The seaport city of Callao has been the gateway to Peru for centuries. Set along the western coast of Peru just outside Lima, Callao is not only home to Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru’s main airport; it welcomes locals and visitors alike into Peru’s colorful culture.

 

Peru is one of Latin America’s most vibrant locales. From the seacoast to the deserts, from the majestic Andes to the dense Amazon jungle, Peru offers endless beauty. The culinary culture reflects this vibrancy and creativity. While some dishes, like ceviche, have become popular worldwide, other Peruvian staples like lomo saltado and aji de pollo remain hidden gems.

 

Founded in July 2024, Callao Peruvian Cuisine is bringing Peru's art and culinary magic to the Los Altos community. Executive Chef and co-owner Arturo Bazan, who hails from Callao, Peru, teamed up with Argentina native and entrepreneur Pablo Delgado to create one of Los Altos' most unique and colorful dining and event spaces.

 

“Arturo is an artful person. When he creates his dishes, he thinks about how people will feel, the flavors, and the colors,” Pablo shares. “Our slogan is 'Be Authentic. Be Callao.' We use Peruvian products. We are as authentic as possible. We want to be a big part of this community.”

 

Co-owner Pablo Delgado, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, came to the United States twelve years ago. Co-owner Arturo Bazan, a native of Callao, Peru, arrived in the US seven years ago. The pair met through a friend when Arturo was running a much smaller eatery, immediately hitting it off. Once Pablo tasted Arturo’s food, he felt inspired to help Arturo find a larger space where his gifts could be fully expressed.

 

“When I met Arturo, I tried his food and fell in love with it,” Pablo reflects. “I thought since the beginning Arturo needed a full-size restaurant to be able to put his talent into his food.”

 

With a background in construction, catering, and restaurants, Pablo proved to be the perfect person to help Arturo’s brilliance gain more visibility. The two began seriously seeking a location for their restaurant in 2022 and officially opened the doors to Callao Peruvian Cuisine in July 2024.

 

Callao Peruvian Cuisine shines for both its food and its welcoming atmosphere. They serve Peruvian classics such as Pisco sours, lomo saltado, chaufa, ceviche, and arroz con mariscos. Two of the most popular dishes were originally Arturo’s mother’s recipes.

 

“A few weeks ago, we had a family here from Peru, but they'd spent most of their life in America,” Pablo recalls. “One of the older gentlemen started to cry when he ate the food. He got super emotional. He said, ‘These flavors bring me back to Peru. My grandma cooked these dishes for me when I was a kid.’ For me and Arturo, that’s the goal. We want to be as authentic as possible.”

 

Pablo and Arturo are driven by a passion for culinary excellence and a desire to build community. The restaurant isn’t just a business; it’s a manifestation of their dreams.

 

Callao Peruvian Cuisine recently catered Silicon Valley Real Producer's event, and their food was a huge hit. Catering is just one way they can serve the broader community. Their restaurant, which can hold over 120 people, has six distinct areas: a full bar, a lounge, an outdoor patio, a main salon, a covered patio, and a wine room. This makes them well-equipped to hold larger gatherings and events.

 

“We have room for big events. We have trained servers and staff who have been in the industry for many years. We have free parking,” Pablo shares.

 

Most importantly, Pablo, Arturo, and the entire Callao Peruvian Cuisine team do everything with passion.

 

“We both have a passion for food. Arturo loves cooking, and I love creating spaces for people to enjoy the food. While he’s creating the food, I make sure people feel at home and want to stay here. We want to create an impact in the Los Altos community. We use local ingredients. We have a welcoming environment. We’re here to stay.”