Artica Restaurant

Location:
Calle Napo
Iquitos, Peru

Restaurant

By Kris Dreessen

Several large wood ovens dominate the entire back wall of Artica, a restaurant in central Iquitos that specializes in wood-fired pizzas, pasta dishes and steaks. There's two dining rooms—one upstairs, one downstairs. Diners gather around large round wooden tables. Everything in here is wooden and rustic looking. Large wooden beams dominate the ceiling that towers two stories overhead.

Pizzas are hand tossed and thin crust. The menu features several cuts of steaks. A good portion of sirloin is grilled and served with french fries and a salad. Pasta is also on the menu as well as gnocchi dishes with meat, and salads. Fresh juices, bottled juices, mixed drinks and beer, such as the Crystal and Pilsen name brands, are served. As with other restaurants in Iquitos, don't be surprised if kids walk in and take leftovers off tables after diners have paid their bills and left. Diners who ask for a doggie bag can take them back to the hotel for a late-night snack or easily give them away to kids who are waiting outside in hopes you'll bring some out.

Price Description: Pizzas cost $3 (about 10 nuevo soles) and up. main dishes cost about $7 (22 nuevo soles) and up. gnocchi is about $8.50 (28 nuevo soles). bottled water is less than a dollar (about 2.50 nuevo soles).

Getting There: On napo, right off the plaza de armas, toward the promenade.