I LOVE THIS PLACE! My husband first brought me here in 2002 and I can't resist going again and again. We now live over an hour away but we still try to eat here at least once a year since it's so special to us. Their green sauce is one word...AMAZING. I always get ropa veija and he usually gets milanesa or the steak sandwich. All are excellent choices. I've noticed that with the changing economy their portions have gotten a little smaller and their prices have gone up but I still go because it's really that good.
(5)
Julianny C.
I love this place I order the lomo saltado with a side of beans every time authentic Peruvian food
(5)
Sam A.
I suspect that many of the stronger reviews come influenced by the fact that your expectations are low when you enter the joint. I've eaten there three times, all lunchtimes during weekdays. The beef (ropa vieja and lomo saltado) consistently is hard, and the serving sizes of meat are small (in all dishes we've ordered). The service is nice and helpful, but the quality of the food we've had never has been particularly good.
(2)
Matt H.
What can I say, I don't want to be handing these 5 stars out for no reason but this place definitely deserves it!! This is my favorite hometown restaurant and literally eat here at least once a week. Everything I've ever tried has been delicious and talk about consistency.. I don't think I've ever had a negative experience. Favorite items (in no particular order, I try to rotate through the menu): - Tallarines con carne - Milanesa - Lomo Saltado - Ropa Vieja
(5)
Nicholas A.
DELICIOUS!!! Got the Lomo Saltado and it was amazing - perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. Server with two bottles of sauce - didn't try the hot, could not get enough of the mild. Considered squeezing bottle directly in to my mouth. You get your own drinks from the cooler, the friendly servers bring you ice in a cup, and you wait
(5)
Janine G.
I was so excited to have a Peruvian joint near my new home - that quickly dissipated as soon as I walked in. The owners are not Peruvian, they bought the place from Peruvians. I didn't discriminate right there and then though. I waited until I got the food...the lomo was sub-par (being nice). I can't even explain it, it was terrible. Chewy, not flavorful, the sauces don't taste authentic to me either. Ambience? Place looks okay, but it was FREEZING... Customer Service? Great! Sorry, if the food aint good, I'm just not going back. For some unexplained reason my husband went two more times to try out other items...he hasn't been back every since. That says a lot since he's constantly buying Peruvian food (he is from Peru btw).
(2)
Unaverage J.
A buddy brought me to this place and stressed how delicious their ropa vieja is. 100% of my Cuban friends in the DMV area say there are no good Cuban places around, but there are some places that can whip up some dishes pretty well. This is one of those places. I loved my ropa vieja. You walk in to a cozy restaurant with the wall and deco painted as if you were in a village in Peru. Quite surprising to see the owners are Filipino, so I'll admit, my guard was up. They were extremely friendly and gave us exceptional service and were extra attentive. We started with empanadas. They were Peruvian style where they were baked. They were just decent, but all the other Peruvian places I've tried them were better, stuffed with more, and larger. They were served with sour cream. My ropa vieja was quite delicious. The beef was very flavorful and served on a bed of rice with beans on the side along with plantains. My 1st bite had me in bliss. My friends both had the "anticucho," which were essentially kabobs as they were chunks of beef &/or chicken on skewers served over rice. I tried the beef, and it was so tender and had good flavor. The fries and yucca were spot on as they were crispy, fresh, and not soft at all. The table has 2 sauces, and we used the spicy one on almost everything, including to dip the fries and yucca to add a little heat. For dessert, I had flan, and they had tres leches. The flan was just normal flan... nothing special. The tres leches was where it went downhill. It was exactly what a tres leches should *not* be: hard. As I was eating my flan, I could only hear the clanking of their spoons against the plate as they were slicing their spoons through the cake. I tried a piece, and I liked the flavor, but the bread should be extremely moist and soft. I would definitely return, but I wouldn't order the empanadas, flan, nor the tres leches. The lomo saltado is supposed to be very good, so I'll be back. 4 starts since I now know where to get a good ropa vieja and wonderful service.
(4)
Jeffrey C.
Lomo saltado rope vieja is my go to! With 2 fried eggs on top! Great service to go with the great food!
(5)
Zeus S.
Ummmm if you haven't been here then ur missing out. I've been eating their Ropa Vieja since 1998. And when u order it make sure to order two fried eggs. You'll start coming here every week.
(5)
Yael M.
Small, friendly, family-type place, surprisingly cozy. The bistec la limena was really good! It had that chargrilled flavor. The carapulcra tasted home cooked and authentic. Admittedly the flavor was a little different for me, but I think that's just me because it was well seasoned and well cooked. It reminded me of Baltimore's sour beef and dumplings, I think because of the cloves. Tamales also great with chicken, egg, and olive inside!
(4)
Chris H.
Old go-to place in the area that I've frequented for many years only to get two thing: milanesas and tallarines con carne. Food: 4.5/5 Pretty great food and can't go wrong. Always a solid choice. Might actually have to go there for lunch tomorrow as I'm reminded about how great the food is. Highly recommend milanesa and tallarines con carne (obviously). Service: 4/5 Solid service but has its spotty days. Small family-owned restaurant so I'm sure they have good and bad days, but always friendly nonetheless. Atmosphere: 3/5 It's a really small, quaint place. You can tell the years have taken its toll but the food is really solid. I could care less what this place looks like, I usually get takeout anyways.
(4)
Kristin M.
This place is excellent. It was recommended to me by a chef/friend. Lomo saltado is one of my favorite dishes, and the Nibbler's version is EXCELLENT.
(5)
Travel A.
5 stars for The Nibbler restaurant. I come here breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tasted all the food in the menu but my favorite is Ceviche for appetizer and the Chupe de Camarones for the entree. Everything is delicious including their sauces.. So if you're craving for a Peruvian food this is the place to go.. :)
(5)
Hussein N.
Sauce game on 10000. Ropa vieja is my shit here don't go anywhere else for it. Fresh home cooked food will have you wait a little longer for quality but its worth it.
(5)
Y Z.
Since I love Peruvian food, I had to try this place out. Loved the attention to detail when it comes to the decorations and the food. Great service as well. It was a little pricy but I guess you get what you pay for.
(5)
Candace F.
I drive from Silver Spring to try this ace because I had heard good things about it, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The potatoes aren't fresh but rather frozen french fries, the lomo is a bit chewy. The sauce is EXTREMELY watered down, such that it doesn't even sit on top of the food but sinks through the food right to the bottom. The lomo saltado is $13, and it is not worth it. It could be that I'm trying to match the Peruvian food I had while living in South America, this doesn't even come close tho. The flavor isn't bad
(2)
TJ B.
I'm giving it 4 stars only because it has potential, I've had better here in the past, and I like to support independently owned places which are few and far between around here... That said, I paid just under $16 for a lunch which consisted of a very tough Ropa Vieja and a bottle of soda. That's expensive for a par quality lunch. The squeeze bottle sauces were great, the rice was good, and the flavor was good. I would have appreciated something else for that price in addition to tender meat (bread, fries, beans, salad, garnish...anything!) What arrived was flavorful but tough meat on top of rice. I could see a little pepper and onion mixed in. (I uploaded a picture) I'll be back, but I'll try something else. The proudly acclaimed Ropa Vieja did not deliver today. This should be a 2 star review, as it was clearly "meh, i've experienced better." ** EDIT - had the grilled chicken thighs today. It's the last numbered item on the menu, #11 I think. The chicken, rice and beans were very good. Sauces also good as usual. The corn and jalapenos that came with the dish where so badly charred (burnt) that they were inedible. No one with real pride in what they were selling would put that on your plate. Portion size was adequate, not large.
(4)
Tony W.
This is a great lunch/dinner spot with great Latin and Peruvian dishes! They are all homemade and normally come with rice and beans! I normally get the quarter chicken special for lunch ,which is always hot and moist! You have to try the 2 sauces that are on each table, one is mild and the other packs a punch!!
(5)
A K.
Rotisserie chicken is ok. El Pollo Rico is better. Large menu, got a few other entrees as well that were ok.
(3)
Lori D.
I'm always amused to see Wiener schnitzel on the specials board here. Haven't ordered it. As for the Peruvian half of the menu, I can only speak for the Lomo, which is spot on every time. Fellow Yelpers have covered the rest.
(4)
Raven G.
i could eat lomo saltado everyday .. enough said i mean french fries .. meat.. rice? you cant go wrong with that !
(5)
Timothy T.
Ben going to the wonderful little restaurant for at least 12 years. The Peruvian (& German!) food is the best, and the family who runs it are so nice. Every dish is well crafted and prepared. It's one of those unique places you find where you'd least expect it. Highly recommended!
(5)
Matt P.
I love this place. Been coming here for many years. I only get the ropa with a bar boil egg and their special spicy sauce. Everyone is real nice and they have me hooked. Same owners for many years.
(5)
Ellen W.
I get the same thing always when I come here. That's because it's so good and I never have the craving for anything else. I love the grilled salmon with rice and fries. The spicy sauce they have is amazing. The owner and staff are super friendly as well. Great place for a casual relaxed lunch or dinner.
(5)
Kat F.
This is another authentic Peruvian restaurant. I wasn't too hungry, so I decided to get an appetizer, while my boyfriend got a meal. I ordered the Beef Empanadas ($6) and he ordered the Lomo Saltado with Chicken ($11). The Empanadas are super small and they only give you 5 of them. It comes with a small bowl of sour cream to eat it with. The Empanadas themselves were flaky, not really crunchy or crispy. The filling was just straight up beef, none or very little cheese. For that price, you're better off getting a 1/4 Chicken meal. The Lomo Saltado was pretty good. The fries were really fresh and crispy and somewhat separated from the dish itself, but you could just mix it in. The chicken was seasoned very well and not too dry. The various flavors of vegetables were infused into the rice, so each bite was a blast of flavor. The sauces were okay. There's a green sauce (mild and vinegary with some cilantro, i think) and a brown sauce (spicy). I like the green sauce (mainly because I can't handle spicy foods that much) and because I really like vinegar. So remember kids: pricewise, get a meal, not the Empanadas.
(3)
Sanjay C.
My family has been eating at the Nibbler for years. Best Peruvian in Gaithersburg and one of the best Peruvian restaurants I've visited in the DC area. Small quaint atmosphere with painted Peruvian themed walls. Always regulars there for dinner. Owners and servers are attentive and friendly. I've tried many dishes but my favorites are Lomo Saltado, Ropa Vieja, and Seafood Trio. All fresh, perfectly cooked, and spiced. Among other notable things are the hot sauces, beans and rice, and the fresh dinner rolls. Highly recommend for family, dates, or a casual evening.
(5)
Min K.
My friend introduced me to this place and I've loved it ever since! Its in a shopping complex with burger king, etc. Its a pretty small place but cozy and has a relaxed attitude. Cute interior. Every time I come here I always get the ropa or the steak with the fried egg on top (forget what its called...bistec a la...??). Sooo good. And the sauces are amazing. It comes with two homemade sauces, mild green sauce and spicy yellow. The green sauce is fabulous. The sauces are always filled to the brim in a squirt bottle and I always end up eating about 1/4 of the bottle before I leave. It's that good. If you come during dinner time they serve the steak/egg with yuka fries. Really good also. Its a little pricier during dinner time but still worth it because they give you bread and other extra items.
(5)
Adam L.
e0n and I got the pulled beef on rice (#4). Really good, but had some dried out bits. I'll give them a pass considering we walked in 30 min before close on a Sunday. Kylun got the chicken (#1 lomo saltado) and said it was enjoyable, but he was eye-balling my beef, so I think that's what he really wanted. All the food was fantastic. Very tasty! The decor is anything but typical. No air conditioning in the summer means carryout only.
(4)
Jessica S.
Amazing. food was delicious, the owner is very nice :-) All our food was correct, tasted amazing and came out quickly. I started with the cheesy potato cakes - SO GOOD! I got the beef lomo saltado....very good as well. no complaints whatsoever. It is a small little place but definitely worth checking it out!
(5)
Aleta M.
Love the Ropa.
(3)
Cindy L.
I was first introduced to the Nibbler by my former roomey, then I introduced to my next friend, and then the next...so now we all go together! It's OUR spot. The lomo saltado is one of their best dishes, steak with peppers and onions and limed rice with peas and french fries with the green sauce...*speechless*...and the just-out--of-oven rolls are the best rolls I've ever had. Just plain bread, no seasoning, no nothin'. The art work and easy lighting give a feel of Miami, the mom-and-pop shop type restaurants run by a family, very low key and casual. This place is so good, that my friend's crazy, psycho BF (now ex, thank god) was super pissed that she went their with us instead of him, claiming: "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO THAT TO ME. THAT'S OUR SPOT! AND WE CAN ONLY GO THERE TOGETHER!" (he's full of that lovely bitchassness 'tude) Yea, it's that good.
(5)
Rachel D.
Love this place! I have never written a review for a food place before, but this place is worth rating and it sure deserves the five stars! The grilled tuna with rice and beans and their amazing "green sauce" is SO yummy!
(5)
Alex H.
We have been regular customers at Mi Peru in Flower Hill but we read some good reviews about this place. So, we gave it a shot. That was the worst idea we had. The chicken was so dry and did not seem fresh at all. Tasted like old chicken and the yuka doesn't Taste as good as Mi Peru's either. Don't waste your time or your money.
(1)
P C.
Haven't been back in awhile. It's as good as always. The same family that has run it for more than 10+ years. Very friendly. Every time I come here, I feel like I'm getting a home cooked meal. Pro: had Carapulca, Aji, and the Cajun Catfish. All very good. Con: can't think of one.
(4)
Kathleen K.
Never had a bad meal here. Lomo Soltada is simply amazing - well seasoned and extremely flavorful. Just found out owner is German and they have some German specialties - I love German food but haven't had the nerve to give any of it a try at my go-to Peruvian restaurant!
(4)
Andrew K.
Pretty good peruvian food, prices are so so for the portions. I got the lomo saltado which comes with fries and rice. The meat was a little dry but it tasted ok. The green and yellow sauce are both very good and I put it all over my food. I also tried the ropa viejo which was good but I thought they didn't give you enough meat for the price. Most of the dishes are $10-$15 which isn't bad and the service was good.
(3)
Pete D.
Unexpectedly fantastic. Breakfast eggs and tamale were an excellent deal. Well worth a trip, service was great, and bathrooms were very clean.
(5)
Inde A.
The food at this place is just horrible. I picked up two orders of Lomo Saltado with beef. Both were way overcooked and tasted really bland. The meal only had a tiny portion of beef and the rest was plain rice and soggy fries. I will definitely not visit again. There's a much better Peruvian restaurant about half a mile away, next to the Giant grocery.
(1)
Wendell S.
It's okay. I haven't had too much experience with Peruvian food, but this place didn't get me too excited. The place is small, but not cramped, though there were not many customers anyway. The decor is interesting enough, but as another reviewer said, the price does not match the atmosphere. Yeah, they have yucca, and it's about as good as anywhere else. Overall, though, even I could make the same kind of food that is made here. Fries? Steak? Eggs? Well, if Peruvians eat like Americans, then this place is authentic. The two sauces, green and yellow, are nothing amazing, and the latter is really too spicy to be enjoyable. If you want average food with a Peruvian hint of flavor, head here. With the price point, though, I would recommend somewhere else.
(3)
Navita B.
Wow! I got the grilled chicken thigh and it was yummo!!! It comes on skewers with a half grilled jalepeno at the tip of the skewer. The side of beans, rice, and corn on the cob gives the meal a wholesome touch. This is def going to be my new go-to spot for peruvian cuisine.
(5)
Robert R.
Really good peruvian food and even some german food. Never seen it busy, but it is better than most places and a good atmosphere.
(4)
Jose O.
I tried the aji de gallina. Horrible! It was dry and look like they put it in the microwave to heat it up. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. Never again.
(1)
Dave C.
I'm a fan of The Nibbler. It has been consistently good every time I come in. At the risk of being a bit uni-dimensional, I typically stay with either the Lomo Saltano or the Ropa Vieja. They're equally good in take-out as dining in. The people behind the counter are always friendly. I would give it 5 stars but they're closed on Sundays.
(4)
Bee T.
Been come here for about 9 years, places has the BEST green and yellow sauce, some home made recipe. All the food is great, the chicken is always perfect and juicy. My all time favorite, the Ropa Vieja, marinated shredded beef over rice and beans ( HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). Its a small mom and pop operated place, the design of the place is great, all the walls including the ceiling are painted to simulate as if you are in the middle of a busy Peruvian market.
(5)
Chris S.
Great little find with great food. I was recommended this place by a customer of mine when I was int he area. I definitely will add this to one of my favorites so I can visit again.
(4)
D.A. H.
I had stopped going to The Nibbler, mostly because it's a little pricey for a lunch place. I went back the other day, and I still like it, but I can't rave about it like some of the other reviews I noticed for this restaurant. The food is generaly very good, but it's certainly not in the category of Biscotti, which is the cream of the crop in the Gaithersburg/Derwood area (about a mile away from The Nibbler). Some dishes are mediocre, and some are very good, with an unusual but interesting blend of Peruvian and German influences. I like the steak with the fried egg on top (though the egg is usually overcooked), and I like the chicken in heavy sauce (not sure of the name of the dish) over rice. I've had a few duds here, but mostly it's pretty good. It's a little pricey for lunch fare, and the restaurant is cute and nicely decorated, but smallish and in a mediocre plaza that's difficult to get in and out of. The service isn't as good and friendly as a place like Biscotti, but it's not quite a full service venue. All in all, it's a solid choice with pretty good and unique food options, but in my humble opinion, it's closer to a 3-star restaurant than a 5-star one.
(3)
Jonathan L.
Stopped by here when I needed a bite to eat on my way somewhere - based solely on Yelp reviews. The food was excellent and authentic. Rolls are fresh baked. I had the Aji and my wife had the Inca Chicken. Both excellent. Strange location and certainly a little run down, but easy to deal with given the quality of the food. They also had friendly service. You'll be apprehensive at first, but you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Melissa D.
I have been to The Nibbler about 20 times and every single time has been just as good as the first. I highly recommend the Ropa Vieja, its my favorite :)
(5)
Marcia F.
Great small menu, everything made from scratch, even the rolls.
(5)
teeny l.
I would give this place a thousand stars if I could! I have been visiting this place since I was six or seven, and have loved it ever since! I believe it was originally called Peruvian chicken, or something close, but they have generally kept the same quality of food and everything since 1990 something! I love getting the chicken anechoic, w/ fried yucca and green sauce, also try the rolls w/ a little green sauce they are amazing. I also adore the little coconut cookies on the front counter, yum!
(5)
Filipina P.
Sublime! I had the seafood soup, which was creamy and perfectly cooked - no rubbery seafood here. Hubby had the lomo saltado and it was fantastic. We didn't even talk to each other throughout lunch because we were too busy eating! Dessert was wonderful - tres leches cake and flan for him. If you must go out to eat in Gaithersburg, come on by and taste the goodness yourself.
I am a Latino woman and I have Peruvian friends that are great cooks and let me tell you they can cook a thousand times better than this place we ordered ceviche witch was sour due to artificial lime juice from a bottle, chicken witch skin was soft and nasty tasted like costco broiled chicken, my hubby had lomo saltado witch was extremely salty and sour, and I had anticucho witch my Peruvian friends say has to be heart and it was tasteless beef wig a side of beans no flavor and rice that seemed to be microwaved from the day before. If this guys can open a Peruvian restaurant so can my friends with much better food. And let me tell you price wise is 55 dollars for this meal it was one of the worst experiences in food for me not worth it at all they have washingtonian ratings man this magazine doesn't know what they ate talking about. My recommendations : don't go there u will be disappointed and broke. U will probably eat it all just cus u paid so much.
(1)
Chris L.
I wish I still lived by this place, the ropa is amazing.
(5)
Mukur H.
I first discovered this place though an auto shop where I used to get my car fixed. The guys used to order the sandwich, the steak sandwich. I always get it when ever I am in town. The steak is well cooked, not chewy, and they top it with vinegary onions, I believe. It comes with fries and their hot sauces. I like all of the above, so declicious.
(5)
Alisa O.
I go here because one of my friends really likes this place. I wouldn't go there otherwise. The food is probably authentic street-style. Mostly, I find it greasy and starchy, which unfortunately is both the texture and the flavor. I haven't been able to find much green on the menu.
(3)
Brian T.
Great service and food. I had the half chicken with rice, a lot of food for the price.
(5)
Paige W.
Unbelievable food in an unlikely spot. Great service.
(5)
Red F.
This place makes me the happiest person alive... in Maryland... in the world... in all of existance. And since I now live in San Francisco I find that I have crazy ass cravings for a quarter chicken with rice and beans smothered in their abso-effing-lutely delicious, addictive green hot sauce. I have tried so hard to find a place in SF that matches the Nibbler, and sadly, I cannot. Everyone who has not been to this restaurant is missing out. And it's totally cute inside too.
(5)
Nancy R.
My friend and I meet at The Nibbler regularly for lunch. It's very good. I have to say I never wander too much on the menu, I know what I like. I get #7 which is chicken skewers with rice and pinto or black beans. This green sauce that you pour over all of it is what really makes it yummy. The woman who owns the restaurant is always there and very nice. Try it!
(4)
Su F.
I had the lomo saltado with chicken instead of beef. It was really bad. The food tasted greasy. The rice was dry and the fries were hard. I didn't particularly care for their sauce either. If I went there again, maybe I would try their braso.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Katie S.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! My husband first brought me here in 2002 and I can't resist going again and again. We now live over an hour away but we still try to eat here at least once a year since it's so special to us. Their green sauce is one word...AMAZING. I always get ropa veija and he usually gets milanesa or the steak sandwich. All are excellent choices. I've noticed that with the changing economy their portions have gotten a little smaller and their prices have gone up but I still go because it's really that good.
(5)Julianny C.
I love this place I order the lomo saltado with a side of beans every time authentic Peruvian food
(5)Sam A.
I suspect that many of the stronger reviews come influenced by the fact that your expectations are low when you enter the joint. I've eaten there three times, all lunchtimes during weekdays. The beef (ropa vieja and lomo saltado) consistently is hard, and the serving sizes of meat are small (in all dishes we've ordered). The service is nice and helpful, but the quality of the food we've had never has been particularly good.
(2)Matt H.
What can I say, I don't want to be handing these 5 stars out for no reason but this place definitely deserves it!! This is my favorite hometown restaurant and literally eat here at least once a week. Everything I've ever tried has been delicious and talk about consistency.. I don't think I've ever had a negative experience. Favorite items (in no particular order, I try to rotate through the menu): - Tallarines con carne - Milanesa - Lomo Saltado - Ropa Vieja
(5)Nicholas A.
DELICIOUS!!! Got the Lomo Saltado and it was amazing - perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. Server with two bottles of sauce - didn't try the hot, could not get enough of the mild. Considered squeezing bottle directly in to my mouth. You get your own drinks from the cooler, the friendly servers bring you ice in a cup, and you wait
(5)Janine G.
I was so excited to have a Peruvian joint near my new home - that quickly dissipated as soon as I walked in. The owners are not Peruvian, they bought the place from Peruvians. I didn't discriminate right there and then though. I waited until I got the food...the lomo was sub-par (being nice). I can't even explain it, it was terrible. Chewy, not flavorful, the sauces don't taste authentic to me either. Ambience? Place looks okay, but it was FREEZING... Customer Service? Great! Sorry, if the food aint good, I'm just not going back. For some unexplained reason my husband went two more times to try out other items...he hasn't been back every since. That says a lot since he's constantly buying Peruvian food (he is from Peru btw).
(2)Unaverage J.
A buddy brought me to this place and stressed how delicious their ropa vieja is. 100% of my Cuban friends in the DMV area say there are no good Cuban places around, but there are some places that can whip up some dishes pretty well. This is one of those places. I loved my ropa vieja. You walk in to a cozy restaurant with the wall and deco painted as if you were in a village in Peru. Quite surprising to see the owners are Filipino, so I'll admit, my guard was up. They were extremely friendly and gave us exceptional service and were extra attentive. We started with empanadas. They were Peruvian style where they were baked. They were just decent, but all the other Peruvian places I've tried them were better, stuffed with more, and larger. They were served with sour cream. My ropa vieja was quite delicious. The beef was very flavorful and served on a bed of rice with beans on the side along with plantains. My 1st bite had me in bliss. My friends both had the "anticucho," which were essentially kabobs as they were chunks of beef &/or chicken on skewers served over rice. I tried the beef, and it was so tender and had good flavor. The fries and yucca were spot on as they were crispy, fresh, and not soft at all. The table has 2 sauces, and we used the spicy one on almost everything, including to dip the fries and yucca to add a little heat. For dessert, I had flan, and they had tres leches. The flan was just normal flan... nothing special. The tres leches was where it went downhill. It was exactly what a tres leches should *not* be: hard. As I was eating my flan, I could only hear the clanking of their spoons against the plate as they were slicing their spoons through the cake. I tried a piece, and I liked the flavor, but the bread should be extremely moist and soft. I would definitely return, but I wouldn't order the empanadas, flan, nor the tres leches. The lomo saltado is supposed to be very good, so I'll be back. 4 starts since I now know where to get a good ropa vieja and wonderful service.
(4)Jeffrey C.
Lomo saltado rope vieja is my go to! With 2 fried eggs on top! Great service to go with the great food!
(5)Zeus S.
Ummmm if you haven't been here then ur missing out. I've been eating their Ropa Vieja since 1998. And when u order it make sure to order two fried eggs. You'll start coming here every week.
(5)Yael M.
Small, friendly, family-type place, surprisingly cozy. The bistec la limena was really good! It had that chargrilled flavor. The carapulcra tasted home cooked and authentic. Admittedly the flavor was a little different for me, but I think that's just me because it was well seasoned and well cooked. It reminded me of Baltimore's sour beef and dumplings, I think because of the cloves. Tamales also great with chicken, egg, and olive inside!
(4)Chris H.
Old go-to place in the area that I've frequented for many years only to get two thing: milanesas and tallarines con carne. Food: 4.5/5 Pretty great food and can't go wrong. Always a solid choice. Might actually have to go there for lunch tomorrow as I'm reminded about how great the food is. Highly recommend milanesa and tallarines con carne (obviously). Service: 4/5 Solid service but has its spotty days. Small family-owned restaurant so I'm sure they have good and bad days, but always friendly nonetheless. Atmosphere: 3/5 It's a really small, quaint place. You can tell the years have taken its toll but the food is really solid. I could care less what this place looks like, I usually get takeout anyways.
(4)Kristin M.
This place is excellent. It was recommended to me by a chef/friend. Lomo saltado is one of my favorite dishes, and the Nibbler's version is EXCELLENT.
(5)Travel A.
5 stars for The Nibbler restaurant. I come here breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tasted all the food in the menu but my favorite is Ceviche for appetizer and the Chupe de Camarones for the entree. Everything is delicious including their sauces.. So if you're craving for a Peruvian food this is the place to go.. :)
(5)Hussein N.
Sauce game on 10000. Ropa vieja is my shit here don't go anywhere else for it. Fresh home cooked food will have you wait a little longer for quality but its worth it.
(5)Y Z.
Since I love Peruvian food, I had to try this place out. Loved the attention to detail when it comes to the decorations and the food. Great service as well. It was a little pricy but I guess you get what you pay for.
(5)Candace F.
I drive from Silver Spring to try this ace because I had heard good things about it, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The potatoes aren't fresh but rather frozen french fries, the lomo is a bit chewy. The sauce is EXTREMELY watered down, such that it doesn't even sit on top of the food but sinks through the food right to the bottom. The lomo saltado is $13, and it is not worth it. It could be that I'm trying to match the Peruvian food I had while living in South America, this doesn't even come close tho. The flavor isn't bad
(2)TJ B.
I'm giving it 4 stars only because it has potential, I've had better here in the past, and I like to support independently owned places which are few and far between around here... That said, I paid just under $16 for a lunch which consisted of a very tough Ropa Vieja and a bottle of soda. That's expensive for a par quality lunch. The squeeze bottle sauces were great, the rice was good, and the flavor was good. I would have appreciated something else for that price in addition to tender meat (bread, fries, beans, salad, garnish...anything!) What arrived was flavorful but tough meat on top of rice. I could see a little pepper and onion mixed in. (I uploaded a picture) I'll be back, but I'll try something else. The proudly acclaimed Ropa Vieja did not deliver today. This should be a 2 star review, as it was clearly "meh, i've experienced better." ** EDIT - had the grilled chicken thighs today. It's the last numbered item on the menu, #11 I think. The chicken, rice and beans were very good. Sauces also good as usual. The corn and jalapenos that came with the dish where so badly charred (burnt) that they were inedible. No one with real pride in what they were selling would put that on your plate. Portion size was adequate, not large.
(4)Tony W.
This is a great lunch/dinner spot with great Latin and Peruvian dishes! They are all homemade and normally come with rice and beans! I normally get the quarter chicken special for lunch ,which is always hot and moist! You have to try the 2 sauces that are on each table, one is mild and the other packs a punch!!
(5)A K.
Rotisserie chicken is ok. El Pollo Rico is better. Large menu, got a few other entrees as well that were ok.
(3)Lori D.
I'm always amused to see Wiener schnitzel on the specials board here. Haven't ordered it. As for the Peruvian half of the menu, I can only speak for the Lomo, which is spot on every time. Fellow Yelpers have covered the rest.
(4)Raven G.
i could eat lomo saltado everyday .. enough said i mean french fries .. meat.. rice? you cant go wrong with that !
(5)Timothy T.
Ben going to the wonderful little restaurant for at least 12 years. The Peruvian (& German!) food is the best, and the family who runs it are so nice. Every dish is well crafted and prepared. It's one of those unique places you find where you'd least expect it. Highly recommended!
(5)Matt P.
I love this place. Been coming here for many years. I only get the ropa with a bar boil egg and their special spicy sauce. Everyone is real nice and they have me hooked. Same owners for many years.
(5)Ellen W.
I get the same thing always when I come here. That's because it's so good and I never have the craving for anything else. I love the grilled salmon with rice and fries. The spicy sauce they have is amazing. The owner and staff are super friendly as well. Great place for a casual relaxed lunch or dinner.
(5)Kat F.
This is another authentic Peruvian restaurant. I wasn't too hungry, so I decided to get an appetizer, while my boyfriend got a meal. I ordered the Beef Empanadas ($6) and he ordered the Lomo Saltado with Chicken ($11). The Empanadas are super small and they only give you 5 of them. It comes with a small bowl of sour cream to eat it with. The Empanadas themselves were flaky, not really crunchy or crispy. The filling was just straight up beef, none or very little cheese. For that price, you're better off getting a 1/4 Chicken meal. The Lomo Saltado was pretty good. The fries were really fresh and crispy and somewhat separated from the dish itself, but you could just mix it in. The chicken was seasoned very well and not too dry. The various flavors of vegetables were infused into the rice, so each bite was a blast of flavor. The sauces were okay. There's a green sauce (mild and vinegary with some cilantro, i think) and a brown sauce (spicy). I like the green sauce (mainly because I can't handle spicy foods that much) and because I really like vinegar. So remember kids: pricewise, get a meal, not the Empanadas.
(3)Sanjay C.
My family has been eating at the Nibbler for years. Best Peruvian in Gaithersburg and one of the best Peruvian restaurants I've visited in the DC area. Small quaint atmosphere with painted Peruvian themed walls. Always regulars there for dinner. Owners and servers are attentive and friendly. I've tried many dishes but my favorites are Lomo Saltado, Ropa Vieja, and Seafood Trio. All fresh, perfectly cooked, and spiced. Among other notable things are the hot sauces, beans and rice, and the fresh dinner rolls. Highly recommend for family, dates, or a casual evening.
(5)Min K.
My friend introduced me to this place and I've loved it ever since! Its in a shopping complex with burger king, etc. Its a pretty small place but cozy and has a relaxed attitude. Cute interior. Every time I come here I always get the ropa or the steak with the fried egg on top (forget what its called...bistec a la...??). Sooo good. And the sauces are amazing. It comes with two homemade sauces, mild green sauce and spicy yellow. The green sauce is fabulous. The sauces are always filled to the brim in a squirt bottle and I always end up eating about 1/4 of the bottle before I leave. It's that good. If you come during dinner time they serve the steak/egg with yuka fries. Really good also. Its a little pricier during dinner time but still worth it because they give you bread and other extra items.
(5)Adam L.
e0n and I got the pulled beef on rice (#4). Really good, but had some dried out bits. I'll give them a pass considering we walked in 30 min before close on a Sunday. Kylun got the chicken (#1 lomo saltado) and said it was enjoyable, but he was eye-balling my beef, so I think that's what he really wanted. All the food was fantastic. Very tasty! The decor is anything but typical. No air conditioning in the summer means carryout only.
(4)Jessica S.
Amazing. food was delicious, the owner is very nice :-) All our food was correct, tasted amazing and came out quickly. I started with the cheesy potato cakes - SO GOOD! I got the beef lomo saltado....very good as well. no complaints whatsoever. It is a small little place but definitely worth checking it out!
(5)Aleta M.
Love the Ropa.
(3)Cindy L.
I was first introduced to the Nibbler by my former roomey, then I introduced to my next friend, and then the next...so now we all go together! It's OUR spot. The lomo saltado is one of their best dishes, steak with peppers and onions and limed rice with peas and french fries with the green sauce...*speechless*...and the just-out--of-oven rolls are the best rolls I've ever had. Just plain bread, no seasoning, no nothin'. The art work and easy lighting give a feel of Miami, the mom-and-pop shop type restaurants run by a family, very low key and casual. This place is so good, that my friend's crazy, psycho BF (now ex, thank god) was super pissed that she went their with us instead of him, claiming: "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO THAT TO ME. THAT'S OUR SPOT! AND WE CAN ONLY GO THERE TOGETHER!" (he's full of that lovely bitchassness 'tude) Yea, it's that good.
(5)Rachel D.
Love this place! I have never written a review for a food place before, but this place is worth rating and it sure deserves the five stars! The grilled tuna with rice and beans and their amazing "green sauce" is SO yummy!
(5)Alex H.
We have been regular customers at Mi Peru in Flower Hill but we read some good reviews about this place. So, we gave it a shot. That was the worst idea we had. The chicken was so dry and did not seem fresh at all. Tasted like old chicken and the yuka doesn't Taste as good as Mi Peru's either. Don't waste your time or your money.
(1)P C.
Haven't been back in awhile. It's as good as always. The same family that has run it for more than 10+ years. Very friendly. Every time I come here, I feel like I'm getting a home cooked meal. Pro: had Carapulca, Aji, and the Cajun Catfish. All very good. Con: can't think of one.
(4)Kathleen K.
Never had a bad meal here. Lomo Soltada is simply amazing - well seasoned and extremely flavorful. Just found out owner is German and they have some German specialties - I love German food but haven't had the nerve to give any of it a try at my go-to Peruvian restaurant!
(4)Andrew K.
Pretty good peruvian food, prices are so so for the portions. I got the lomo saltado which comes with fries and rice. The meat was a little dry but it tasted ok. The green and yellow sauce are both very good and I put it all over my food. I also tried the ropa viejo which was good but I thought they didn't give you enough meat for the price. Most of the dishes are $10-$15 which isn't bad and the service was good.
(3)Pete D.
Unexpectedly fantastic. Breakfast eggs and tamale were an excellent deal. Well worth a trip, service was great, and bathrooms were very clean.
(5)Inde A.
The food at this place is just horrible. I picked up two orders of Lomo Saltado with beef. Both were way overcooked and tasted really bland. The meal only had a tiny portion of beef and the rest was plain rice and soggy fries. I will definitely not visit again. There's a much better Peruvian restaurant about half a mile away, next to the Giant grocery.
(1)Wendell S.
It's okay. I haven't had too much experience with Peruvian food, but this place didn't get me too excited. The place is small, but not cramped, though there were not many customers anyway. The decor is interesting enough, but as another reviewer said, the price does not match the atmosphere. Yeah, they have yucca, and it's about as good as anywhere else. Overall, though, even I could make the same kind of food that is made here. Fries? Steak? Eggs? Well, if Peruvians eat like Americans, then this place is authentic. The two sauces, green and yellow, are nothing amazing, and the latter is really too spicy to be enjoyable. If you want average food with a Peruvian hint of flavor, head here. With the price point, though, I would recommend somewhere else.
(3)Navita B.
Wow! I got the grilled chicken thigh and it was yummo!!! It comes on skewers with a half grilled jalepeno at the tip of the skewer. The side of beans, rice, and corn on the cob gives the meal a wholesome touch. This is def going to be my new go-to spot for peruvian cuisine.
(5)Robert R.
Really good peruvian food and even some german food. Never seen it busy, but it is better than most places and a good atmosphere.
(4)Jose O.
I tried the aji de gallina. Horrible! It was dry and look like they put it in the microwave to heat it up. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. Never again.
(1)Dave C.
I'm a fan of The Nibbler. It has been consistently good every time I come in. At the risk of being a bit uni-dimensional, I typically stay with either the Lomo Saltano or the Ropa Vieja. They're equally good in take-out as dining in. The people behind the counter are always friendly. I would give it 5 stars but they're closed on Sundays.
(4)Bee T.
Been come here for about 9 years, places has the BEST green and yellow sauce, some home made recipe. All the food is great, the chicken is always perfect and juicy. My all time favorite, the Ropa Vieja, marinated shredded beef over rice and beans ( HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). Its a small mom and pop operated place, the design of the place is great, all the walls including the ceiling are painted to simulate as if you are in the middle of a busy Peruvian market.
(5)Chris S.
Great little find with great food. I was recommended this place by a customer of mine when I was int he area. I definitely will add this to one of my favorites so I can visit again.
(4)D.A. H.
I had stopped going to The Nibbler, mostly because it's a little pricey for a lunch place. I went back the other day, and I still like it, but I can't rave about it like some of the other reviews I noticed for this restaurant. The food is generaly very good, but it's certainly not in the category of Biscotti, which is the cream of the crop in the Gaithersburg/Derwood area (about a mile away from The Nibbler). Some dishes are mediocre, and some are very good, with an unusual but interesting blend of Peruvian and German influences. I like the steak with the fried egg on top (though the egg is usually overcooked), and I like the chicken in heavy sauce (not sure of the name of the dish) over rice. I've had a few duds here, but mostly it's pretty good. It's a little pricey for lunch fare, and the restaurant is cute and nicely decorated, but smallish and in a mediocre plaza that's difficult to get in and out of. The service isn't as good and friendly as a place like Biscotti, but it's not quite a full service venue. All in all, it's a solid choice with pretty good and unique food options, but in my humble opinion, it's closer to a 3-star restaurant than a 5-star one.
(3)Jonathan L.
Stopped by here when I needed a bite to eat on my way somewhere - based solely on Yelp reviews. The food was excellent and authentic. Rolls are fresh baked. I had the Aji and my wife had the Inca Chicken. Both excellent. Strange location and certainly a little run down, but easy to deal with given the quality of the food. They also had friendly service. You'll be apprehensive at first, but you won't be disappointed.
(5)Melissa D.
I have been to The Nibbler about 20 times and every single time has been just as good as the first. I highly recommend the Ropa Vieja, its my favorite :)
(5)Marcia F.
Great small menu, everything made from scratch, even the rolls.
(5)teeny l.
I would give this place a thousand stars if I could! I have been visiting this place since I was six or seven, and have loved it ever since! I believe it was originally called Peruvian chicken, or something close, but they have generally kept the same quality of food and everything since 1990 something! I love getting the chicken anechoic, w/ fried yucca and green sauce, also try the rolls w/ a little green sauce they are amazing. I also adore the little coconut cookies on the front counter, yum!
(5)Filipina P.
Sublime! I had the seafood soup, which was creamy and perfectly cooked - no rubbery seafood here. Hubby had the lomo saltado and it was fantastic. We didn't even talk to each other throughout lunch because we were too busy eating! Dessert was wonderful - tres leches cake and flan for him. If you must go out to eat in Gaithersburg, come on by and taste the goodness yourself.
(5)James N.
The Nibbler is one of those rare finds in the sea of chain restaurants where a family-owned and run establishment serves consistently great food every time. I highly recommend the hearts of palm salad to start and the Ropa Vieja for an entrée. While I've built up a tolerance over ten years of going there, you should ease your way into the hot sauce. The taste is phenomenal, but too much and it will ruin your evening.
(5)Liza A.
I am a Latino woman and I have Peruvian friends that are great cooks and let me tell you they can cook a thousand times better than this place we ordered ceviche witch was sour due to artificial lime juice from a bottle, chicken witch skin was soft and nasty tasted like costco broiled chicken, my hubby had lomo saltado witch was extremely salty and sour, and I had anticucho witch my Peruvian friends say has to be heart and it was tasteless beef wig a side of beans no flavor and rice that seemed to be microwaved from the day before. If this guys can open a Peruvian restaurant so can my friends with much better food. And let me tell you price wise is 55 dollars for this meal it was one of the worst experiences in food for me not worth it at all they have washingtonian ratings man this magazine doesn't know what they ate talking about. My recommendations : don't go there u will be disappointed and broke. U will probably eat it all just cus u paid so much.
(1)Chris L.
I wish I still lived by this place, the ropa is amazing.
(5)Mukur H.
I first discovered this place though an auto shop where I used to get my car fixed. The guys used to order the sandwich, the steak sandwich. I always get it when ever I am in town. The steak is well cooked, not chewy, and they top it with vinegary onions, I believe. It comes with fries and their hot sauces. I like all of the above, so declicious.
(5)Alisa O.
I go here because one of my friends really likes this place. I wouldn't go there otherwise. The food is probably authentic street-style. Mostly, I find it greasy and starchy, which unfortunately is both the texture and the flavor. I haven't been able to find much green on the menu.
(3)Brian T.
Great service and food. I had the half chicken with rice, a lot of food for the price.
(5)Paige W.
Unbelievable food in an unlikely spot. Great service.
(5)Red F.
This place makes me the happiest person alive... in Maryland... in the world... in all of existance. And since I now live in San Francisco I find that I have crazy ass cravings for a quarter chicken with rice and beans smothered in their abso-effing-lutely delicious, addictive green hot sauce. I have tried so hard to find a place in SF that matches the Nibbler, and sadly, I cannot. Everyone who has not been to this restaurant is missing out. And it's totally cute inside too.
(5)Nancy R.
My friend and I meet at The Nibbler regularly for lunch. It's very good. I have to say I never wander too much on the menu, I know what I like. I get #7 which is chicken skewers with rice and pinto or black beans. This green sauce that you pour over all of it is what really makes it yummy. The woman who owns the restaurant is always there and very nice. Try it!
(4)Su F.
I had the lomo saltado with chicken instead of beef. It was really bad. The food tasted greasy. The rice was dry and the fries were hard. I didn't particularly care for their sauce either. If I went there again, maybe I would try their braso.
(1)