... just aweful.. Sorry! Upon being seated (by a lady in a very fun looking yellow dress), we immediately supplied with roasted maize kernels with a jalapeno (maybe?) mayo sauce - very original and tasty. We started out with the Ceviche Mixto, which was fresh, yet not overly acidic. Nothing goes better with seafood than lime and a bed of red onions! Then followed the best app I've had in a long time, the Anticucho, seasoned beef heart! It was only tough enough to give a nice firm texture, but it soon gives way, and the flavor was intense and salty, and honestly that with some rice would've made the evening, but there was more to come. Aji de Gallina: little hidden bits of pulled chicken and potato hidden in a thick, yellow cream sauce made from purÃ©ed yellow pepper, cheese and garlic. And my dish was the Special, and what a surprise because I went there somewhat sadly resigned to the fact that while well reviewed, this place was missing one of its main stars of Peru, the Cuy (or guinea pig). Well guess who just so happened to be making a guest appearance on the menu that evening... I had Roasted Cuy with a garlicky, tomato-quinoa-potato stewed side and rice. The side was almost amazing enough alone, but Cuy was a treat. Head and all, it brought together the crispy, salty skin of maybe pork and the gamey flavor of tender dark meat chicken. Also be noted is that Cuy is kind of fatty so there was a nice layer to eat which I scooped up with the crispy skin-chips along with the tomato side. Incredibly rich. After dinner we listened to some live Peruvian music and had Leche Asada for desert, which is very much like Flan, but less fine and much richer. All in all, a great evening with a new culinary experience, at a reasonable price. We barely fought off the temptation to order some Anticucho w/ rice to go. Next time...
(4)
David K.

Reheated, pretty lousy food. It was very expensive for being stringy steak and oversalted pilaf.
(1)
Rosemary H.

I went here last night and was very surprised--but not in a good way. All of my friends rave about their food and the ambiance, but I was less than impressed. First of all, the service was exceedingly slow. We were there for over three hours but there were only a couple of other groups seated. It took almost 30 minutes for the waiter to actually take our orders, and I doubt he would have ever brought us the check later if we hadn't madly flagged him down. The food was okay at best. I really like the toasted corn kernals and the fried plantains--but that was about it. The Ceviche Mixto I ordered was bland, and I'm a little worried that I have minor food poisoning as I have felt very weird and off since eating it last night. The fish was tasteless so I wound up picking out all of the pieces of octopus. Needless to say, it was not filling and I was disappointed that I spent $15 on something I did not at all enjoy. I would consider trying this place again since my friends like it so much, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
(2)
Nicole M.

I'm unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine but the menu has helpful pictures. The food and the service are excellent. We got started off with, um, crunchy round things with two types of sauce: super spicy, and green and creamy. For apps, we had anticuchos -- the beef was great while the potatoes and corn were plain. My main course was the delicious lomo saltado. The marinade for the sirloin tips, onions, and fries was flavorful without being obnoxious, and the rice was yummy. We also got the CusqueÃ±a beer, very tasty! Definitely check this place out!
(4)
Tiff D.

Sorry Machu, I wanted to be bffs, I really did. but Meh, I've experienced better. Being from LA, Im a huge fan of ceviche. I saw it on the menu here and had to have it. I ordered take out. Empanadas: Baked meat filled turnovers, and Ceviche de Pescado: bite sized pieces of fish marinated with spices. $19.11 As soon as I saw it I knew...this was no mexican ceviche. I tasted it and I was so disappointed. It was just fish marinated in lime juice thats it. It was served on a bed of red onion slices placed on a lettuce leaf. There was some type of potato looking thing on the side. One orange, one white. Yucca? And big Corn, some soft and a pile of hard ones. Like unpopped kernels at the bottom of your popcorn bag. What am I supposed to do with these? It will break my tooth if I try to bit into one of those things! The ONE empanada I got for $5 (the menu said 4 empanadas), was ok. The dough was soft not chewy or flaky. It was baked not fried. About the size of my hand. Filled with ground meat, raisins, and spices. It had a decent flavor but it wasnt anything I would return to Machu for. For $20, I was disappointed. I didnt finish my meal and wouldn't order it again. Machu does have great reviews so I will return and give it another try.
(2)
Betsy A.

This place has excellent food. It's all about the taste folks. Nothing fancy (although nice enough inside), they focus on making their food taste good. I had all my faves: platanos maduros, lomo saltado, alfajores, and my beloved Inca Kola (= Kolita Champane for my Puerto Rican friends). ;o) All in all a great experience. They had live music (something I believe happens Fridays and Saturdays). Experience only made better by great company. Took a star out because the waitress was completely out of sorts. Kept us waiting a loonng time. I believe she was new, so will rate again once I return (which I will...). =)
(4)
Stacy M.

Did you know that Peru claims to be the birthplace of ceviche? No? That makes two of us. I know so little about Peruvian cuisine, and have been meaning to try this place for a while. We had a great meal and wonderful service at Machu Picchu. We ordered up some Cusquena beer, the ceviche mixto, the aji de gallina (pulled chicken in yellow sauce) and flan for desert. Word to the wise, the ceviche mixto is served as large hunks of fish, not fine chopped like you might be used to. You should really be down with large hunks of squid, etc. before ordering this dish. The aji de gallina is one of their more popular dishes, and it was quite tasty, but I can't say I absolutely must have this again. The Cusquena beer is good- you defintely should try it. The service here was efficient and friendly. We were particularly grateful for the way our server deftly and politely steered us whities away from the rocoto sauce. If you are from Latin America, rocato sauce is probably like ketchup to you. In Boston, rocoto is likely to be found in the hair removal aisle. That's not to say it's the most crazy delicious depilatory out there. If you're looking for a south of the border (ok, like WAAAY south) experience close to home, Machu Picchu's well worth the trip.
(4)
Herb Z.

From what i know these guys are one of the few places in town for Peruvian cuisine. I was not that impressed with the food there. It wasn't bad, but just not good enough to have to come back. Don't get the chicharon there, I had it and they were like rocks in my plate.
(3)
Anna D.

Food was ok but service a bit slow considering it was pretty empty
(3)
Hamid N.

Great food; you should try their ceviche.
(4)
Betts C.

First off, the prices at Machu Picchu are ridiculous, in a good sort of way. Secondly, the food is surprisingly good, and from what I've been told (having never been to Peru myself), it's also not terribly Americanized. The atmosphere does lack a little something, as it's pretty silly and involves lots of photos, Christmas lights, and live music on Saturdays. But it's never overwhelmed with people, and the service is speedy. The pisco sours are bloody delicious, and not at all over-priced. The ceviche itself is delicious, with very fresh seafood and just the right amount of tartness. I also sampled same plantains, which were excellent, and the steak dish my partner ordered. For my own taste, I would recommend trying any of their ceviche options over the straight-up meat, but this might just be me. This is not a place to take someone for a romantic first-date... the lighting just isn't that pleasant. But it's really great food, and if you're not looking for atmosphere, this is a great spot to try.
(4)
Deanna D.

Friend: Have you ever been to Machu Picchu? Me: In Peru? No, I haven't been there but I would love to go. Friend: No silly! Machu Picchu in Somerville! Me: Oh that Machu Picchu! Yes, I went there for the first time on Sat. night! Friend: How was it? Me: Lovely drinks, especially the Pisco Sour & Chicha Morada. Delicious food and friendly service. Heres the break down: The place was very busy when we first arrived at 8:30 but we had a reservation for 4 people and our table was ready which was nice. The ambiance was nice: simply decorated, colorful, warm & inviting. There was live music which was a bit loud but very nice. Tamales con Sarsa Criolla- Flavorful and scrumptious Causa Machupicchu- Delicious, light but filling combo of seafood and potatoes. Aji de Gallina- Very tasty but could have used a little spice. It was a bit too sweet for my taste. Ceviche Mixto- Fresh fish, nicely seasoned, and very enjoyable. Dessert: The Baked Custard was fantastic and the Flan was good but nothing special. Our servers were very friendly and polite but also very slow at times. We waited a while to place our orders, order new drinks, have our plates cleared, and even for the check. The prices are reasonable and the portions were filling. Overall a lovely experience and nice place in Union Square.
(4)
Jess L.

I really want to give this place a 3.5. Great food: pollo chan-chan was great. Their signature ceviche was also tasty, spicy. Fried yuca = always a winner. $7 Pico Sour = expensive. Rice pudding dessert = very nice. Service was POOR. I think maybe it was busier than normal, perhaps? But it took forever to get our check. Or water. The one waiter seemed overwhelmed. We were seated near the front door, with the windows open - with someone smoking outside. Anyway, tasty food but a little disappointing on the service front.
(4)
Danielle H.

First off, there's another place up the street that has the same Machu Picchu sign out front - same owner but more of lunch place. Make sure you're going to the restaurant version further down Somerville Ave. We didn't know until we asked why there was no ceviche on the menu and was told we were in the wrong restaurant. I was really looking forward to eating here, and though I found the food to be good, I didn't leave thinking that it was a place I had to absolutely go back to. We had the ceviche mixto, which was pretty tasty. However, there was an overwhelming amount of very chewy octopus. We also had the recommended beef stew with beans (sorry, don't remember the name) which, though a bit salty, was good homey comfort food for the cold night. I don't have enough Peruvian food experience to judge this place's authenticity, but you will definitely get a solid meal here.
(3)
Poonam V.

Here's the thing. We are leaving the country soon and so our friends took us here for treat. And the only thing I was saying the whole time is why didn't we find out about this place earlier. Do yourself Favour. GO HERE. The food was mouth watering. We got Pesco sours for drinks and it was delicious . We had appetizers and it was a large quantity. We had sea food ceviche which was just unresistable. Later we had chicken fish and steak entrees and every dish was too good. The other good thing about this place is the live music . U feel like u r on Caribbean island. Next time we come to USA we are going here again until we try everything on the menu.
(5)
Laurinda U.

I was here last Saturday and it was very good. The prices are reasonable, the portions are large, and the service was pretty good. It's not a fancy place at all. Atmosphere and decor reminds me of a nicer McDonald's that serves Peruvian food and alcohol. However, the food is pretty tasty although I didn't think it super unique. Among the three of my friends and I, we ordered the chicken ($7), the sausage and baby back ribs ($14), and the porkchop and sausage ($14). It's A LOT of meat, so there were leftovers. All dishes came with salad and another side. The only thing was that the pork chop was on the dry side and I had to use the sauce that came with the chicken. The smoked chicken though is definitely their best dish because you can taste the smoke. SO good! Ultimately, the food is good, not particularly special but very filling and I think excellent value for your money.
(4)
Marcia F.

Our family visited Machu Picchu on a Thursday evening and were able to make a reservation. Although it was not crowded it was good to have a table set up and waiting for us. The waiter was wonderful and went out of his way to be accommodating. I told him that I needed to eat gluten free food due to allergies and he was great. As one of our appetizers we wanted yucca fries and he made sure that the oil hadn't been used to fry anything else, he also did the same for the french fries that came with my entree. He told me which foods either were or could be made gluten free. I really appreciated this. The food was all very good. We had a variety of appetizers, as well as seafood, steak and chicken entrees. Everyone was happy with their choices and the servings were large so we took home leftovers. The prices were reasonable and all in all it was a very pleasant and enjoyable dinner. We will definitely go back!
(4)
Jamal G.

I guess there aren't many Peruvian choices in the area, but that's no excuse. I ordered the lomo saltado, a staple for any self-respecting Peruvian restaurant. It was bland and greasy. The hostess and waiter were very nice, but the food was not so good. I doubt I will be coming back.
(2)
Joanna F.

4.5 stars actually. When I walked in to Machu Picchu, I was stunned by the atmosphere. For some reason, I was expecting it to be a lit more dingy. It was dimly lit and a costumed hostess brought us to our seat. I was with my Peruvian friend, so it made the menu a lot less confusing. I tried a sip of the Pisco Sours my friends ordered (delicious) and we got ceviche and fried Yuka for the table. Ceviche wasn't what I expected. I thought it would have the raw fish consistency, but it was absolutely tender and tasted fully cooked (which it is by lime juice). It was a VERY strong lime/vinegar flavor, which I loved, but I could see how it would disturb some people. For my entree I got aji something... basically it was chicken in a tomato cream sauce with white rice. It was really delicious and reminded me of some Indian food I have had except much more mild. I tried a bite of the Lomo Saltado which was also delicious... basically stir fried steak, veggies and fries over rice. The portions here were completely reasonable. I left full but not overstuffed. The service was great, and for 20 bucks, I tried a few Peruvian dishes. Also, the live Peruvian music was great. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Caitlin G.

I'd like to go back to see if my next Machu Picchu experience will be any better, because I've heard nothing but good things about this place. However, the service was very slow; people who were seated after our party were receiving their food before we did. When we did get our food, my dish was lukewarm in both temperature and taste. I ordered arroz con marisco, which is rice with seafood. It was very oily and served with a an entire thickly sliced red onion, which overwhelmed the taste for me. The seafood portion itself was a bit skimpy and overcooked. About half of us enjoyed our food, the other half didn't. So it was a mixed bag. I'd be willing to return to sample more dishes in the future just based on all the positive reviews here.
(2)
Kathy M.

My parents, native Ecuadorians, took me out to lunch here the other day and if they are pleased with the food and can vouch for its authenticity, my work here is pretty much done. I had the ceviche mixto which was really great because it was huge and it had a lot of different seafood (shrimp, fish, scallops and octopus). I wasn't a big fan of their beef empanada only because they use thicker and semi-sweet dough, it was almost like a croissant. I prefer a leaner dough which is what my mom uses... Oh and the "starter" which was roasted corn kernels was really delicious because of the great dipping sauces.
(4)
Ed M.

Having never been for Peruvian food before we decided to get dinner here on a snowy Wednesday evening. The place was very quiet and we were seated right away. All the food was suprisingly cheaper than expected as well. For a beverage I went with a Pisco Sour, which is known as the national drink, and it was very sweet and tasty. It seems like something I would get on a warm summer night in the future. Also had a Peruvian beer I had never tried or heard of later in the meal, called Cusquena, which was ok. We ordered the appetizer sampler, called Piqueo Machu Picchu to give everything a try and it was really nice. The chicharrones were particularly fantastic. For the meal I went with Aji De Gallina and was happy with my choice. The spices were definitely there but not in a bad way. Very friendly service and the food came out pretty quickly. We would definitely go back for more.
(4)
Stephanie M.

I've been eyeing Machu Picchu for years without ever going in, so a recent visit to a friend in Union Sq. was a great excuse to go. The atmosphere was nice - and warm, which was certainly appreciated - and we got a seat immediately. The toasted corn appetizer was interesting, and the spicy house mayonnaise that came with it was fabulously tasty - but if you really want spicy, ask your server for the red sauce. It'll knock you over. Three of us got ceviche of some flavor (mixto for me, pescado and de camarone for my friends) and the fourth got bistek encebollado. Everything was tasty, especially the ceviche de camarone, and they gave you plenty of food. The menu was huge and varied - I had trouble deciding between a number of things, and I really want to go again so I can try some of the others. For the price and the taste, this was a great meal. The only downside - all the food was spicy, and we never did manage to get any more water (or purple corn juice, which I highly recommend.) Also, while we sat and wished for drinks, there was Christmas Muzak with pan flutes. That, I could have done without.
(4)
Anthony C.

Machu Picchu is a solid Peruvian restaurant - it's not fine dining, but the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. I went here with my parents and sister over the holidays for lunch. My Dad being Colombian, the rest of us pretty much didn't open the menu; we just let him order for us, speaking Spanish to the waiter (always gotta go for the bonus points if one of your party speaks the native tongue of the chef!). I didn't really understand the order, so I had to ask my pops post-meal for the run down. Here's what we had: Piqueo Machu Picchu - Sort of an assorted appetizer platter with Yuca (kinda like fries? really good!), Anticucho (yes, beef heart. also delicious!), Chicharron (sorta like pig belly, not my fave so didn't have any), Criolla sauce (mayo-ish, pretty good), and some white beans which I forget the name of. Overall, delicious. The flavors were rich and definitely not Americanized... not even a hint of Tex-Mex here. Causa de Pollo - this was almost like potato salad with chicken in it. Amazing! So good. I don't know what made it so good, but the combination of flavors is delightful. Empanadas - unlike Colombian ones, these were made with a sweet dough instead of the salty cornmeal. The filling was really good though. Large dumplings filled with ground beef... can't go wrong! Ceviche Mixto and Ceviche de Pescado - the ceviches are definitely the house specialty, and they have an excellent selection. We went for the mixed one and the traditional one with just fish. Both scrumptious. Large morsels of succulent fish, and in the mixto there were also shrimp, calamari and octopus. Highly recommend both of these! As I'm sure you can tell, I'll surely be back. The only aspects I'm not crazy about are the location (I don't frequent Somerville that often...) and the calibre of service/fit & finish. If they upped the overall ambient aesthetic (a la Tapeo on Newbury) I'd be hard pressed not to respond with a 5th star :-)
(4)
Ellen F.

We went there again the other night and tried to use our Yelp Deal, which had expired but is still required by Massachusetts law to be valid for the price we paid. No amount of arguing helped so we ended up paying for the meal. When I wrote to the manager the next day she basically told me "too bad--we're not honoring that Deal." So maybe we're not going back there again because their attitude toward customers matters.
(3)
monique g.

Really yummy peruvian food. Folksy peruvian music. Authentic pisco sours. Machu Picchu makes me proud to love a peruvian! Really quiet atmosphere. The ceviche is fresh, and big! Do it! Do it!
(4)
Susan N.

Really not that great. My friend and I headed over there this weekend. We had gone to Peru last month, eaten their food, climbed their mountain and were still on a Peruvian kick so we decided to go to Machu Picchu, the restaurant. It's a cute place and has all the traditional Peruvian drinks and dishes. We decided to split the ceviche dish since we weren't very hungry and it was a pretty large dish. After trying it, I'm not in any rush to go back. While the fish tasted really fresh (that's good), the dish itself just left a lot to be desired. Ceviche is supposed to have a ton of onions and lemon juice in it but not so much that those flavors overtake the dish. This one just totally underwhelmed. We didn't taste any lemon flavor. Rather all I tasted was a ton of black pepper with some fish hidden underneath. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this place. I don't know if I'd go back any time soon.
(2)
John O.

I finally tried this place last night, and it was SO worth it. Let me start off by saying that this was my first time eating Peruvian food, so i have no idea if this was authentic or not, but it was delicious! The meal started with 2 apps, 1 of marinated grilled beef hearts, and 1 of fried yucca with dipping sauce. Both were a big hit. The beef hearts were flavorful, cooked well, and all around delicous. The yucca was crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, but the star of that app was the dipping sauce. It was mildly spicy, and just really went well with the yucca. For the main course. My wife had the Seco de carne a la nortena. It was like a beef pot roast that had been slow cooked in cilantro, and spices till it was fall apart tender and served with excellent rice and beans. I had a basked of seafood that was fried (don't remember the name) it was cooked perfectly. The batter was light and crunchy. I also ordered the Leche de Tigre (milk of the tiger) It is made with the leftover liquid from making ceviche and has more spices added. It is supposed to be the best cure for a hangover. I'll have to try some time and report back if it works. We also tried a few of their drinks. My wife loved her blue corn drink, she said it was somewhat sweet and very refreshing. I had CusqueÃ±a, a beer from Peru, and it was very tasty. I'll have to look into more drinks from there. I did not get a chance to try a Pisco Sour, and it is the top of my list when I go back.
(4)
Christopher F.

I've always been a fan of Latin American cuisine, but had never tried Peruvian food before eating at Machu Picchu. My girlfriend, who had been there once before recommended it, so I gave it a try. The atmosphere was great, but probably because it was a Friday night, there was a live band playing a bit too loudly. At times, my girlfriend and I had to shout over the music. It was a bit annoying, but seemed to quiet down after awhile. Looking at the menu, I realized that I had never tried really anything on it. I also noticed that the meals, priced at about $10.99 on average, were very reasonable. We ordered the beef tostada as an appetizer, and it was good but nothing to rave about. I also ordered a Peruvian beer called Cusquena which was average. The main reason I give this place 4 stars is my entree. I ordered the Aji de Gallina, which apparently loosely translates to "chicken in a spicy sauce." It was easily one of the top 5 most delicious things I've ever eaten. The sauce is a bit spicy, and mixed with the rice and pulled chicken, it was out of this world. Then, upon receiving the check, I couldn't believe how cheap the meal had been, even though we had ordered an appetizer and beer. Overall, average service, great atmosphere, fantastic prices, and unbeatable Aji de Gallina. Did I mention how good the Aji de Gallina was?
(4)
Tony K.

The No Reservations episode on Peru (or was it Equador?) had piqued my interest in ceviche a long time ago and I finally got the chance to try it at Machu Picchu. I had had ceviche before as an app or a small bite, but never a heaping plate full. The verdict... Excellent! Light and delicious flavors, cool and refreshing on a warm day. Definitely recommended! The place was nice enough - typical of any ethnic restaurant in Cbridge/Sville. No need to bother trying the Peruvian beer - totally forgettable.
(4)
Ned S.

Reviews often mention that a visit to this-or-that ethnic restaurant is like a trip to that foreign destination...but i never find that's true. For example, of the dozens and dozens of irish pubs that i have visited in beantown, it never feels approximating the fantastic experience of being at, say, Klinty Stone in Clonaklity, County Cork. Machu Piccu is different. From its plywood floors and very authentic food to regular friday night live musical bands and tableware engraved with "Turistico Restaurante" I feel like I'm back in Peru.. My wife does too and she only recently emigrated from Mancora from its north coast. Machu greets you with a large dining room and a extensive menu that offers only Peruvian cuisine--which is exciting and diverse (peruvian dishes are heavily influenced by Asian, African, and indigenous cultures, beyond dominant Spanish influences). There's many excellent variations of national dish of marinated fish, ceviche. Some great soups and fantastic sauces for the various meats. All well prepared, at good prices. Whether a flight to Lima is in your past or future, come by and feel like you're there.
(4)
Steph L.

Awesome food. I've never had Peruvian food before, so I can't speak on the authenticity, but I can say that it was a great eating experience. My boyfriend and I headed to Machu Picchu on a very cold night looking to try Peruvian food. We're heading to Peru this year, I wanted to know what to expect food wise (cultural sites are great, but good food is even better!). We were not disappointed. When we arrived around 7, the place was about half full, and we were seated immediately. We were given roasted corn kernels and a creamy somewhat spicy green sauce. It took some restraint not to drink the sauce. I didn't want to ruin the other diners' appetites. We started with the ceviche mixto, which was lime-y, onion-y goodness. The octopus was a bit chewy, but overall, the dish was really tasty. We also had the anticucho or beef hearts. I'm not one that generally enjoys organ meat, but the anticucho was seasoned well and tender. It reminded me of a thin steak. It was salty, but not excessive so (for me, at least). I would have eaten a whole plate of it with a side of rice. For my main entree, I had the aji de gallina, a creamy pulled chicken dish with rice. It was very mild in terms of spices, but a satisfying dish. Also, the sauce is BRIGHT yellow. By the time we received our appetizers, the place was bustling. There were people standing by the door salivating as others ate. There was also live music and which provided entertainment without being obtrusive. But when it comes down to it, Manchu Picchu serves up some seriously good food.
(4)
D D.

Never been to Peru, so cannot judge whether the foods are really authentic. But from the setting, to the people, finally to the food itself. are really good. Service are especially good and warm. The price is very reasonable as well. A definitely 5 star experience. Recommend purple corn Juice, lemonade, raw fish and hand pull chicken.
(5)
ancaruci C.

Really good Peruvian restaurant. I love (and highly recommend) the Peruvian seafood, and MP offers a good selection. We had 'pescado macho' and 'picante de mariscos'... in a few words, lots of sea food with great flavor. We also had pisco sour , delicious! and chicha morada, you really have to try it. The rices are very reasonable and portions are big. The serivce was great (5 stars) and the music nice. Great place to go, we'll be back.
(4)
Simpson S.

The reviews for this place on Yelp are pretty accurate... so I'll just get into what I liked/disliked: Liked: All the sauces. Make sure you get a side of the hot sauce, it was VERY good, and had a nice kick too it. Also when you sit down they give you a side of roasted corn kernels with a creamy sauce, ask them for extras of that sauce. It's absolutely amazing. Very creamy and very tasty. I forget the names for both, but just talk about the sauces and they'll know. The drinks were very good, I had the pisco sour and the pisco/orange juice mixed cocktail. Never had Pisco before, it has a melony taste too it. Very sweet and rum like. We ordered the seafod/mixed Ceviche. It was absolutely amazing. This is the first time I've had ceviche, but the dish is similiar to what Cambodians make (instead of seafood we use raw beef and scallions, VERY good). Nice big chunks of scallops in there, mixed in with some unidentified fish and squid. There was just enough citrus where it wasn't overpowering. This is a MUST order for anyone. Disliked: The beef hearts we ordered for our appetizer was a little too salty for my taste. I had to drown it in the aforementioned sauces to help make it palatable. Also the Fried Yuca is very plain. Actually, what we did was combine pieces of fried yuca with pieces of beef heart. That was a winning combination. The beef heart provided just enough saltiness to bring out the flavor of the otherwise bland yuca. Vice Versa, the starchiness of the yuca cut thru the saltiness of the beef heart. They should start pairing those two together instead of making them seperate orders on the menu. Like a steak frites thing. Overall we had a very good experience there, and will go back again. They apparently have live music after 8 on the weekends, unfortunately we they were walking in as we were walking out.
(4)
Brian B.

Authentic Flavor At a Great Price! As someone who grew up in a Peruvian family, I have to say that the dishes I tasted were spot on. A lot of them tasted just like my grandmother's cooking! I first heard of Machu Picchu about 3 years ago, and finally got to try it out this past weekend. I'm giving it 4 stars to start, since it was only my first time, and there are still a lot of dishes to try. Drinks: Pisco Sour - A Peruvian favorite. Right on the money! Appetizers: Anticuchos - Tender and delicious! Exactly how I remembered them from my last trip to Lima Papa Rellena - Equally delicious. One of grandma's specialties. Entrees: Ceviche Mixto - Another authentic dish. I went with the mixed ceviche this time, but I personally prefer fish, shrimp, and octopus. The scallops in this ceviche were not my favorite. As a whole, the dish was great! Lomo Saltado - Nicely cooked beef, served with rice and fresh french fries Seco de Carne a la NorteÃ±a - Fantastic! The beef was so tender that it was falling apart, and it had a great flavor. Dessert: Arroz con Leche - I would definitely recommend this if you like rice pudding. Masamora Morada - A pudding made from native Peruvian purple corn. One of my childhood favorites. Sort of a mix between Jello and pudding. Loved it! I'll definitely be going back to Machu Picchu!
(4)
Jean S.

I'm a bit surprised by all the rave reviews I read here, and by the recommendation of a friend from Peru who said that this is *the* place to go in the Boston area for Peruvian food when I asked her whether I should spring for the Yelp deal. So maybe Peruvian food just doesn't float my boat. I agree with the reviews here that do mention how bland everything was! My friend and I had high hopes for some interesting flavors as we devoured the roasted corn and sauce offering we sat down to, but that was short-lived. To start we got 2 empanadas, and while I can't say that it isn't how they're served in Peru, I got the distinct impression that they'd been fried ahead and microwaved when we orderd them, because the pastry looked like it was once beautifully flakey, but arrived soggy and limp. I'm used to other empanadas being essentially finger food, but there was no way to pick these up and they became fork and knife food. We ordered from the 'National dishes of Peru' part of the menu - I got the Arroz con mariscos, which was ok in that there was a generous amount of squid and shrimp (tails on, though, which I find a pain in the you-know-what mixed into a rice dish) but it was not really very flavorful. My friend got a fried shrimp dish that came with both rice and potatoes (that turned out to be french fries, which we thought really odd) but again the flavor was not particularly memorable. The pisco sours were ok, not way better than any average whiskey sour would have been, so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about over them. For dessert we got the Peruvian baked custard, which was truly wonderful, and with the complimentary roasted corn and sauce made for the only really memorable 'YUM!' of the evening. The service was ok, and the portions were on the generous side, but had I not been there because of the Yelp deal I wouldn't have thought it a good value. Sorry to sound so negative, but I can't see myself making the trip back . . .
(3)
Bonita Y.

Their menu is hilarious!!! Get the ceviche (although I don't like the fish in it...but other stuff are equally delicious!)
(4)
Janet L.

love this place. great seafood and meat dishes. ceviche is fresh and the lomo saltado is so flavorful. the staff was very nice. can't wait to try more stuff.
(5)
D M.

I went here last night with Dorian, because all the other bars were packed and we really wanted a drink. We came here and were immediately seated. We ended up drinking Machu Picchus, which are boozy drinks that are all about the float.....brandy, grenadine, juice of some sort, and creme de menth, I believe. Sound like instant vomit? More like instant deliciousness! They were yummy, boozy, and pretty. Dorian ordered some of the vegetarian lomo, which was a blend of huge kernels of corn, onions, french fries,and yummy broth, served with the best sticky rice I've found in a while. It was delightful. The french fries were kinda weird in it, but somehow worked. I will definitely be back here to try other dishes when I am actually hungry, because it's definitely a fun place to eat.
(4)
Samantha B.

This was my first introduction to Peruvian food, and I loved it! This place is fortunately right down the street from me. I am eternally grateful that I was introduced to Peruvian toasted corn. I have since found it at a Latin market on Moody Street in Waltham and can't get enough of the stuff. Those dipping sauces are also incredible, INCREDIBLE. Some of the best sauce I've had period. I've tried to mimic them at home, but haven't gotten a slam dunk yet. Their vegetarian options aren't that varied, but the vegetarian lomo is delicious. Also a thumbs up for fruit shakes. My boyfriend loved the super spicy ceviche here, but didn't appreciate that the waiter took forever to bring water. The service can be on the slow side.
(4)
Michele B.

Imagine if you had never eaten pasta before, because there were no Italian restaurants in town. And then an Olive Garden opened up. Because you'd never had Italian food, and Italian food is fantastic, you would think Olive Garden was fantastic. That is sort of what Machu Picchu is like. Peruvian food is amazing, but this isn't amazing Peruvian food. But if you've never had Peruvian before you will think it is fantastic. On the night we went, we get there somewhat early and it it was very, very cold in the dining room. People were sitting in their coats. So bring a sweater.
(3)
Malena L.

It took me a good year to make it to this place, but it was well worth it. Everyone recommended it and for one reason or another, I just couldn't make it there, but now that I've been, I tell you...I'm going back! So, let's review the deliciousness of my plates: Let's start with some definitions: DF = deep fried...and I thought this would be a healthy meal. - Chicharron de Pescado: little pieces of DF fish with DF yucca and a tartar sauce. I was a bit disappointed. DON'T GET ME WRONG, it was delicious (I love deep fried ANYTHING) and I have to say DF yucca is best. However, when I think OF chicharron, I imagine something like DF fish skin...YUM...and well, these are just pretty much fish sticks. Then again, this is NOT a Mexican restaurant (I'm Mexican). - Piqueo Machupicchu: DF pork, DF yucca, DF beef, red onions and corn kernels with some sort of sauce. Again, I was fooled by the "chicharron de puerco" on the menu. However, PORK IS PORK and I entirely recommend this dish. If I had known about it, I would not have ordered the Chicharron de Pescado. This one has the DF yucca, too, but the rest of the stuff is 10X better than the DF fish. - Aji de Gallina: pulled chicken and potatoes in cream and AjÃ Amarillo based sauce. I believe aji might mean curry, because this dish resembles an Indian dish. Definitely delicious. Definitely get it! - Ceviche Mixto: CEVICHE. For the record, Peruvian ceviche is possibly better than Mexican ceviche and this place makes GREAT ceviche. I gave myself another ulcer by scooping the remaining juice with a spoon and eating it all as if it were soup. - Arroz con Leche: rice with milk. Simple, but I like it. - Finally, these cookies with dulce de leche that EVERYONE must get. They are cheap and they give you a lot of them, too. This place is definitely worth going to. I can see myself becoming a regular and not for their DF shit, but for those damn ceviches. Bring it on, ulcers!!! Deep fry that!
(4)
rolf f.

Enjoyed the meal here. Wanted to go because I enjoy Chilean food and wanted to see how different Peruvian food was. And also wanted to compare a Peruvian piso sour with the ones I had in Chile. Was satisfied with the food and the service. Ambiance is a bit lame. Will go back when I am in the neighborhood.
(3)
Adam K.

If you're looking for authentic Peruvian cuisine, Machu Picchu is your place. I went to Peru in the fall and Machu Picchu really brought me back with the beautiful music, amazing pictures, and, of course, CEVICHE! We had 3 plates of ceviche and it definitely was authentic and tasty. I can't say anything about the other dishes the offered, but if you're looking for good ceviche, this is your place.
(4)
Stephanie B.

Ever wanted to eat guinea pig? Well now you can. It's a delicious dish in Peru called cuy. You can get it here if you special order it at least a week in advance. I recently booked a birthday party here for myself and 7 other people. We ate like kings! Instead of bread they give you corn nuts with a very delicious cream sauce that I don't quite know how to describe. Just be sure to save the sauce cuz it goes great on top of the causa limena. Very light and clean flavors- nothing special but still something you should try. Their empanadas are big and on the sweet side so buyer beware. Also give their tamale a try, you won't regret it. They have an entree which allows you sample four national dishes. Great portions and each a unique taste. Their ceviche's are usually large chunks but all are pretty good. I think I prefer ceviche at rincon limeno in east boston though.
(4)
Lisbeth N.

I been here 2 times while visiting Boston, The restaurant is Very well decorated and they make it look Peruvian enough. The first time I came here I had a Jalea, I thought It was really good and they serve a big portion of it however the second time I came here I had the Lomo saltado and all they really put in the plate was onions and tomatoes, there was literally almost no meat in there. My boyfriend Ordered the ceviche and it seemed pretty dry, the green sauce didnt really have any Flavor but besides that everything else was good!
(3)
Kim A.

I am not the biggest fan of this place but my husband and niece LOVE it!! We've gone here with friends and they love it. We actually were introduced to the place by our Peruvian friend who goes here often. I find their food to be ok, but it just doesn't excite my palette. I've never had anything bad here. But there's also not anything that I love either. My husband loves everything here. I like the service ; they've always been friendly, attentive, and prompt. It's a large restaurant so there's tons of seating. Parking can be tricky. I gave them a higher score because of my husband and the quality of their service. I also acknowledge that while it doesn't excite me, it very well may excite you!
(4)
Monique S.

I started off the year having never had Peruvian food. Now I've had it twice. Machu Picchu was my second time. A friend of mine visiting the area wanted to check out this place. I've passed it many times and never tried it. The staff dress in traditional attire, and the look is very old school VFW. We started off with fried yucca, which was dry as it is meant to be. For drinks, we had the purple corn beverage blended with Pisco. It was sweet and delicious. The Pisco Sour was delicious too. I was overwhelmed by the big menu, which is several pages long. I didn't know what to get, so I asked the waitress. She said the the lomo saltado was very popular. I decided to get that and side of boiled yucca. The dish was delicious, but had very little meat. It was mostly fries, onions, and tomatoes, with a few tiny pieces of steak. There was no moisture, so the dish was kind of dry. It was very well seasoned though. With our meal came cancha, large fried corn kernels with a delicious light green sauce. I asked for a side of the sauce to take home with me for my meal. The service was great. The waiters were very attentive. When I had the leftovers, the seasonings settled in, but it was still dry. I put some of the green sauce on it, and it was amazing.
(4)
Michael M.

OMG!! If you like rotisserie chicken, this is for you. I've been once and can not wait to go back. They specialize in chicken and ran out of chicken while I was there, that how in demand this place is!! Go early and get a whole chicken
(5)
Christian J.

Amazing peruvian food , the best service and a great environment. Love the variety of dishes and prices are great. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Karina H.

It was so yummy!! I liked the appetizer with heart. And fried fish and shrimp topped with lime-marinated onions. Ceviche was also very good and aji de galina was ok but overall loved the place and food. Wish they had the ceviche sampler which includes fried, non fried, mussels and octopus. Very tasty and authentic
(4)
Kanika H.

Was visiting a friend in Boston and we decided to come here for dinner on my first night (as I've never had Peruvian food before). Environment: Clean and quiet. Traditional decor and white tablecloths. We came here the Friday after Christmas, so it may be why it wasn't insanely packed. Service: Friendly enough. No complaints. Food: For starters, I had fried yucca, which was a little dry, but filling. I shared it with my table mates. The entree was yummy and plentiful. I had the steak tacu tacu, which was so filling that I ended up taking it in a doggy bag and having it for breakfast the next morning. Also had the purple corn drink (the name escapes me) w/pisco, which was like a fruit smoothie. No desserts...like I said, I was stuffed. Next time, I hope to try the chicken place down the road.
(4)
K. Brooke Z.

Their ceviche is out of this world. Ive tried a few of their other fish dishes, and they were good, but not as lemony spectacular as their ceviche. The leche de tigre (similar but with shrimp) is also phenomenal. There are a few special dishes you cant find anywhere around, but also some options for the picky eaters in your group. Definitely try their pisco sour as well. Its a great cocktail to go with any of their seafood.
(5)
Abigail W.

Let's get the good things out of the way... the food was perfectly serviceable, and the wine list was filled with Peruvian and Argentinian wines. Can't go wrong there. The house Malbec was excellent and paired well with everything. And the Peruvian corn made every dish more interesting. Now let's talk about marketing, brand image, staff training and portion size. Machu Picchu advertises itself as 'Fine Dinning'. This is a misnomer. It is Family Dining, not Fine Dining. I had a long week at work, filled with bagels and bicycle commuting, and went into Machu Picchu with the hope of getting some high-quality protein... whatever the Peruvian equivalent to filet mignon is, and perhaps a bit of ceviche. I was celebrating and treating myself, eating alone, and was happy to order pricy things on the menu. My eye gravitated to the Anticuchos appetizer at $18, which seemed to be billed as their signature appetizer. I asked the waiter multiple times if the dish was for one person or two, and he reassured me that it was for one person. As such, I was expecting 6 ounces of filet mignon or foie gras quality appetizer. Instead, what was delivered was nearly 24 ounces of food. Enough for a full entree or an appetizer for four. Strike one. Unfortunately, this waiter proceeded to do the same for two other dishes. Again, I asked on portion size for ceviche, expecting a glass of ceviche (as advertised in some of the menu photos). Only, what was delivered was ceviche for two or three. Probably another 24 ounces of food. Strike two. Lastly, there was an avocado appetizer, which was served as avocado-and-a-half. Again, nearly 50% too much food. Strike three. By this point, the waiter had allowed enough food for two or three to be served to a table of one. The food in any of the dishes was perfectly fine. The problem was the gross wastefulness, an inattentiveness to the diner's experience (particularly when dining alone), general misrepresentation, and frankly, a certain amount of dishonesty. The manager tried to come over and schmooze afterwards, and had the temerity to try to solicit catering business. I explained how the waiter had misrepresented portion sizes and the general wastefulness, and he immediately assumed it was the waitress. Either he did not know which tables his floor staff were taking care of, or it was casual sexism on his part to assume it was a woman who was being incompetent. Given the traditional attire that's promoted, I suspect it was the later. All in all, perfectly reasonable food. But not fine dining. This is a restaurant that, at the end of the day, is more concerned with quantity, not quality. Which is perfectly understandable, considering its catering operations. But it should advertise accordingly.
(2)
Mrs. G.

We ordered take out from here and it was really good. The chicken was great and so were all the sauces. The salads are also very fresh. Best take out in Somerville in my book :)
(4)
Vanessa T.

Love this place. Everything is so fresh and amazing. Highly recommend trying the plantains and empanadas. Never a wait, good size restaurant and ample street parking.
(4)
Kelly O.

I'd been eyeing this menu for years, and finally got a chance to check it out while in the neighborhood. It's a cute little place that had a live guitarist/singer that night, which was a nice touch. We were sat in a side room and promptly forgotten about for a while, even while the couple next to us got served, which wasn't cool. When the waitress finally did come over to greet us, we were ready to order everything at once- drinks, apps, mains-so things came out together instead of in a real progression, and then weren't really checked on at all after the food came out either (I would have ordered another cocktail given the opportunity; your loss, Machu Picchu). So, service needs some serious work. Food was pretty decent. The gratis corn starter was a nice beginning, but the fried yucca app we ordered to split was OK but nowhere near as light and fluffy as I'd prefer (I've been spoiled by Orinoco's version), and the accompanying sauce wasn't bad but I've had better. For my main, I chose the camarones al pisco: marinated shrimp alongside green beans, giant corn, rice, and fried potato chunks (there's a pic of it already up from another Yelper). I was hoping the dish would come with some kind of sauce or seasoning, but aside from the nicely flavored marinated shrimp, the rest of the components on the plate were pretty plain-tasting (although not totally bland- at least there was some salt and pepper involved). I ended up smothering it all in the leftover sauces from the gratis corn and our yucca frites app, which greatly improved the dish for me, and in the future I think I'd opt for something that involved a sauce to make sure my dish was actually flavorful; my dining companions each had a different beef stew-type dish that they were both happy with and was full of flavor (although both were really heavy and filling). On the drink side, my pisco sour was excellent, and I liked the offered variety of flavors. Overall, the food wasn't bad, the service wasn't good, the live musicians were a fun touch, and the menu is interesting enough to interest me in trying again. I'd give it another shot if I were in the area.
(3)
Lily C.

This is the BEST Peruvian restaurant in Mass!! Been coming here for years since it started up. Tastes like Peru And I bring all my friends who've never had Peruvian food here, because the experience does Justice to our amazing cuisine
(5)
Shigliam G.

Great place to eat! I took my family this weekend to the restaurant and they love it. The food, drinks and customer service is the best! I recommend this place, you won't regret.
(5)
Purecircuitx ..

So good! Never tried Peruvian food before but it definitely did not disappoint. The waitress knew we were newbies and helped us make some menu choices. Awesome place if you want something different! Not sure how it compares to other Peruvian places in the Boston area though. Definitely try the choclo peruano and the causa limeÃ±a. The ceviche is delicious as well if you like that sorry of thing.
(5)
Cristobal C.

Authentic Peruvian food. The waitstaff was nice and friendly. The food was delicious. Real exotic dishes on the menu. It looked like where we sat gets turned into a music stage (lights on ceiling). The food was presented like a top notch restaurant. I could tell the cook/chef takes pride in their work. There is also some asian/peruvian dishes like chicken fried rice.
(4)
Lorenz S.

We were excited to try something new, and tasted some of their signature dishes -- I found the food tasty, but lacking variation within individual plates. I can highly recommend the Peruvian beer they serve. Unfortunately, the host or owner payed a little too much attention to us for my liking: he came to our table twice and tried to make conversation, but we would have preferred to keep our conversation between ourselves.
(3)
Laurie L.

We didn't get there until after 3:30 pm but the service was still attentive and pleasant. There were six of us and at that time, seating was no problem. It looks like we had the lunch menu. Not a problem either. We split an empanada & plate of fried yuca. Both were delicious. Two of us had a pork and sweet potato sandwich, another a steak and grilled/marinated vegetable sandwich, and the classic chicken sandwich. All were pressed/grilled and served on baguettes. Another in the party had the quinoa with a house salad, which had nice avocado and a good dressing. And one other had the roast chicken with the canary beans & rice. On the table were two types of sauce - one spicy and the other just flavorful. We slathered both on everything, including the crispy fries server with all the sandwiches! I'd like to go back some evening and try their authentic dishes.
(4)
Hana K.

Authentic Peruvian food and beautiful live music to set the mood. The crowd is more family and couples. Came here on a Saturday night and it was not full. Though everybody was dressed nicely, this is still a pretty casual restaurant. We came here strictly for the Ceviche but after talking about the different types with our sever for almost 10 minutes, she forgot to order it so we never got to try it. Favorite dishes / drinks: Pisco Sour -- made proper with the egg white foam on top. Perfect texture and alcohol was well balanced with the sour. Inca Kola -- like a pineapple soda, very cool and delicious. Peruvian Empanadas -- meat empanadas were delicious but they were SO big this should be an entree rather than appetizer or shared with several people. I wish the server had informed us ahead of time... Muscles -- my favorite dish. Fresh muscle with a nice accent of bitter onions and picante sauce that gently tingle in your mouth. I probably would not order again the Choclo Peruano Con Queso (corn with a side of plain cheese) -- corn was very big and plain and had no flavor. If you've never seen Peruvian corn, this would be an interesting surprise but it may not suit everybody's palate. Server got our order mixed up and brought one extra plate. When we tried to correct our order, she asked us "if we were sure." We all heard my friend order so the mistake was clearly on the server and not my friend. All in all atmosphere was great, food was pretty good but there were too many mix-ups with the service. WARNING: There are two Machu Picchu in Union Square so make sure you go to the right one. Our friend had gone to the wrong one and we spent about 15min trying to figure out where she was. Very large portions so come here starving or order to share.
(3)
carol s.

I thought the food here was very good. Absolutely loved the flounder ceviche, and enjoyed the ahi de gallina and whole fried fish. However, what I really want to comment on is how wonderful the service was. We arrived for lunch at a weird hour--mid-afternoon--and were the only customers in the entire restaurant. In other places where this has happened, more often than not I've gotten the impression that we were a bit of a bother, but not so here. Our waiter was fabulous: informative, attentive, and incredibly helpful. He even gave us quarters for the parking meter out front. I don't think I've ever encountered such a conscientious and really nice waitperson. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sylvia C.

First time trying Peruvian food...must say its like comfort food for me (anything with potatoes). Ordered: Apps: Beef hearts Yellow Potato with Seafood EntrÃ©e: Grilled steak with onions and tomatoes Chicken stew with yucca Too stuff to make it to dessert (definitely will save room next time) Service was excellent - staff was on top of our courses and check back often to see how we were doing.
(4)
Jeremy E.

Best Peruvian food in town. Personally best I've had outside of Peru. Staff is fantastic and could not even begin to rave about the pisco sour. First restaurant I've been to in along time that actually called out there mistake and made it right. Really fantastic customer service. Food taste fresh, and delicious.
(5)
Brooke C.

My friend and I came here and sat at the bar for an after school snack. I got the tacu tacu and she had the chicken salad inside the avocados, both recommendations of our server. Both were delicious! Peruvian beer and homemade sangria were also great. The people there were so friendly! Ivan was the bartender/our server and he was the nicest guy ever... We also talked to the man making sangria who was also very friendly. The place has wonderful employees, lovely food, and authentic atmosphere. Definitely will go back!
(5)
Justin O.

Food is good and definitely authentic based on what i had but i've only been here once. My issue with the food is the salt - I know traditionally the food is a bit salty but my dish was VERY salty to the point where it masked the other flavors. They also salt their rice so be aware. Although they are well prepared and the presentation is good the flavor ends up 3.5/5 for me. The reason they get 4 stars is the drinks. I was very happy with my drinks and I think they take their time when business is slow. Try to get in when they are less busy and I think you will have a great time. Beware there is another Machu Picchu down the street (more like a carry out place) - anyone know which one was the first one in the area?
(4)
Andrew T.

This place was REALLY good! I'll start off with the drawbacks that prevented me from giving a full 5 stars. First, the seating arrangements are way too crowded. The tables are very close together, and if the people sitting behind us hadn't left first, I'm not sure how I would have gotten out. Secondly, in a really sly move, they refrained from putting any prices whatsoever on their drinks menu. This left me leaving my best guess as to how much the cocktails and beers would cost, and prevented me from ordering a second drink round (which I'm glad I didn't because the drinks turned out to be rather pricey). We had a pisco sour and a chicha sour. They were both pretty good and strong at least. But still, leaving prices off of a menu is kind of sketchy. Despite these drawbacks, the food and service here were pretty great. The decor was nice (although playing top 40 music in the background seemed kind of strange when paired with the Peruvian style decorations and outfits). The waitresses were pleasant, and a manager was going around the floor talking to several people eating, in Spanish and English. The amount of Spanish-speaking people eating at the restaurant is also a good sign, and I heard the manager say he is from Peru. Our meals were really well put together. The aji de gallina (chicken in a yellow pepper sauce) was quite tasty. The hard-boiled egg and black olive were nice touches to a very delicious meal. It was almost like a mild curry. The ceviche was also fantastic. It came with a ton of lemon (which I liked) and the seafood was tender and delicious. I would definitely go back to Machu Picchu because the menu had a lot of other really awesome looking dishes!
(4)
Sugeily S.

The food at Machu Picchu was amazing. My husband and I tried the "Atichucos Peruanos (cow heart)" because we wanted to be adventurous. I was slightly nervous about my husband completely hating the dish. Let me tell you, we loved it. The Atichucos Peruanos were tender and flavorful. We also ate the "Leche de Tigre (ceviche)," and "Biste de Pobre (steak)". We loved it all. The ambiance was also amazing. We loved the live music, upbeat waitstaff, and traditional Peruvian attire of all the employees. We plan to visit again.
(4)
Lauren H.

#12 of 52 in 2014. My better half has been asking to go here for years based on her charcoal chicken experience in NYC. So we finally went the other night. I think we actually meant to go to the place across the street, that is described as more chill and less expensive. When we sat down at THIS place, I was a little scared. It's kind of odd--white tablecloths, live music, authentically dressed staff... But the decor is just white walls and macchu picchu salt and pepper shakers (presumably FROM macchu picchu). Not the most cozy restaurant I've ever been to. The equivalent of chips and salsa or baguette and olive oil was a green, spicy, foamy concoction and corn. I had no idea what to do with it. But I'm American so I dipped it. The menu, thank God, had pictures or I would have been hosed. What I ended up ordering was unlike anything I've ever eaten--rice, French fries, tomatoes, red onions and chicken. It was stupidly good. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Lea V.

Great food, amazing service. Highly recommend the Seco de Carne a la Nortena.
(5)
David L.

Eh. This place was ok. The prices were a bit more than I expected for the quality. I liked the ceviche that they had, but the rest was rather mediocre in general. For being so empty, the service was reasonable but i wouldn't say good
(2)
M. Deloris D.

Dear Macchu Picchu, I'm not gonna lie. You let me down. You sat there nestled in your comfy home in Union Sq. serenading me with Peruvian music beckoning me to sample your wares, but Macchu, your offerings fell flat. I was pleased by your first presentation of the passion fruit pisco sour but my second one screamed less pisco, more sour (and passion fruit) this kind of inconsistency throws off my eating program. Furthermore, I paid some egregious amount for hardly fresh seafood in a mound of rice. It was okay. $17 okay? I'm not so sure. And the dried beef slathered in gravy? I'm not exactly sure what that's about, after all, you can get beef that's not dried out, but whatevs. I can say that the pescado frito appetizer was tasty and fresh but I'm still confused about the corn scene with the green sauce that showed up at my table. Macchu Picchu, your mixed bag of offerings combined with a dirty table cloth and inconsistent drinks barely earns you the three stars. Take what you can get.
(3)
Tinimini K.

I have been here at least about 30 times and they are consistently good!! They have live music every Fri/Sat/Sun with you guess it, a pan flute band. They are pretty damn good! Request Valicha if you want to hear some amazing music. As far as food goes, for appetizers, you must try the Yuca La Huancaina with the yellow pepper sauce (the yuca is fried perfectly and the sauce is yummy!!), Ocopa (Potatoes with a delicious basil sauce), the Choclo con queso (gigantic corn with fresh cheese). For entrees, since I am vegetarian I get either the Lomo Vegetariano (rice with potato fries, onion, tomato and corn) or Tallarines Verdes (spaghetti-like pasta with basil sauce). I just found out yesterday that they have a couple more veggie dishes but they didn't sound as great and I do wish (since I am such a frequent guest) that they had more veggie options. For non-vegetarians, my peruvian friend always gets Aji De Gallina or Seco de Carne, the ceviche is not bad either, apparently. Perfect place to both bring a date or go in a group! Enjoy!!
(5)
Jeanie G.

The food was really good! I had very nice ceviche. However, the service was awful and slow. The waiters ignored us and we had to repeatedly ask about our meals and ask for water, etc. I was very unhappy with it.
(2)
Anne A.

Every Peruvian I know adores this place (Ok, so I only know three, but that's still a good record). In its new location, it's transformed from a idiosyncratic hole-in-the-wall to a gourmet ethnic destination (the food is the same, the prices are steeper, the decor is AMAZING- read: llamas). I highly recommend the ceviche mixto and the loma saltado, both highly authentic foods of Peru.
(5)
Xin S.

We had a Yelp deal and enjoyed a pretty good meal here. The beef heart was a great appetizer and came with these huge kernels of corn and a thick slice of potato. We also got a tamale to share, which was very good and came with some good pickled red onions. For our entrees we had the grilled shrimp over a salad and french fries and the 'chicken in a spicy sauce' (Aji de gallina) which came highly recommended by Yelp. The chicken was delicious, the sauce was very flavorful and buttery. The pulled chicken bits and potato in the sauce were very tasty. My only complaint is that it came unevenly heated--parts were very hot, others barely luke warm. It had obviously been plated and waiting/then reheated. The shrimp was good but nothing special, the salad was forgettable and the french fries... well, what can one say about french fries besides they were there on the plate. To get up to the $50 Yelp voucher we ordered another beef heart app to go (yes it was that good). Overall yummy and a good deal, but not necessarily good enough to trek all the way back for.
(3)
Meng M.

Why is this place categorized as Burmese food?
(3)
Laura P.

Great food and service. We ordered the salchipapa (mini sausages) and, for the adventurous, anticuchos (skewered bits of beef heart) to start. Our table ordered aji de gallina (a chicken stew), the classic lomo saltado, and two other dishes that escapes my memory. As mentioned by others, portions are huge. It is an advantage to speak Spanish, but not a requirement therefore people should definitely check it out. The only disappointment was the leche flan which was baked in a huge container and sliced thick. Its shape weirded me out and the texture was tough. ouch!
(4)
Roberto C.

We love these guys, Carlos is always our waiter & is such a nice man. The food is great (& reasonable) and the music & the employees wearing of the traditional peruvian clothing & playing the music is a nice touch. Make reservations on the wkds as they get crazy busy - which is great since they just quadrupled their size moving to the old Lino's locale. If you're into beef the bistecca al la pobre is quite the kicking dish.
(5)
Rinn S.

Yummy, tasty and delish. I've had little experience with Peruvian food so I'm really no judge, but the food we had there was awesome. Tasted strangely like some west african dishes I've had, but that's cool. Loses a few stars because we waited, like FOREVER for anyone to come and take our order. Beyond that little service foul, this is a great reason to come to an otherwise boring Union Square.
(3)
Cynthia S.

Let me start off by saying that I am 100% peruvian. I found this place when I was driving around Somerville and was so happy to see that I would have a place to go to eat peruvian food that wasn't in my own or a family member's house. I've had many things on the menu and everything tastes exactly as it does (and sometimes better--sorry mom) when my mom makes it! I've eaten there about 4 times now and I still have no complaints. One thing I will tell you is that the restaurant is so authentic that the service will be slow (in true late peruvian style).
(5)
Evelyn C.

This place is definately on the map for eating an authentic meal! Me and the boyf decided it would be nice to try something new so we headed down to Union Sq. Thank goodness we took the bus (87) since it looked like it was pretty scarce with the parking. We went on a Friday, which equals probably a wait, but we were seated right away. i agree with a lot of the yelpers that the service is very slow, this isn't such a bad thing for us because we are quite indecisive, but I am sure if we were regulars it would be very annoying. What I enjoyed most of this meal is the fact that the waiter was really good at explaining everything we wanted. I appreciate that since ordering something new for the first time can be so intimidating. I ordered a marinated beef recipe and my boyfriend ordered a shrimp dish with a red sauce. Both were delicious and had flavors that we had never tried before. What was neat too, was the chocolo, which is a large variety of corn kernels. They serve to the table with a spicy green cream sauce, YUM! We also tried a purple drink that was made of corn?!?!? I know it was good, but I couldn't get over the corn thing. Finally, they had live Peruvian music too, and a huge Peruvian family was having dinner. It made me miss my fam!
(4)
Vivek S.

Went here on Fri night. They sat us in a small annexure that was cut away from the main area and we could only hear the flute band and not see them. No qualms there....not my favorite kind of music! We are both vegetarians and I picked the place for Fri night coz I thought we had been spending $$$ for the past few weeks and a different $$ restaurant with some vegetarian options would be good. Unfortunately, the food here didn't live upto our expectations. It was bland and I bet we both fell asleep in the middle of dinner...at least we couldn't recollect what had happened on the drive back home! Very very boring atmosphere and food. The Yucca fries were bland...I don't think they added any salt or seasoning to the fries but the dip was okay. The plate looked so boring...yucca fries were probably bored themselves to be there in the first place. We ordered the Lomo Vegetariano and Tallarin Verde Vegetariano. The Lomo plate had just rice and some veggies with french cut fries...not sure if the Peruvians eat French cut fries. But it was okay with the rice..nothing exceptional. The Tallarin verde was just like linguini with pesto sauce...slightly different texture. Got very boring after a few mouthfuls! Bottomline is that the food here is not pricey and portions are generous but it is very bland and boring food. I don't think I'll visit the place again but meat lovers may like this better.
(2)
Kdub W.

Meh. I've never had Peruvian before, but we went because a Peruvian acquaintance recommended it for its authenticity. As others say, the service is sub-par. The food comes in large portions. I didn't care for the empanadas (which were not big portions at $4 a piece)- the crust was a bit rubbery and almost tasted microwaved- not flaky at all. The fried plantains were pretty good, and then we had a couple of strange dishes with "preserved" potatoes and other things. My husband actually liked it a lot, but this isn't a place I'd care to go to again.
(2)
Tanvi D.

Went there last night to celebrate a friend's birthday.. Surprisingly, the place was rather empty.. Oh well, more service for us and it was fine.. The food, not bad.. I liked the corn kernel munchies, can't say I'm a fan of the sauce that comes with it, but, other people in our party seemed to like it.. Appetizers - I liked the Papa A La Huanciana and their Corn + Cheese dish. The cheese was kinda tasteless like paneer, so, it went well with the Huanciana sauce from the other appetizer Main Dish - I got the sphagetti and my husband got their lomo vegetariano. Both OK. Drinks - We got their non-alcoholic blue corn drink.. Tasted kinda like "Kokam" ... Interesting..
(3)
Chris L.

Since I got back from Costa Rica I've been wanting some good ceviche. I Yelped "ceviche" in the Boston area and Macchu Picchu popped up in the top 10. They have one page of their menu devoted to ceviche. We ordered ceviche mixto (mixed seafood). Before it arrived, the bartender gave us some roasted corn with a simple creamy cilantro sauce. Clean and free is a nice way to start a meal. The ceviche arrived quickly and was good, fresh and limey. The fish and shrimp were tender. The pieces of octopus were chopped small, but still they were a little chewy. It's hard to get octopus tender. Good Peruvian beer washed it down. We had flan to finish. I'd go back, maybe to try their soups.
(4)
Shawn B.

This is the best Peruvian restaurant I have been to in the United States. Great, fun atmosphere, with live dancing sometimes. Fabulous drinks, including a kick ass Pisco Sour. Make sure you have a DD. Huge selection of ceviche. I've tried about 5 of them here and they were all delicious. In fact, this place does ceviche better than any restaurant I know. Also the best Papa a la Huancaina. Very good Saltado. I miss the foodways of Boston. I especially pine for Machu Picchu.
(5)
C. R.

If you a) want to eat authentic and tasty Peruvian cuisine (minus the guinea pig) and b) want to be as hungry prior to your meal's arrival as you would be if you'd just hiked to the ruins of Machu Picchu through the Andes for four days, this place is for you! We love this place, and it really is great Peruvian food, but BRING SNACKS--the roasted corn kernels and intermittent drink service will not tide you over as you wait an hour and a half for your dinner. I am not kidding. Also, don't bring your respective in-laws to this place for their first meeting, as they will eventually start to joke about the Donner party with alarming frequency.
(4)
Heather G.

It may be because we ate here on a Tuesday night, but the restaurant was nearly empty, and the service was actually very good - not slow like some reviews claimed, but then again, there were only 4 tables full the entire time we were there. For apps: papa rellena was flaky, warm, delicious. Came with dipping sauce and red onions tossed in some sort of dressing, but it's yummy enough on its own. Causa Limena was amazing - it tasted like a cross between potato salad and chicken salad, and reminded me of summer barbecues. Served cold and the consistency is a bit odd, but it is very good. Fried Yuca was just OK. I find yuca a bit dense, and these were very dry and a bit tough to swallow. For entrees, we had the lomo saltado, which was decent but the meat was a bit tough and chewy, and there was too much rice and not enough stir fry or sauce, so it felt a bit like we were eating mostly just a dry plate of rice. I have had better lomo saltado, but sadly, never in Boston. We also ordered some chicken dish (forgot the name) that was basically shredded chicken folded into this creamy/eggy mixture. It was actually pretty good and because it was a bit on the soupier side, it didn't taste nearly as dry as the lomo saltado. All in all, it was very decent-to-good, but not the best I've had. Appetizers were generally above average and entrees a bit below average. I would definitely go back for the apps and the crunchy corn they give you before the meal.
(3)
Joe S.

Went here last night for dinner with a big group. The food here was good, so it would get 4-stars but for one thing: the loud musician playing right behind us during the entire dinner. Note to the owners of Macchu Picchu - live music is great at a restaurant, but it should accompany the dining as background music, not jam itself into your ears like you're at a rock concert. If this problem were changed, I'd be back. Otherwise, I just don't see myself enjoying a dinner there.
(3)
Ryan W.

We went here on a Groupon deal and for once, I would come back even without the deal! I'm no expert, but I have been to Peru and the food is pretty dang close. Only thing missing is the coca (cocaine) tea...for obvious reasons I'm sure. Def be back. Just wish it was closer to downtown Boston.
(5)
Julia E.

Amazing local business. Everything at Machu Picchu adds to a wonderful atmosphere: traditional music, beautiful decor, friendly ambience, and authentic food. This was a nice upscale restaurant to go to with family, and the food was phenomenal. Everyone had something different and enjoyed it--but I highly recommend the seafood and soups! For such a wonderful dining experience, the price was also very reasonable.
(5)
Amanda L.

Yum! I like the meat here and especially the spinach potatoes! They are like mashed potatoes but green and really yummy. The leche de tigre is intense and I'm not a fan of such sour things so I avoid it! I get random cravings for the corn they give you when you sit down. I had the cow heart appetizer and it was good. It was better when I didn't think about it being a heart but hey, it's all muscle anyways. Sometimes they have live music here (peruvian flute etc.). Really nice.
(5)
Omar F.

Have you ever been to a place in which you know exactly what you want, and you enter the restaurant, sit down, and before the waiter/waitress asks you scream "GIVE ME THE STUFFED CHICKEN!"?-- Well, this is the place to do that. Honestly, I don't remember the name of my dish, and I took pictures of everything but forgot to take a picture of my stuffed chicken. I think it's because I was so excited to eat it that I just couldn't be civilized. The food here was delicious, every little bite of it. The prices were very reasonable, and my friend got a drink, and I although I don't remember the full name I do remember it was something "on fire". The drink comes literally... on fire. There's a piece of pineapple on the glass that they light up, and we all almost fell from our seats when the flaming drink made it to our table. They should advise you before hand. This place is a little gem, go try it yourself. My friends and I went on a quiet night and the service was fantastic, the atmosphere very nice, and we just can't wait to go back.
(5)
Cait A.

I've already written a rave review of Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken, down the street. When my boyfriend offered to take me out to dinner on Saturday, I scoured Yelp for a new, different place to go that was good and inexpensive (the two seem to be mutually exclusive). After a bit, we decided to walk through Union and look around. We ended up here in the end anyways and it was as great as their charcoal chicken place. We were seated in the little side room by the window, which was nice and the servers were polite and attentive. I got the Bisteck A Lo Pobre (Poor man's steak) with the white rice, over easy egg, fried plantains, and french fries. My boyfriend got the Pollo Chan-Chan- chicken rolled around shrimp, spinach, and cheese with spinach mashed potatoes and green beans. It was SO GOOD. We kept picking off each others plates and I could not stop eating even after I was full. They gave us baked corn kernels with their amazing sauce before the meal, and I ended up using the remains of the sauce on the french fries and steak (which was great alone). He got a beer and I got a mojito (which was also quite good). Once again, Machu Picchu has won me over. Its simple, utterly delicious, satisfying, and inexpensive. I had leftovers for lunch yesterday, making it really two meals for 16 bucks. And what's in that sauce?? So much for wanting to try somewhere new, I'm always blown away at Machu Picchu.
(5)
Brian T.

Had dinner with friends here and overall had a very nice experience. The service was good, allowing us to linger for almost 2 hours to catch up. Menu was a little overwhelming since I have no idea what is the "must try" Peruvian dish. But lots of items sounded good. I had a beef dish (I forgot the name sorry) w/ rice and beans that was hearty and filling. A friend had a chowder (again I am forgetting the name) that was great. Only negative would be the restaurant was very cold temperature wise inside.
(4)
Jenn T.

This place has one of the best services I've ever had. Attentive and extremely descriptive when asked about their dishes. FIVE STARS! Their steak was too salty, ceviche was too sour (not so fresh seafood perhaps?) and an entree where tripe was the main character...the tripe was unfortunately nowhere to be found (maybe they ran out?) ZERO STAR. I wouldn't go back there again to try other dishes.
(2)
Thomas T.

For anyone who assumes that cuisine in Latin America consists of burritos or Brazilian barbecue you are in for a treat at Machy Picchu. Order yourself a Pisco Sour (traditional Peruvian drink made with Pisco a cane sugar based liquor) and get ready to enjoy! The restaurant is bustling with lots of lots of people looking for traditional Peruvian cuisine. The atmosphere is not exactly romantic, table for 2 style. It's more existing relationship looking for a different, but really tasty meal. As others had mentioned, service is a leisurely, but enjoy the pace and be sure to get appetizers. The toasted corn and cilantro sauce that is offered with your table is not enough. Luckily the Parrillada Machu Picchu appetizer platter is a delicious way to sample. It feeds 4 easily. The beef and pork are delicious and wonderfully marinated. The ceviche is deliciously limey, filled with fish and shrimp, excellent and a well sized portion. The pescado a lo macho, fish with tomato gravy, was also well seasoned ample and tasty. Everything is served with potato (warm, cold, boiled, or mashed potato). Same goes with the large Peruvian corn which is served in a variety of permutations. Unfortunately there's no guinea pig on the menu, which I'd be willing to try from these talented chefs. Maybe next time if I ask nicely. Take the trip to Union Square, try something different and you'll be glad that you did.
(4)
Moomin T.

I've never had Peruvian food before, but this place really hit the spot for a late-night birthday dinner on a Monday. The food seemed on a par with what you'd expect in other South American cuisines: lots of meat, eggs, and potatoes. I found the dishes very flavorful, and I think the reason other reviewers may have thought it was bland was that they probably went with the wrong expectations (i.e., thinking they were getting spicy Mexican or something). I would also mention that the giant light-up mural of Machu Picchu itself behind the bar is a real draw. I mean, where does one even begin to look when trying to get one of these?
(4)
Ciao H.

I really liked this place, the service was friendly, polite and accommodating. The drinks were delicious, the appetizers delicious, the food unexpected and interesting. Plenty of room in the dining area and an overall nice ambiance--the tacky, unassuming wall decorations made me feel comfy and relaxed. This is a great place for summer eating--a lot of the plates they serve are cold, so I found these selections quite refreshing to the palate. I didn't try any of the fried dishes, and yes, I did find it strange that some things are served with french fries. But I stayed away from those plates and had a delicious and enjoyable dinner.
(4)
Alan T.

GREAT STAFF AND ATMOSPHERE! Delicious food! Amazing selections on their menu! The price.. who cares! the food is delicious! Their soup Parihuela.. is definitely an OMG moment!
(5)
Brian G.

Machu Picchu is a true gem. This past weekend i stopped by after a long day at the museum of science and had one of my best dining experiences in a while. I will admit my first thought when i walked in the door was disapointment as the restauarnt does need a little remodeling and the website made it seem almost fine dining. Being the foodie i am i did not let it get me down though and sat down and placed my odrder. Our meal started out with some kind of roasted peanuts with a spicy sauce in place of the typical free bread and while nothing amazing it was different. I also ordered with my girlfriend a empanada and some chicharones as appitizers. The empanada was good with the bread being sweet and yummy the chicharones how ever were very average. You might be saying right now with all this average food why would i call this place a gem and thats cause next i recieved my entree. I got the ceviche en crema de rocoto which was described as there house dish. This single dish was the best item of food i have eaten anywhere in a long time, years even. It was amazing. I dont even know how to describe it spicy fruity not fishy at all with a textarue that i would descrive as tender. Not only did i love it but i managed to convince my girlfriend to try it who hates all fish nevermind raw fish and her response was "not bad" . From the likes of her i would say that is a glowing recomendation. Pros.. cheap prices.... 2 apps, 2 entrees , desert, juice and coffe came to $49 authenticity....i feel this place is not americanised at all . i admit im ignorant and never have been to peru but i feel i could have recieved this very same meal in cuzco or lima. cons...dining room was a little rundown while it does add character, i wouldnt take a girl here for a romantic evening or to celibrate anniversary if u catch my drift
(5)
Dianne W.

doowee & rice-we had one of the best and cheapest meals we ever had last night. definitely the best bao i ever had in boston or nyc. how does the chef manage to make chicken hearts tender and succulent? 2 orders of bao (pork belly and beef), an order of chicken hearts and a coke for 16 bucks! can't beat it with a stick. we will be back again and again and ......
(5)
sato h.

Never had Peruvian food before so i was not sure what to expect but it was delicious! Everything that I tried, from the pie looking appetizer with meet inside, potato with seafood, beef stew to ceviche I really liked them all. And what made everything better was the service. I really liked how our waiter brought extra plates and silverware without us asking. I wish I had room for some dessert.
(5)
M R.

I'm impressed by this place. I went in with no expectations with a friend of mine that wanted to try South American cuisine, at the time we drove by it and decided to park the car and go in. The food was perfect! It was fresh, tasty, and very well presented. The service was excellent too, detailed. The location also looks brand new. Usually, I'm very nit-picky about the restrooms, but here they were very clean and nicely decorated. Apart from serving Peruvian food, they also serve Peruvian-Chinese food, and for those who are vegetarian, they serve the vegetarian version of some of the entrees. Average price per entree $11. I agree with "yana v." they send a good amount of food your way, you def. won't leave here hungry.
(5)
Erin M.

Macchu Picchu is a huge restaurant which was nearly empty when we went there on a Sunday evening during the Copa Americana. We were seated in a smaller room within the restaurant which was very nice and quiet except for the occasional shouts of "GOOOOL!" emanating from the TV in the main room. Our waiter was extremely nice. He even gave us advice on what to order, which was good because I'd had some Peruvian food before but neither of my friends had. The Pisco Sour was very tasty, as many have commented before. I also highly recommend the empanada as an appetizer. It was extra-large and flaky - you will need to eat it with a knife and fork because it's so big. It was filled with beef and eggs and tasted just like the ones I ate in South America. My entree (lomo saltado) was good but not great. The beef was tasty and well-flavored, but I didn't like how the french fries were mixed into the lomo. That would be probably a cultural difference showing through. Dessert was also just OK, with various types of flan-like offerings available. We had the leche asada and the budin (bread pudding), which were similarly flavored, except the budin was more bread-like and had raisins, while the leche asada was more of a pudding (literally, creme brulee, but no hard sugar top). I would definitely go back to Macchu Picchu and would try other dishes as well. The prices were incredibly reasonable.
(3)
Kelly G.

GF and I went on a double date there last night and had a great time. Machu Picchu has a main dining room (with aforementioned enormous glowing picture of the ruins behind the bar) and a side dining room with a row of windows and only 4 tables in it-- we sat there. MP is super cute. The food is, by all reports, authentic. GF and I both had pisco cocktails which I totally recommend. When in Peru... The empanada appetizer was seriously yummy. The big corn with "tropical cheeses" was a little odd and dry. I don't like seafood, so I didn't try most of the others' meals, but my porkchop was really good (although it was a lot of bone, a little bit of meat). The spinach mashed potatoes are a total highlight. The shredded hoagie lettuce "salad" however, was not. Another fun part about this restaurant is that the menu is not very adequately or well translated-- so you end up with what amounts to a vague idea of what is going to be arriving, but not quite. Some translational highlights include: A soup: Instantly prepared beef, potatoes, noodles and eggs A cold appetizer: Seasoned potato cake, layered shredded chicken An entree: Spectacular chicken breast with sized shrimps Some seafood: Fish bite sized pieces marinated with our typical spices (the bite size of which fish, exactly?) A respect fish from the sea, accompanied with rice, fried yucca and house salad From the kids' menu: A piece of hamburger topped with cheese and french fries So yes, not only a culinary adventure, but also a bit of russian roulette here.
(4)
Marion D.

The ceviche alone is worth a visit -- a huge pile of tender seafood (or just fish if you prefer) in a delicious spicy lime marinade, fantastic. Also loved the seafood stew, which was really flavorful and loaded with good stuff. Prices are quite reasonable, the waitstaff are helpful and happy to provide advice, and if you come on the right night, you can get Peruvian-style live entertainment too. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Anastasia R.

Machu Picchu So the gf was like "Hey, lets go on a double date. Will you find somewhere for us to go? Actually we don't want to go where you suggested, so they said we should go to Machu Picchu and it's in Union so it's really close to us." I didn't remember the last time I had Peruvian food so I wasn't opposed, and I think it's cute when she tries to let me feel like I have some say in what I do with my life. So the 4 of us met up at their new location on Somerville Ave. and looked over the menu. I was intrigued by the Pisco Sour, a classic Peruvian liquor combined with egg whites and some other ingredients, and was expecting to be totally revolted. Instead I was served a frothy white beverage, sweet to the taste and delightful to the end. We ordered some apps, empanadas all around, and Ensalada Casa Machu Picchu. This is a strange maybe not totally cooked through corn on the cob with Gigantic kernels served with a smooth, mild, buttery cheese. I have to say that the menu was a little hard to decipher. Half broken, half translated, and usually thoroughly unhelpful descriptions led me to ask the waiter what he thought was good. I was leaning toward seafood and he recommended the Pescado a lo Macho Described as follows: This dish refers to how hard (macho) you need to be to eat all the seafood. I ordered a side of plantains for the table to share (totally fab) and I think everyone had a few good things to say about the experience as a whole. I'd go back for sure. The menu situation just lends to the sense of adventure.
(4)
Min L.

A few years back, I spent a summer living in the Peruvian highlands where this abuela, who used to be a chef, cooked lunch for me every day for 1 USD (pretty sweet deal, I know). Coming back to Boston, I wasn't really sure what I'd do when the cravings came (and boy did they come), but I'm happy to say that I'm pretty satisfied with what Machu Picchu has to offer. Since most of the food I ate in Peru was cooked by Donata, I compare most of my meals here to hers (which I know isn't necessarily fair so keep that in mind if you're going to listen to this review). The dishes here that make me the happiest are the lomo saltado and papa rellena. I make sure both are on the table every time I come. Dishes that I loved in Peru but were disappointed by here include aji de gallina (not enough flavor), palta primavera (the avocados weren't ripe enough) and the trucha frita (not enough meat on the fish and the flavor was a bit off). Dishes I loved in Peru but have yet to try at Machu Picchu include sopa a la minuta and chupe de camarones.
(4)
F N.

Went to Machu Picchu with friends Sunday. This was our second time eating at this establishment. Needless to say everyone was impressed with it. The food was exquisite... I had the Ceviche with the Rocoto Cream. It was very tasty and spicy. My partner had the Machu Picchu as a beverage and I had a mojito which was excellent.. It was 11 of us and the service was great and sometimes it can be challenging to get good service when there is only one waiter trying to service a large party. I know Union Square is not the greatest place at this moment due to the heavy construction going on now but this restaurant is worth the aggravation of having to circumvent around the barricades, the heavy machinery and the traffic.
(5)
Stefanie T.

I would have to say I was very disappointed in the quality and flavors of their dishes. I go to their other location often and love their chicken dishes. However, at this Machu Picchu the food is bland and of low quality. I went with my family and 3 out of the 4 of us ordered meat dishes. The steak was grisly and fatty in all 3 of the different dishes. There was lack of flavor as I tried everyone's dishes. The rest of my family felt the same way. The 3rd dish was a shrimp dish which was decent but nothing spectacular. The staff was very friendly and attentive, which is why I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1. I wish I had more good things to say about this restaurant, as I would definitely say I am not a picky eater and enjoy foods of all kinds.
(2)
Peter G.

Disclaimer: This was my time eating Peruvian food so I don't have much to compare the food itself to. The food was interesting, homey, and the flavors were lovely and many completely different than anything I've had before - when I was able to taste them through the vast amounts of salt. Service, however, is something I do have plenty of experience with and here it is quite appalling. Jess P.'s and my water glasses remained empty for most of the meal and after our plates had been cleared we waited nearly half an hour just to ask the waiter to bring us the check. So don't come here with someone you don't really enjoy the company of, because it will be a long night. I had a good time here, although much of that was influenced by the fantastic company of Jess P., but we didn't leave with the same post-yummy excitement like we usually do.
(3)
Blair H.

Look, I've never been to South America or Mars, but $32 for 3 people, stuffed full of chicken. Count me in.
(4)
Arestia R.

My friend and I went here before we took a trip to Peru to get excited. I decided to wait until AFTER I got back from Peru to do my review. It definitely lived up to its expectations. We had their quarter chicken meals and it was deliciously Peruvian. They also had Cusquena beer, something I now miss from Peru and love that I can still get one there! Their staff was really nice, too and the place is decorated with Peruvian textiles. I am definitely coming back here, if not for a little nostalgia, then for some great food!
(4)
Bevin C.

This is a really nice place. I don't have a lot of experience with Peruvian food, so I couldn't tell you if it tastes authentic. Since they move to their nice big new location, the prices have gone up. But they've expanded their menu and seem to be doing great business, so it's okay. The staff are gracious and bring you a little ramekin filled with fresh roasted giant corn kernels - think fresh corn nuts - when you sit down. The fish is great here - pescado frito is highly recommended. The fried yucca is great too. There are some really great spelling and grammatical errors on the menus that you and your friends can chuckle at while you wait for your food.
(4)
Tom E.

If you think you've tried out a lot of different cuisines since you joined Yelp then maybe you should think again. There are around 200 countries in the world and many have regional cuisines within them. Even Peru. Machu Picchu is somewhere I've been wanting to go for ages. Not the mountainous Inca site, but the Union Sq restaurant. Ever since I was spoilt rotten at Nobu in London, I've been eager to try out some Peruvian seafood dishes (yes, Nobu maybe Japanese but his skills were learnt in Peru). I wasn't disappointed. The menu is long with many surprises. The sour drinks with egg white are fantastic (i got whisky sour), they do good fresh fruit smoothies and milkshakes and the cocktail list is as appealing as the Peruvian beer. FYI we shared the beef heart appetizer - very rich and rewarding. We followed this with seafood and tomato soup which was warm, indulgent and creamy and then that was offset with the other main - mixed seafood ceviche. Which was amazing (read below). We ended with the baked custard dessert which was (cliche time) sinful. I'm feeling good today. The cheapish/cheesy decor and the slow service detracted from making this a true 5 star place - It's a 4.4er to me, on par with The Helmand. It's a big place and would be fantastic for group dinners. Look out for the bad engrish explanation of the Nazca Lines and the glitterball hanging at one end. They had an over-the-top xmas display too. Very Somerville. ===== ===== ===== ===== SO NOW... it's lesson time. Here's what you need to know about CEVICHE - the new sushi. It's gonna get trendy, so get prepared. Ceviche is a huge pile of raw fish and/or shellfish. It is piled into a lettuce leaf and drowned in cilantro and spiced lemon and lime juice. The juices effectively cook the fish and taste sublime. My dish was served with an amazing piece of sweet potato and fresh & baked corn. One of the ceviche dishes here comes in a glass and you drink it. It's effectively a bloody mary with raw fish. YUM. DO IT.
(4)
Francine W.

delicious! My dad was born and raised in Peru so I grew up eating some peruvian dishes. Now that hes passed I really miss peruvian food especially cerviche and alfajores!!! alfajores!!! oh they are heavenly. Ive tried them at some other latin american places and they were pretty bad but they're great at Machu Pichu.
(4)
Evan B.

Again, really 4.5 stars -- I have been to Machu Picchu at least 15 times over the past year and a half, and I have never had a bad experience....in fact, no matter what mood I am in prior to the meal, I am invariably contented, satiated, calm and happy after the Machu Picchu experience. The food is excellent and the amounts generous -- you will not leave hungry. The prices are more than reasonable, and the food is surprisingly authentic. This restaurant is a staple on my restaurant list. As for service - yes, they are understaffed, but even with this I have not had too many problems with slow service. Also, choose your dining times wisely and avoid peak dining times (fri/sat night at 7-8pm) If you have not eaten at Machu Picchu you must go -- it is not to be missed.
(4)
Julie C.

I've never tried Peruvian food but I love all types of Spanish cuisine and am familiar with South American food. I really enjoyed having dinner at Machu Piccu, they took every effort to bring in items from Peru, whether it be the enormous pic of Machu Piccu or the Salt and Pepper Shakers that you know they got from a tourist shop there. :P There was a large party on the other side of the room and they were having a great time. Service: I agree, the service could be a tad faster but our waiter was amazing. I asked him what we should try and he went down the list of pointing out a meat, chicken and ceviche entree that we should try. If you're going to try out a new restaurant, I definitely recommend taking friends so you can order a bunch of dishes and try out a bunch of stuff at once. Here were my selections and thoughts: Aji de Gallina : Too creamy for my taste. I grew up on Stoffer's frozen meals and this one reminded me of Chicken a la King. It was a yellow cream sauce over chicken and rice. Very heavy. I got the Seco de Carne a la Nortea- the old familly recipe...This was awesome. This tender short rib was stewed to perfection. The meal was accompanied by beans and rice with a bit of red onion salad which offered the right amount of tang to balance the meat flavor. I loved this dish~! Pollo Chan Chan is a good meal with Chicken, Spinach and Spinach Mashed Potatoes that were actually really tasty. Its green, but its tasty~!! and lastly, we had to try the Ceviche Pescado. Wow, I loved it, it was seafood: calamari, shrimp and other types soaked in lemon which acts as a cooking agent. If you like tang and you like seafood, this is the dish for you. Its cold and I know I'm going to come back for this in the summer months! It is a must. I think it was a perfect match with the Seco de Carne. Get both and share. THE GIANT CORN!: OMG! I've never seen corn this huge. Each kernal is larger than a nickel. But it was a great little appetizer with Fresh Cheese and I dipped it in the green sauce they give you. Its amazingly meaty! I loved it. Weird lookin' but yummers. Next time, I'm going to try one of the soups. And I'm definitely going to check out their sister store across the street. If you like Spanish food, you've got to come here.
(4)
G H.

This place rocks. The food is more very good and slightly fancier then their sister grill restaurant across the street. They have a fun corn taster to start with two dipping sauces. I've been here several times and love the spinich mashed potatoes. It's like melted creamy goodness. Highly recommend coming here.
(5)
Arun C.

The dishes are tasty, the staff is friendly, and the portions are good for sharing. Service can be slow, but I am usually not in a rush when I decide I want to go to a restaurant to eat. It gives me time to catch up with my friends. I haven't had ceviche very often, so this was a treat. I was surprised by how tasty the different dishes were. The texture was great too. My first trip there happened to be on a frigid new england winter night, but I think that type of food would be perfect for the summer: light, tangy, and cold.
(4)
Emily O.

LESSONS FOR FIRST-TIMER: I have never been to Machu Picchu before, or eating Peruvian food apparently. It was great, but there are few things I wish I'd known before I ordered: 1. Share! All four of our party ordered an entry and no one could (or wanted to) eat their whole entree; this was particularly true for me who unknowingly ordered a giant plate of fried rice. I ate much of other people's ceviche instead (it comes as a mound!). 2. They have giant corn. As an appetizer, it came cooked like corn-on-the-cob, but none of us quite knew what to do with it. No butter, no sauces... very mysterious! Also, VERY starchy. 3. They, in theory, have Peruvian beer, but were out of it when we went. Not sure how often this happens, so if it's important to you, call first. 4. There is tremendous variability in the level of spicyness - trust no one and take it one dish at a time (if you have any aversions to spice or are looking for very spicy). I will go back with this new knowledge and hopefully have a five-star experience. The prices are right and the ambiance is endearing! Plus the waiter was a pro and not only was an excellent server, but was patient with us newbies, and set a great pace for our meal.
(4)
Erdan L.

The chicken soup and the chi-fa rice is very good. The chicken soup is almost as good as the one I tried in Lima. Will definitely come back
(4)
Liotta L.

I just had the Leche de Tigre for the first time. Unbelievably good. The service is fine by me (I don't care to be rushed), the music is good and not too loud when they have it, the pisco sours are HANDMADE, and I just can't think of anything bad to say about the huancaina sauce. A quality experience.
(5)
Jasmine E.

Another underrated but fantastic restaurant. I can't speak for how truly authentic this place is since 1) i'm not peruvian 2) do not know any peruvians but the food speaks for itself. First of all I LOVE those corn kernels that they serve as an appetizer. I go through about 2/3 bowls of those things. Hey the bowl is small ok! I've tried Seco de Carne a la Nortea (beef dish) and Pollo Saltado a la Criolla (chicken dish) myself, both I highly recommend and I tried some of my husband's dish which I can't seem to remember the name of but was also very good, it was a stew like dish with pieces of beef ad white beans (I think they call it canary beans?) I will definitely keep coming back to this place.
(4)
S. M. S.

Decidedly "home style" dishes that lack the fineness of a chef's touch, but very good, hearty food and interesting flavors that make for a one-time dinner adventure.
(4)
Dan C.

I'm not sure what Peruvian Cooking is, how it's made, or what the three magical sauces they always bring out are, but multiple times now Machu Pichu has never failed to made a damn tasty chicken. Good portions, and a variety of wacky dipping sauces make this place a great choice for those days when you NEED to eat a chicken... you all have those days too right? Right?!?!
(4)
Melissa B.

I can't believe I've lived here for so long and only just tried this place. When we were first seated they brought out some big corn nuts. You use a thin wooden spoon to dip them in the spicy and oh so tasty dipping sauce. I had the grilled steak (Churrasco) which was good if a bit bland. The salad that came with it was fresh & tasty. I washed it down with one of their creamy strawberry milk shakes - YUM. They have several other flavors including passion fruit & pineapple. My only complaint was the service was a bit slow considering there weren't a whole lot of people in the restaurant, but it was a nice introduction to Peruvian food for me. I can't wait to go back and try some other dishes, especially the fish, and desert of course!
(4)
yana v.

We ordered from here a few times and were pleasantly surprised. The food is not O-M-G amaizing, but it's very GOOD. The flavors are very interesting and enjoyable. I don't get bored ordering from them over and over again. And the amount of food they send over is nothing to sneeze at. I'm not renting and raving, but I'm definitely ordering from here again, over and over and over again. The flavors are just that unique that you start craving it.
(4)
Micha v.

Fourth visit in two years. Excellent food and great atmosphere. Best ceviche in MA!
(5)
Dave L.

Although I have never been to Peru, and have no idea about the food's authenticity, it's at least different! I had the Tacu-Tacu with Steak; I was interested because the dish was apparently invented by slaves. It was a nice dinner, but for something really different you should go for the Ceviche. I have to give 3 stars because the service was slow (maybe it was that particular night..they only had 3 waitstaff) and because the air conditioning wasn't on quite enough and the room was hot and humid (at least in the alcove area to the left). Also, try "Inca Soda". its great!
(3)
Ja H.

Machu Picchi offered great options for casual or more formal dining. Their food is so good.
(4)
Tamara B.

Food and service was ok...would have prefered the Machu Picchu down the street.
(2)
Sarah G.

How do you get the meat inside the deep fried potato?!?! Like a meat twinkie! I love it! I eat some deep fried outside while my lucky dining partner gets the meat filling. Mmm...sharing. Good food. Not great for vegetarians when I went, but their website now lists a veggie lomo that I'm not sure they had before. The huge corn kernels are awesome and yucca and plantains as well. I'm psyched to try their new location. ***update - tried the vegetarian lomo which, although flavorful, is a bit of a rip off. it's a stir fry with red onions, corn, and french fries (?) as the main ingredients and it costs $10. alcoholic drinks also on the expensive side.
(3)
Emma D.

I'm no expert in terms of peruvian cuisine, but I enjoyed the food and atmosphere at Machu Picchu. A group of us went on Friday night and so also got to enjoy some Peruvian music while we ate. As soon as we were seated we were served water and corn nuts with two yummy spices (with a kick!) We ordered a range of appetizers and all were good: the fried yucca is a MUST! the chicken empanada was delicious, crisp on the outside and spicy. the fried plantains and potato/beet salad were also excellent. For our entrees, I think mine was the winner - seco de carne which was basically an incredibly tender cilantro/spicy marinated pot roast served with rice and beans. a HUGE portion which is definitely going to be an awesome leftover lunch. Around the table, a close second was the seafood rice - also a huge portion, the spaghetti with steak (spaghetti covered in an excellent not quite pesto sauce) and the special steak with fires which was deemed good but not as exciting as some of the other dishes. Excellent value and although the service may be a little slow, out waiter was great - memorized our order and was ready to explain any part of the menu. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Lynette S.

The servers were terrible on the Saturday night we were there! Slow, ignored us and were not even in sight unless we flagged down any server we could to go find them! the food was alright, nothing to write home about but not bad.
(2)
Kate W.

I would add a half to my two stars for the really, really good/interesting dishes, but c'MON!!!!!!!! I could have given myself two manicures, bought and sold a car, run a marathon in the snow, shaved my boyfriend's back, gotten drunk, and then sobered up three times by the time I got my food OR drink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SERIOUSLY don't understand, nor will I ever be OK with, slow ass service. Both times I've gone, it's been like my party and two others, but for some reason the service is always ridiculously slow. I mean, they could keep the beers coming to chill me out, but even THAT service was slow as Christmas. So whatevs, I don't think I'm going back- mostly because I might damn near split a blood vessel in my forehead or something. Good food tho. ;)
(2)
Louis P.

This was my first time trying a Peruvian food and I was not disappointed... I went there pretty late, so the service was actually not too slow... I ordered Aji de Gallina as Yelpers recommended it... It was OK... I wasn't too crazy about it..., My husband ordered Seco de Carne a la Nortena and that was delicious!!! Definately order that!!! It's a beef dish that comes with beans and rice but flavors are wonderful. Only bad thing was, it was FREEZING in there! And the parking seemed to be a problem (especially on the weekends!) I'd go back here and try something else.
(4)
Nancy L.

I just went on Friday night, my birthday, and I had a great experience. First of all Machu Picchu had no problem seating a big party of 12 people, just call ahead to make reservations and all things are set up. This place is known for its cerviches, or a mixture of raw seafood (usually shrimp, fish, and squid) marinated in a mixture of lemon juice. It's all very light and refreshing and my "seafood mixto" was no exception. For people who don't like raw seafood there are also a number of cooked dishes. The rice dish with mussels "arroz con mariscos" was great and also a stew with yuca. As for their meats I would say they are more marinated than high grade beef so they can be a bit chewy. One of my friends dish came with this incredible spinach mash potato that was just unbelievably creamy and set her pork entree "Chuletas de Cerdo a la Parrilla" perfectly. As for drinks we all had to try the signature drink. It was made quite strong and had a combination of grape and tequila-like quality to it. As for the beers that my friend had, they were your regular draft beers but with Peruvian sounding names. What really made it special for me was the pan flute musician that appeared around 8 pm. He was garbed in traditional clothes with long hair and had over half a dozen pan flutes of various sizes. Sometimes the music was upbeat, sometimes it was slow and sad but he really had a wide range. When he played Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven , we just stopped eating to marvel at him and then clapped wildy for him at the end :) Machu Picchu was also very accomodating about birthdays. My friend had a cake taken to the kitchen before hand and when it came out the whole resturant sang, waiter and all, while the pan flute musician blew "Happy Birthday" to me on his pipes!! Now how many people can say that they had that for their birthday!?!? But for the food and atmosphere I would go back even if it wasn't my birthday!
(5)
Huan z.

Wow and yummy. usually I don't talk in this restaurant cause I would be busy eating the food. One of the best in the area.
(4)
Kit Y.

I am still full! And it's the next morning! Last night I was entertaining a friend from out of town and she just got back from Peru. We were actually looking for Salvadorian, but drove by here and she HAD to go. It's in a new location steps from the old one and the new ambiance is definitely more upscale. As soon as we sat down, we were served large corn kernels with spicy dipping sauce. For appetizers we had fried yucca which was sooo good. I also had a Peruvian beer, which I had never had before and my friend had a pisco sour with the raw egg whites in it(she loves that stuff) The menu is not too vegan friendly, but there were two items to choose from. The waiter was very helpful and guided me through the menu. There was a rice and beans dish and then a thing called vegetarian lomo, I got the latter. It was a vegetable dish laced with the large corn kernels, tomatoes, onions, french fried potatoes, and spices. It was huge and served with lots of rice. It looked like a simple dish, but the flavor was unbeatable! I'm still trying to figure out why it tasted so good and how I can create that flavor. My friends got braised fish pot, and chicken stuffed avocado- all the portions were so generous and tasty. Our friend loved it and i did too. I will definitely return.
(5)
Abdullah A.

This place is awesome. It's a nicely decorated cozy place, with lot's of peruvian decorations. I love Peruvian food, have tried it many times in different Peruvian restaurants (including during a trip to Peru) and I must say this restaurant's tastes just like those in Peru, really authentic. Ceviche mixto and Pescado a lo macho are my favorites from here. On saturday evening's they have live latin american folklore music, adding more to the environment. Other not to be missed are the Aji de Gallina and the Arroz Chaufa and the traditional soft drink "Inca Kola". The service is quick and amenable, the waiters are really helpful in suggesting dishes if you aren't familiar with Peruvian food.
(5)
Kevin A.

PONTIFICATIONS OF A PERUVIAN CUISINE NEWBIE As someone who hasn't tried Peruvian food before, I was satisfied with my dining experience at Machu Picchu. Accompanied by my Peruvian partner-in-crime we sampled rustic fare including what I swear were essentially Peruvian corn nuts (kind of bland), antichuchos (grilled slices of beef heart with a side of potatoes and gigantic kernels of corn...very tasty although I didn't know I was eating heart at the time...don't worry amigo...I'll get you back :) ), and aji de gallina (essentially the Peruvian version of chicken ala king...rich and comforting with a complex yellow pepper cream sauce. I'd like to explore more Peruvian dishes to develop my palate for this cuisine (hard to judge an entire country's cuisine by two dishes and some corn nuts), but so far so good.
(3)
Julinho A.

Mmmmm ceviche. Mmmmmeat. On our first visit to Machu Picchu, my wife came close to apologizing to the waiter for having to constantly refill the complimentary (and utterly delicious) toasted corn kernels. They were just so good... If you're a fan of meat, fish, corn or drinks made of raw egg, this is a place for you. Be adventurous, try something new. The beef heart is delicious (we liked it more than the tongue). And while you're waiting for your food (and munching on corn kernels), it's always fun to play "spot the typos" on the menu.
(4)
Andrew M.

I don't know anything about Peruvian food, but this was different and it was good. I had the vegetarian lomo, which came with great rice and was pretty good, but I liked the chicken-based dishes better.
(4)
Neno S.

I remember trying to drag my roommate to dinner that night and he was being really stubborn and wanted to go home and order pizza. Finally I managed to convince him to go have Italian and correct me if I am wrong ( I may be tripping here) but wasn't there an Italian restaurant at that location?!!? So we walk in and we are greeted by this nice short woman, round face, dressed in very traditional, and very un-Italian clothes. The three of us stood there for a few seconds and looked at each other until my roommate goes: "Well...She doesn't look Italian to me, but what the hell..." Pretty good ceviche and nice and fast service. Apparently, we went there one day after they opened and the table was really shaky for a new restaurant. Portions are good and the food is tasty, and don't get me wrong this is a good restaurant, but I have to keep the stars for restaurants who have more imagination and have dedicated more time to think about the entire dining experience.
(3)
Amanda M.

This was my first try of Peruvian food, and I have to say, I'm not impressed. The menu describes one of the dishes as an old slave favorite, and this is a good description. What did slaves get to eat in Peru? Corn and potatoes, the cheapest easiest to grow crops. That (and fish) is largely what the menu is made up of. We ordered corn with cheese for an appetizer. I was expecting cheese-drenched corn, but instead we received what I can only describe as steamed corn on the cob with no flavoring or sauces or anything on it and a side of the cubed cheese that sometimes is in curries that looks like tofu. Bland. No flavor. On the other hand, the service was excellent. They were very attentive and even allowed us to choose our own seating area. The decor was cute, with lots of llamas everywhere. My cocktail arrived with a flaming pineapple, which was awesome. I think this restaurant does a good job cooking Peruvian food; it's just that I evidently don't like that particular cuisine.
(3)
Elizabeth U.

Delicious unique food. Its a great treat to go here if you are looking for some ethnic food. Don't remember what it was I got but it was all good.
(4)
Matt M.

I finally tried Machu Picchu for the first time last night - despite having lived in the neighborhood for the past five years. I left the restaurant wondering why I waited so long to try it!! I'm a big fan of Spanish, Mexican and South American cuisine - and I must say I was genuinely impressed with Machu Picchu. I ordered the "beef stew with cilantro, rice and beans" and was thrilled with the quality of the meat, the overall flavor and the exceptional value ($9.99!). I swear that an unprepared cut of meat like that would cost much more at Start Market. I tried the ceviche that my friends ordered which was also quite good. The service was attentive and at a slightly slower pace than what some might expect - though it seemed right on par for what we were going for. I also enjoyed the music playing: some pan-flute rhythmic jams straight out of Peru. This really set the vibe for me. The four of us ordered 2 glasses of wine, 4 beers (of which I highly recommend the tasty Peruvian bottles!), 3 entrees and an appetizer. The total bill with tip and tax was just under $20 per person. I can not wait to go back! A+
(4)
Ashley J.

We went here Friday night because they have live music and to celebrate an anniversary. The food was absolutely delicious, the drinks were great and the flan for dessert was TO DIE FOR. Service here is really my only complaint and only because it is slow but we come expecting that and we like to linger over dinner sometimes so we just plan on waiting awhile. This is one of my favorite restaurants in our rotation. Yummy
(5)
Fernando A.

This food was great, the beer was great and the prices were great. You should try this place since it has a bit of everything. My favorite is Aji de Gallina-HIGHLY Recommended. Go and you will leave totally satisfied!
(5)
Jennifer D.

Love the new menu with pictures, lots to choose from! We love the fried Yucca with Huaccaina sauce, enselada palta and lomo saltado. Honestly you can't pick a bad meal here. Casual and friendly atmosphere with authentic Peruvian cusine!!! Yummy
(5)
M R.

Machu Picchu is pretty good, if you're jonesin' to try something a little different. There aren't a lot of Peruvian restaurants around, so I have no point of reference by which to judge it, but I was pleased. I have no illusions that the food isn't at least somewhat Americanized, so don't expect to get what you might have had on your last vacation to Peru. They do have tripe on the menu though! The place is cute, if not a little tacky. They have stuffed llamas in the corner, and a gigantic illuminated picture of Machu Picchu behind the bar, but somehow that doesn't bother me much. I can only imagine what the disco ball and strobe lights are for in the section farthest from the doorway. My wife started with a strawberry milkshake, which she liked, and I had a cusquena beer, which aint great but at least it's from Peru. My steak was really more of a rib chop, nicely braised with a thick gravy and mashed corn, pickled red onions, and some simple salted white rice. All very nice. The wifey enjoyed her ceviche with boiled potatoes and a spicy red chili sauce. The fish in it looked like haddock. The complaints about the slow service are accurate. Normally it doesn't bother me much, but they were pretty sluggish. On the plus side, at least slow service often means that your waitress isn't constantly harassing you the way many restaurants do, popping by after every bite to ask if she can do anything to increase your bill.
(3)
Tepring P.

Have you had yuca before? well you should! I now make it for thanksgiving. This place may have hot spices, but I don't enjoy making myself sweat or having my lips tingle b/c of the spices, so they did well in my book. Good flavor, good prices. I had pollo saltado a la criolla. Basically Peruvian food seems like potatoes and rice and stew like dishes. But I like that type of food so I was happy =)
(3)
john g.

Went there last night for dinner with the GF after reading all of the glowing reviews. It was kind of late so we were able to get a table right away. The server was great and got us beverages (both of us ordered some drinks made from Pisco). We ordered an appetizer made from potatoes and stuffed with meat and raisins..it was very good. The GF ordered a beef dish, kind of like a pot roast. It was very tender and tasty. I had the chicken with onions and peppers & FF (??)...it was ok but not great. Both meals came with rice. Not sure what the deal is with french fries mixed in with the meal..had this before at another place. Overall, it was a nice place and the other patrons meals looked good. I would like to try something else if we ever return. Right down the street is the Machu Picchu grilled chicken joint...will definitely have to give that a try when next in the area.
(3)
Emily S.

Delicious, exciting Peruvian foods. So much fun for a 'pescatarian'! I love their ceviches. There's also a very tasty appetizer of layered golden potatoes with "goodies from the sea"--yum, try it. The service is very friendly. Lastly, get the leche asada desert. Do it. If you have no room left to consume more food, they will happily serve it to you in a to-go container, and it will be worth it.
(4)
Jess P.

What better for one of the first muggy days of the year than some ceviche and pisco sours? Peter G and I needed some summer food, stat, and Peruvian sounded like a good call. The gratis crisped giant corn kernels that start off the meal were one of the highlights--simply, crunchy, flavorful bits served with a yummy dipping sauce that Peter aptly likened to "Peruvian style ranch." I love me some pisco (the first liquor I ever got drunk off of, back in the day), and Machu Picchu's may have been my favorite Boston area rendition of a pisco sour yet. As others have mentioned, reading the menu alone is a great form of entertainment. We couldn't resist the all too passionate entreaty to "Let your imagination go wild!" in the description of the Ceviche Mixto. I'm used to ceviche having more prominent spice, but the chunks of various citrus-soaked seafood were very simply tasty, and the also tangy slices of sweet and regular potato surprised me as the standout flavor on the plate. We split two entrees, both pretty good, but not amazing. The beef in the Seco de Carne a la Nortea was falling off the bone and tasty, served with beans and a flavorful white rice. It was all very salty, as was the Carapulca, a thick chicken stew with beans and topped with several pieces of what I later realized was yucca. The chunks of chicken were laced with tiny bones that you'd occasionally find in your mouth and have to inelegantly eat around and then spit out. Peter (paraphrased): I really like that there are chicken bones in this, it feels genuine. You know that people making the real thing don't buy boneless chicken breasts. And we discussed how it's annoying that restaurants will insist on serving these sanitized, safer versions of ethnic foods, like us white folks can't handle it or something. Cut to five minutes later, when I'm taking a bite off of my plate of what I think is the beef, but somehow got some of the chicken mixed in. Chicken bone to throat! Owww. Some extra calcium I guess, but not exactly fun. Ok, so maybe it is alright if someone wants to remove the sharp objects from my food. (Which is the long way of saying, beware of the chicken bones.) So the food alone, while not the most impressive meal ever, would probably eek out 4 stars for being interesting and for those awesome corn kernels and great drinks. The service though takes them back down a notch. Our water glasses kept getting refilled about five minutes too late (a problem especially given the food's salt content), and we sat, unattended, for at least 20 minutes after our entree was cleared. We weren't even asked if we wanted dessert. Not so smart.
(3)
lora v.

I've only been once, but will definitely be back. The prepared the most wonderful ceviche, with fried yucca or sweet potatoes (sorry, I forget which), and was too much to finish though I came close. I went with the local beer as well, which worked. Prices are reasonable, service was attentive. I look forward to trying out some new dishes next time. ** update ** It appears Machu Picchu will be moving to the (larger) space next to Sally O'Briens on Somerville Ave (still in Union). Not sure on time frame, but there are 'coming soon' signs in the window.
(4)
Kate S.

I've had a fair bit of experience with Peruvian cuisine (my sister-in-law is Peruvian and both she and my bro are big foodies - and live with me - so I eat Peruvian food all the time). I honestly believe that as national cuisines go, Peruvian is among the all time best (up there with Italian and Thai) and certainly one of the oldest. For a bit of history, check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peâ€¦ Machu Picchu is middle of the road in the realm of Peruvian food. Their ceviche is a bit on the over-acidic side for my taste - but still pretty good and filled with AMAZING citrus-marinated red onions (nearly omnipresent in Peruvian food). The Jalea is great if you are a big fried seafood fan, although you could order one for a table of four and all be full - it is THAT huge. The papa a la huancaina, aji de gallina and papa rellena are among my all-time favorite dishes, and the versions here are pretty good. For those who have never tried it, I would also recommend getting chicha morada (a sweet non-alcoholic drink - a bit like juice - made from purple corn with tasty bits of fruit in it). I would not recommend trying the Inca Cola (Peru's national soda) - it is REALLY sweet and tastes a bit like bubble gum. Even though some of Machu Picchu's preparations of Peru's amazing cuisine are only okay, Peruvian cuisine is just so good generally (and there are so few restaurants in Boston that serve it), that I would HIGHLY recommend Machu Picchu to those who haven't tried Peruvian food just to get a taste of this amazing world cuisine. For those who have a bit more money to burn (Machu Picchu is pretty cheap - entrees are around $10), you should also try Taranta in the North End for some Italian-Peruvian fusion.
(5)
Karen C.

Awesome Peruvian food. Expect to be seated immediately, but the food will take a while, so make sure you get a snack beforehand. Good atmosphere for a first date or a group dinner. Food is definitely worth the wait. There are lots of vegatarian options too.
(4)
Mel D.

Loved the food and their cocktails were great too. My husband tried the Machu Pichu cocktail and I had Pisco with passionfruit, both great drinks ! We went on a Friday night and they had live music. Service was great too, the waitress was very patient with us and answered all questions about the dishes and gave good recommendations. Will definitely go again. Great Place
(4)
Kendall W.

This review is based on their vegetarian options not their meat or cerviche options so bear this in mind. I was surprised when I looked at their online menu and saw a page of dishes that were vegetarian as i didn't think peruvian cuisine would be vegetarian friendly. However after getting there I found that they don't actually do any these dishes and was limited to two choices a basil spinach pasta and vegie lomo. I decided to try the lomo, which was a complete disapointment, it was flavorless and greasy (to the point of causing a night of indigestion) and was not worth $10 as at most it had 50cents worth of ingredients if that. The place looks like it is going out of business, it was very run down, menus were old and dirty, toilet paper dispenser falling off the wall in the bathroom etc. All these things are easily overlooked if the food is good which sadly it wasn't. Do not go off the website, it is completely misleading.
(1)
Natalia B.

Went there in April - I can't believe it's been so long. It was lovely! Somehow, I never got around to trying ceviche before this, even though I knew it would be my dream meal - I love fish, especially raw or rare, and I love citrus and salty food. And lo how incredible it was. I had ceviche mixto (mixed seafood ceviche), and it was everything I could have hoped for! The fish came with boiled potatoes and peruvian corn, and they were very good as well, especially the giant corn. We had Pisco Sours with our food, and they were delicious - loved the egg whites. I expected the service to be unbearably slow from reviews, and it was certainly slow, but not as bad as I thought. It was also much cheaper than I thought it would be. All in all, I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Trish F.

Macho macho Dishie.. macho macho yahhhhh.. I came here the other night with some Yelpers. There were about 7 of us and we took up a table and a half. This place seems like a great venue for groups. STUFFED LLAMAS. Sorry.. but there are. I'd go right now because they have a tree and a nativity with lights that will probably give you a seizure if you stare but otherwise you'll be alright. I wasn't a huge fan of the corn stuff that was on the table (bread equivalent?), but I still kept eating it. I've been told the spicy stuff they give you to dip is awesome though. For my main dish I ordered the Pescado a lo Macho. The menu stated: "This dish refers to how hard (macho) you need to be to eat all the seafood." I wanted a reaction from the waiter.. like, "Oh Miss.. are you SURE you can handle the MACHO?" But he didn't say anything.. sad! The portion wasn't as ginormous as I envisioned.. it's actually plated the same as the other dishes, but it was SOO good. All of the sea creatures were represented equally atop a fillet drenched in this tasty seafood sauce. There were rice and potatoes (?) involved in the adventure as well. I polished that plate, but everyone told me I wouldn't get the Macho Girl Dish t-shirt if I didn't eat the mussel shells. Dang. Where's Darryl Hannah when you need her? Or Randy Savage? For dessert we shared some bread pudding and this other dessert that the menu claimed would "melt in our mouths". The bread pudding was okay and the other dessert reminded me of small linzer tarts sans raspberry replaced with caramelly type stuff surrounded by shortbready cookie (heh). And yes it did melt. For most. Oh and I had a mango smoothie. Also very delicious.. chunks of mango and not heavily sweetened. Oh and I realized I never commented on the service! They were friendly and accommodating when we doled out our meal specifications/restrictions (sorry I can't have this and could you replace this with that). Besides the lack of a macho comment, I didn't want to leave the waiters' part out of this great restaurant experience! I'll definitely come by more often when the weather is nicer. It'd be a good walk from my place, although I've been informed the 87 bus runs right by it. Besides walking in on someone in the bathroom (happens a lot.. everywhere).. this was a really great experience! Plus.. I can make my own dang t-shirt. And chest hair. What?
(4)
Mags L.

it's the week right before new year's and everyone is on vacation 'cept for you and your work partner in crime. what to do, what to do? lunch field trip!!! so the original destination was tu y yo, but having not done my research first (not open for lunch) we wandered until happening upon machu picchu (which i had previously bookmarked handily through yelp). yum place to stumble upon. the waiter was helpful in suggesting what first-timers should try. brought out these fried corn snackers w/a super good spicy green pepper and some kind of cheesy dipping sauce. we tried the pollo chan-chan and the seco de carne. both very tasty and flavorful. would love to have sampled more dishes like the ceviches, but alas it was only lunchtime and there was still work to do. :P next time, i'm coming for dinner.
(4)
Sofia A.

Let's start with the fact that I am Peruvian, and so I do know what Peruvian food should taste like. A few plates served here are ok... most are not. When friends want to try Peruvian food this is not where I take them. Food is good, but it does not have real Peruvian taste. Their better plates are Papa Rellena, empanada, alfajores... their not so great (as in I will not order them) are ceviche, cau cau, chupe de camarones etc. I want to see Peruvian places do well, but at the same time I really would like them to represent my country well...
(2)
Tracy S.

The menu is chock full of yummy Peruvian food, lots of seafood, including an extensive list of ceviche. I liked the experience very much. Our server, Angelica, was super friendly and attentive. I live just outside Union Square and I'm happy that this restaurant is so close by. It's a little kitchy in some ways, like the wall-sized image of Machu Picchu behind the bar and the stuffed llama under the corner-mounted television, not to mention the large, gold Incan mask encased in the bar. But all of those things sort of add to the charm of this place, which is not trying to be anything more than what it is. I like that kind of authenticity.
(4)
Anonymous P.

I've never had Peruvian food other than Peruvian chicken. I really enjoyed this restaurant. There were items I've never seen in any other Latin American context (Peruvian corn is unique and delicious). My meal was a delight, and the service was even better. It could not have been more warm and friendly. I know this restaurant gets bad reviews, but I will definitely return soon. One weird note. On weekends they open for lunch...at 12:30pm. There's a first for everything I guess. Update: returned, it was good again. Unique, tasty food, friendly waiter. Highly recommended for something different.
(4)
Jemima T.

I love this place!!! The food is fresh and authentic, and the waiter is friendly. If you like ceviche- try the leche de tigre. I always order the choclo con queso (big, boiled, starchy corn kernals with cheese) because I ate it all the time when I lived in Bolivia. If you're not super adventurous- try the saltado mixto. Just do it, you'll like it. If you want to be a little more daring, have the aji de gallina. I also love the seco de cabrito.
(5)
Vanessa C.

came here last week and I can say it was the most FLAVORFUL meal I have had in a long time. there were ups and downs to the whole experience so lets start from the bottom and work our way up, shall we? ambience was whatever. ever since coming back to the states Ive noticed that service and interiors dont register anymore - what I care about is the food. its only notable here since I have a tendency to get chilly but holy frozen igloo, this place was COLD. bring a sweater or an electric blanket or some shizz, you will need it! I remember coming here a long long time ago with some yelpers. one got some positively delish slab of meat that seem stewed b/c it was so tender you could eat it with a spoon. I wish I remember what it was, b/c I wanted to order it again and forgot the name. instead we got the bisteck encebollado, definitely NOT the meat in question! ok so this was a large grilled steak served with a loose fresh sauce of tomato and onions, with rice and fries. the flavors were ON POINT. but the texture? not so much. I have a thing about fatty meats - I dont like them! this meat was a bit gristly and fatty for my taste. its a big steak and not pricey, so value for price point here is high. but if you hate fatty meat, dont be tempted! I tried one bite and I was all set. luckily my dining companion has rubbish disposal system built into his digestive tract, and finish the entire steak in under 90 seconds. eww. the other mediocre yet strangely and ferociously addictive menu item are their cookies! we had the little cookies with cream milk filling (think stale dulche de leche paste stuff). I think the cookies were like 80% butter and the filling was just carmelized sugar and powdered milk, but I couldnt stop eating them. danger!!! I will skip those next time too. my ass dont need the padding like that. moving up, we have what seems to be the machu picchu trifecta: 1. roasted corn nut thingies with some OMFG NECTAR OF THE GODZ type sauce on the side. I swear I splashed that sauce on everything I ate. I would wear it like perfume then lick myself all day if I could. um.... yeah.... 2. the ceviche. absolutely fantastic, served with red onion, sliced yucca, sweet potatoes, and more of that corn stuff. EXCELLENT flavors and acidity. the house mix comes with octopus, which I do not like, so we ordered the one that had fish and shrimp only and we were not disappointed. HUGE portion. one of these for a main dinner course would be more than enough. 3. the aji de galina. as jimmy H. would say - gorgeous! all white meat pulled chicken in a rich creamy sauce, think peruvian korma? idk idk thats the only thing I can relate it to but it was fantastic. followed the yelpers advice on this one and was not disappointed - you wont be either! overall, this is some of the most flavorful and reasonably priced food you will find in the city. cheaper than Orinoco, but be prepared to wait for your food. service was fine but I know this place gets backed up when its full, so keep that in mind and bring your patience along with your appetite.
(4)
Anton G.

It reminded me of when I was in Peru minus the Peruarhea. I'm not sure if it's that I forgot how good the food in Peru actually was or what but it was better than I remember. We had Anticuchos (beef hearts) fish ceviche and the aji de gallina, all traditional Peruvian classics and all prepared to perfection. Minus one star for the kid rolling around on the floor making faces at the table across the restaurant from us, even though it was entertaining, I was taking my babe out on a date trying to make it a sexy night not silly one. But seriously give this restaurant a try especially if you haven't had Peruvian food before, you are seriously missing out. Great value for even greater food!
(4)
Lily C.

I've been here a few times and there are defintely a couple of dishes that I love and crave, hence I keep going back. The pollo chan-chan and Aji de Gallina are very good. The Aji is pretty much spicy creamy chicken over rice with a boiled egg on the side. It sounds very simple but the sauce is soooo good and the texture is just right and the chicken has never been dry. If you get fries on the side, try dipping it into the aji sauce - such a good combo! The pollo chan chan is a chicken and shrimp dish that comes with spinach mashed potato thats very rich and creamy. The chicken is always nice and juicy too. I would give them five stars but service is a lil slow and I wish they'd start selling whole grilled chicken - had it at another peruvian place in NYC and it was the best chicken I'd ever had.
(4)
Carrie S.

In the heart of Union Square Somerville, where choices for ethnic eatieries are endless, this is one that you should run away from. The exterior looked so inviting so we thought we would eat dinner there on a Wednesday night. We were the only patrons at 6:30..."maybe it's the economy" I thought. The toasted puffed corn the provide gratis was interesting, but not tasty. The menu looked promising, especially the marisco (fish) entrees. Just about every entree was in the $15 range, which I don't mind as long as the food is good. After waiting for water, waiting to order and waiting and waiting for food (again we were the only patrons) the food came. What an utter disappointment. I ordered grilled jumbo shrimp with an avacado salad. The 6 tiny shrimp that they brought were merely edible. I had a pile of iceberg lettuce with two avacado slivers and white rice. My mom had a civeche dish that was slightly better, but just big hunks of white fish and boiled potato marinated in lemon/lime juice. I am not speaking to authenticity because I don't know Peruvian food, but I do know what tastes good and what is a good value, and this aint it! Food and service suck here. I will never return.
(1)
Elizaveta F.

I've been here twice now -- once with a large group -- and have been impressed with the deliciousness, creativity and high quality of the food, combined with the very reasonable prices. (Most of the entrees are under $15, and quite a few are big enough for two meals.) Slow service and a really unappealing, too-sweet mixed drink from the Pisco category are the only drawbacks that prevent me from giving Machu Picchu five stars. Make sure to try the ceviche (we had the ceviche mixto), and the combination appetizer platter is great for a group.
(4)
Erik L.

OK, there are only two redeeming factors - their sangria and their empanadas. The empanadas have the perfect combination of spiced, minced meaty goodness with a crispy flakey shell. The sangria rates right up there with that of Dali or Tapeo. Beyond that, it seems like every meal is bland and piled on top of soggy fries. The service is inattentive at best, but the place is clean, tables are not crowded next to one another, and the pisco sours are tasty, so the I cannot give it two stars but three still seems like a stretch for me.
(3)
Anonymous I.

Being Peruvian in Boston you come to appreciate good Peruvian food. I can say that this restaurant makes me feel like I am in Peru again. The food is so delicious! I can tell when a dish is not right because there are certain ways you serve a Peruvian dish and this place knows how to serve a DISH! The atmosphere is fun and everything on the menu is so good. They have live music every Friday from 8-10pm. My favorite dishes are: Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Tallarin Saltado, Causa Rellena, Bistek a lo Pobre. Tip: If you go on July 28th it is Peruvian Independence Day and they have live Peruvian Music playing and everyone dances. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ann C.

don't let the empty restaurant fool you. i went on a wednesday night and it was really, really empty but the food was good. get the sampler platter for apps- fried yucca, pork and beef. fish for entree was good and even better when i had it for leftovers the next day.
(4)
Sydney W.

First time I have been at their new location - just loved it! They didn't have a full bar at the last place - so this is a plus. I think that the food is even better now that they have moved. I ordered the Machu Picchu salad - it come with these huge kernals of corn which are soo tasty. Had the steak for my main meal - which is always good. You just can't go wrong with this place!
(5)
Terri T.

I think the food and atmosphere is great here. The service can be slow sometimes but I think the food is more than worth the wait. Sometimes they will have someone singing and playing instruments as you eat which was nice. I love the food here because it's so different from what I usually eat. The Ocopa or Hauncaina potato appetizers are delicious!! So are the empanadas and white corn with tropical cheese appetizers. Last night we tried a new one that had pork that was cooked in it's own fat and it was delicious not sure what the name of that one is though. Hen soup was really good too. Good entre's too. Like the chicken wrapped around shrimp with melted cheese and spinach in the middle is really good. It comes with spinach mashed potato's that's different but good. I like the spaghetti with basil or the large shrimp grilled with an avocado salad with rice and fries. I definitely have cravings for this place!!
(5)
liam f.

I love this joint. Lomas saltado--great; algharrobina:strong and good drink. price=good. Don't expect to be in and out, a bit slow
(5)
Tracee D.

Macchu Picchu (union sq) used to be a little down the road, across the street from where it is now. Nice space, it has clean'y- fresh exposed brick. The hostess greets us with her 'pollera' (sorry sp?) Peruvian dress and I was impressed. The menu's are leather stamped authentic masterpieces hand made in Peru and so are the salt and pepper shakers. My chef boyfriend (from Ecuador) who hates everything and just happened to spend most of his young adult hood in the army against Peru (over a sliver of land in the Amazon) was very impressed. Even though I kept on teasing him that he was dining with his enemies. Its all good now. They have great drinks local beers from Peru and the food is on point. Warning: corn is everywhere on the menu so don't go if your'e allergic.I love the corn kernels Peruvian restaurants give you in lieu of bread- the red sauce is hot stuff, but so good.We had chicharon (fried pork belly), livers, yuca, corn. They have a whole page dedicated to ceviche their national dish. I had a salad that was pulverized with lime. Spinach shreds, cheese, corn, avocado and lettuce. We also had meat with a great brown sauce and rice/beans. There's also bread and rice puddings galore, even a purple offering. I don't think that I am loco for Peruvian cuisine but it was nice to try something different in a well done space. A nice addition to Union Sq.
(3)
Julia C.

This is so far the best peruvian restaurant in Boston. I have friends form Peru that go there regularly, I also love it there befor closing becuase of the athmosphere. I am real lucky I speak spanish.
(4)
Ellen T.

I came here a few weeks ago for my friend's birthday dinner. She had made reservations for 9 people and it was all set once we got there. One thing to note is that parking is very limited in this area. So expect to circle around for a while! This is my first time trying peruvian food. Anyways, there is a lot of choices on the menu. For apps, we tried the empanada (I've had better elsewhere and there is just one, about the size of the bread plate), the papa rellena (reminds me of sheperd's pie, but tastes very good and flavorful) and the tamales (it was okay, sweet and savory, with hard boiled eggs in it too!). For the main course, I tried the seco de carn de la nortena. It is a beef brisket that comes with rice and beans. It was okay, nothing too spectacular. My other friends tried the stew with seafood in it. That was pretty good. There was another stew-like dish that was pretty tasty too but I forgot the name of it. So I think the stews you can't go wrong with. Overall, the taste was okay and the service was great (waiters were pretty attentive and helpful in explaining what the dish was like).
(3)
Dee B.

Met a friend for a light dinner here on Easter Sunday. Service could have been better, but the food was definitely good, as were the price points. I had a salad which was very fresh and crisp, plus the avocado on it was perfectly ripe and the dressing was appropriately light. Definitely one of the better salads I've had in a while. The fried yucca was perfect.
(4)
Aravind P.

Very nice people. Very nice service. 5 of us friends went to this placed ordered 5 different dishes - both veggie and nonveg - to sample them all. We all loved each and everyone of them. And they have live music. I wanted to give 4.5 stars but there was no way to do that. This would have gotten a 5 stars if they had an awesome dessert menu too.
(4)
Emma H.

I'm always hesitant to give out a full five stars, but this place was just so great! Our waiter was just adorable, super friendly and attentive, he even asked at one point if I needed a quarter for my meter. I didn't drive, but I almost wished I had just so I could have taken him up on the offer. The pisco sours were delicious, the corn and cheese appetizer comforting, and my ceviche mixte - YES. The friend I was with order a rice and sea food dish which worked out perfectly for sharing as I did want something starchy on the side. Made me want to go back to Peru asap! One of those local places you feeling great about supporting.
(5)
Alex R.

This was my first Peruvian experience, so it's tough to say it was the best, but honestly even with the high expectations set by other yelpers of this place, my girlfriend and I were blown away last night! Service slowed down as it got busier, but unlike some, I both expect that and appreciate taking a long time with my dinner. And the food was as unique and varied as it was delicious. Only low point was the beer, but I really have never been a fan of Spanish or Latin American lagers... just aweful.. Sorry! Upon being seated (by a lady in a very fun looking yellow dress), we immediately supplied with roasted maize kernels with a jalapeno (maybe?) mayo sauce - very original and tasty. We started out with the Ceviche Mixto, which was fresh, yet not overly acidic. Nothing goes better with seafood than lime and a bed of red onions! Then followed the best app I've had in a long time, the Anticucho, seasoned beef heart! It was only tough enough to give a nice firm texture, but it soon gives way, and the flavor was intense and salty, and honestly that with some rice would've made the evening, but there was more to come. Aji de Gallina: little hidden bits of pulled chicken and potato hidden in a thick, yellow cream sauce made from purÃ©ed yellow pepper, cheese and garlic. And my dish was the Special, and what a surprise because I went there somewhat sadly resigned to the fact that while well reviewed, this place was missing one of its main stars of Peru, the Cuy (or guinea pig). Well guess who just so happened to be making a guest appearance on the menu that evening... I had Roasted Cuy with a garlicky, tomato-quinoa-potato stewed side and rice. The side was almost amazing enough alone, but Cuy was a treat. Head and all, it brought together the crispy, salty skin of maybe pork and the gamey flavor of tender dark meat chicken. Also be noted is that Cuy is kind of fatty so there was a nice layer to eat which I scooped up with the crispy skin-chips along with the tomato side. Incredibly rich. After dinner we listened to some live Peruvian music and had Leche Asada for desert, which is very much like Flan, but less fine and much richer. All in all, a great evening with a new culinary experience, at a reasonable price. We barely fought off the temptation to order some Anticucho w/ rice to go. Next time...
(4)
Rosemary H.

I went here last night and was very surprised--but not in a good way. All of my friends rave about their food and the ambiance, but I was less than impressed. First of all, the service was exceedingly slow. We were there for over three hours but there were only a couple of other groups seated. It took almost 30 minutes for the waiter to actually take our orders, and I doubt he would have ever brought us the check later if we hadn't madly flagged him down. The food was okay at best. I really like the toasted corn kernals and the fried plantains--but that was about it. The Ceviche Mixto I ordered was bland, and I'm a little worried that I have minor food poisoning as I have felt very weird and off since eating it last night. The fish was tasteless so I wound up picking out all of the pieces of octopus. Needless to say, it was not filling and I was disappointed that I spent $15 on something I did not at all enjoy. I would consider trying this place again since my friends like it so much, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
(2)
Tiff D.

Sorry Machu, I wanted to be bffs, I really did. but Meh, I've experienced better. Being from LA, Im a huge fan of ceviche. I saw it on the menu here and had to have it. I ordered take out. Empanadas: Baked meat filled turnovers, and Ceviche de Pescado: bite sized pieces of fish marinated with spices. $19.11 As soon as I saw it I knew...this was no mexican ceviche. I tasted it and I was so disappointed. It was just fish marinated in lime juice thats it. It was served on a bed of red onion slices placed on a lettuce leaf. There was some type of potato looking thing on the side. One orange, one white. Yucca? And big Corn, some soft and a pile of hard ones. Like unpopped kernels at the bottom of your popcorn bag. What am I supposed to do with these? It will break my tooth if I try to bit into one of those things! The ONE empanada I got for $5 (the menu said 4 empanadas), was ok. The dough was soft not chewy or flaky. It was baked not fried. About the size of my hand. Filled with ground meat, raisins, and spices. It had a decent flavor but it wasnt anything I would return to Machu for. For $20, I was disappointed. I didnt finish my meal and wouldn't order it again. Machu does have great reviews so I will return and give it another try.
(2)
Stacy M.

Did you know that Peru claims to be the birthplace of ceviche? No? That makes two of us. I know so little about Peruvian cuisine, and have been meaning to try this place for a while. We had a great meal and wonderful service at Machu Picchu. We ordered up some Cusquena beer, the ceviche mixto, the aji de gallina (pulled chicken in yellow sauce) and flan for desert. Word to the wise, the ceviche mixto is served as large hunks of fish, not fine chopped like you might be used to. You should really be down with large hunks of squid, etc. before ordering this dish. The aji de gallina is one of their more popular dishes, and it was quite tasty, but I can't say I absolutely must have this again. The Cusquena beer is good- you defintely should try it. The service here was efficient and friendly. We were particularly grateful for the way our server deftly and politely steered us whities away from the rocoto sauce. If you are from Latin America, rocato sauce is probably like ketchup to you. In Boston, rocoto is likely to be found in the hair removal aisle. That's not to say it's the most crazy delicious depilatory out there. If you're looking for a south of the border (ok, like WAAAY south) experience close to home, Machu Picchu's well worth the trip.
(4)
Herb Z.

From what i know these guys are one of the few places in town for Peruvian cuisine. I was not that impressed with the food there. It wasn't bad, but just not good enough to have to come back. Don't get the chicharon there, I had it and they were like rocks in my plate.
(3)
Anna D.

Food was ok but service a bit slow considering it was pretty empty
(3)
Hamid N.

Great food; you should try their ceviche.
(4)
Betts C.

First off, the prices at Machu Picchu are ridiculous, in a good sort of way. Secondly, the food is surprisingly good, and from what I've been told (having never been to Peru myself), it's also not terribly Americanized. The atmosphere does lack a little something, as it's pretty silly and involves lots of photos, Christmas lights, and live music on Saturdays. But it's never overwhelmed with people, and the service is speedy. The pisco sours are bloody delicious, and not at all over-priced. The ceviche itself is delicious, with very fresh seafood and just the right amount of tartness. I also sampled same plantains, which were excellent, and the steak dish my partner ordered. For my own taste, I would recommend trying any of their ceviche options over the straight-up meat, but this might just be me. This is not a place to take someone for a romantic first-date... the lighting just isn't that pleasant. But it's really great food, and if you're not looking for atmosphere, this is a great spot to try.
(4)
Deanna D.

Friend: Have you ever been to Machu Picchu? Me: In Peru? No, I haven't been there but I would love to go. Friend: No silly! Machu Picchu in Somerville! Me: Oh that Machu Picchu! Yes, I went there for the first time on Sat. night! Friend: How was it? Me: Lovely drinks, especially the Pisco Sour & Chicha Morada. Delicious food and friendly service. Heres the break down: The place was very busy when we first arrived at 8:30 but we had a reservation for 4 people and our table was ready which was nice. The ambiance was nice: simply decorated, colorful, warm & inviting. There was live music which was a bit loud but very nice. Tamales con Sarsa Criolla- Flavorful and scrumptious Causa Machupicchu- Delicious, light but filling combo of seafood and potatoes. Aji de Gallina- Very tasty but could have used a little spice. It was a bit too sweet for my taste. Ceviche Mixto- Fresh fish, nicely seasoned, and very enjoyable. Dessert: The Baked Custard was fantastic and the Flan was good but nothing special. Our servers were very friendly and polite but also very slow at times. We waited a while to place our orders, order new drinks, have our plates cleared, and even for the check. The prices are reasonable and the portions were filling. Overall a lovely experience and nice place in Union Square.
(4)
Jess L.

I really want to give this place a 3.5. Great food: pollo chan-chan was great. Their signature ceviche was also tasty, spicy. Fried yuca = always a winner. $7 Pico Sour = expensive. Rice pudding dessert = very nice. Service was POOR. I think maybe it was busier than normal, perhaps? But it took forever to get our check. Or water. The one waiter seemed overwhelmed. We were seated near the front door, with the windows open - with someone smoking outside. Anyway, tasty food but a little disappointing on the service front.
(4)
Danielle H.

First off, there's another place up the street that has the same Machu Picchu sign out front - same owner but more of lunch place. Make sure you're going to the restaurant version further down Somerville Ave. We didn't know until we asked why there was no ceviche on the menu and was told we were in the wrong restaurant. I was really looking forward to eating here, and though I found the food to be good, I didn't leave thinking that it was a place I had to absolutely go back to. We had the ceviche mixto, which was pretty tasty. However, there was an overwhelming amount of very chewy octopus. We also had the recommended beef stew with beans (sorry, don't remember the name) which, though a bit salty, was good homey comfort food for the cold night. I don't have enough Peruvian food experience to judge this place's authenticity, but you will definitely get a solid meal here.
(3)
Poonam V.

Here's the thing. We are leaving the country soon and so our friends took us here for treat. And the only thing I was saying the whole time is why didn't we find out about this place earlier. Do yourself Favour. GO HERE. The food was mouth watering. We got Pesco sours for drinks and it was delicious . We had appetizers and it was a large quantity. We had sea food ceviche which was just unresistable. Later we had chicken fish and steak entrees and every dish was too good. The other good thing about this place is the live music . U feel like u r on Caribbean island. Next time we come to USA we are going here again until we try everything on the menu.
(5)
David K.

Reheated, pretty lousy food. It was very expensive for being stringy steak and oversalted pilaf.
(1)
Laurinda U.

I was here last Saturday and it was very good. The prices are reasonable, the portions are large, and the service was pretty good. It's not a fancy place at all. Atmosphere and decor reminds me of a nicer McDonald's that serves Peruvian food and alcohol. However, the food is pretty tasty although I didn't think it super unique. Among the three of my friends and I, we ordered the chicken ($7), the sausage and baby back ribs ($14), and the porkchop and sausage ($14). It's A LOT of meat, so there were leftovers. All dishes came with salad and another side. The only thing was that the pork chop was on the dry side and I had to use the sauce that came with the chicken. The smoked chicken though is definitely their best dish because you can taste the smoke. SO good! Ultimately, the food is good, not particularly special but very filling and I think excellent value for your money.
(4)
Marcia F.

Our family visited Machu Picchu on a Thursday evening and were able to make a reservation. Although it was not crowded it was good to have a table set up and waiting for us. The waiter was wonderful and went out of his way to be accommodating. I told him that I needed to eat gluten free food due to allergies and he was great. As one of our appetizers we wanted yucca fries and he made sure that the oil hadn't been used to fry anything else, he also did the same for the french fries that came with my entree. He told me which foods either were or could be made gluten free. I really appreciated this. The food was all very good. We had a variety of appetizers, as well as seafood, steak and chicken entrees. Everyone was happy with their choices and the servings were large so we took home leftovers. The prices were reasonable and all in all it was a very pleasant and enjoyable dinner. We will definitely go back!
(4)
Jamal G.

I guess there aren't many Peruvian choices in the area, but that's no excuse. I ordered the lomo saltado, a staple for any self-respecting Peruvian restaurant. It was bland and greasy. The hostess and waiter were very nice, but the food was not so good. I doubt I will be coming back.
(2)
Joanna F.

4.5 stars actually. When I walked in to Machu Picchu, I was stunned by the atmosphere. For some reason, I was expecting it to be a lit more dingy. It was dimly lit and a costumed hostess brought us to our seat. I was with my Peruvian friend, so it made the menu a lot less confusing. I tried a sip of the Pisco Sours my friends ordered (delicious) and we got ceviche and fried Yuka for the table. Ceviche wasn't what I expected. I thought it would have the raw fish consistency, but it was absolutely tender and tasted fully cooked (which it is by lime juice). It was a VERY strong lime/vinegar flavor, which I loved, but I could see how it would disturb some people. For my entree I got aji something... basically it was chicken in a tomato cream sauce with white rice. It was really delicious and reminded me of some Indian food I have had except much more mild. I tried a bite of the Lomo Saltado which was also delicious... basically stir fried steak, veggies and fries over rice. The portions here were completely reasonable. I left full but not overstuffed. The service was great, and for 20 bucks, I tried a few Peruvian dishes. Also, the live Peruvian music was great. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Betsy A.

This place has excellent food. It's all about the taste folks. Nothing fancy (although nice enough inside), they focus on making their food taste good. I had all my faves: platanos maduros, lomo saltado, alfajores, and my beloved Inca Kola (= Kolita Champane for my Puerto Rican friends). ;o) All in all a great experience. They had live music (something I believe happens Fridays and Saturdays). Experience only made better by great company. Took a star out because the waitress was completely out of sorts. Kept us waiting a loonng time. I believe she was new, so will rate again once I return (which I will...). =)
(4)
Caitlin G.

I'd like to go back to see if my next Machu Picchu experience will be any better, because I've heard nothing but good things about this place. However, the service was very slow; people who were seated after our party were receiving their food before we did. When we did get our food, my dish was lukewarm in both temperature and taste. I ordered arroz con marisco, which is rice with seafood. It was very oily and served with a an entire thickly sliced red onion, which overwhelmed the taste for me. The seafood portion itself was a bit skimpy and overcooked. About half of us enjoyed our food, the other half didn't. So it was a mixed bag. I'd be willing to return to sample more dishes in the future just based on all the positive reviews here.
(2)
Kathy M.

My parents, native Ecuadorians, took me out to lunch here the other day and if they are pleased with the food and can vouch for its authenticity, my work here is pretty much done. I had the ceviche mixto which was really great because it was huge and it had a lot of different seafood (shrimp, fish, scallops and octopus). I wasn't a big fan of their beef empanada only because they use thicker and semi-sweet dough, it was almost like a croissant. I prefer a leaner dough which is what my mom uses... Oh and the "starter" which was roasted corn kernels was really delicious because of the great dipping sauces.
(4)
Ed M.

Having never been for Peruvian food before we decided to get dinner here on a snowy Wednesday evening. The place was very quiet and we were seated right away. All the food was suprisingly cheaper than expected as well. For a beverage I went with a Pisco Sour, which is known as the national drink, and it was very sweet and tasty. It seems like something I would get on a warm summer night in the future. Also had a Peruvian beer I had never tried or heard of later in the meal, called Cusquena, which was ok. We ordered the appetizer sampler, called Piqueo Machu Picchu to give everything a try and it was really nice. The chicharrones were particularly fantastic. For the meal I went with Aji De Gallina and was happy with my choice. The spices were definitely there but not in a bad way. Very friendly service and the food came out pretty quickly. We would definitely go back for more.
(4)
Stephanie M.

I've been eyeing Machu Picchu for years without ever going in, so a recent visit to a friend in Union Sq. was a great excuse to go. The atmosphere was nice - and warm, which was certainly appreciated - and we got a seat immediately. The toasted corn appetizer was interesting, and the spicy house mayonnaise that came with it was fabulously tasty - but if you really want spicy, ask your server for the red sauce. It'll knock you over. Three of us got ceviche of some flavor (mixto for me, pescado and de camarone for my friends) and the fourth got bistek encebollado. Everything was tasty, especially the ceviche de camarone, and they gave you plenty of food. The menu was huge and varied - I had trouble deciding between a number of things, and I really want to go again so I can try some of the others. For the price and the taste, this was a great meal. The only downside - all the food was spicy, and we never did manage to get any more water (or purple corn juice, which I highly recommend.) Also, while we sat and wished for drinks, there was Christmas Muzak with pan flutes. That, I could have done without.
(4)
Anthony C.

Machu Picchu is a solid Peruvian restaurant - it's not fine dining, but the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. I went here with my parents and sister over the holidays for lunch. My Dad being Colombian, the rest of us pretty much didn't open the menu; we just let him order for us, speaking Spanish to the waiter (always gotta go for the bonus points if one of your party speaks the native tongue of the chef!). I didn't really understand the order, so I had to ask my pops post-meal for the run down. Here's what we had: Piqueo Machu Picchu - Sort of an assorted appetizer platter with Yuca (kinda like fries? really good!), Anticucho (yes, beef heart. also delicious!), Chicharron (sorta like pig belly, not my fave so didn't have any), Criolla sauce (mayo-ish, pretty good), and some white beans which I forget the name of. Overall, delicious. The flavors were rich and definitely not Americanized... not even a hint of Tex-Mex here. Causa de Pollo - this was almost like potato salad with chicken in it. Amazing! So good. I don't know what made it so good, but the combination of flavors is delightful. Empanadas - unlike Colombian ones, these were made with a sweet dough instead of the salty cornmeal. The filling was really good though. Large dumplings filled with ground beef... can't go wrong! Ceviche Mixto and Ceviche de Pescado - the ceviches are definitely the house specialty, and they have an excellent selection. We went for the mixed one and the traditional one with just fish. Both scrumptious. Large morsels of succulent fish, and in the mixto there were also shrimp, calamari and octopus. Highly recommend both of these! As I'm sure you can tell, I'll surely be back. The only aspects I'm not crazy about are the location (I don't frequent Somerville that often...) and the calibre of service/fit & finish. If they upped the overall ambient aesthetic (a la Tapeo on Newbury) I'd be hard pressed not to respond with a 5th star :-)
(4)
Ellen F.

We went there again the other night and tried to use our Yelp Deal, which had expired but is still required by Massachusetts law to be valid for the price we paid. No amount of arguing helped so we ended up paying for the meal. When I wrote to the manager the next day she basically told me "too bad--we're not honoring that Deal." So maybe we're not going back there again because their attitude toward customers matters.
(3)
John O.

I finally tried this place last night, and it was SO worth it. Let me start off by saying that this was my first time eating Peruvian food, so i have no idea if this was authentic or not, but it was delicious! The meal started with 2 apps, 1 of marinated grilled beef hearts, and 1 of fried yucca with dipping sauce. Both were a big hit. The beef hearts were flavorful, cooked well, and all around delicous. The yucca was crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, but the star of that app was the dipping sauce. It was mildly spicy, and just really went well with the yucca. For the main course. My wife had the Seco de carne a la nortena. It was like a beef pot roast that had been slow cooked in cilantro, and spices till it was fall apart tender and served with excellent rice and beans. I had a basked of seafood that was fried (don't remember the name) it was cooked perfectly. The batter was light and crunchy. I also ordered the Leche de Tigre (milk of the tiger) It is made with the leftover liquid from making ceviche and has more spices added. It is supposed to be the best cure for a hangover. I'll have to try some time and report back if it works. We also tried a few of their drinks. My wife loved her blue corn drink, she said it was somewhat sweet and very refreshing. I had CusqueÃ±a, a beer from Peru, and it was very tasty. I'll have to look into more drinks from there. I did not get a chance to try a Pisco Sour, and it is the top of my list when I go back.
(4)
Christopher F.

I've always been a fan of Latin American cuisine, but had never tried Peruvian food before eating at Machu Picchu. My girlfriend, who had been there once before recommended it, so I gave it a try. The atmosphere was great, but probably because it was a Friday night, there was a live band playing a bit too loudly. At times, my girlfriend and I had to shout over the music. It was a bit annoying, but seemed to quiet down after awhile. Looking at the menu, I realized that I had never tried really anything on it. I also noticed that the meals, priced at about $10.99 on average, were very reasonable. We ordered the beef tostada as an appetizer, and it was good but nothing to rave about. I also ordered a Peruvian beer called Cusquena which was average. The main reason I give this place 4 stars is my entree. I ordered the Aji de Gallina, which apparently loosely translates to "chicken in a spicy sauce." It was easily one of the top 5 most delicious things I've ever eaten. The sauce is a bit spicy, and mixed with the rice and pulled chicken, it was out of this world. Then, upon receiving the check, I couldn't believe how cheap the meal had been, even though we had ordered an appetizer and beer. Overall, average service, great atmosphere, fantastic prices, and unbeatable Aji de Gallina. Did I mention how good the Aji de Gallina was?
(4)
ancaruci C.

Really good Peruvian restaurant. I love (and highly recommend) the Peruvian seafood, and MP offers a good selection. We had 'pescado macho' and 'picante de mariscos'... in a few words, lots of sea food with great flavor. We also had pisco sour , delicious! and chicha morada, you really have to try it. The rices are very reasonable and portions are big. The serivce was great (5 stars) and the music nice. Great place to go, we'll be back.
(4)
monique g.

Really yummy peruvian food. Folksy peruvian music. Authentic pisco sours. Machu Picchu makes me proud to love a peruvian! Really quiet atmosphere. The ceviche is fresh, and big! Do it! Do it!
(4)
Ned S.

Reviews often mention that a visit to this-or-that ethnic restaurant is like a trip to that foreign destination...but i never find that's true. For example, of the dozens and dozens of irish pubs that i have visited in beantown, it never feels approximating the fantastic experience of being at, say, Klinty Stone in Clonaklity, County Cork. Machu Piccu is different. From its plywood floors and very authentic food to regular friday night live musical bands and tableware engraved with "Turistico Restaurante" I feel like I'm back in Peru.. My wife does too and she only recently emigrated from Mancora from its north coast. Machu greets you with a large dining room and a extensive menu that offers only Peruvian cuisine--which is exciting and diverse (peruvian dishes are heavily influenced by Asian, African, and indigenous cultures, beyond dominant Spanish influences). There's many excellent variations of national dish of marinated fish, ceviche. Some great soups and fantastic sauces for the various meats. All well prepared, at good prices. Whether a flight to Lima is in your past or future, come by and feel like you're there.
(4)
Steph L.

Awesome food. I've never had Peruvian food before, so I can't speak on the authenticity, but I can say that it was a great eating experience. My boyfriend and I headed to Machu Picchu on a very cold night looking to try Peruvian food. We're heading to Peru this year, I wanted to know what to expect food wise (cultural sites are great, but good food is even better!). We were not disappointed. When we arrived around 7, the place was about half full, and we were seated immediately. We were given roasted corn kernels and a creamy somewhat spicy green sauce. It took some restraint not to drink the sauce. I didn't want to ruin the other diners' appetites. We started with the ceviche mixto, which was lime-y, onion-y goodness. The octopus was a bit chewy, but overall, the dish was really tasty. We also had the anticucho or beef hearts. I'm not one that generally enjoys organ meat, but the anticucho was seasoned well and tender. It reminded me of a thin steak. It was salty, but not excessive so (for me, at least). I would have eaten a whole plate of it with a side of rice. For my main entree, I had the aji de gallina, a creamy pulled chicken dish with rice. It was very mild in terms of spices, but a satisfying dish. Also, the sauce is BRIGHT yellow. By the time we received our appetizers, the place was bustling. There were people standing by the door salivating as others ate. There was also live music and which provided entertainment without being obtrusive. But when it comes down to it, Manchu Picchu serves up some seriously good food.
(4)
Tony K.

The No Reservations episode on Peru (or was it Equador?) had piqued my interest in ceviche a long time ago and I finally got the chance to try it at Machu Picchu. I had had ceviche before as an app or a small bite, but never a heaping plate full. The verdict... Excellent! Light and delicious flavors, cool and refreshing on a warm day. Definitely recommended! The place was nice enough - typical of any ethnic restaurant in Cbridge/Sville. No need to bother trying the Peruvian beer - totally forgettable.
(4)
D D.

Never been to Peru, so cannot judge whether the foods are really authentic. But from the setting, to the people, finally to the food itself. are really good. Service are especially good and warm. The price is very reasonable as well. A definitely 5 star experience. Recommend purple corn Juice, lemonade, raw fish and hand pull chicken.
(5)
Simpson S.

The reviews for this place on Yelp are pretty accurate... so I'll just get into what I liked/disliked: Liked: All the sauces. Make sure you get a side of the hot sauce, it was VERY good, and had a nice kick too it. Also when you sit down they give you a side of roasted corn kernels with a creamy sauce, ask them for extras of that sauce. It's absolutely amazing. Very creamy and very tasty. I forget the names for both, but just talk about the sauces and they'll know. The drinks were very good, I had the pisco sour and the pisco/orange juice mixed cocktail. Never had Pisco before, it has a melony taste too it. Very sweet and rum like. We ordered the seafod/mixed Ceviche. It was absolutely amazing. This is the first time I've had ceviche, but the dish is similiar to what Cambodians make (instead of seafood we use raw beef and scallions, VERY good). Nice big chunks of scallops in there, mixed in with some unidentified fish and squid. There was just enough citrus where it wasn't overpowering. This is a MUST order for anyone. Disliked: The beef hearts we ordered for our appetizer was a little too salty for my taste. I had to drown it in the aforementioned sauces to help make it palatable. Also the Fried Yuca is very plain. Actually, what we did was combine pieces of fried yuca with pieces of beef heart. That was a winning combination. The beef heart provided just enough saltiness to bring out the flavor of the otherwise bland yuca. Vice Versa, the starchiness of the yuca cut thru the saltiness of the beef heart. They should start pairing those two together instead of making them seperate orders on the menu. Like a steak frites thing. Overall we had a very good experience there, and will go back again. They apparently have live music after 8 on the weekends, unfortunately we they were walking in as we were walking out.
(4)
Brian B.

Authentic Flavor At a Great Price! As someone who grew up in a Peruvian family, I have to say that the dishes I tasted were spot on. A lot of them tasted just like my grandmother's cooking! I first heard of Machu Picchu about 3 years ago, and finally got to try it out this past weekend. I'm giving it 4 stars to start, since it was only my first time, and there are still a lot of dishes to try. Drinks: Pisco Sour - A Peruvian favorite. Right on the money! Appetizers: Anticuchos - Tender and delicious! Exactly how I remembered them from my last trip to Lima Papa Rellena - Equally delicious. One of grandma's specialties. Entrees: Ceviche Mixto - Another authentic dish. I went with the mixed ceviche this time, but I personally prefer fish, shrimp, and octopus. The scallops in this ceviche were not my favorite. As a whole, the dish was great! Lomo Saltado - Nicely cooked beef, served with rice and fresh french fries Seco de Carne a la NorteÃ±a - Fantastic! The beef was so tender that it was falling apart, and it had a great flavor. Dessert: Arroz con Leche - I would definitely recommend this if you like rice pudding. Masamora Morada - A pudding made from native Peruvian purple corn. One of my childhood favorites. Sort of a mix between Jello and pudding. Loved it! I'll definitely be going back to Machu Picchu!
(4)
Jean S.

I'm a bit surprised by all the rave reviews I read here, and by the recommendation of a friend from Peru who said that this is *the* place to go in the Boston area for Peruvian food when I asked her whether I should spring for the Yelp deal. So maybe Peruvian food just doesn't float my boat. I agree with the reviews here that do mention how bland everything was! My friend and I had high hopes for some interesting flavors as we devoured the roasted corn and sauce offering we sat down to, but that was short-lived. To start we got 2 empanadas, and while I can't say that it isn't how they're served in Peru, I got the distinct impression that they'd been fried ahead and microwaved when we orderd them, because the pastry looked like it was once beautifully flakey, but arrived soggy and limp. I'm used to other empanadas being essentially finger food, but there was no way to pick these up and they became fork and knife food. We ordered from the 'National dishes of Peru' part of the menu - I got the Arroz con mariscos, which was ok in that there was a generous amount of squid and shrimp (tails on, though, which I find a pain in the you-know-what mixed into a rice dish) but it was not really very flavorful. My friend got a fried shrimp dish that came with both rice and potatoes (that turned out to be french fries, which we thought really odd) but again the flavor was not particularly memorable. The pisco sours were ok, not way better than any average whiskey sour would have been, so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about over them. For dessert we got the Peruvian baked custard, which was truly wonderful, and with the complimentary roasted corn and sauce made for the only really memorable 'YUM!' of the evening. The service was ok, and the portions were on the generous side, but had I not been there because of the Yelp deal I wouldn't have thought it a good value. Sorry to sound so negative, but I can't see myself making the trip back . . .
(3)
Bonita Y.

Their menu is hilarious!!! Get the ceviche (although I don't like the fish in it...but other stuff are equally delicious!)
(4)
Janet L.

love this place. great seafood and meat dishes. ceviche is fresh and the lomo saltado is so flavorful. the staff was very nice. can't wait to try more stuff.
(5)
D M.

I went here last night with Dorian, because all the other bars were packed and we really wanted a drink. We came here and were immediately seated. We ended up drinking Machu Picchus, which are boozy drinks that are all about the float.....brandy, grenadine, juice of some sort, and creme de menth, I believe. Sound like instant vomit? More like instant deliciousness! They were yummy, boozy, and pretty. Dorian ordered some of the vegetarian lomo, which was a blend of huge kernels of corn, onions, french fries,and yummy broth, served with the best sticky rice I've found in a while. It was delightful. The french fries were kinda weird in it, but somehow worked. I will definitely be back here to try other dishes when I am actually hungry, because it's definitely a fun place to eat.
(4)
Susan N.

Really not that great. My friend and I headed over there this weekend. We had gone to Peru last month, eaten their food, climbed their mountain and were still on a Peruvian kick so we decided to go to Machu Picchu, the restaurant. It's a cute place and has all the traditional Peruvian drinks and dishes. We decided to split the ceviche dish since we weren't very hungry and it was a pretty large dish. After trying it, I'm not in any rush to go back. While the fish tasted really fresh (that's good), the dish itself just left a lot to be desired. Ceviche is supposed to have a ton of onions and lemon juice in it but not so much that those flavors overtake the dish. This one just totally underwhelmed. We didn't taste any lemon flavor. Rather all I tasted was a ton of black pepper with some fish hidden underneath. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this place. I don't know if I'd go back any time soon.
(2)
Samantha B.

This was my first introduction to Peruvian food, and I loved it! This place is fortunately right down the street from me. I am eternally grateful that I was introduced to Peruvian toasted corn. I have since found it at a Latin market on Moody Street in Waltham and can't get enough of the stuff. Those dipping sauces are also incredible, INCREDIBLE. Some of the best sauce I've had period. I've tried to mimic them at home, but haven't gotten a slam dunk yet. Their vegetarian options aren't that varied, but the vegetarian lomo is delicious. Also a thumbs up for fruit shakes. My boyfriend loved the super spicy ceviche here, but didn't appreciate that the waiter took forever to bring water. The service can be on the slow side.
(4)
Michele B.

Imagine if you had never eaten pasta before, because there were no Italian restaurants in town. And then an Olive Garden opened up. Because you'd never had Italian food, and Italian food is fantastic, you would think Olive Garden was fantastic. That is sort of what Machu Picchu is like. Peruvian food is amazing, but this isn't amazing Peruvian food. But if you've never had Peruvian before you will think it is fantastic. On the night we went, we get there somewhat early and it it was very, very cold in the dining room. People were sitting in their coats. So bring a sweater.
(3)
Julia E.

Amazing local business. Everything at Machu Picchu adds to a wonderful atmosphere: traditional music, beautiful decor, friendly ambience, and authentic food. This was a nice upscale restaurant to go to with family, and the food was phenomenal. Everyone had something different and enjoyed it--but I highly recommend the seafood and soups! For such a wonderful dining experience, the price was also very reasonable.
(5)
Malena L.

It took me a good year to make it to this place, but it was well worth it. Everyone recommended it and for one reason or another, I just couldn't make it there, but now that I've been, I tell you...I'm going back! So, let's review the deliciousness of my plates: Let's start with some definitions: DF = deep fried...and I thought this would be a healthy meal. - Chicharron de Pescado: little pieces of DF fish with DF yucca and a tartar sauce. I was a bit disappointed. DON'T GET ME WRONG, it was delicious (I love deep fried ANYTHING) and I have to say DF yucca is best. However, when I think OF chicharron, I imagine something like DF fish skin...YUM...and well, these are just pretty much fish sticks. Then again, this is NOT a Mexican restaurant (I'm Mexican). - Piqueo Machupicchu: DF pork, DF yucca, DF beef, red onions and corn kernels with some sort of sauce. Again, I was fooled by the "chicharron de puerco" on the menu. However, PORK IS PORK and I entirely recommend this dish. If I had known about it, I would not have ordered the Chicharron de Pescado. This one has the DF yucca, too, but the rest of the stuff is 10X better than the DF fish. - Aji de Gallina: pulled chicken and potatoes in cream and AjÃ Amarillo based sauce. I believe aji might mean curry, because this dish resembles an Indian dish. Definitely delicious. Definitely get it! - Ceviche Mixto: CEVICHE. For the record, Peruvian ceviche is possibly better than Mexican ceviche and this place makes GREAT ceviche. I gave myself another ulcer by scooping the remaining juice with a spoon and eating it all as if it were soup. - Arroz con Leche: rice with milk. Simple, but I like it. - Finally, these cookies with dulce de leche that EVERYONE must get. They are cheap and they give you a lot of them, too. This place is definitely worth going to. I can see myself becoming a regular and not for their DF shit, but for those damn ceviches. Bring it on, ulcers!!! Deep fry that!
(4)
rolf f.

Enjoyed the meal here. Wanted to go because I enjoy Chilean food and wanted to see how different Peruvian food was. And also wanted to compare a Peruvian piso sour with the ones I had in Chile. Was satisfied with the food and the service. Ambiance is a bit lame. Will go back when I am in the neighborhood.
(3)
Adam K.

If you're looking for authentic Peruvian cuisine, Machu Picchu is your place. I went to Peru in the fall and Machu Picchu really brought me back with the beautiful music, amazing pictures, and, of course, CEVICHE! We had 3 plates of ceviche and it definitely was authentic and tasty. I can't say anything about the other dishes the offered, but if you're looking for good ceviche, this is your place.
(4)
Tanvi D.

Went there last night to celebrate a friend's birthday.. Surprisingly, the place was rather empty.. Oh well, more service for us and it was fine.. The food, not bad.. I liked the corn kernel munchies, can't say I'm a fan of the sauce that comes with it, but, other people in our party seemed to like it.. Appetizers - I liked the Papa A La Huanciana and their Corn + Cheese dish. The cheese was kinda tasteless like paneer, so, it went well with the Huanciana sauce from the other appetizer Main Dish - I got the sphagetti and my husband got their lomo vegetariano. Both OK. Drinks - We got their non-alcoholic blue corn drink.. Tasted kinda like "Kokam" ... Interesting..
(3)
Chris L.

Since I got back from Costa Rica I've been wanting some good ceviche. I Yelped "ceviche" in the Boston area and Macchu Picchu popped up in the top 10. They have one page of their menu devoted to ceviche. We ordered ceviche mixto (mixed seafood). Before it arrived, the bartender gave us some roasted corn with a simple creamy cilantro sauce. Clean and free is a nice way to start a meal. The ceviche arrived quickly and was good, fresh and limey. The fish and shrimp were tender. The pieces of octopus were chopped small, but still they were a little chewy. It's hard to get octopus tender. Good Peruvian beer washed it down. We had flan to finish. I'd go back, maybe to try their soups.
(4)
Shawn B.

This is the best Peruvian restaurant I have been to in the United States. Great, fun atmosphere, with live dancing sometimes. Fabulous drinks, including a kick ass Pisco Sour. Make sure you have a DD. Huge selection of ceviche. I've tried about 5 of them here and they were all delicious. In fact, this place does ceviche better than any restaurant I know. Also the best Papa a la Huancaina. Very good Saltado. I miss the foodways of Boston. I especially pine for Machu Picchu.
(5)
Heather G.

It may be because we ate here on a Tuesday night, but the restaurant was nearly empty, and the service was actually very good - not slow like some reviews claimed, but then again, there were only 4 tables full the entire time we were there. For apps: papa rellena was flaky, warm, delicious. Came with dipping sauce and red onions tossed in some sort of dressing, but it's yummy enough on its own. Causa Limena was amazing - it tasted like a cross between potato salad and chicken salad, and reminded me of summer barbecues. Served cold and the consistency is a bit odd, but it is very good. Fried Yuca was just OK. I find yuca a bit dense, and these were very dry and a bit tough to swallow. For entrees, we had the lomo saltado, which was decent but the meat was a bit tough and chewy, and there was too much rice and not enough stir fry or sauce, so it felt a bit like we were eating mostly just a dry plate of rice. I have had better lomo saltado, but sadly, never in Boston. We also ordered some chicken dish (forgot the name) that was basically shredded chicken folded into this creamy/eggy mixture. It was actually pretty good and because it was a bit on the soupier side, it didn't taste nearly as dry as the lomo saltado. All in all, it was very decent-to-good, but not the best I've had. Appetizers were generally above average and entrees a bit below average. I would definitely go back for the apps and the crunchy corn they give you before the meal.
(3)
Joe S.

Went here last night for dinner with a big group. The food here was good, so it would get 4-stars but for one thing: the loud musician playing right behind us during the entire dinner. Note to the owners of Macchu Picchu - live music is great at a restaurant, but it should accompany the dining as background music, not jam itself into your ears like you're at a rock concert. If this problem were changed, I'd be back. Otherwise, I just don't see myself enjoying a dinner there.
(3)
Ryan W.

We went here on a Groupon deal and for once, I would come back even without the deal! I'm no expert, but I have been to Peru and the food is pretty dang close. Only thing missing is the coca (cocaine) tea...for obvious reasons I'm sure. Def be back. Just wish it was closer to downtown Boston.
(5)
Omar F.

Have you ever been to a place in which you know exactly what you want, and you enter the restaurant, sit down, and before the waiter/waitress asks you scream "GIVE ME THE STUFFED CHICKEN!"?-- Well, this is the place to do that. Honestly, I don't remember the name of my dish, and I took pictures of everything but forgot to take a picture of my stuffed chicken. I think it's because I was so excited to eat it that I just couldn't be civilized. The food here was delicious, every little bite of it. The prices were very reasonable, and my friend got a drink, and I although I don't remember the full name I do remember it was something "on fire". The drink comes literally... on fire. There's a piece of pineapple on the glass that they light up, and we all almost fell from our seats when the flaming drink made it to our table. They should advise you before hand. This place is a little gem, go try it yourself. My friends and I went on a quiet night and the service was fantastic, the atmosphere very nice, and we just can't wait to go back.
(5)
Cait A.

I've already written a rave review of Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken, down the street. When my boyfriend offered to take me out to dinner on Saturday, I scoured Yelp for a new, different place to go that was good and inexpensive (the two seem to be mutually exclusive). After a bit, we decided to walk through Union and look around. We ended up here in the end anyways and it was as great as their charcoal chicken place. We were seated in the little side room by the window, which was nice and the servers were polite and attentive. I got the Bisteck A Lo Pobre (Poor man's steak) with the white rice, over easy egg, fried plantains, and french fries. My boyfriend got the Pollo Chan-Chan- chicken rolled around shrimp, spinach, and cheese with spinach mashed potatoes and green beans. It was SO GOOD. We kept picking off each others plates and I could not stop eating even after I was full. They gave us baked corn kernels with their amazing sauce before the meal, and I ended up using the remains of the sauce on the french fries and steak (which was great alone). He got a beer and I got a mojito (which was also quite good). Once again, Machu Picchu has won me over. Its simple, utterly delicious, satisfying, and inexpensive. I had leftovers for lunch yesterday, making it really two meals for 16 bucks. And what's in that sauce?? So much for wanting to try somewhere new, I'm always blown away at Machu Picchu.
(5)
Brian T.

Had dinner with friends here and overall had a very nice experience. The service was good, allowing us to linger for almost 2 hours to catch up. Menu was a little overwhelming since I have no idea what is the "must try" Peruvian dish. But lots of items sounded good. I had a beef dish (I forgot the name sorry) w/ rice and beans that was hearty and filling. A friend had a chowder (again I am forgetting the name) that was great. Only negative would be the restaurant was very cold temperature wise inside.
(4)
Jenn T.

This place has one of the best services I've ever had. Attentive and extremely descriptive when asked about their dishes. FIVE STARS! Their steak was too salty, ceviche was too sour (not so fresh seafood perhaps?) and an entree where tripe was the main character...the tripe was unfortunately nowhere to be found (maybe they ran out?) ZERO STAR. I wouldn't go back there again to try other dishes.
(2)
Thomas T.

For anyone who assumes that cuisine in Latin America consists of burritos or Brazilian barbecue you are in for a treat at Machy Picchu. Order yourself a Pisco Sour (traditional Peruvian drink made with Pisco a cane sugar based liquor) and get ready to enjoy! The restaurant is bustling with lots of lots of people looking for traditional Peruvian cuisine. The atmosphere is not exactly romantic, table for 2 style. It's more existing relationship looking for a different, but really tasty meal. As others had mentioned, service is a leisurely, but enjoy the pace and be sure to get appetizers. The toasted corn and cilantro sauce that is offered with your table is not enough. Luckily the Parrillada Machu Picchu appetizer platter is a delicious way to sample. It feeds 4 easily. The beef and pork are delicious and wonderfully marinated. The ceviche is deliciously limey, filled with fish and shrimp, excellent and a well sized portion. The pescado a lo macho, fish with tomato gravy, was also well seasoned ample and tasty. Everything is served with potato (warm, cold, boiled, or mashed potato). Same goes with the large Peruvian corn which is served in a variety of permutations. Unfortunately there's no guinea pig on the menu, which I'd be willing to try from these talented chefs. Maybe next time if I ask nicely. Take the trip to Union Square, try something different and you'll be glad that you did.
(4)
B D.

Food was realy good, fresh, not heavy but very flavorfull. Nice ambiance, clean and definitely not boring. Recommended.
(4)
Eli B.

Had the Pollo Lomo Saltado...it wasn't very memorable or flavorful. Same goes for the beef version (Lomo Saltado). I wouldn't recommend those. Took nearly a 1/2 hr to get our entreÃ©s. Camarones el Pisco: Not too memorable. Ceviche de Pescado: Very tasty and refreshing. Quite well marinated. Anticuchos Peruanos (beef heart): flavorful, these were good. I remember the first time I ate here, I forgot an item, and they held it until I came to pick it up the next day. Good service, that.
(3)
Chris W.

Went there for dinner with girlfriend on a Thursday night. We were greeted warmly when we walked in, and were given a nice table by the window. We ordered two dishes to share: Dish 1) A mediocre Ceviche Mixto which comprised of too much salt, lime and nice helping of seafood (which was fresh enough to eat, but not super fresh). I love ceviche and have eaten a lot of it throughout my years - it's a dish I feel is hard to get wrong. However this one was very unimaginative and rated near the bottom of my ceviche experiences. A little tomato, bell pepper, cilantro, and fresher seafood would have gone a long way. 6 out of 10. Dish 2) An awful Pescado a lo Macho which was one of the worst meals I've eaten in Boston - not that it was bad in any particular way, it's just that it tasted of nothing - salt, seafood and I have no idea what else. Accompanying the dish was some very salty rice, and some oven baked potato (which was probably the best part of the entire meal). While we ate most of it, it left a bad aftertaste in both of our mouths for a some time afterwards. 2 out of 10. In summary, very good service, but poor to mediocre food. Should have good to Indian Palace instead. Will not be back.
(2)
Lusi J.

After my 10+ visits to Lima Peru, I had high expectations for this place. The ceviche flavor was great but the fish was terrible. Their anticuchos were tasty though. However none of their entres really hit the spot for me. Was a good place to try but not planning to come back anytime soon.
(3)
Remi C.

This was some beautiful and tasty food. I will try to find the gorgeous picture of my food soon, but it was great. The waiters were attentive, but we were shoved into a tiny corner by the cold window. The food was a little pricier than I would have liked...and the corn beer was neither corny nor beery. That being said, I'd go there for the wide selection of meat and veggie options. The Pollo Chan Chan (rolled chicken around shrimp, cheese, and spinach) with spinach mashed potatoes was beautiful and tasty. The perfect size. I don't know if I'd go back, but there were some other pretty fantastic looking items on the menu, so maybe!
(4)
Victoria P.

One of the best ceviches I've ever had. Came here with my boyfriend for a late lunch to try their ceviche at the recommendation of one of our Peruvian friends. The fish was cut into large chunks (something I've never seen before) and tasted fresh - no fishy taste whatsoever. It also comes as a huge portion - great for sharing between 3-4 people. I also highly recommend their tamal criollo and the lomo saltado. I was apprehensive about the lomo saltado due to other reviews, but it was delicious! So much flavor and seasoned perfectly. Service was excellent (but there were only a few tables since we came around 3PM). Overall, it was a highly enjoyable experience. Will be back.
(4)
Laura K.

Stellar ceviche! The meal comes with corn nuts and that yummy green sauce! We split the daily special a clam ceviche and a mixed ceviche. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu items.
(4)
Alexandra M.

The decor and band were great, it's not just another restaurant trying to do cultural food, it's really Peruvian. I had the pisco-rita which was great and really tasted like both drinks mixed together. We started with the special ceviche which was made with fish, and no shellfish, which was my impression of what ceviche is normally. It was delicious and had a great orange colored sauce that still tasted like lime. I then had the pasta with basil and spinach sauce which was delicious. My friend said she had it before at another place and it was creamy which I didn't miss. That makes the pasta healthy, right? The owner/manager came over and talked to us to be sure that everything was perfect, which it was. He guessed everything that we were eating and drinking as well, so I know he is there often.
(5)
Sasha N.

Nice atmosphere, great ceviche and cocktails, and solid, hearty food. For all of you complaining about salty and/or bland food: this is authentic Peruvian, so don't knock it just because you came here expecting some fancy schmancy Michelin star shit.
(5)
Jamie Z.

This place is great. Very attentive service and delicious food. I doesn't get any better than that!
(5)
Sarah L.

I was so underwhelmed by this place. The ceviche was ok, but everything else was flavorless. Well- I guess salt is a flavor. I left thirsty because the food was so salty, and hungry for anything else.
(2)
Rajendra S.

Best taste food especially soup and seafood try when you r in Somerville staff friendly
(4)
Nina S.

Can't go wrong with Peruvian chicken. They are the kings of rotisserie chicken. It's flavorful, moist and succulent. But then throw on some of that green sauce and it's elevated a hundred times over. Get the yucca fries as well if you're feeling adventurous. They're like the starchy cousin of a potato. The bf got the mixed platter with chicken gizzard, beef heart and tripe. I can't vouch for it cause it's not my cup of tea but he says it was good. I did like the huge corn kernels (I think it's called wax corn?) That came as a side.
(3)
Jennifer W.

Food is amazing. There's another Peruvian restaurant called Los Andes in Providence. Never thought I'd find my Peruvian gem in Greater Boston, but I have! Great food. Great prices. Coming back soon! Live music on Saturdays as well! :)!
(5)
Kelly R.

Great little spot in Somerville! I had a pisco sour, seafood ceviche, and lomo saltado -- the food was all delicious (but heavy! If you've never had Peruvian food before, beware), and the pisco sour was strong. I also tried a bite of beef empanada and flan; those two dishes were fantastic as well. Wonderful, friendly servers and as a bonus, live music!
(4)
Emilio T.

Great food at an affordable price. I've had the Lomo Saltado many times here and it is always on point. I have to point out the generous servings. I also love the appetizer platter that comes with beef, pork, onion, and corn. Drinks were great; I always order a passion fruit juice that has the right amount of tart and sugar. They have Peruvian beer which is also good. The decor and live band add an element that isn't always found in other Peruvian restaurants. It's clear they want to make the customer's experience authentic. The location isn't great because it's not easy to get there using public transportation. Overall great restaurant! I return to eat here at least 2-3 times a year -- would be more if it was closer.
(4)
Stephanie B.

Ever wanted to eat guinea pig? Well now you can. It's a delicious dish in Peru called cuy. You can get it here if you special order it at least a week in advance. I recently booked a birthday party here for myself and 7 other people. We ate like kings! Instead of bread they give you corn nuts with a very delicious cream sauce that I don't quite know how to describe. Just be sure to save the sauce cuz it goes great on top of the causa limena. Very light and clean flavors- nothing special but still something you should try. Their empanadas are big and on the sweet side so buyer beware. Also give their tamale a try, you won't regret it. They have an entree which allows you sample four national dishes. Great portions and each a unique taste. Their ceviche's are usually large chunks but all are pretty good. I think I prefer ceviche at rincon limeno in east boston though.
(4)
Lisbeth N.

I been here 2 times while visiting Boston, The restaurant is Very well decorated and they make it look Peruvian enough. The first time I came here I had a Jalea, I thought It was really good and they serve a big portion of it however the second time I came here I had the Lomo saltado and all they really put in the plate was onions and tomatoes, there was literally almost no meat in there. My boyfriend Ordered the ceviche and it seemed pretty dry, the green sauce didnt really have any Flavor but besides that everything else was good!
(3)
Kim A.

I am not the biggest fan of this place but my husband and niece LOVE it!! We've gone here with friends and they love it. We actually were introduced to the place by our Peruvian friend who goes here often. I find their food to be ok, but it just doesn't excite my palette. I've never had anything bad here. But there's also not anything that I love either. My husband loves everything here. I like the service ; they've always been friendly, attentive, and prompt. It's a large restaurant so there's tons of seating. Parking can be tricky. I gave them a higher score because of my husband and the quality of their service. I also acknowledge that while it doesn't excite me, it very well may excite you!
(4)
Monique S.

I started off the year having never had Peruvian food. Now I've had it twice. Machu Picchu was my second time. A friend of mine visiting the area wanted to check out this place. I've passed it many times and never tried it. The staff dress in traditional attire, and the look is very old school VFW. We started off with fried yucca, which was dry as it is meant to be. For drinks, we had the purple corn beverage blended with Pisco. It was sweet and delicious. The Pisco Sour was delicious too. I was overwhelmed by the big menu, which is several pages long. I didn't know what to get, so I asked the waitress. She said the the lomo saltado was very popular. I decided to get that and side of boiled yucca. The dish was delicious, but had very little meat. It was mostly fries, onions, and tomatoes, with a few tiny pieces of steak. There was no moisture, so the dish was kind of dry. It was very well seasoned though. With our meal came cancha, large fried corn kernels with a delicious light green sauce. I asked for a side of the sauce to take home with me for my meal. The service was great. The waiters were very attentive. When I had the leftovers, the seasonings settled in, but it was still dry. I put some of the green sauce on it, and it was amazing.
(4)
Michael M.

OMG!! If you like rotisserie chicken, this is for you. I've been once and can not wait to go back. They specialize in chicken and ran out of chicken while I was there, that how in demand this place is!! Go early and get a whole chicken
(5)
Christian J.

Amazing peruvian food , the best service and a great environment. Love the variety of dishes and prices are great. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Karina H.

It was so yummy!! I liked the appetizer with heart. And fried fish and shrimp topped with lime-marinated onions. Ceviche was also very good and aji de galina was ok but overall loved the place and food. Wish they had the ceviche sampler which includes fried, non fried, mussels and octopus. Very tasty and authentic
(4)
Kanika H.

Was visiting a friend in Boston and we decided to come here for dinner on my first night (as I've never had Peruvian food before). Environment: Clean and quiet. Traditional decor and white tablecloths. We came here the Friday after Christmas, so it may be why it wasn't insanely packed. Service: Friendly enough. No complaints. Food: For starters, I had fried yucca, which was a little dry, but filling. I shared it with my table mates. The entree was yummy and plentiful. I had the steak tacu tacu, which was so filling that I ended up taking it in a doggy bag and having it for breakfast the next morning. Also had the purple corn drink (the name escapes me) w/pisco, which was like a fruit smoothie. No desserts...like I said, I was stuffed. Next time, I hope to try the chicken place down the road.
(4)
K. Brooke Z.

Their ceviche is out of this world. Ive tried a few of their other fish dishes, and they were good, but not as lemony spectacular as their ceviche. The leche de tigre (similar but with shrimp) is also phenomenal. There are a few special dishes you cant find anywhere around, but also some options for the picky eaters in your group. Definitely try their pisco sour as well. Its a great cocktail to go with any of their seafood.
(5)
Lindsay L.

Pros: big space is great for groups, food is reasonably priced, music on weekends, general charm Cons: beer and wine selection is weak and pricy. Pisco sours needed more pisco. Food was good, but not great. Too salty and oily.
(3)
Kyli G.

Amazing food, service, place. I loved it!!! Totally recommend to visit this place!!! You will not regret it. Parking on the street but there's plenty of places to park, family friendly.
(5)
Abigail W.

Let's get the good things out of the way... the food was perfectly serviceable, and the wine list was filled with Peruvian and Argentinian wines. Can't go wrong there. The house Malbec was excellent and paired well with everything. And the Peruvian corn made every dish more interesting. Now let's talk about marketing, brand image, staff training and portion size. Machu Picchu advertises itself as 'Fine Dinning'. This is a misnomer. It is Family Dining, not Fine Dining. I had a long week at work, filled with bagels and bicycle commuting, and went into Machu Picchu with the hope of getting some high-quality protein... whatever the Peruvian equivalent to filet mignon is, and perhaps a bit of ceviche. I was celebrating and treating myself, eating alone, and was happy to order pricy things on the menu. My eye gravitated to the Anticuchos appetizer at $18, which seemed to be billed as their signature appetizer. I asked the waiter multiple times if the dish was for one person or two, and he reassured me that it was for one person. As such, I was expecting 6 ounces of filet mignon or foie gras quality appetizer. Instead, what was delivered was nearly 24 ounces of food. Enough for a full entree or an appetizer for four. Strike one. Unfortunately, this waiter proceeded to do the same for two other dishes. Again, I asked on portion size for ceviche, expecting a glass of ceviche (as advertised in some of the menu photos). Only, what was delivered was ceviche for two or three. Probably another 24 ounces of food. Strike two. Lastly, there was an avocado appetizer, which was served as avocado-and-a-half. Again, nearly 50% too much food. Strike three. By this point, the waiter had allowed enough food for two or three to be served to a table of one. The food in any of the dishes was perfectly fine. The problem was the gross wastefulness, an inattentiveness to the diner's experience (particularly when dining alone), general misrepresentation, and frankly, a certain amount of dishonesty. The manager tried to come over and schmooze afterwards, and had the temerity to try to solicit catering business. I explained how the waiter had misrepresented portion sizes and the general wastefulness, and he immediately assumed it was the waitress. Either he did not know which tables his floor staff were taking care of, or it was casual sexism on his part to assume it was a woman who was being incompetent. Given the traditional attire that's promoted, I suspect it was the later. All in all, perfectly reasonable food. But not fine dining. This is a restaurant that, at the end of the day, is more concerned with quantity, not quality. Which is perfectly understandable, considering its catering operations. But it should advertise accordingly.
(2)
Mrs. G.

We ordered take out from here and it was really good. The chicken was great and so were all the sauces. The salads are also very fresh. Best take out in Somerville in my book :)
(4)
Vanessa T.

Love this place. Everything is so fresh and amazing. Highly recommend trying the plantains and empanadas. Never a wait, good size restaurant and ample street parking.
(4)
Kelly O.

I'd been eyeing this menu for years, and finally got a chance to check it out while in the neighborhood. It's a cute little place that had a live guitarist/singer that night, which was a nice touch. We were sat in a side room and promptly forgotten about for a while, even while the couple next to us got served, which wasn't cool. When the waitress finally did come over to greet us, we were ready to order everything at once- drinks, apps, mains-so things came out together instead of in a real progression, and then weren't really checked on at all after the food came out either (I would have ordered another cocktail given the opportunity; your loss, Machu Picchu). So, service needs some serious work. Food was pretty decent. The gratis corn starter was a nice beginning, but the fried yucca app we ordered to split was OK but nowhere near as light and fluffy as I'd prefer (I've been spoiled by Orinoco's version), and the accompanying sauce wasn't bad but I've had better. For my main, I chose the camarones al pisco: marinated shrimp alongside green beans, giant corn, rice, and fried potato chunks (there's a pic of it already up from another Yelper). I was hoping the dish would come with some kind of sauce or seasoning, but aside from the nicely flavored marinated shrimp, the rest of the components on the plate were pretty plain-tasting (although not totally bland- at least there was some salt and pepper involved). I ended up smothering it all in the leftover sauces from the gratis corn and our yucca frites app, which greatly improved the dish for me, and in the future I think I'd opt for something that involved a sauce to make sure my dish was actually flavorful; my dining companions each had a different beef stew-type dish that they were both happy with and was full of flavor (although both were really heavy and filling). On the drink side, my pisco sour was excellent, and I liked the offered variety of flavors. Overall, the food wasn't bad, the service wasn't good, the live musicians were a fun touch, and the menu is interesting enough to interest me in trying again. I'd give it another shot if I were in the area.
(3)
Lily C.

This is the BEST Peruvian restaurant in Mass!! Been coming here for years since it started up. Tastes like Peru And I bring all my friends who've never had Peruvian food here, because the experience does Justice to our amazing cuisine
(5)
Shigliam G.

Great place to eat! I took my family this weekend to the restaurant and they love it. The food, drinks and customer service is the best! I recommend this place, you won't regret.
(5)
Purecircuitx ..

So good! Never tried Peruvian food before but it definitely did not disappoint. The waitress knew we were newbies and helped us make some menu choices. Awesome place if you want something different! Not sure how it compares to other Peruvian places in the Boston area though. Definitely try the choclo peruano and the causa limeÃ±a. The ceviche is delicious as well if you like that sorry of thing.
(5)
Cristobal C.

Authentic Peruvian food. The waitstaff was nice and friendly. The food was delicious. Real exotic dishes on the menu. It looked like where we sat gets turned into a music stage (lights on ceiling). The food was presented like a top notch restaurant. I could tell the cook/chef takes pride in their work. There is also some asian/peruvian dishes like chicken fried rice.
(4)
Lorenz S.

We were excited to try something new, and tasted some of their signature dishes -- I found the food tasty, but lacking variation within individual plates. I can highly recommend the Peruvian beer they serve. Unfortunately, the host or owner payed a little too much attention to us for my liking: he came to our table twice and tried to make conversation, but we would have preferred to keep our conversation between ourselves.
(3)
Laurie L.

We didn't get there until after 3:30 pm but the service was still attentive and pleasant. There were six of us and at that time, seating was no problem. It looks like we had the lunch menu. Not a problem either. We split an empanada & plate of fried yuca. Both were delicious. Two of us had a pork and sweet potato sandwich, another a steak and grilled/marinated vegetable sandwich, and the classic chicken sandwich. All were pressed/grilled and served on baguettes. Another in the party had the quinoa with a house salad, which had nice avocado and a good dressing. And one other had the roast chicken with the canary beans & rice. On the table were two types of sauce - one spicy and the other just flavorful. We slathered both on everything, including the crispy fries server with all the sandwiches! I'd like to go back some evening and try their authentic dishes.
(4)
Hana K.

Authentic Peruvian food and beautiful live music to set the mood. The crowd is more family and couples. Came here on a Saturday night and it was not full. Though everybody was dressed nicely, this is still a pretty casual restaurant. We came here strictly for the Ceviche but after talking about the different types with our sever for almost 10 minutes, she forgot to order it so we never got to try it. Favorite dishes / drinks: Pisco Sour -- made proper with the egg white foam on top. Perfect texture and alcohol was well balanced with the sour. Inca Kola -- like a pineapple soda, very cool and delicious. Peruvian Empanadas -- meat empanadas were delicious but they were SO big this should be an entree rather than appetizer or shared with several people. I wish the server had informed us ahead of time... Muscles -- my favorite dish. Fresh muscle with a nice accent of bitter onions and picante sauce that gently tingle in your mouth. I probably would not order again the Choclo Peruano Con Queso (corn with a side of plain cheese) -- corn was very big and plain and had no flavor. If you've never seen Peruvian corn, this would be an interesting surprise but it may not suit everybody's palate. Server got our order mixed up and brought one extra plate. When we tried to correct our order, she asked us "if we were sure." We all heard my friend order so the mistake was clearly on the server and not my friend. All in all atmosphere was great, food was pretty good but there were too many mix-ups with the service. WARNING: There are two Machu Picchu in Union Square so make sure you go to the right one. Our friend had gone to the wrong one and we spent about 15min trying to figure out where she was. Very large portions so come here starving or order to share.
(3)
carol s.

I thought the food here was very good. Absolutely loved the flounder ceviche, and enjoyed the ahi de gallina and whole fried fish. However, what I really want to comment on is how wonderful the service was. We arrived for lunch at a weird hour--mid-afternoon--and were the only customers in the entire restaurant. In other places where this has happened, more often than not I've gotten the impression that we were a bit of a bother, but not so here. Our waiter was fabulous: informative, attentive, and incredibly helpful. He even gave us quarters for the parking meter out front. I don't think I've ever encountered such a conscientious and really nice waitperson. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sylvia C.

First time trying Peruvian food...must say its like comfort food for me (anything with potatoes). Ordered: Apps: Beef hearts Yellow Potato with Seafood EntrÃ©e: Grilled steak with onions and tomatoes Chicken stew with yucca Too stuff to make it to dessert (definitely will save room next time) Service was excellent - staff was on top of our courses and check back often to see how we were doing.
(4)
Jeremy E.

Best Peruvian food in town. Personally best I've had outside of Peru. Staff is fantastic and could not even begin to rave about the pisco sour. First restaurant I've been to in along time that actually called out there mistake and made it right. Really fantastic customer service. Food taste fresh, and delicious.
(5)
Brooke C.

My friend and I came here and sat at the bar for an after school snack. I got the tacu tacu and she had the chicken salad inside the avocados, both recommendations of our server. Both were delicious! Peruvian beer and homemade sangria were also great. The people there were so friendly! Ivan was the bartender/our server and he was the nicest guy ever... We also talked to the man making sangria who was also very friendly. The place has wonderful employees, lovely food, and authentic atmosphere. Definitely will go back!
(5)
Justin O.

Food is good and definitely authentic based on what i had but i've only been here once. My issue with the food is the salt - I know traditionally the food is a bit salty but my dish was VERY salty to the point where it masked the other flavors. They also salt their rice so be aware. Although they are well prepared and the presentation is good the flavor ends up 3.5/5 for me. The reason they get 4 stars is the drinks. I was very happy with my drinks and I think they take their time when business is slow. Try to get in when they are less busy and I think you will have a great time. Beware there is another Machu Picchu down the street (more like a carry out place) - anyone know which one was the first one in the area?
(4)
Andrew T.

This place was REALLY good! I'll start off with the drawbacks that prevented me from giving a full 5 stars. First, the seating arrangements are way too crowded. The tables are very close together, and if the people sitting behind us hadn't left first, I'm not sure how I would have gotten out. Secondly, in a really sly move, they refrained from putting any prices whatsoever on their drinks menu. This left me leaving my best guess as to how much the cocktails and beers would cost, and prevented me from ordering a second drink round (which I'm glad I didn't because the drinks turned out to be rather pricey). We had a pisco sour and a chicha sour. They were both pretty good and strong at least. But still, leaving prices off of a menu is kind of sketchy. Despite these drawbacks, the food and service here were pretty great. The decor was nice (although playing top 40 music in the background seemed kind of strange when paired with the Peruvian style decorations and outfits). The waitresses were pleasant, and a manager was going around the floor talking to several people eating, in Spanish and English. The amount of Spanish-speaking people eating at the restaurant is also a good sign, and I heard the manager say he is from Peru. Our meals were really well put together. The aji de gallina (chicken in a yellow pepper sauce) was quite tasty. The hard-boiled egg and black olive were nice touches to a very delicious meal. It was almost like a mild curry. The ceviche was also fantastic. It came with a ton of lemon (which I liked) and the seafood was tender and delicious. I would definitely go back to Machu Picchu because the menu had a lot of other really awesome looking dishes!
(4)
Sugeily S.

The food at Machu Picchu was amazing. My husband and I tried the "Atichucos Peruanos (cow heart)" because we wanted to be adventurous. I was slightly nervous about my husband completely hating the dish. Let me tell you, we loved it. The Atichucos Peruanos were tender and flavorful. We also ate the "Leche de Tigre (ceviche)," and "Biste de Pobre (steak)". We loved it all. The ambiance was also amazing. We loved the live music, upbeat waitstaff, and traditional Peruvian attire of all the employees. We plan to visit again.
(4)
Lauren H.

#12 of 52 in 2014. My better half has been asking to go here for years based on her charcoal chicken experience in NYC. So we finally went the other night. I think we actually meant to go to the place across the street, that is described as more chill and less expensive. When we sat down at THIS place, I was a little scared. It's kind of odd--white tablecloths, live music, authentically dressed staff... But the decor is just white walls and macchu picchu salt and pepper shakers (presumably FROM macchu picchu). Not the most cozy restaurant I've ever been to. The equivalent of chips and salsa or baguette and olive oil was a green, spicy, foamy concoction and corn. I had no idea what to do with it. But I'm American so I dipped it. The menu, thank God, had pictures or I would have been hosed. What I ended up ordering was unlike anything I've ever eaten--rice, French fries, tomatoes, red onions and chicken. It was stupidly good. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Lea V.

Great food, amazing service. Highly recommend the Seco de Carne a la Nortena.
(5)
Kimberly B.

I wasn't terribly impressed, to be honest. I enjoyed the corn kernels that they brought out while we were waiting for our food, but the rest just didn't impress. I had the Lomo Saltado and my husband got the Ceviche. The Ceviche was well-executed, but I thought the Lomo Saltado was pretty bland. The ambiance and service were okay, but I walked away pretty disappointed in the quality of the food.
(2)
Moumita B.

Live music, excellent and authentic food !!!!
(4)
Katie F.

My boyfriend, friend, and I went out for dinner here last night after a crazy week when none of us felt like cooking. We got to the restaurant at around 8:30, and although it was busy, we were promptly seated. The ambiance was quite charming, with traditional live music and Peruvian decor. Right when we sat down, the manager Rafael greeted us and gave us some recommendations for drinks. I opted for a Pisco Sour, which I was pleasantly surprised by. I had tried Pisco once straight up and did not like it, but this preparation was quite pleasant. The boys got gin martinis (to each his or her own!) While we perused the menu, a waitress brought over popped corn with a green dipping sauce. I'm not much for mayonnaise (which the sauce tasted like it had), but the corn was a nice light snack. We weren't super hungry, but I ended up ordering the ceviche rocoto and the boys each ordered appetizer samplers. Honestly, as a pescatarian I didn't try the boys' meals, but they seemed to enjoy them. Mine was fantastic! The fish was extremely fresh and the marinade was spiced to perfection! While we were eating, Rafael came over to check on us and see how we liked our meals. We learned that he is also a professor at BU who specializes in Andean culture and history. My boyfriend, being a huge history buff proceeded to talk his ear off. In spite of the restaurant being busy, he chatted happily with us. The portions were pretty big, so we all left with leftovers and the prices were very reasonable. While we can't afford to eat out all the time, we will definitely be back!
(5)
Michele H.

Incredible ceviche. Cloud light pisco sours. Peruvian beer. Fried corn and jalepeno aioli. Aji de gajina. Cilantro soup. An appetizer with chicken salad sandwiched between cold mashed sweet potatoes is a special favorite. I even took my (somewhat culinarily trepidatious) parents here, and they loved it.
(5)
Ross R.

First time , very good impresion, best drinks pisco sour, Chicano traditional drinks well done , very good service and food, they prepared and item not include at the menu just for me . Until next time definitely we come back
(5)
Bryan R.

Fantastic! Rare is it that I throw out the 5-star unabashedly, but this one gets it. Low key, clean, friendly, and delicious, I was really impressed with this place. In all, it's just fun. The live music was as nice a touch as was the garb of the servers, who themselves were polite, attentive, and respectful and did not comearound too much. The food was delicious, and not having much experience with the cuisine, I found the dishes an exciting break from the norm. I'd make every effort to come back here again. Hands down.
(5)
Philip B.

Food was good. I got the saltado de pollo. seemed like more rice but less chicken and other stuff then some of the more dive type Peruvian places. nice atmosphere. loved the whole open windows deal. has inca cola which I love. In a 20 oz rather then a can which alot of places do. desert was good. some cons .. #1 they charge for refills on fountain soda's.. that is a huge pet peeve for me and costs them a star. noone charges for refills anymore.. even if you are a Peruvian restaurant. Im glad I got the inca cola or I probably would have had 5 soda's , cost me 10 bucks and been pretty annoyed. #2 the waiter while nice was very difficult to understand. i ended up paying for tea with my desert because i had no idea what he was talking about. He also didn't come by and check much if we needed anything despite there only being two tables full. Id definatly go back again. and the food was good but 3 to 3 1/2 stars is right. If your ever in california check out el pollo inca .. now thats good peruvian food :)
(3)
Benjamin P.

Good food clean place comfortable atmosphere. Good portion for the price. Been here several times and enjoy the place.
(4)
Betsy S.

My husband I have been going to Machupichu for many yrs we love the food is truly the best. Thank you Machupichu !!!!
(5)
Hayley M.

Very good, authentic Peruvian food. My boyfriend's father grew up in Peru, half the family is still there and sometimes he craves the taste of home. When he does, he goes to Machu Picchu. It's the very best Peruvian in the Boston area, and I don't throw that around lightly. Really you could try anything there, but here's what I like: you can start with Yuquitas a la Huancaina, which is fried yuca with a crazily awesome dipping sauce. It's delicious, who doesn't love fried yuca? For those of you who haven't tried it, it's like the fried potato's Peruvian cousin. The Ceviche, Peru's national dish, is just about the best you're going to get around here. They have six styles and three spicy levels, so unless you hate cilantro, you can find one you love. Overall, if you're looking for a taste of Peru in Boston, it can be rather hard to find. Except at Machu Picchu, where it's all over the menu!
(5)
Juan O.

Went for my moms birthday with my family. Food was mediocre not very good they serve only tilapia as there only fish selection. That raised a red flag, how can a seafood restaurant have one fish for all there menu items. Not real Peruvian food!
(1)
Kat T.

Finally found this place after being seated and somewhat confused at the grill down the street - oops! Arrived pretty late but was treated nicely by the waitstaff. The corn-nuts like item given at the beginning had an interesting taste/texture but I was a sucker for that green sauce it came with... mmm... The food itself was great: I ordered lomo saltado and mixed ceviche. BF and I finished both plates despite not being THAT hungry. I haven't had enough here to really make a judgement but I'm determined to visit again with my Peruvian friend. In the meantime, definitely a fan!
(4)
A. D.

Excellent food, really. Everything we had was very tasty, unusually so. We ordered some appetizers -- avocado with salad stuffing -- a steak with succulent green beans, and a chicken dish. There wasn't a thing we didn't like. Even the Peruvian beer was awesome! The service was very prompt (albeit not too many people), the waiter's suggestions were very accurate and useful.
(5)
Corey L.

Returned and enjoyed it again. Saturday night around 9 or so and it was empty. A dude was playing guitar, which was nice though I felt bad talking as it was so empty and I'm loud. Very good service. Enjoyed the complementary corn and sauce We both had the Peruvian red sangria, which was sweet and fruit juicy. I liked it, but my tastes in wine-like drinks are changing and I'm more interested in a complex taste and this was more juice-like than I want nowadays. A year ago this woulda been perfect My lady friend had the avocado w veggies, which was okay - exactly what it was supposed to be. 3 avocado halves w veggies on top. Not super interesting Pollo chan chan: I was gonna go with the aji de gallina, as yelpers mention, which the server said was the #2 item. #1 was pollo chan chan. I checked it out, it looked better, so I tried it. Loved it. The chicken/cheese/shrimp combo was super tasty. And the spinach mashed potatoes are also super tasty. Green beans looked plain but were obviously cooked w some sort of good broth. Nicely done!
(4)
Adriana R.

I grew up in DC and had a favorite Peruvian food restaurant when I was there. When I went to college (in Vermont!), I really started to miss having Peruvian food right at my finger tips. Once graduation started creeping up and I decided I was going to move to Boston, I was overjoyed to find that I would be able to have my beloved food once again. I've been here a number of times within the last 4 years of living in Boston and I definitely consider it one of my "treat myself" places. Every time I've come, I've always had very attentive servers and the food has always been delicious. I pretty much stick to the same foods (they're my favorite, what can I say?). The Papa a la Huancaina are delicious potatoes in a (sometimes) spicy cheese sauce. It's served with a hard boiled egg, olives and on a bed of lettuce. It's freaking delicious. Then for my main course I always get Lomo Saltado which is essentially beef stir fry with tomatoes, onions, french fries (yup) and rice. This is also amazing and such a great comfort food. For dessert? Oh, don't you worry. I've got that down, too. Alfajores. Little delicious cookies with dulce de leche in the middle and powdered sugar all over them. I usually get these to go, pour myself a glass of chocolate milk and indulge. Writing this review makes me want to go now.
(5)
Casey A.

Super dank, reasonably priced and well decorated. Slightly cheesy but the food more than made up for it.
(5)
Tana R.

Here you can find the best Pisco Sour in Mass. My husband and I love this place!!! That is why we used Machu Picchu's restaurant to cater for our wedding in Newport, RI. We had nothing but raving reviews from our guests. We had seco de carne, arroz con pollo, choros a la chalaca, causa and empanaditas. Not only did they transport the food to Newport, they also kept the food warm which was a huge undertaking since our reception site did not have a kitchen. Rosy and her staff went above and beyond our expectations. I would recommend their catering service to anyone. Thank you Rosy! We couldn't have pulled off such a wonderful event without you!
(5)
Gian P.

Definitely one of Boston's best peruvian restaurants. Every time I come here I enjoy myself. The food, the drinks and the atmosphere are all amazing. Lomo saltado and ceviche are my favorites. Love this place. Saludos Machupicchu
(5)
Susan C.

Apparently there are 2 Macchu Picchus in the Union Sq. area. So please disregard my prior reviews of this place. On the plus side, I now have a new place to try out!
(3)
Seth S.

Once you walk in, you should double-check your passport for a visa stamp bc, minus the disco ball, it looks pretty authentic; i mean, look at the garbs the waiters have to wear. We were promptly seated and given some roasted half-assed popped popcorn that tastes like crunchy air. We ordered the shepherd's pie roll codenamed 'papa rellena' I'm pretty sure they used ocean water for the mashed potatoes. We had the long-named beef dishes, the bistek encebollado and seco de carne a la nortena. Not to be outdone by the ocean-salted, shepherd's pie roll, the beef dishes were extra salty. I had some fruity, alcoholic drink that came out with a fiery pineapple slice for a garnish. It was quite exciting. Don't try it though, it tastes like sugar soaked in gasoline. Where's Bloomberg when you actually need a sugary beverage that needs to be banned? To sum it all up, everything was Machu salty. Next time, I'll be sure to emphasize that I only need a Picchu salt. That is, if there is a next time.
(2)
Mark S.

I went here a while ago with my brother and my Brother-in-law. I had no idea what to expect. I had never had Peruvian food nor been to ANY Latin American restaurant outside of a Mexican family restaurant. The "starter" that they give to everyone is like a grilled corn nuts and a green creamy sauce that is amazing. I was hesitant at first and I was like "I'm gonna love this food". So, I get a beef plate that comes with a red sauce, vegetables and french fries. I know, didn't expect the french fries, but I didn't see anyone complain and I was too in love with the corn nuts and dipping sauce. The waiter was great and since my Brother-in-law comes from Ecuador, they had a good chat and everything was great. I definitely need to go here again.
(4)
Phillip W.

This review is about 2 years overdue....so maybe things have changed but I remember this meal really distinctly as "one of the worst meals I've ever had in a restaurant".... I'm not sure what happened with Machu Picchu when we went...not sure if I've ever given a 1 star before...I'd been to the char grilled chicken place across the street and that was so good...and this place looks really legit on the outside....but we got two dishes and both were unbelievably terrible. One was like a ground chicken and bean? dish that was horribly flavored (sort of mystery meat-esq) and luke warm. The other was fluorescent green with some pathetic green beans and tasted what I imagine Gak to taste like. Oh well, maybe it was just an off-night or we didn't order their better dishes. Also the service was pretty mediocre at best...we were seated off in this bizarre side room. Too bad :(
(1)
Kathy B.

I've been here quite a few times over the years and this is one of the best places in Somerville. I've had too many dishes here, all of them excellent. I have tried on various occasions figure out how they make the red and green sauce that they serve with the toasted corn to no avail. These sauces are so unique and delicious! Every time I come here, I always order one of their ceviches. My favorite is the ceviche mixto which contains a good amount of fresh seafood and various types of corn. Order it spicy if you can stand the kick. The place has a few unique drinks that are really worth trying. The pisco sour, with beaten egg whites is a well balanced sour drink with a good amount of alcohol. And on the non-alcoholic front, the purple corn drink is very different. Their shakes are also excellent. I highly recommend the passion fruit shake.
(5)
Pete V.

Delicious Peruvian food. Every dish that I have tried has been great. Pisco sours are extremely tasty. Tip: If you are looking for a great vegetarian dish, try the Locro de Zapallo -- an awesome pumpkin stew!
(5)
E K.

The ceviche is very good - not out of this world great, like some of the reviews say here, but probably the best in the Boston area! The beef stew (Seco de carne a la nortena) hit it out of the park, so that's what I would recommend that! Purple corn juice was great too. YUM!
(4)
laura W.

My favorite part of my two hour meal consisting of two appetizers, three main courses and two desserts was the free cancha (roasted corn nuts) and sauce. I could probably have just eaten a bowl of that for eternity and been cool with it. The rest of the meal.. all about $10-$14 in price: * Aji de gallina- chicken in a creamy cheesy sauce was probably the favorite meal, though I could have used a little more spice. * Tacu tacu- rice and beans... a little bland * Cau Cau- beef tripe and rice Sides: Fried plantains.... awesome ($4) Dessert: Alfajores- be prepared to be served a box of cookies. Tasty little things and you get a lot of them (maybe 12?). Mazamorra- this is jelly-like clove-flavored item. Lots of cinnamon on top and served to us warm... I didn't care for the texture but the flavor was fine. Not sure I'll be rushing back but I enjoyed the food.
(3)
Francine W.

One of my favorite places! I recommend the ceviche, corn and cheese appetizer, the poor man's steak! The chicken and shrimp dish with the spinach mashed potatoes, and for desert - alfajores!
(4)
Anshita S.

LOVE the food here. Ate there last night with hubby, thanks to the Yelp coupon ! I have tried Peruvian food before, but this by far is the best. The service was great. Our waitress was superrrr helpful and very accommodating. When I was trying to order the food, she patiently listened to my preferences and made very good suggestions. For drinks we ordered: Mango Shake (my fav at any Peruvian restaurant): Fresh and yummy ! For appetizers we tried: Chicharron de Pescado : Delicate fried pieces of fish served with salsa Criolla and tartar sauce. Excellent ! Perfectly made and very fresh too ! For Entrees : Hubby got Bisteck a lo Pobre. He said the Steak was perfectly made the way he ordered. The plaintains-- OMG !! YUMMY !!! I ordered Lomo Vejetariano -- Sumptuous !!! Thanks to Yelp I tried the place. We would definitely be going back again...and again !!!!
(5)
Samuel F.

Surprised I've neglected to review this place, it's one of the gems of Union Square. Peruvian food (mostly of the simple-but-tasty variety), great drinks (pisco sour!), that incredibly addictive toasted corn that's served with every meal! The desserts are amazing, too. Not the fanciest place, and service can be a bit inconsistent at times (though it's generally pretty good). I've been a few times, but have yet to try their ceviche. I should do that.
(4)
Monica B.

I went with a large group of friends on a Thursday evening. The place was empty at around 7pm, in one hour there were people in 6-7 more tables. They were definitely not prepared for such a large amount of people, on a Thursday night. From the moment I ordered until I got my first dish, it was probably a good 40 minutes. There was A waiter and A waitress. They seemed stressed but, never rude and always courteous. I had a "Amor en llamas" or Flaming love in English, orange and pineapple juice with Pisco sour. You get a piece of pineapple with sugar and pisco on top, then this is set on fire. Sexy drink for sure :-) I had yuca frita as an appetizer but came with my food and it was a bit hard but, good. I also had Chuleta de Cerdo a la parrilla which is grilled pork chops with Spinach smashed potatoes, white rice and green salad. The chuleta was seasoned properly and white rice was delicious. The spinach smashed potato was extremely salty, however. I had to mix it with rice in order to eat a bit more of it. That was definitely a disappointment. I've been there previously and had the Ceviche, it is a must-try. Delicious. I give it 3 starts because, one should be able to order different things on the menu and be pleasantly surprised. Not limited to have the one good thing on the menu.
(3)
Jason L.

This was a weird experience. Now, my dislcaimer to this review is that I did not have a pisco sour and I don't like ceviche, which I see to be the highlights in other reviews. However, we tried so much of the menu and overall came away confused as to what just happened. We tried to sample as much as possible, and started with the sampler appetizer plate which included chicharrones, anticuchos, fried yucca, huancaina sauce. The beef hearts were grilled nicely and had a good meaty flavor, but I wasn't impressed by the overly dry chicarrones. The much-talked about fried yucca was simply done, and bland without the sauce. For entrees, we tried the pollo chan chan and seco de carna a la nortena. This chicken dish is awkward and bland from start to finish. First of all, see the photos for plating. The first thing that struck me is a large circle of bland green mush surrounded by mustard swirls. There were chicken rolls stuffed with shrimp and spinach, and it lacked salt and seasoning. The same can be said for the green mush (spinach mashed potatoes). Their signature beef dish with beans was flaky and tender, served with delicious rice and beans. It's quite a shame that it was so salty the beef was literally inedible. Now I have a pretty strong salt palate, and this was still mouth-cringeing salty I had to wash down each bite with my purple corn drink. Desserts included rice pudding and the waitress' much-hyped but generic flan. The 'rice pudding' was aptly named arroz con leche on the menu. This is probably true Peruvian style, but when I see pudding I expect some sort of texture, and not just literally milk with rice and cinnamon. Maybe that's how they make it. Either way, it was an odd ending to an underwhelming meal. From all the great reviews here, I expected at least to like one of the 5 dishes. Maybe the menu is very hit or miss, and we just kept missing tonight. Let's chalk it up to an inconsistent kitchen. I ate the complimentary toasted corn kernels all night. Food (3/10) Plating (0/5) Decor (3/5) - live band a nice touch Service (3/5)
(2)
Katherine H.

Yum! love this place! They have manar blanco cookies, inka cola, ceviche, and mild versions of traditional Peruvian foods. The only thing I'd want different is more aji Amarillo used in the huancayino sauce and aji de gallino.
(5)
Spencer E.

This Macchu Picchu (yes there are two right next to each other) is more of a sit-down affair, with remarkably authentic Peruvian food! It's not aways for everyone, but for adventurous palates there is plenty to enjoy.
(4)
Alice P.

I am surprised at the high ratings for this place. I can only assume that those are from people who have not have good Peruvian food. My husband is Peruvian, and we go to Peru for several weeks every year. We travel a lot and we often go to Peruvian restaurants, so we were eager to try this one with such high ratings. The food was mediocre at best. While the leche de tigre in the ceviche was good and had the right flavors, the seafood in the ceviche mixto did not taste at all fresh and tasted like it was cooked first and then just had the leche de tigre poured on top of it. My husband had his favorite dish, Lomo Soltado, which was bland and not at all well cooked. I had arroz con mariscos and it was boring. A huge disappointment. And IMHO too expensive for the mediocre food that you get.
(2)
Guillermo M.

Great place to have authentic Peruvian food. We had the choclo as appetizer, the ceviche mixto, a mano milk shake (with real mango) and closed with the alfajores. Excellent food and would love to come back to try more ceviches.
(4)
Jo H.

Love the service and decor. Food was soooo good too! I really like their appetizers: yucca and Peruvian corn (which has huge kernels!!!) Kind of pricy, but worth it.
(4)
Josephine L.

Ever since I backpacked through Peru, I've been dying to re-experience the simple, hearty, flavorful food of this gorgeous country--without needing to take malaria pills beforehand. Luckily, Machu PIcchu scores on all fronts. If this restaurant weren't a 20-minute hike for me, I. Would. Eat. Here. Everyday. Every time I come here, I'm reminded I should book another flight down south. What to get: 1) Pisco Sour: First thing I ever had in Peru and still one of the world's great cocktails, in my opinion. MP's is good, but I like it a little frothier on top. 2) Ceviche Mixto: All their ceviche is good, but this is a great catch-all if you ask for a combination of seafood. 3) Arroz con Mariscos (Paella): I love stews, I love seafood, and I love seafood stews on rice. 4) Gorge on the toasted corn + sauce they serve in abundance like bread in other restaurants. 5) Seco de Carne a la Nortena: Just mmmmm. When you have it, you'll understand. 6) Yucca fries: It ain't Peruvian without yucca. Honestly, though, if you closed your eyes and threw darts at the menu, you'd love everything you ordered. It's that good.
(5)
Crystal E.

Hard to find Peruvian food around here so found this one. It's tad classy than I thought. Good food but I am not sure if I'll be back. Transportation is hard to get by and it is not enough for me to want to go back.
(3)
Lisa B.

LOVE Machu Picchu! I don't know why I never yelped about it, I've been there a few times. Their pisco sours are delightful. The free roasted corn nuts with that green dipping sauce, that arrives when you sit down at the table, are delicious. I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE the chicken salad-stuffed avocado appetizer (at the bottom of the menu page under cold apps). I won't lie-- I've placed an order for those to go and walked down to pick it up in the rain. Favorite entree's definitely the pollo chan chan-- that's the chicken with the butterflied shrimp and spinach mashed potatoes and steamed green beans, right? SO GOOD. GO!!
(4)
Jose R.

The real deal. Ceviche mixto was out of this world. Not too crazy about the pisco sour, it had way too much egg white in it.
(5)
Nate Y.

Peruvian flute music in the background, a bit of a chill in the air, various Peruvian wood decor on the walls, and...a disco ball and dance floor next to where I'm seated? Other than this, it seemed this place would be considered fairly authentic, though honestly I haven't been to Peru so I'll just say the food was good! We started with the toasted corn with a dipping sauce which was spicy yet cool, maybe cucumber. The fish and shrimp cerviche was delightlful. Fresh fish and shrimp that's been "cooked" in lime/lemon juice with red onion and spices. A very refreshing and spicy dish. The Aji de Galina was very tasty. A creamy sauce with string chicken over thick cuts of potato and a hard boiled egg. The Bisteck Encebollado was large flat steak covered in onions and tomato with fries and rice. A very hardy dish which I promptly devoured. We finished with a traditional cookie which is a cream filling similar tasting to flan sandwiched between two shortbread like cookies covered in powdered sugar, very nice way to end the meal. The service was good although we were the first customers of the evening. The waiter was very responsive, bringing us a pitcher of water and extra plates so that we could share our meal. As for the disco ball and dance floor? Next time I'll have some pisco sours, then we're talking.
(4)
valerie d.

So easy to eat healthy here. Quinoa salad is ridiculously good for what is is... a big scoop of quinoa, light green lettuce (minus points), avocado, tomato, and something else I forget. It has a vinegary sauce on it that seems fat free, although it may have oil. Incredibly filling and salty in a good way. Quinoa actually has a ton of calories but it's still crazy healthy. I believe it's the best plant-based protein for your body, but I could be wrong. Ceviche is not the best I've had but another healthy dish and they have a few kinds. BF got a fatty plate and that was delicious as well. Their plantains are awesome. The steak didn't have a ton of flavor, minus points for that as well. Maybe they know their steak is a bit boring because it came with a jar of the greatest condiment known to man... A1. I haven't had that in forever and got giddy when I saw it. Oh and that free corn appetizer thing is pretty gross to me but people seem to love it. It comes with way spicy salsa and a creamy thing that we ate like soup. Not very expensive at all. That quinoa salad makes me want to make this place our go-to, so I wish the steak was more delicious so the bf would want to accommodate that wish.
(4)
Jessica V.

What's not to love? The food is incredible! The portions are large. The price is great. The atmosphere is relaxing! Also, there are many vegetarian options, wonderful drinks, apps., and desserts. A must-try!
(5)
Noah E.

We came here (my third time) for my gfs graduation party. We were seated quickly and the food was great! Large portion sizes. I suggest the tilapia ceviche! Very authentic and delicious.
(5)
Rene C.

delicious authentic peruvian food. their ceviche is very fresh. they also have live music sometimes on the weekends. great place to try something new
(4)
Jimmy G.

I only knew of/tried out this restaurant because of the Yelp Deal. I'm glad I did. I'm not usually someone that will go to a Peruvian restaurant, but it was definitely a good meal and I will be back. Sidenote - while there, one of the other tables got an entire meal accidentally spilled on them by a waiter walking past. At first I thought they were on candid camera. As it turns out, they were not. The meal was comp'd which was a good move by the GM. Nothing like live entertainment with a meal.
(4)
Rob C.

I was underwhelmed here. Not just because 1/2 the menu was ceviche (I get it, it's your national dish, that's cool). The empanadas were less than authentic, actually they looked and tasted a lot like the ones I make at home - and my definitely are not authentic. The braised beef dish I got was mediocre at best. It was a short rib in a basic gravy that was indistinguishable from any other beef stew I've had. My friend got a stew with preserved potato - which was good, but again nothing spectacular. It wasn't bad, I was just hoping for more with all the great reviews.
(2)
Aki N.

I don't know authentic Peruvian food, but fantastic dishes with great flavor and decent prices. Not a lot of ambiance, and easy for a group of seven to walk in on a Saturday night, but would totally go back Josephine L's review is helpful for some recs, and the waiter gave us a great list of recommendations from their extensive menu. We were skeptical about a cocktail with egg whites, but the Pisco Sour was fantastic. I was starving and ate almost the entire bowl of toasted corn with the spicy mayo-ish sauce. The sampler appetizer plate has a great mix for a group to pick at. I had the Seco de Carne, a beef stew on rice and beans, which was good and hearty. With a few drinks, shared appetizers, and a main dish, about $30-40 per person
(4)
Lisa O.

This place is a must go. The specialty of the restaurant is the traditional Peruvian food. They have live music and it is a traditional music. They are friendly and the place is clean. The food is very good the Causa is a must try also teh Lombo Saltado. very good food. Price is ok.
(5)
B S.

groupon and a Peruvian got me there...weekday lunch... only a few tables taken. Friendliest staff, excellent food - we sampled several dishes and loved everything...meat seafood and vegetarian. Some of the dishes are a bit on the bland side - in Peru not. They need to add SAZON !!
(4)
Moomin T.

I've never had Peruvian food before, but this place really hit the spot for a late-night birthday dinner on a Monday. The food seemed on a par with what you'd expect in other South American cuisines: lots of meat, eggs, and potatoes. I found the dishes very flavorful, and I think the reason other reviewers may have thought it was bland was that they probably went with the wrong expectations (i.e., thinking they were getting spicy Mexican or something). I would also mention that the giant light-up mural of Machu Picchu itself behind the bar is a real draw. I mean, where does one even begin to look when trying to get one of these?
(4)
Brian G.

Machu Picchu is a true gem. This past weekend i stopped by after a long day at the museum of science and had one of my best dining experiences in a while. I will admit my first thought when i walked in the door was disapointment as the restauarnt does need a little remodeling and the website made it seem almost fine dining. Being the foodie i am i did not let it get me down though and sat down and placed my odrder. Our meal started out with some kind of roasted peanuts with a spicy sauce in place of the typical free bread and while nothing amazing it was different. I also ordered with my girlfriend a empanada and some chicharones as appitizers. The empanada was good with the bread being sweet and yummy the chicharones how ever were very average. You might be saying right now with all this average food why would i call this place a gem and thats cause next i recieved my entree. I got the ceviche en crema de rocoto which was described as there house dish. This single dish was the best item of food i have eaten anywhere in a long time, years even. It was amazing. I dont even know how to describe it spicy fruity not fishy at all with a textarue that i would descrive as tender. Not only did i love it but i managed to convince my girlfriend to try it who hates all fish nevermind raw fish and her response was "not bad" . From the likes of her i would say that is a glowing recomendation. Pros.. cheap prices.... 2 apps, 2 entrees , desert, juice and coffe came to $49 authenticity....i feel this place is not americanised at all . i admit im ignorant and never have been to peru but i feel i could have recieved this very same meal in cuzco or lima. cons...dining room was a little rundown while it does add character, i wouldnt take a girl here for a romantic evening or to celibrate anniversary if u catch my drift
(5)
Dianne W.

doowee & rice-we had one of the best and cheapest meals we ever had last night. definitely the best bao i ever had in boston or nyc. how does the chef manage to make chicken hearts tender and succulent? 2 orders of bao (pork belly and beef), an order of chicken hearts and a coke for 16 bucks! can't beat it with a stick. we will be back again and again and ......
(5)
sato h.

Never had Peruvian food before so i was not sure what to expect but it was delicious! Everything that I tried, from the pie looking appetizer with meet inside, potato with seafood, beef stew to ceviche I really liked them all. And what made everything better was the service. I really liked how our waiter brought extra plates and silverware without us asking. I wish I had room for some dessert.
(5)
M R.

I'm impressed by this place. I went in with no expectations with a friend of mine that wanted to try South American cuisine, at the time we drove by it and decided to park the car and go in. The food was perfect! It was fresh, tasty, and very well presented. The service was excellent too, detailed. The location also looks brand new. Usually, I'm very nit-picky about the restrooms, but here they were very clean and nicely decorated. Apart from serving Peruvian food, they also serve Peruvian-Chinese food, and for those who are vegetarian, they serve the vegetarian version of some of the entrees. Average price per entree $11. I agree with "yana v." they send a good amount of food your way, you def. won't leave here hungry.
(5)
Ciao H.

I really liked this place, the service was friendly, polite and accommodating. The drinks were delicious, the appetizers delicious, the food unexpected and interesting. Plenty of room in the dining area and an overall nice ambiance--the tacky, unassuming wall decorations made me feel comfy and relaxed. This is a great place for summer eating--a lot of the plates they serve are cold, so I found these selections quite refreshing to the palate. I didn't try any of the fried dishes, and yes, I did find it strange that some things are served with french fries. But I stayed away from those plates and had a delicious and enjoyable dinner.
(4)
Alan T.

GREAT STAFF AND ATMOSPHERE! Delicious food! Amazing selections on their menu! The price.. who cares! the food is delicious! Their soup Parihuela.. is definitely an OMG moment!
(5)
Erin M.

Macchu Picchu is a huge restaurant which was nearly empty when we went there on a Sunday evening during the Copa Americana. We were seated in a smaller room within the restaurant which was very nice and quiet except for the occasional shouts of "GOOOOL!" emanating from the TV in the main room. Our waiter was extremely nice. He even gave us advice on what to order, which was good because I'd had some Peruvian food before but neither of my friends had. The Pisco Sour was very tasty, as many have commented before. I also highly recommend the empanada as an appetizer. It was extra-large and flaky - you will need to eat it with a knife and fork because it's so big. It was filled with beef and eggs and tasted just like the ones I ate in South America. My entree (lomo saltado) was good but not great. The beef was tasty and well-flavored, but I didn't like how the french fries were mixed into the lomo. That would be probably a cultural difference showing through. Dessert was also just OK, with various types of flan-like offerings available. We had the leche asada and the budin (bread pudding), which were similarly flavored, except the budin was more bread-like and had raisins, while the leche asada was more of a pudding (literally, creme brulee, but no hard sugar top). I would definitely go back to Macchu Picchu and would try other dishes as well. The prices were incredibly reasonable.
(3)
Anonymous I.

Being Peruvian in Boston you come to appreciate good Peruvian food. I can say that this restaurant makes me feel like I am in Peru again. The food is so delicious! I can tell when a dish is not right because there are certain ways you serve a Peruvian dish and this place knows how to serve a DISH! The atmosphere is fun and everything on the menu is so good. They have live music every Friday from 8-10pm. My favorite dishes are: Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Tallarin Saltado, Causa Rellena, Bistek a lo Pobre. Tip: If you go on July 28th it is Peruvian Independence Day and they have live Peruvian Music playing and everyone dances. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ann C.

don't let the empty restaurant fool you. i went on a wednesday night and it was really, really empty but the food was good. get the sampler platter for apps- fried yucca, pork and beef. fish for entree was good and even better when i had it for leftovers the next day.
(4)
Kelly G.

GF and I went on a double date there last night and had a great time. Machu Picchu has a main dining room (with aforementioned enormous glowing picture of the ruins behind the bar) and a side dining room with a row of windows and only 4 tables in it-- we sat there. MP is super cute. The food is, by all reports, authentic. GF and I both had pisco cocktails which I totally recommend. When in Peru... The empanada appetizer was seriously yummy. The big corn with "tropical cheeses" was a little odd and dry. I don't like seafood, so I didn't try most of the others' meals, but my porkchop was really good (although it was a lot of bone, a little bit of meat). The spinach mashed potatoes are a total highlight. The shredded hoagie lettuce "salad" however, was not. Another fun part about this restaurant is that the menu is not very adequately or well translated-- so you end up with what amounts to a vague idea of what is going to be arriving, but not quite. Some translational highlights include: A soup: Instantly prepared beef, potatoes, noodles and eggs A cold appetizer: Seasoned potato cake, layered shredded chicken An entree: Spectacular chicken breast with sized shrimps Some seafood: Fish bite sized pieces marinated with our typical spices (the bite size of which fish, exactly?) A respect fish from the sea, accompanied with rice, fried yucca and house salad From the kids' menu: A piece of hamburger topped with cheese and french fries So yes, not only a culinary adventure, but also a bit of russian roulette here.
(4)
Marion D.

The ceviche alone is worth a visit -- a huge pile of tender seafood (or just fish if you prefer) in a delicious spicy lime marinade, fantastic. Also loved the seafood stew, which was really flavorful and loaded with good stuff. Prices are quite reasonable, the waitstaff are helpful and happy to provide advice, and if you come on the right night, you can get Peruvian-style live entertainment too. Will definitely be back.
(4)
C. R.

If you a) want to eat authentic and tasty Peruvian cuisine (minus the guinea pig) and b) want to be as hungry prior to your meal's arrival as you would be if you'd just hiked to the ruins of Machu Picchu through the Andes for four days, this place is for you! We love this place, and it really is great Peruvian food, but BRING SNACKS--the roasted corn kernels and intermittent drink service will not tide you over as you wait an hour and a half for your dinner. I am not kidding. Also, don't bring your respective in-laws to this place for their first meeting, as they will eventually start to joke about the Donner party with alarming frequency.
(4)
Louis P.

This was my first time trying a Peruvian food and I was not disappointed... I went there pretty late, so the service was actually not too slow... I ordered Aji de Gallina as Yelpers recommended it... It was OK... I wasn't too crazy about it..., My husband ordered Seco de Carne a la Nortena and that was delicious!!! Definately order that!!! It's a beef dish that comes with beans and rice but flavors are wonderful. Only bad thing was, it was FREEZING in there! And the parking seemed to be a problem (especially on the weekends!) I'd go back here and try something else.
(4)
Anastasia R.

Machu Picchu So the gf was like "Hey, lets go on a double date. Will you find somewhere for us to go? Actually we don't want to go where you suggested, so they said we should go to Machu Picchu and it's in Union so it's really close to us." I didn't remember the last time I had Peruvian food so I wasn't opposed, and I think it's cute when she tries to let me feel like I have some say in what I do with my life. So the 4 of us met up at their new location on Somerville Ave. and looked over the menu. I was intrigued by the Pisco Sour, a classic Peruvian liquor combined with egg whites and some other ingredients, and was expecting to be totally revolted. Instead I was served a frothy white beverage, sweet to the taste and delightful to the end. We ordered some apps, empanadas all around, and Ensalada Casa Machu Picchu. This is a strange maybe not totally cooked through corn on the cob with Gigantic kernels served with a smooth, mild, buttery cheese. I have to say that the menu was a little hard to decipher. Half broken, half translated, and usually thoroughly unhelpful descriptions led me to ask the waiter what he thought was good. I was leaning toward seafood and he recommended the Pescado a lo Macho Described as follows: This dish refers to how hard (macho) you need to be to eat all the seafood. I ordered a side of plantains for the table to share (totally fab) and I think everyone had a few good things to say about the experience as a whole. I'd go back for sure. The menu situation just lends to the sense of adventure.
(4)
Min L.

A few years back, I spent a summer living in the Peruvian highlands where this abuela, who used to be a chef, cooked lunch for me every day for 1 USD (pretty sweet deal, I know). Coming back to Boston, I wasn't really sure what I'd do when the cravings came (and boy did they come), but I'm happy to say that I'm pretty satisfied with what Machu Picchu has to offer. Since most of the food I ate in Peru was cooked by Donata, I compare most of my meals here to hers (which I know isn't necessarily fair so keep that in mind if you're going to listen to this review). The dishes here that make me the happiest are the lomo saltado and papa rellena. I make sure both are on the table every time I come. Dishes that I loved in Peru but were disappointed by here include aji de gallina (not enough flavor), palta primavera (the avocados weren't ripe enough) and the trucha frita (not enough meat on the fish and the flavor was a bit off). Dishes I loved in Peru but have yet to try at Machu Picchu include sopa a la minuta and chupe de camarones.
(4)
F N.

Went to Machu Picchu with friends Sunday. This was our second time eating at this establishment. Needless to say everyone was impressed with it. The food was exquisite... I had the Ceviche with the Rocoto Cream. It was very tasty and spicy. My partner had the Machu Picchu as a beverage and I had a mojito which was excellent.. It was 11 of us and the service was great and sometimes it can be challenging to get good service when there is only one waiter trying to service a large party. I know Union Square is not the greatest place at this moment due to the heavy construction going on now but this restaurant is worth the aggravation of having to circumvent around the barricades, the heavy machinery and the traffic.
(5)
Stefanie T.

I would have to say I was very disappointed in the quality and flavors of their dishes. I go to their other location often and love their chicken dishes. However, at this Machu Picchu the food is bland and of low quality. I went with my family and 3 out of the 4 of us ordered meat dishes. The steak was grisly and fatty in all 3 of the different dishes. There was lack of flavor as I tried everyone's dishes. The rest of my family felt the same way. The 3rd dish was a shrimp dish which was decent but nothing spectacular. The staff was very friendly and attentive, which is why I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1. I wish I had more good things to say about this restaurant, as I would definitely say I am not a picky eater and enjoy foods of all kinds.
(2)
Peter G.

Disclaimer: This was my time eating Peruvian food so I don't have much to compare the food itself to. The food was interesting, homey, and the flavors were lovely and many completely different than anything I've had before - when I was able to taste them through the vast amounts of salt. Service, however, is something I do have plenty of experience with and here it is quite appalling. Jess P.'s and my water glasses remained empty for most of the meal and after our plates had been cleared we waited nearly half an hour just to ask the waiter to bring us the check. So don't come here with someone you don't really enjoy the company of, because it will be a long night. I had a good time here, although much of that was influenced by the fantastic company of Jess P., but we didn't leave with the same post-yummy excitement like we usually do.
(3)
Blair H.

Look, I've never been to South America or Mars, but $32 for 3 people, stuffed full of chicken. Count me in.
(4)
Arestia R.

My friend and I went here before we took a trip to Peru to get excited. I decided to wait until AFTER I got back from Peru to do my review. It definitely lived up to its expectations. We had their quarter chicken meals and it was deliciously Peruvian. They also had Cusquena beer, something I now miss from Peru and love that I can still get one there! Their staff was really nice, too and the place is decorated with Peruvian textiles. I am definitely coming back here, if not for a little nostalgia, then for some great food!
(4)
Bevin C.

This is a really nice place. I don't have a lot of experience with Peruvian food, so I couldn't tell you if it tastes authentic. Since they move to their nice big new location, the prices have gone up. But they've expanded their menu and seem to be doing great business, so it's okay. The staff are gracious and bring you a little ramekin filled with fresh roasted giant corn kernels - think fresh corn nuts - when you sit down. The fish is great here - pescado frito is highly recommended. The fried yucca is great too. There are some really great spelling and grammatical errors on the menus that you and your friends can chuckle at while you wait for your food.
(4)
Tom E.

If you think you've tried out a lot of different cuisines since you joined Yelp then maybe you should think again. There are around 200 countries in the world and many have regional cuisines within them. Even Peru. Machu Picchu is somewhere I've been wanting to go for ages. Not the mountainous Inca site, but the Union Sq restaurant. Ever since I was spoilt rotten at Nobu in London, I've been eager to try out some Peruvian seafood dishes (yes, Nobu maybe Japanese but his skills were learnt in Peru). I wasn't disappointed. The menu is long with many surprises. The sour drinks with egg white are fantastic (i got whisky sour), they do good fresh fruit smoothies and milkshakes and the cocktail list is as appealing as the Peruvian beer. FYI we shared the beef heart appetizer - very rich and rewarding. We followed this with seafood and tomato soup which was warm, indulgent and creamy and then that was offset with the other main - mixed seafood ceviche. Which was amazing (read below). We ended with the baked custard dessert which was (cliche time) sinful. I'm feeling good today. The cheapish/cheesy decor and the slow service detracted from making this a true 5 star place - It's a 4.4er to me, on par with The Helmand. It's a big place and would be fantastic for group dinners. Look out for the bad engrish explanation of the Nazca Lines and the glitterball hanging at one end. They had an over-the-top xmas display too. Very Somerville. ===== ===== ===== ===== SO NOW... it's lesson time. Here's what you need to know about CEVICHE - the new sushi. It's gonna get trendy, so get prepared. Ceviche is a huge pile of raw fish and/or shellfish. It is piled into a lettuce leaf and drowned in cilantro and spiced lemon and lime juice. The juices effectively cook the fish and taste sublime. My dish was served with an amazing piece of sweet potato and fresh & baked corn. One of the ceviche dishes here comes in a glass and you drink it. It's effectively a bloody mary with raw fish. YUM. DO IT.
(4)
Francine W.

delicious! My dad was born and raised in Peru so I grew up eating some peruvian dishes. Now that hes passed I really miss peruvian food especially cerviche and alfajores!!! alfajores!!! oh they are heavenly. Ive tried them at some other latin american places and they were pretty bad but they're great at Machu Pichu.
(4)
Evan B.

Again, really 4.5 stars -- I have been to Machu Picchu at least 15 times over the past year and a half, and I have never had a bad experience....in fact, no matter what mood I am in prior to the meal, I am invariably contented, satiated, calm and happy after the Machu Picchu experience. The food is excellent and the amounts generous -- you will not leave hungry. The prices are more than reasonable, and the food is surprisingly authentic. This restaurant is a staple on my restaurant list. As for service - yes, they are understaffed, but even with this I have not had too many problems with slow service. Also, choose your dining times wisely and avoid peak dining times (fri/sat night at 7-8pm) If you have not eaten at Machu Picchu you must go -- it is not to be missed.
(4)
Julie C.

I've never tried Peruvian food but I love all types of Spanish cuisine and am familiar with South American food. I really enjoyed having dinner at Machu Piccu, they took every effort to bring in items from Peru, whether it be the enormous pic of Machu Piccu or the Salt and Pepper Shakers that you know they got from a tourist shop there. :P There was a large party on the other side of the room and they were having a great time. Service: I agree, the service could be a tad faster but our waiter was amazing. I asked him what we should try and he went down the list of pointing out a meat, chicken and ceviche entree that we should try. If you're going to try out a new restaurant, I definitely recommend taking friends so you can order a bunch of dishes and try out a bunch of stuff at once. Here were my selections and thoughts: Aji de Gallina : Too creamy for my taste. I grew up on Stoffer's frozen meals and this one reminded me of Chicken a la King. It was a yellow cream sauce over chicken and rice. Very heavy. I got the Seco de Carne a la Nortea- the old familly recipe...This was awesome. This tender short rib was stewed to perfection. The meal was accompanied by beans and rice with a bit of red onion salad which offered the right amount of tang to balance the meat flavor. I loved this dish~! Pollo Chan Chan is a good meal with Chicken, Spinach and Spinach Mashed Potatoes that were actually really tasty. Its green, but its tasty~!! and lastly, we had to try the Ceviche Pescado. Wow, I loved it, it was seafood: calamari, shrimp and other types soaked in lemon which acts as a cooking agent. If you like tang and you like seafood, this is the dish for you. Its cold and I know I'm going to come back for this in the summer months! It is a must. I think it was a perfect match with the Seco de Carne. Get both and share. THE GIANT CORN!: OMG! I've never seen corn this huge. Each kernal is larger than a nickel. But it was a great little appetizer with Fresh Cheese and I dipped it in the green sauce they give you. Its amazingly meaty! I loved it. Weird lookin' but yummers. Next time, I'm going to try one of the soups. And I'm definitely going to check out their sister store across the street. If you like Spanish food, you've got to come here.
(4)
G H.

This place rocks. The food is more very good and slightly fancier then their sister grill restaurant across the street. They have a fun corn taster to start with two dipping sauces. I've been here several times and love the spinich mashed potatoes. It's like melted creamy goodness. Highly recommend coming here.
(5)
Amanda L.

Yum! I like the meat here and especially the spinach potatoes! They are like mashed potatoes but green and really yummy. The leche de tigre is intense and I'm not a fan of such sour things so I avoid it! I get random cravings for the corn they give you when you sit down. I had the cow heart appetizer and it was good. It was better when I didn't think about it being a heart but hey, it's all muscle anyways. Sometimes they have live music here (peruvian flute etc.). Really nice.
(5)
Emily O.

LESSONS FOR FIRST-TIMER: I have never been to Machu Picchu before, or eating Peruvian food apparently. It was great, but there are few things I wish I'd known before I ordered: 1. Share! All four of our party ordered an entry and no one could (or wanted to) eat their whole entree; this was particularly true for me who unknowingly ordered a giant plate of fried rice. I ate much of other people's ceviche instead (it comes as a mound!). 2. They have giant corn. As an appetizer, it came cooked like corn-on-the-cob, but none of us quite knew what to do with it. No butter, no sauces... very mysterious! Also, VERY starchy. 3. They, in theory, have Peruvian beer, but were out of it when we went. Not sure how often this happens, so if it's important to you, call first. 4. There is tremendous variability in the level of spicyness - trust no one and take it one dish at a time (if you have any aversions to spice or are looking for very spicy). I will go back with this new knowledge and hopefully have a five-star experience. The prices are right and the ambiance is endearing! Plus the waiter was a pro and not only was an excellent server, but was patient with us newbies, and set a great pace for our meal.
(4)
Erdan L.

The chicken soup and the chi-fa rice is very good. The chicken soup is almost as good as the one I tried in Lima. Will definitely come back
(4)
Liotta L.

I just had the Leche de Tigre for the first time. Unbelievably good. The service is fine by me (I don't care to be rushed), the music is good and not too loud when they have it, the pisco sours are HANDMADE, and I just can't think of anything bad to say about the huancaina sauce. A quality experience.
(5)
Jasmine E.

Another underrated but fantastic restaurant. I can't speak for how truly authentic this place is since 1) i'm not peruvian 2) do not know any peruvians but the food speaks for itself. First of all I LOVE those corn kernels that they serve as an appetizer. I go through about 2/3 bowls of those things. Hey the bowl is small ok! I've tried Seco de Carne a la Nortea (beef dish) and Pollo Saltado a la Criolla (chicken dish) myself, both I highly recommend and I tried some of my husband's dish which I can't seem to remember the name of but was also very good, it was a stew like dish with pieces of beef ad white beans (I think they call it canary beans?) I will definitely keep coming back to this place.
(4)
S. M. S.

Decidedly "home style" dishes that lack the fineness of a chef's touch, but very good, hearty food and interesting flavors that make for a one-time dinner adventure.
(4)
Dan C.

I'm not sure what Peruvian Cooking is, how it's made, or what the three magical sauces they always bring out are, but multiple times now Machu Pichu has never failed to made a damn tasty chicken. Good portions, and a variety of wacky dipping sauces make this place a great choice for those days when you NEED to eat a chicken... you all have those days too right? Right?!?!
(4)
Melissa B.

I can't believe I've lived here for so long and only just tried this place. When we were first seated they brought out some big corn nuts. You use a thin wooden spoon to dip them in the spicy and oh so tasty dipping sauce. I had the grilled steak (Churrasco) which was good if a bit bland. The salad that came with it was fresh & tasty. I washed it down with one of their creamy strawberry milk shakes - YUM. They have several other flavors including passion fruit & pineapple. My only complaint was the service was a bit slow considering there weren't a whole lot of people in the restaurant, but it was a nice introduction to Peruvian food for me. I can't wait to go back and try some other dishes, especially the fish, and desert of course!
(4)
yana v.

We ordered from here a few times and were pleasantly surprised. The food is not O-M-G amaizing, but it's very GOOD. The flavors are very interesting and enjoyable. I don't get bored ordering from them over and over again. And the amount of food they send over is nothing to sneeze at. I'm not renting and raving, but I'm definitely ordering from here again, over and over and over again. The flavors are just that unique that you start craving it.
(4)
Micha v.

Fourth visit in two years. Excellent food and great atmosphere. Best ceviche in MA!
(5)
Dave L.

Although I have never been to Peru, and have no idea about the food's authenticity, it's at least different! I had the Tacu-Tacu with Steak; I was interested because the dish was apparently invented by slaves. It was a nice dinner, but for something really different you should go for the Ceviche. I have to give 3 stars because the service was slow (maybe it was that particular night..they only had 3 waitstaff) and because the air conditioning wasn't on quite enough and the room was hot and humid (at least in the alcove area to the left). Also, try "Inca Soda". its great!
(3)
Ja H.

Machu Picchi offered great options for casual or more formal dining. Their food is so good.
(4)
Tamara B.

Food and service was ok...would have prefered the Machu Picchu down the street.
(2)
Sydney W.

First time I have been at their new location - just loved it! They didn't have a full bar at the last place - so this is a plus. I think that the food is even better now that they have moved. I ordered the Machu Picchu salad - it come with these huge kernals of corn which are soo tasty. Had the steak for my main meal - which is always good. You just can't go wrong with this place!
(5)
David L.

Eh. This place was ok. The prices were a bit more than I expected for the quality. I liked the ceviche that they had, but the rest was rather mediocre in general. For being so empty, the service was reasonable but i wouldn't say good
(2)
Emma D.

I'm no expert in terms of peruvian cuisine, but I enjoyed the food and atmosphere at Machu Picchu. A group of us went on Friday night and so also got to enjoy some Peruvian music while we ate. As soon as we were seated we were served water and corn nuts with two yummy spices (with a kick!) We ordered a range of appetizers and all were good: the fried yucca is a MUST! the chicken empanada was delicious, crisp on the outside and spicy. the fried plantains and potato/beet salad were also excellent. For our entrees, I think mine was the winner - seco de carne which was basically an incredibly tender cilantro/spicy marinated pot roast served with rice and beans. a HUGE portion which is definitely going to be an awesome leftover lunch. Around the table, a close second was the seafood rice - also a huge portion, the spaghetti with steak (spaghetti covered in an excellent not quite pesto sauce) and the special steak with fires which was deemed good but not as exciting as some of the other dishes. Excellent value and although the service may be a little slow, out waiter was great - memorized our order and was ready to explain any part of the menu. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Lynette S.

The servers were terrible on the Saturday night we were there! Slow, ignored us and were not even in sight unless we flagged down any server we could to go find them! the food was alright, nothing to write home about but not bad.
(2)
Kate W.

I would add a half to my two stars for the really, really good/interesting dishes, but c'MON!!!!!!!! I could have given myself two manicures, bought and sold a car, run a marathon in the snow, shaved my boyfriend's back, gotten drunk, and then sobered up three times by the time I got my food OR drink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SERIOUSLY don't understand, nor will I ever be OK with, slow ass service. Both times I've gone, it's been like my party and two others, but for some reason the service is always ridiculously slow. I mean, they could keep the beers coming to chill me out, but even THAT service was slow as Christmas. So whatevs, I don't think I'm going back- mostly because I might damn near split a blood vessel in my forehead or something. Good food tho. ;)
(2)
Sarah G.

How do you get the meat inside the deep fried potato?!?! Like a meat twinkie! I love it! I eat some deep fried outside while my lucky dining partner gets the meat filling. Mmm...sharing. Good food. Not great for vegetarians when I went, but their website now lists a veggie lomo that I'm not sure they had before. The huge corn kernels are awesome and yucca and plantains as well. I'm psyched to try their new location. ***update - tried the vegetarian lomo which, although flavorful, is a bit of a rip off. it's a stir fry with red onions, corn, and french fries (?) as the main ingredients and it costs $10. alcoholic drinks also on the expensive side.
(3)
Arun C.

The dishes are tasty, the staff is friendly, and the portions are good for sharing. Service can be slow, but I am usually not in a rush when I decide I want to go to a restaurant to eat. It gives me time to catch up with my friends. I haven't had ceviche very often, so this was a treat. I was surprised by how tasty the different dishes were. The texture was great too. My first trip there happened to be on a frigid new england winter night, but I think that type of food would be perfect for the summer: light, tangy, and cold.
(4)
Nancy L.

I just went on Friday night, my birthday, and I had a great experience. First of all Machu Picchu had no problem seating a big party of 12 people, just call ahead to make reservations and all things are set up. This place is known for its cerviches, or a mixture of raw seafood (usually shrimp, fish, and squid) marinated in a mixture of lemon juice. It's all very light and refreshing and my "seafood mixto" was no exception. For people who don't like raw seafood there are also a number of cooked dishes. The rice dish with mussels "arroz con mariscos" was great and also a stew with yuca. As for their meats I would say they are more marinated than high grade beef so they can be a bit chewy. One of my friends dish came with this incredible spinach mash potato that was just unbelievably creamy and set her pork entree "Chuletas de Cerdo a la Parrilla" perfectly. As for drinks we all had to try the signature drink. It was made quite strong and had a combination of grape and tequila-like quality to it. As for the beers that my friend had, they were your regular draft beers but with Peruvian sounding names. What really made it special for me was the pan flute musician that appeared around 8 pm. He was garbed in traditional clothes with long hair and had over half a dozen pan flutes of various sizes. Sometimes the music was upbeat, sometimes it was slow and sad but he really had a wide range. When he played Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven , we just stopped eating to marvel at him and then clapped wildy for him at the end :) Machu Picchu was also very accomodating about birthdays. My friend had a cake taken to the kitchen before hand and when it came out the whole resturant sang, waiter and all, while the pan flute musician blew "Happy Birthday" to me on his pipes!! Now how many people can say that they had that for their birthday!?!? But for the food and atmosphere I would go back even if it wasn't my birthday!
(5)
Huan z.

Wow and yummy. usually I don't talk in this restaurant cause I would be busy eating the food. One of the best in the area.
(4)
Kit Y.

I am still full! And it's the next morning! Last night I was entertaining a friend from out of town and she just got back from Peru. We were actually looking for Salvadorian, but drove by here and she HAD to go. It's in a new location steps from the old one and the new ambiance is definitely more upscale. As soon as we sat down, we were served large corn kernels with spicy dipping sauce. For appetizers we had fried yucca which was sooo good. I also had a Peruvian beer, which I had never had before and my friend had a pisco sour with the raw egg whites in it(she loves that stuff) The menu is not too vegan friendly, but there were two items to choose from. The waiter was very helpful and guided me through the menu. There was a rice and beans dish and then a thing called vegetarian lomo, I got the latter. It was a vegetable dish laced with the large corn kernels, tomatoes, onions, french fried potatoes, and spices. It was huge and served with lots of rice. It looked like a simple dish, but the flavor was unbeatable! I'm still trying to figure out why it tasted so good and how I can create that flavor. My friends got braised fish pot, and chicken stuffed avocado- all the portions were so generous and tasty. Our friend loved it and i did too. I will definitely return.
(5)
Abdullah A.

This place is awesome. It's a nicely decorated cozy place, with lot's of peruvian decorations. I love Peruvian food, have tried it many times in different Peruvian restaurants (including during a trip to Peru) and I must say this restaurant's tastes just like those in Peru, really authentic. Ceviche mixto and Pescado a lo macho are my favorites from here. On saturday evening's they have live latin american folklore music, adding more to the environment. Other not to be missed are the Aji de Gallina and the Arroz Chaufa and the traditional soft drink "Inca Kola". The service is quick and amenable, the waiters are really helpful in suggesting dishes if you aren't familiar with Peruvian food.
(5)
Kevin A.

PONTIFICATIONS OF A PERUVIAN CUISINE NEWBIE As someone who hasn't tried Peruvian food before, I was satisfied with my dining experience at Machu Picchu. Accompanied by my Peruvian partner-in-crime we sampled rustic fare including what I swear were essentially Peruvian corn nuts (kind of bland), antichuchos (grilled slices of beef heart with a side of potatoes and gigantic kernels of corn...very tasty although I didn't know I was eating heart at the time...don't worry amigo...I'll get you back :) ), and aji de gallina (essentially the Peruvian version of chicken ala king...rich and comforting with a complex yellow pepper cream sauce. I'd like to explore more Peruvian dishes to develop my palate for this cuisine (hard to judge an entire country's cuisine by two dishes and some corn nuts), but so far so good.
(3)
Julinho A.

Mmmmm ceviche. Mmmmmeat. On our first visit to Machu Picchu, my wife came close to apologizing to the waiter for having to constantly refill the complimentary (and utterly delicious) toasted corn kernels. They were just so good... If you're a fan of meat, fish, corn or drinks made of raw egg, this is a place for you. Be adventurous, try something new. The beef heart is delicious (we liked it more than the tongue). And while you're waiting for your food (and munching on corn kernels), it's always fun to play "spot the typos" on the menu.
(4)
Andrew M.

I don't know anything about Peruvian food, but this was different and it was good. I had the vegetarian lomo, which came with great rice and was pretty good, but I liked the chicken-based dishes better.
(4)
Neno S.

I remember trying to drag my roommate to dinner that night and he was being really stubborn and wanted to go home and order pizza. Finally I managed to convince him to go have Italian and correct me if I am wrong ( I may be tripping here) but wasn't there an Italian restaurant at that location?!!? So we walk in and we are greeted by this nice short woman, round face, dressed in very traditional, and very un-Italian clothes. The three of us stood there for a few seconds and looked at each other until my roommate goes: "Well...She doesn't look Italian to me, but what the hell..." Pretty good ceviche and nice and fast service. Apparently, we went there one day after they opened and the table was really shaky for a new restaurant. Portions are good and the food is tasty, and don't get me wrong this is a good restaurant, but I have to keep the stars for restaurants who have more imagination and have dedicated more time to think about the entire dining experience.
(3)
Amanda M.

This was my first try of Peruvian food, and I have to say, I'm not impressed. The menu describes one of the dishes as an old slave favorite, and this is a good description. What did slaves get to eat in Peru? Corn and potatoes, the cheapest easiest to grow crops. That (and fish) is largely what the menu is made up of. We ordered corn with cheese for an appetizer. I was expecting cheese-drenched corn, but instead we received what I can only describe as steamed corn on the cob with no flavoring or sauces or anything on it and a side of the cubed cheese that sometimes is in curries that looks like tofu. Bland. No flavor. On the other hand, the service was excellent. They were very attentive and even allowed us to choose our own seating area. The decor was cute, with lots of llamas everywhere. My cocktail arrived with a flaming pineapple, which was awesome. I think this restaurant does a good job cooking Peruvian food; it's just that I evidently don't like that particular cuisine.
(3)
Elizabeth U.

Delicious unique food. Its a great treat to go here if you are looking for some ethnic food. Don't remember what it was I got but it was all good.
(4)
Matt M.

I finally tried Machu Picchu for the first time last night - despite having lived in the neighborhood for the past five years. I left the restaurant wondering why I waited so long to try it!! I'm a big fan of Spanish, Mexican and South American cuisine - and I must say I was genuinely impressed with Machu Picchu. I ordered the "beef stew with cilantro, rice and beans" and was thrilled with the quality of the meat, the overall flavor and the exceptional value ($9.99!). I swear that an unprepared cut of meat like that would cost much more at Start Market. I tried the ceviche that my friends ordered which was also quite good. The service was attentive and at a slightly slower pace than what some might expect - though it seemed right on par for what we were going for. I also enjoyed the music playing: some pan-flute rhythmic jams straight out of Peru. This really set the vibe for me. The four of us ordered 2 glasses of wine, 4 beers (of which I highly recommend the tasty Peruvian bottles!), 3 entrees and an appetizer. The total bill with tip and tax was just under $20 per person. I can not wait to go back! A+
(4)
Ashley J.

We went here Friday night because they have live music and to celebrate an anniversary. The food was absolutely delicious, the drinks were great and the flan for dessert was TO DIE FOR. Service here is really my only complaint and only because it is slow but we come expecting that and we like to linger over dinner sometimes so we just plan on waiting awhile. This is one of my favorite restaurants in our rotation. Yummy
(5)
Fernando A.

This food was great, the beer was great and the prices were great. You should try this place since it has a bit of everything. My favorite is Aji de Gallina-HIGHLY Recommended. Go and you will leave totally satisfied!
(5)
Jennifer D.

Love the new menu with pictures, lots to choose from! We love the fried Yucca with Huaccaina sauce, enselada palta and lomo saltado. Honestly you can't pick a bad meal here. Casual and friendly atmosphere with authentic Peruvian cusine!!! Yummy
(5)
M R.

Machu Picchu is pretty good, if you're jonesin' to try something a little different. There aren't a lot of Peruvian restaurants around, so I have no point of reference by which to judge it, but I was pleased. I have no illusions that the food isn't at least somewhat Americanized, so don't expect to get what you might have had on your last vacation to Peru. They do have tripe on the menu though! The place is cute, if not a little tacky. They have stuffed llamas in the corner, and a gigantic illuminated picture of Machu Picchu behind the bar, but somehow that doesn't bother me much. I can only imagine what the disco ball and strobe lights are for in the section farthest from the doorway. My wife started with a strawberry milkshake, which she liked, and I had a cusquena beer, which aint great but at least it's from Peru. My steak was really more of a rib chop, nicely braised with a thick gravy and mashed corn, pickled red onions, and some simple salted white rice. All very nice. The wifey enjoyed her ceviche with boiled potatoes and a spicy red chili sauce. The fish in it looked like haddock. The complaints about the slow service are accurate. Normally it doesn't bother me much, but they were pretty sluggish. On the plus side, at least slow service often means that your waitress isn't constantly harassing you the way many restaurants do, popping by after every bite to ask if she can do anything to increase your bill.
(3)
Tepring P.

Have you had yuca before? well you should! I now make it for thanksgiving. This place may have hot spices, but I don't enjoy making myself sweat or having my lips tingle b/c of the spices, so they did well in my book. Good flavor, good prices. I had pollo saltado a la criolla. Basically Peruvian food seems like potatoes and rice and stew like dishes. But I like that type of food so I was happy =)
(3)
john g.

Went there last night for dinner with the GF after reading all of the glowing reviews. It was kind of late so we were able to get a table right away. The server was great and got us beverages (both of us ordered some drinks made from Pisco). We ordered an appetizer made from potatoes and stuffed with meat and raisins..it was very good. The GF ordered a beef dish, kind of like a pot roast. It was very tender and tasty. I had the chicken with onions and peppers & FF (??)...it was ok but not great. Both meals came with rice. Not sure what the deal is with french fries mixed in with the meal..had this before at another place. Overall, it was a nice place and the other patrons meals looked good. I would like to try something else if we ever return. Right down the street is the Machu Picchu grilled chicken joint...will definitely have to give that a try when next in the area.
(3)
Emily S.

Delicious, exciting Peruvian foods. So much fun for a 'pescatarian'! I love their ceviches. There's also a very tasty appetizer of layered golden potatoes with "goodies from the sea"--yum, try it. The service is very friendly. Lastly, get the leche asada desert. Do it. If you have no room left to consume more food, they will happily serve it to you in a to-go container, and it will be worth it.
(4)
Jess P.

What better for one of the first muggy days of the year than some ceviche and pisco sours? Peter G and I needed some summer food, stat, and Peruvian sounded like a good call. The gratis crisped giant corn kernels that start off the meal were one of the highlights--simply, crunchy, flavorful bits served with a yummy dipping sauce that Peter aptly likened to "Peruvian style ranch." I love me some pisco (the first liquor I ever got drunk off of, back in the day), and Machu Picchu's may have been my favorite Boston area rendition of a pisco sour yet. As others have mentioned, reading the menu alone is a great form of entertainment. We couldn't resist the all too passionate entreaty to "Let your imagination go wild!" in the description of the Ceviche Mixto. I'm used to ceviche having more prominent spice, but the chunks of various citrus-soaked seafood were very simply tasty, and the also tangy slices of sweet and regular potato surprised me as the standout flavor on the plate. We split two entrees, both pretty good, but not amazing. The beef in the Seco de Carne a la Nortea was falling off the bone and tasty, served with beans and a flavorful white rice. It was all very salty, as was the Carapulca, a thick chicken stew with beans and topped with several pieces of what I later realized was yucca. The chunks of chicken were laced with tiny bones that you'd occasionally find in your mouth and have to inelegantly eat around and then spit out. Peter (paraphrased): I really like that there are chicken bones in this, it feels genuine. You know that people making the real thing don't buy boneless chicken breasts. And we discussed how it's annoying that restaurants will insist on serving these sanitized, safer versions of ethnic foods, like us white folks can't handle it or something. Cut to five minutes later, when I'm taking a bite off of my plate of what I think is the beef, but somehow got some of the chicken mixed in. Chicken bone to throat! Owww. Some extra calcium I guess, but not exactly fun. Ok, so maybe it is alright if someone wants to remove the sharp objects from my food. (Which is the long way of saying, beware of the chicken bones.) So the food alone, while not the most impressive meal ever, would probably eek out 4 stars for being interesting and for those awesome corn kernels and great drinks. The service though takes them back down a notch. Our water glasses kept getting refilled about five minutes too late (a problem especially given the food's salt content), and we sat, unattended, for at least 20 minutes after our entree was cleared. We weren't even asked if we wanted dessert. Not so smart.
(3)
lora v.

I've only been once, but will definitely be back. The prepared the most wonderful ceviche, with fried yucca or sweet potatoes (sorry, I forget which), and was too much to finish though I came close. I went with the local beer as well, which worked. Prices are reasonable, service was attentive. I look forward to trying out some new dishes next time. ** update ** It appears Machu Picchu will be moving to the (larger) space next to Sally O'Briens on Somerville Ave (still in Union). Not sure on time frame, but there are 'coming soon' signs in the window.
(4)
Kate S.

I've had a fair bit of experience with Peruvian cuisine (my sister-in-law is Peruvian and both she and my bro are big foodies - and live with me - so I eat Peruvian food all the time). I honestly believe that as national cuisines go, Peruvian is among the all time best (up there with Italian and Thai) and certainly one of the oldest. For a bit of history, check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peâ€¦ Machu Picchu is middle of the road in the realm of Peruvian food. Their ceviche is a bit on the over-acidic side for my taste - but still pretty good and filled with AMAZING citrus-marinated red onions (nearly omnipresent in Peruvian food). The Jalea is great if you are a big fried seafood fan, although you could order one for a table of four and all be full - it is THAT huge. The papa a la huancaina, aji de gallina and papa rellena are among my all-time favorite dishes, and the versions here are pretty good. For those who have never tried it, I would also recommend getting chicha morada (a sweet non-alcoholic drink - a bit like juice - made from purple corn with tasty bits of fruit in it). I would not recommend trying the Inca Cola (Peru's national soda) - it is REALLY sweet and tastes a bit like bubble gum. Even though some of Machu Picchu's preparations of Peru's amazing cuisine are only okay, Peruvian cuisine is just so good generally (and there are so few restaurants in Boston that serve it), that I would HIGHLY recommend Machu Picchu to those who haven't tried Peruvian food just to get a taste of this amazing world cuisine. For those who have a bit more money to burn (Machu Picchu is pretty cheap - entrees are around $10), you should also try Taranta in the North End for some Italian-Peruvian fusion.
(5)
Karen C.

Awesome Peruvian food. Expect to be seated immediately, but the food will take a while, so make sure you get a snack beforehand. Good atmosphere for a first date or a group dinner. Food is definitely worth the wait. There are lots of vegatarian options too.
(4)
Mel D.

Loved the food and their cocktails were great too. My husband tried the Machu Pichu cocktail and I had Pisco with passionfruit, both great drinks ! We went on a Friday night and they had live music. Service was great too, the waitress was very patient with us and answered all questions about the dishes and gave good recommendations. Will definitely go again. Great Place
(4)
Kendall W.

This review is based on their vegetarian options not their meat or cerviche options so bear this in mind. I was surprised when I looked at their online menu and saw a page of dishes that were vegetarian as i didn't think peruvian cuisine would be vegetarian friendly. However after getting there I found that they don't actually do any these dishes and was limited to two choices a basil spinach pasta and vegie lomo. I decided to try the lomo, which was a complete disapointment, it was flavorless and greasy (to the point of causing a night of indigestion) and was not worth $10 as at most it had 50cents worth of ingredients if that. The place looks like it is going out of business, it was very run down, menus were old and dirty, toilet paper dispenser falling off the wall in the bathroom etc. All these things are easily overlooked if the food is good which sadly it wasn't. Do not go off the website, it is completely misleading.
(1)
Natalia B.

Went there in April - I can't believe it's been so long. It was lovely! Somehow, I never got around to trying ceviche before this, even though I knew it would be my dream meal - I love fish, especially raw or rare, and I love citrus and salty food. And lo how incredible it was. I had ceviche mixto (mixed seafood ceviche), and it was everything I could have hoped for! The fish came with boiled potatoes and peruvian corn, and they were very good as well, especially the giant corn. We had Pisco Sours with our food, and they were delicious - loved the egg whites. I expected the service to be unbearably slow from reviews, and it was certainly slow, but not as bad as I thought. It was also much cheaper than I thought it would be. All in all, I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Trish F.

Macho macho Dishie.. macho macho yahhhhh.. I came here the other night with some Yelpers. There were about 7 of us and we took up a table and a half. This place seems like a great venue for groups. STUFFED LLAMAS. Sorry.. but there are. I'd go right now because they have a tree and a nativity with lights that will probably give you a seizure if you stare but otherwise you'll be alright. I wasn't a huge fan of the corn stuff that was on the table (bread equivalent?), but I still kept eating it. I've been told the spicy stuff they give you to dip is awesome though. For my main dish I ordered the Pescado a lo Macho. The menu stated: "This dish refers to how hard (macho) you need to be to eat all the seafood." I wanted a reaction from the waiter.. like, "Oh Miss.. are you SURE you can handle the MACHO?" But he didn't say anything.. sad! The portion wasn't as ginormous as I envisioned.. it's actually plated the same as the other dishes, but it was SOO good. All of the sea creatures were represented equally atop a fillet drenched in this tasty seafood sauce. There were rice and potatoes (?) involved in the adventure as well. I polished that plate, but everyone told me I wouldn't get the Macho Girl Dish t-shirt if I didn't eat the mussel shells. Dang. Where's Darryl Hannah when you need her? Or Randy Savage? For dessert we shared some bread pudding and this other dessert that the menu claimed would "melt in our mouths". The bread pudding was okay and the other dessert reminded me of small linzer tarts sans raspberry replaced with caramelly type stuff surrounded by shortbready cookie (heh). And yes it did melt. For most. Oh and I had a mango smoothie. Also very delicious.. chunks of mango and not heavily sweetened. Oh and I realized I never commented on the service! They were friendly and accommodating when we doled out our meal specifications/restrictions (sorry I can't have this and could you replace this with that). Besides the lack of a macho comment, I didn't want to leave the waiters' part out of this great restaurant experience! I'll definitely come by more often when the weather is nicer. It'd be a good walk from my place, although I've been informed the 87 bus runs right by it. Besides walking in on someone in the bathroom (happens a lot.. everywhere).. this was a really great experience! Plus.. I can make my own dang t-shirt. And chest hair. What?
(4)
Mags L.

it's the week right before new year's and everyone is on vacation 'cept for you and your work partner in crime. what to do, what to do? lunch field trip!!! so the original destination was tu y yo, but having not done my research first (not open for lunch) we wandered until happening upon machu picchu (which i had previously bookmarked handily through yelp). yum place to stumble upon. the waiter was helpful in suggesting what first-timers should try. brought out these fried corn snackers w/a super good spicy green pepper and some kind of cheesy dipping sauce. we tried the pollo chan-chan and the seco de carne. both very tasty and flavorful. would love to have sampled more dishes like the ceviches, but alas it was only lunchtime and there was still work to do. :P next time, i'm coming for dinner.
(4)
Sofia A.

Let's start with the fact that I am Peruvian, and so I do know what Peruvian food should taste like. A few plates served here are ok... most are not. When friends want to try Peruvian food this is not where I take them. Food is good, but it does not have real Peruvian taste. Their better plates are Papa Rellena, empanada, alfajores... their not so great (as in I will not order them) are ceviche, cau cau, chupe de camarones etc. I want to see Peruvian places do well, but at the same time I really would like them to represent my country well...
(2)
Tracy S.

The menu is chock full of yummy Peruvian food, lots of seafood, including an extensive list of ceviche. I liked the experience very much. Our server, Angelica, was super friendly and attentive. I live just outside Union Square and I'm happy that this restaurant is so close by. It's a little kitchy in some ways, like the wall-sized image of Machu Picchu behind the bar and the stuffed llama under the corner-mounted television, not to mention the large, gold Incan mask encased in the bar. But all of those things sort of add to the charm of this place, which is not trying to be anything more than what it is. I like that kind of authenticity.
(4)
Anonymous P.

I've never had Peruvian food other than Peruvian chicken. I really enjoyed this restaurant. There were items I've never seen in any other Latin American context (Peruvian corn is unique and delicious). My meal was a delight, and the service was even better. It could not have been more warm and friendly. I know this restaurant gets bad reviews, but I will definitely return soon. One weird note. On weekends they open for lunch...at 12:30pm. There's a first for everything I guess. Update: returned, it was good again. Unique, tasty food, friendly waiter. Highly recommended for something different.
(4)
Jemima T.

I love this place!!! The food is fresh and authentic, and the waiter is friendly. If you like ceviche- try the leche de tigre. I always order the choclo con queso (big, boiled, starchy corn kernals with cheese) because I ate it all the time when I lived in Bolivia. If you're not super adventurous- try the saltado mixto. Just do it, you'll like it. If you want to be a little more daring, have the aji de gallina. I also love the seco de cabrito.
(5)
Vanessa C.

came here last week and I can say it was the most FLAVORFUL meal I have had in a long time. there were ups and downs to the whole experience so lets start from the bottom and work our way up, shall we? ambience was whatever. ever since coming back to the states Ive noticed that service and interiors dont register anymore - what I care about is the food. its only notable here since I have a tendency to get chilly but holy frozen igloo, this place was COLD. bring a sweater or an electric blanket or some shizz, you will need it! I remember coming here a long long time ago with some yelpers. one got some positively delish slab of meat that seem stewed b/c it was so tender you could eat it with a spoon. I wish I remember what it was, b/c I wanted to order it again and forgot the name. instead we got the bisteck encebollado, definitely NOT the meat in question! ok so this was a large grilled steak served with a loose fresh sauce of tomato and onions, with rice and fries. the flavors were ON POINT. but the texture? not so much. I have a thing about fatty meats - I dont like them! this meat was a bit gristly and fatty for my taste. its a big steak and not pricey, so value for price point here is high. but if you hate fatty meat, dont be tempted! I tried one bite and I was all set. luckily my dining companion has rubbish disposal system built into his digestive tract, and finish the entire steak in under 90 seconds. eww. the other mediocre yet strangely and ferociously addictive menu item are their cookies! we had the little cookies with cream milk filling (think stale dulche de leche paste stuff). I think the cookies were like 80% butter and the filling was just carmelized sugar and powdered milk, but I couldnt stop eating them. danger!!! I will skip those next time too. my ass dont need the padding like that. moving up, we have what seems to be the machu picchu trifecta: 1. roasted corn nut thingies with some OMFG NECTAR OF THE GODZ type sauce on the side. I swear I splashed that sauce on everything I ate. I would wear it like perfume then lick myself all day if I could. um.... yeah.... 2. the ceviche. absolutely fantastic, served with red onion, sliced yucca, sweet potatoes, and more of that corn stuff. EXCELLENT flavors and acidity. the house mix comes with octopus, which I do not like, so we ordered the one that had fish and shrimp only and we were not disappointed. HUGE portion. one of these for a main dinner course would be more than enough. 3. the aji de galina. as jimmy H. would say - gorgeous! all white meat pulled chicken in a rich creamy sauce, think peruvian korma? idk idk thats the only thing I can relate it to but it was fantastic. followed the yelpers advice on this one and was not disappointed - you wont be either! overall, this is some of the most flavorful and reasonably priced food you will find in the city. cheaper than Orinoco, but be prepared to wait for your food. service was fine but I know this place gets backed up when its full, so keep that in mind and bring your patience along with your appetite.
(4)
Anton G.

It reminded me of when I was in Peru minus the Peruarhea. I'm not sure if it's that I forgot how good the food in Peru actually was or what but it was better than I remember. We had Anticuchos (beef hearts) fish ceviche and the aji de gallina, all traditional Peruvian classics and all prepared to perfection. Minus one star for the kid rolling around on the floor making faces at the table across the restaurant from us, even though it was entertaining, I was taking my babe out on a date trying to make it a sexy night not silly one. But seriously give this restaurant a try especially if you haven't had Peruvian food before, you are seriously missing out. Great value for even greater food!
(4)
Lily C.

I've been here a few times and there are defintely a couple of dishes that I love and crave, hence I keep going back. The pollo chan-chan and Aji de Gallina are very good. The Aji is pretty much spicy creamy chicken over rice with a boiled egg on the side. It sounds very simple but the sauce is soooo good and the texture is just right and the chicken has never been dry. If you get fries on the side, try dipping it into the aji sauce - such a good combo! The pollo chan chan is a chicken and shrimp dish that comes with spinach mashed potato thats very rich and creamy. The chicken is always nice and juicy too. I would give them five stars but service is a lil slow and I wish they'd start selling whole grilled chicken - had it at another peruvian place in NYC and it was the best chicken I'd ever had.
(4)
Carrie S.

In the heart of Union Square Somerville, where choices for ethnic eatieries are endless, this is one that you should run away from. The exterior looked so inviting so we thought we would eat dinner there on a Wednesday night. We were the only patrons at 6:30..."maybe it's the economy" I thought. The toasted puffed corn the provide gratis was interesting, but not tasty. The menu looked promising, especially the marisco (fish) entrees. Just about every entree was in the $15 range, which I don't mind as long as the food is good. After waiting for water, waiting to order and waiting and waiting for food (again we were the only patrons) the food came. What an utter disappointment. I ordered grilled jumbo shrimp with an avacado salad. The 6 tiny shrimp that they brought were merely edible. I had a pile of iceberg lettuce with two avacado slivers and white rice. My mom had a civeche dish that was slightly better, but just big hunks of white fish and boiled potato marinated in lemon/lime juice. I am not speaking to authenticity because I don't know Peruvian food, but I do know what tastes good and what is a good value, and this aint it! Food and service suck here. I will never return.
(1)
Elizaveta F.

I've been here twice now -- once with a large group -- and have been impressed with the deliciousness, creativity and high quality of the food, combined with the very reasonable prices. (Most of the entrees are under $15, and quite a few are big enough for two meals.) Slow service and a really unappealing, too-sweet mixed drink from the Pisco category are the only drawbacks that prevent me from giving Machu Picchu five stars. Make sure to try the ceviche (we had the ceviche mixto), and the combination appetizer platter is great for a group.
(4)
Erik L.

OK, there are only two redeeming factors - their sangria and their empanadas. The empanadas have the perfect combination of spiced, minced meaty goodness with a crispy flakey shell. The sangria rates right up there with that of Dali or Tapeo. Beyond that, it seems like every meal is bland and piled on top of soggy fries. The service is inattentive at best, but the place is clean, tables are not crowded next to one another, and the pisco sours are tasty, so the I cannot give it two stars but three still seems like a stretch for me.
(3)
M. Deloris D.

Dear Macchu Picchu, I'm not gonna lie. You let me down. You sat there nestled in your comfy home in Union Sq. serenading me with Peruvian music beckoning me to sample your wares, but Macchu, your offerings fell flat. I was pleased by your first presentation of the passion fruit pisco sour but my second one screamed less pisco, more sour (and passion fruit) this kind of inconsistency throws off my eating program. Furthermore, I paid some egregious amount for hardly fresh seafood in a mound of rice. It was okay. $17 okay? I'm not so sure. And the dried beef slathered in gravy? I'm not exactly sure what that's about, after all, you can get beef that's not dried out, but whatevs. I can say that the pescado frito appetizer was tasty and fresh but I'm still confused about the corn scene with the green sauce that showed up at my table. Macchu Picchu, your mixed bag of offerings combined with a dirty table cloth and inconsistent drinks barely earns you the three stars. Take what you can get.
(3)
Tinimini K.

I have been here at least about 30 times and they are consistently good!! They have live music every Fri/Sat/Sun with you guess it, a pan flute band. They are pretty damn good! Request Valicha if you want to hear some amazing music. As far as food goes, for appetizers, you must try the Yuca La Huancaina with the yellow pepper sauce (the yuca is fried perfectly and the sauce is yummy!!), Ocopa (Potatoes with a delicious basil sauce), the Choclo con queso (gigantic corn with fresh cheese). For entrees, since I am vegetarian I get either the Lomo Vegetariano (rice with potato fries, onion, tomato and corn) or Tallarines Verdes (spaghetti-like pasta with basil sauce). I just found out yesterday that they have a couple more veggie dishes but they didn't sound as great and I do wish (since I am such a frequent guest) that they had more veggie options. For non-vegetarians, my peruvian friend always gets Aji De Gallina or Seco de Carne, the ceviche is not bad either, apparently. Perfect place to both bring a date or go in a group! Enjoy!!
(5)
Jeanie G.

The food was really good! I had very nice ceviche. However, the service was awful and slow. The waiters ignored us and we had to repeatedly ask about our meals and ask for water, etc. I was very unhappy with it.
(2)
Anne A.

Every Peruvian I know adores this place (Ok, so I only know three, but that's still a good record). In its new location, it's transformed from a idiosyncratic hole-in-the-wall to a gourmet ethnic destination (the food is the same, the prices are steeper, the decor is AMAZING- read: llamas). I highly recommend the ceviche mixto and the loma saltado, both highly authentic foods of Peru.
(5)
Nicole M.

I'm unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine but the menu has helpful pictures. The food and the service are excellent. We got started off with, um, crunchy round things with two types of sauce: super spicy, and green and creamy. For apps, we had anticuchos -- the beef was great while the potatoes and corn were plain. My main course was the delicious lomo saltado. The marinade for the sirloin tips, onions, and fries was flavorful without being obnoxious, and the rice was yummy. We also got the CusqueÃ±a beer, very tasty! Definitely check this place out!
(4)
Xin S.

We had a Yelp deal and enjoyed a pretty good meal here. The beef heart was a great appetizer and came with these huge kernels of corn and a thick slice of potato. We also got a tamale to share, which was very good and came with some good pickled red onions. For our entrees we had the grilled shrimp over a salad and french fries and the 'chicken in a spicy sauce' (Aji de gallina) which came highly recommended by Yelp. The chicken was delicious, the sauce was very flavorful and buttery. The pulled chicken bits and potato in the sauce were very tasty. My only complaint is that it came unevenly heated--parts were very hot, others barely luke warm. It had obviously been plated and waiting/then reheated. The shrimp was good but nothing special, the salad was forgettable and the french fries... well, what can one say about french fries besides they were there on the plate. To get up to the $50 Yelp voucher we ordered another beef heart app to go (yes it was that good). Overall yummy and a good deal, but not necessarily good enough to trek all the way back for.
(3)
Meng M.

Why is this place categorized as Burmese food?
(3)
Laura P.

Great food and service. We ordered the salchipapa (mini sausages) and, for the adventurous, anticuchos (skewered bits of beef heart) to start. Our table ordered aji de gallina (a chicken stew), the classic lomo saltado, and two other dishes that escapes my memory. As mentioned by others, portions are huge. It is an advantage to speak Spanish, but not a requirement therefore people should definitely check it out. The only disappointment was the leche flan which was baked in a huge container and sliced thick. Its shape weirded me out and the texture was tough. ouch!
(4)
Roberto C.

We love these guys, Carlos is always our waiter & is such a nice man. The food is great (& reasonable) and the music & the employees wearing of the traditional peruvian clothing & playing the music is a nice touch. Make reservations on the wkds as they get crazy busy - which is great since they just quadrupled their size moving to the old Lino's locale. If you're into beef the bistecca al la pobre is quite the kicking dish.
(5)
Rinn S.

Yummy, tasty and delish. I've had little experience with Peruvian food so I'm really no judge, but the food we had there was awesome. Tasted strangely like some west african dishes I've had, but that's cool. Loses a few stars because we waited, like FOREVER for anyone to come and take our order. Beyond that little service foul, this is a great reason to come to an otherwise boring Union Square.
(3)
Cynthia S.

Let me start off by saying that I am 100% peruvian. I found this place when I was driving around Somerville and was so happy to see that I would have a place to go to eat peruvian food that wasn't in my own or a family member's house. I've had many things on the menu and everything tastes exactly as it does (and sometimes better--sorry mom) when my mom makes it! I've eaten there about 4 times now and I still have no complaints. One thing I will tell you is that the restaurant is so authentic that the service will be slow (in true late peruvian style).
(5)
Evelyn C.

This place is definately on the map for eating an authentic meal! Me and the boyf decided it would be nice to try something new so we headed down to Union Sq. Thank goodness we took the bus (87) since it looked like it was pretty scarce with the parking. We went on a Friday, which equals probably a wait, but we were seated right away. i agree with a lot of the yelpers that the service is very slow, this isn't such a bad thing for us because we are quite indecisive, but I am sure if we were regulars it would be very annoying. What I enjoyed most of this meal is the fact that the waiter was really good at explaining everything we wanted. I appreciate that since ordering something new for the first time can be so intimidating. I ordered a marinated beef recipe and my boyfriend ordered a shrimp dish with a red sauce. Both were delicious and had flavors that we had never tried before. What was neat too, was the chocolo, which is a large variety of corn kernels. They serve to the table with a spicy green cream sauce, YUM! We also tried a purple drink that was made of corn?!?!? I know it was good, but I couldn't get over the corn thing. Finally, they had live Peruvian music too, and a huge Peruvian family was having dinner. It made me miss my fam!
(4)
Vivek S.

Went here on Fri night. They sat us in a small annexure that was cut away from the main area and we could only hear the flute band and not see them. No qualms there....not my favorite kind of music! We are both vegetarians and I picked the place for Fri night coz I thought we had been spending $$$ for the past few weeks and a different $$ restaurant with some vegetarian options would be good. Unfortunately, the food here didn't live upto our expectations. It was bland and I bet we both fell asleep in the middle of dinner...at least we couldn't recollect what had happened on the drive back home! Very very boring atmosphere and food. The Yucca fries were bland...I don't think they added any salt or seasoning to the fries but the dip was okay. The plate looked so boring...yucca fries were probably bored themselves to be there in the first place. We ordered the Lomo Vegetariano and Tallarin Verde Vegetariano. The Lomo plate had just rice and some veggies with french cut fries...not sure if the Peruvians eat French cut fries. But it was okay with the rice..nothing exceptional. The Tallarin verde was just like linguini with pesto sauce...slightly different texture. Got very boring after a few mouthfuls! Bottomline is that the food here is not pricey and portions are generous but it is very bland and boring food. I don't think I'll visit the place again but meat lovers may like this better.
(2)
Kdub W.

Meh. I've never had Peruvian before, but we went because a Peruvian acquaintance recommended it for its authenticity. As others say, the service is sub-par. The food comes in large portions. I didn't care for the empanadas (which were not big portions at $4 a piece)- the crust was a bit rubbery and almost tasted microwaved- not flaky at all. The fried plantains were pretty good, and then we had a couple of strange dishes with "preserved" potatoes and other things. My husband actually liked it a lot, but this isn't a place I'd care to go to again.
(2)

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Address : 307 Somerville Ave
Somerville, MA, 02143
Phone (617) 628-7070
Website https://www.machupicchuboston.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :12:00 pm - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Machu Picchu

307 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA, 02143

Machu Picchu Menu

Bisteck - Steak

Pastas

Platos Vegetarianos - Vegetarian

Appetizer

Platos - Entrees

Ensaladas Salad Sopas Soups

Mariscos - Seafood

Menu Para Ninos - Kid's Menu

Bebidas - Beverages

Side Order

Postres - Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Machu Picchu

Bisteck - Steak

Pastas

Platos Vegetarianos - Vegetarian

Appetizer

Platos - Entrees

Ensaladas Salad Sopas Soups

Mariscos - Seafood

Menu Para Ninos - Kid's Menu

Bebidas - Beverages

Side Order

Postres - Dessert

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