New Peruvian restaurant opens in SLO. See what’s on the menu and get a look inside

Anna Armstrong
·3 min read

San Luis Obispo’s dining scene has a new addition with the opening of a restaurant that brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to the Central Coast.

Kiko, located at 746 Higuera St. in the Mission Mall space previously occupied by Lotus, is named after its owner, Kiko Pomalaza, who grew up in Lima, Peru, and has worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years.

Pomalaza co-founded the restaurant with Paul Hamou, who serves as the restaurant’s general manager.

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Kiko’s causa limena dish is made with chicken, avocado, olives, egg and cherry tomatoes. The restaurant is located in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall.
Kiko’s causa limena dish is made with chicken, avocado, olives, egg and cherry tomatoes. The restaurant is located in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall.

Pomalaza said his restaurant offers the opportunity to bring a new cuisine to San Luis Obispo County and create a sense of community at the same time.

“It’s not just about serving food,” Pomalaza said. “It’s about creating a dining experience. It is really great food with a great ambiance. It’s about the human connection and the storytelling.”

Kiko, the new Peruvian Restaurant in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall, features a tiled bar in its dining room.
Kiko, the new Peruvian Restaurant in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall, features a tiled bar in its dining room.

What makes Peruvian food unique, Pomalaza said, is the diverse array of different cultural backgrounds that influence the cuisine.

In addition to Indigenous Inca and colonial Spanish influences, Peruvian food also is inspired by different African flavors, making for a unique flavor profile, Pomalaza said.

Kiko’s arroz con mariscos is made with panka pepper and spices, seafood mixture, basmati rice, and criolla salad. The Peruvian restaurant is located at the Mission Mall in San Luis Obispo.
Kiko’s arroz con mariscos is made with panka pepper and spices, seafood mixture, basmati rice, and criolla salad. The Peruvian restaurant is located at the Mission Mall in San Luis Obispo.

On the menu, customers can enjoy traditional Peruvian dishes like seco con frejoles — a slow-cooked Amarillo beef stew flavored with cilantro and served with Peruvian beans. Customers can also try tacu tacu a la chorrillana, a pan-seared rice and bean pastel served with a choice of steak or chicken and sautéed vegetables.

Pomalaza said he has been dreaming of opening a Peruvian restaurant for eight years and had his eye on a spot that was occupied. After years of planning and manifesting, Pomalaza saw his dreams realized when the space became available.

“If you really want something and you work hard, things happen,” Pomalaza said.

Then main dining room at Kiko in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall opens onto a patio near the creek.
Then main dining room at Kiko in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall opens onto a patio near the creek.

To make the restaurant come alive with color, Pomalaza and his partner brought in art and painting from their trips to Peru.

In addition to creating a sense of community through food, Pomalaza said he also believes in ensuring his restaurant is as high quality as possible.

Kiko’s causa limena dish is made with chicken, avocado, olives, egg and cherry tomatoes. The restaurant is located in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall.
Kiko’s causa limena dish is made with chicken, avocado, olives, egg and cherry tomatoes. The restaurant is located in San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall.

Inspired by his father who owned a hotel in Lima, Pomalaza said he strives to ensure the highest of standards and will work with customers to bring them a positive experience.

“The food can’t be just OK,” Pomalaza said. “The food has to be great.”

Pomalaza said his team is comprised of employees he handpicked who share his values, are always smiling and are “humans who love other humans.”

Kiko, a new Peruvian restaurant at San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall, offers a spacious, heated back patio faces the San Luis Creek.
Kiko, a new Peruvian restaurant at San Luis Obispo’s Mission Mall, offers a spacious, heated back patio faces the San Luis Creek.

In a post-COVID world, human connection is especially important, he added.

“It sounds very romantic, but honestly its true: You can touch people’s lives,” Pomalaza said. “I’ve seen this for years. Many of my customers are now my really good friends.”

For more information

Kiko is open Wednesday through Monday from 5 to 9 p.m.

For more information, visit kikorestaurantslo.com or call 949-456-5198.

Kiko, a new Peruvian restaurant, is located at the Mission Mall in San Luis Obispo.
Kiko, a new Peruvian restaurant, is located at the Mission Mall in San Luis Obispo.
Kiko’s Creek Salad is made with mixed greens, cucumber, radish, cherry tomato, roasted peppers, sweet potato crisp and topped with a chile guero-dijon vinaigrette.
Kiko’s Creek Salad is made with mixed greens, cucumber, radish, cherry tomato, roasted peppers, sweet potato crisp and topped with a chile guero-dijon vinaigrette.