Panka Peruvian Restaurant

We always enjoy our dinners at Panka. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive. The atmosphere is tremendous. We love to support this local restaurant and it's people!

Absolutely outstanding! Inventive, flavorful food and thoughtfully crafted cocktails. Attentive, personalized service. A DM gem to be experienced and enjoyed!

This was my first experience at Panka and I was extraordinary pleased. Having lived overseas for five years, I had pretty high expectations and Panka over-delivered. I highly recommend this restaurant! The food was delicious. Had a seafood entree and sirloin. Both were fantastic. The dessert was the best I've had in a long time. It's called “Sigh of a woman”, and it's absolutely incredible (I'll withhold the editorials on the creative dessert name...try it for yourself.) The owner (Mariela) was welcoming and engaging. A really fantastic conversationalist. Service was excellent. No wait for any drink/food and it felt very personalized. The ambience was really good. Quiet, personal, intimate setting. I'll be back routinely.

We had an amazing evening at Panka Peruvian restaurant this week with a BIG surprise at the end. We are having our first son! We carefully chose this place to celebrate our anniversary the last few years and our intimate gender reveal, because of the extraordinary experience they give us each time. It's really not just the food that they give us. They always give us a time we will never forget.

I've been here quite a few times now and I've been impressed every single time. The food is incredible, the service is so welcoming and attentive and it just keeps getting better! I'd argue this is the most slept on brunch spot in DSM. There should be a wait!!! My daughter had the pancakes which I usually just kind of shrug off. I mean, pancakes are...pancakes. I've tried them all over Des Moines and I'll be 100% honest when I say it's no contest...these are the best in town. Period. Don't walk, RUN to brunch here.

Delicious food, lovely atmosphere and team

Really interesting cocktail and food options to explore! Wine, beer, and soft drinks were available too. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening trying new to us Peruvian dishes. We arrived during Happy Hour (5pm to 7 pm) with half price wine and reduced prices on a few appetizers...the fried yuca with a dipping sauce was so good! The owner was serving and checking in with people, and she is a delight! My spouse enjoyed the Pisco Sour and I think Peruvian Sangria is my new favorite. Main dishes were very good, but the Sigh of a Woman dessert we shared made this woman sigh! Don't skip dessert! Freddy was our server and his timing was fantastic. Great local small business to support.

By far one of my favorite restaurants in Des Moines! Service is fantastic, and the food is even better. Absolutely recommend!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

While flipping through instagram today, I came across a post from Panka Peruvian Restaurant letting customers know that their restaurant had fallen on hard times and asking for support. With only a workout class planned, I decided that my Tuesday evening would be better spent at Panka. While I have only been there a few times, I have had only positive experiences and was introduced to Peruvian cuisine through Panka.

I started with a Pisco Sour which was delicious and went down entirely too easily.

For an appetizer, I order the Empanadas de Aji de Gallina. Perfectly fried, the dish came out with six empanadas that I was sure would provide me leftovers for the next day. As I started diving through empanadas, I quickly realized that this was a dish that had no hope for tomorrow, and was to be enjoyed fully in the present. The cheesy, slightly nutty filling with shredded chicken was a more complex variation to the typical beef pastries that I have enjoyed.

Next, I gave the attentive and friendly waiter, Freddy, several choices that I was considering which were quite different from one another. Freddy must have known that I was seeking validation for wanting soup in 94 degree weather, because he suggested the Parihuela. This soup was extraordinary and everything I was craving: creamy, comforting, with a nice spice and full (I mean full) of shrimp, fish, octopus, and muscles.

The experience was a 10/10. If you haven’t been, you are in for a true culinary experience. In addition to the food being outstanding, the staff and owner have always been kind and eager to share Peruvian food with the community. So get there, Des Moines, skip your weeknight workout and go support Panka.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic, authentic meal with caring service. They will tend to any special meal needs you may have.

1st time but not last
Very good service and food, love it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Early evening meal was excellent. Super friendly and attentive waiter!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I visited Panka Peruvian Restaurant yesterday and was blown away by how authentic everything felt. From the moment I walked in, the warm welcome and date-night vibes set the perfect tone—even though I opted for takeout, I still felt pampered.

I went with the Tallarín Saltado, a Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry loaded with tender sirloin beef, crisp veggies, and earthy bella mushrooms. Every bite was a harmonious mix of savory soy notes and Peruvian spices. It felt like a true fusion masterpiece.

The total came to about $45, tip included, which felt more than fair for the quality and portion size. The tableware and silverware placement added a refined touch, and the staff was attentive without being overbearing.

I’d highly recommend Panka to anyone who craves genuine Peruvian flavors. I’m already planning my next visit to explore more of their menu—there’s plenty left to discover!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was amazing. Delicious and flavourful. And the staff was very nice. Will be coming here often. Wish we knew about this hidden gem sooner.

Came in to have some mussels, they barely had any meat it was just tomato onion and corn, I cannot recommend coming here it’s super overpriced for the quality of the food

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1