Pure Peruvian deliciousness at La Pachamama in Malaga
The colours, textures and tastes of Peru come alive at this small restaurant in Malaga, where every dish is authentically Peruvian and delicious. If you love to try something new, relish the thought of cocktails with everything and adore colourful dining, add La Pachamama in Malaga to your must-visit list. All your senses, but most of all your tastebuds will be eternally grateful!
Read more reviews of Malaga restaurants.
La Pachamama in Malaga – real Peruvian dining
Before our visit, we didn’t know much about Peruvian cuisine and rather ignorantly, we bunched Latin American cooking together. But after our lunch at La Pachamama, we can safely say that we know exactly what Peru does in the kitchen. And does it extremely well.
As Cristina, one of the owners points out, La Pachamama is 100% classic Peruvian tastes. The long menu represents just about every place in the country, with authentic ingredients.
Did you know?
Peruvian cuisine is frequently ranked as the best in the world and in 2023, Central in Lima was voted the best of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
But if you associate classic means run of the mill, think again. Peruvian cuisine involves a vast mix of styles and cultures, starting with the Incas and passing through the Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
The result is a unique fusion of tastes and textures, all of which form the base of gastronomy in Peru. Our meal couldn’t have been further than classic and my dining partner and I spent the entire occasion saying “wow, this is different!”.
Looking for a change from Spanish food? See our list of recommended international restaurants in Malaga.
So, what’s on the menu at La Pachamama?
This restaurant in Malaga might be small in size, but the menu comes big. The drinks menu is just as long, with an amazing choice of cocktails.
Every dish comes with its Peruvian name, but lists the ingredients, so you know what’s in each one. The waiters are also on hand to explain what’s in a dish and how it’s cooked – feel free to ask.
Now about those cocktails
Before we move onto the menu details, a word about the cocktails. They’re not a little something as you watch the sun go down.
At La Pachamama, cocktails form the backbone of the menu, just as they do in Peru. Enjoy one with your starter, another with your main and then yet another with the dessert.
We started with a pisco sour, a Peruvian classic. Beautifully made and presented, the taste was creamy yet slightly acidic, perfect for opening your taste buds.
We then moved on to one of the house classics, the Envidiosa with a unique mélange of fresh lemon, fresh maracuja, rum, apple liqueur and a bottle of beer upside-down in the middle. As you drink the cocktail, the beer trickles out into the cocktail, adding a slight bitterness to the sweet fruit. Delicious!
And if cocktails really aren’t your thing, go for a Peruvian beer or cremolada smoothie (with or without rum).
Fancy more cocktails in Malaga? Try these venues.
The starters
Piqueos, translated as bites or tapas, set the scene for your meal. We tried the trio de causas, three yellow potato bases, topped with three different sauces (tuna, octopus and sashimi). We also enjoyed a plate of yucca chips, again with a variety of sauces plus the house ajĂ, with a spicy punch.
We then moved onto a ceviche because you couldn’t go to a Peruvian restaurant in Malaga and not try one of the most typical dishes. La Pachamama has several to choose from including seafood, tuna and corvina. We chose the latter, which came as a riot of colour, bathed in the house tiger milk. Delicious is an understatement and we loved the contrasting tastes and textures that all paired perfectly together.
Nikkei shows the biggest Japanese influence on Peruvian cooking and La Pachamama serves several types of this type of cuisine such as Makis and Tiraditos. We chose Maki Acevichado, aka salmon, cream cheese, avocado and prawn, topped with a dash of ceviche sauce and in leche de tigre (the house tiger sauce). You could have easily been in Japan or Peru, except, of course, we were in Malaga.
The mains
It’s worth noting at this point that all portions are generous and perfect for sharing. As a result, we were pretty full by now, but the mains menu also runs long and showcases some of the best house cooking.
Our waiter recommended we try the noodles in HuancaĂna sauce with lomo (beef in this case) as something authentically Peruvian. The house HuancaĂna comes slightly hot and you can ask for extra spice if you like, but as is, the dish is perfect. The meat was as tender as could be and the soy-based sauce made a great contrast to the HuancaĂna noodles.
Read what else is on the menu at La Pachamama in Malaga.
Desserts
La Pachamama has five dessert choices, all as sweet as you’d find in Peru. We chose the Torta 3 leches, cooked with evaporated and condensed milk, infused with lucuma pulp. Extra sweetness comes in the meringue topping and accompanying sauce.
Yummy at every bite, but we confess we didn’t manage to finish it!
Good for vegetarians?
Yes, with a reasonable choice, plus there are some vegan options too. If you’re a pescatarian, the menu is almost your oyster.
Did you know?
Pachamama is the Inca Goddess of Mother Earth.
Location
La Pachamama is at the west end of Calle Beatas (No 6), just a few minutes’ walk from the hustle and bustle of Calle Granada and Plaza Uncibay. Despite its super-central location, this is a haven of peace and quiet.
Ambience
Inside is small, so most dining is on the terrace. Bright Peruvian colours take centre stage here, reflected in the multi-coloured chairs, wall decorations, menus, plates and drink mats.
Dining is informal and relaxed.
Service
Excellent and attentive. The staff speak good English and know their stuff, so no problems with explaining a dish.
Prices
- Starters – from €8 to €24, with most in the €14-17 range. Nikkei (10 pieces) costs from €15.
- Mains – from €12 to €20.
- Desserts – €6
- Cocktails – €9
Good for kids?
Those with adventurous tastebuds will enjoy it and there’s room to run about in the pedestrian street, but for us, La Pachamama has more of an adult vibe.
Accessible?
The terrace is, but the inside isn’t, making toilet access a challenge.
Why put La Pachamama Restaurant on your list of restaurants in Malaga?
- Authentic Peruvian cuisine.
- A feast of colour, taste and textures.
- Wallet-friendly dining.
- A different take on cocktails.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday 1.30 to 5pm and 8pm to midnight
Contact
Tel: 952 000 517 and online.
Booking advisable, especially at weekends.
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