Popular Peruvian eatery (and two-time Michelin Star-awarded) Papa Llama has closed for good, reports the Bungalower.
The restaurant, located at 2840 Curry Ford Road in an unassuming strip mall, opened back in 2019 under the culinary oversight of Kevin and Maria Ruiz. It started as a pop-up tenant at East End Market before blooming into a beloved brick-and-mortar nearly 10 years ago.
Now, the owners say, Papa Llama is no more.
“We’re proud to have been a fully independent small business since the start,” Maria said. “We are incredibly grateful to the support of each person who came through those doors over the years.”
Papa Llama received a Michelin Star first in 2024 and again in 2025. It lost the star mid-2026 and was downgraded to Michelin’s “Recommended” list.
The cozy space featured live-fire cooking and an impressive tasting menu in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Just this summer, the restaurant launched The Takeaway, a takeout pop-up inspired by the ritual of a family meal.
The team has yet to make a public announcement about the closing. Its website appears to be no longer functional.
The Michelin Guide’s words about Papa Llama, as of Friday morning:
“Set in an unassuming strip-mall location, this intimate dining room offers a clear view into the kitchen, where Kevin and Maria Ruiz cook a family-style Peruvian menu with contemporary touches. The atmosphere is casual and personal, with decorative flourishes that nod to Peru and a compact layout that keeps the experience close to the action. The menu leans on familiar Peruvian staples interpreted simply: dishes like grilled shrimp anticuchero, lomo saltado with skirt steak and mushrooms and arroz chaufa emphasize approachability over reinvention, and local sourcing is a clear priority. Sweet potato picarones with spiced syrup close the menu on a traditional note. The natural wine program is impressive.”
