Tag Archive for: tio lucho’s

TIO LUCHO’S AND SHORTBARREL BOURBON TEAM UP FOR AN INTIMATE WHISKEY CLASS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/22/26

The Guided Tasting and Hands-On Cocktail Workshop Features Three Shortbarrel Expressions and Light Peruvian Bites

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. 

Atlanta whiskey meets Peruvian flavor when Tio Lucho’s welcomes Shortbarrel Bourbon for an intimate tasting and cocktail class on Wednesday, September 23, at 6:30 p.m. A Shortbarrel brand ambassador will lead guests through three distinct whiskey expressions, sharing the history of the spirit, the story of the Atlanta-born brand and the characteristics that set each pour apart. After the tasting, Tio Lucho’s bar team will take over for a hands-on cocktail lesson featuring an Apple Pie Old Fashioned created exclusively for the class. Tickets are $50 per person and include all three tastings, the cocktail class and light bites of chifles and cancha. The event will be held at Tio Lucho’s, located at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tioluchos.com. Stay connected on Instagram at @tioluchos and @shortbarrelwhiskey. 

WHAT:  Tio Lucho’s Shortbarrel Bourbon Whiskey Class

WHEN:  Wednesday, September 23, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Tio Lucho’s
675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Suite 6000
Atlanta, GA 30306

COST:  $50 per person. Tickets may be purchased here.

WEBSITE:  tioluchos.com

CONNECT:  Instagram at @tioluchos

TIO LUCHO’S SETS THE TABLE FOR PERUVIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/23/26

Atlanta’s First Peruvian-American Restaurant Celebrates with Limited-Time Specials, the Return of the Fan-Favorite Plancha Platter and Four Days of Festivities

Saturday, July 25 through Tuesday, July 28 

Tio Lucho’s is bringing one of Peru’s biggest celebrations to Atlanta with four days of fresh ceviche, pisco cocktails, seasonal specials and the return of the fan-favorite Plancha Platter in honor of Peruvian Independence Day. From Saturday, July 25 through Tuesday, July 28, James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Arnaldo Castillo invites guests to celebrate the holiday at Atlanta’s first Peruvian-American restaurant, where every dish reflects the flavors, traditions and hospitality that have shaped Peru’s culinary identity.

For Castillo, Peruvian Independence Day is more than a national holiday. It’s a chance to share the food and traditions that inspired Tio Lucho’s while welcoming guests to experience the culture that continues to influence every aspect of the restaurant. Throughout the weekend, the celebration will feature fresh ceviche on the patio, seasonal specials, festive cocktails and a dining room dressed in the colors of the Peruvian flag with red and white décor and carnations.

“Peruvian Independence Day is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives us the opportunity to share a piece of Peru with Atlanta,” says Chef Arnaldo Castillo. “Whether someone has been eating Peruvian food their whole life or they’re trying it for the first time, I want them to leave with a better understanding of our culture and the hospitality that has always been part of it.”

Back by popular demand, the Plancha Platter returns after becoming one of last year’s most requested specials. Built for sharing, the feast features an 8-ounce New York strip steak, chicken and fish anticuchos, grilled tripe, crispy potatoes, choclo corn, chimichurri and huancaína. The platter will be available throughout the weekend, offered during his Monday Hermanita pop-up on Monday and served again on Tuesday, July 28, the official Peruvian Independence Day.

Tio Lucho’s is located at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more information or to make a reservation, visit at tioluchos.com. Stay connected at @tioluchos on Instagram for updates and happenings. 

TIO LUCHO’S PRESENTS LA ÑAPA: A PERUVIAN COASTAL CRAWFISH BOIL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/26/26

A Patio Celebration of Crawfish Season with Peruvian Coastal Flavor

Sunday, March 29, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo: MJT & Co

Crawfish season takes over the patio at Tio Lucho’s on Sunday, March 29, as the Poncey-Highlands restaurant presents La Ñapa: A Peruvian Coastal Crawfish Boil. From 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., the afternoon unfolds as a lively patio celebration where Southern lowcountry tradition meets the flavors of Northern Peru.

Inspired by “la ñapa” (nyah-pah), meaning “a little extra,” Chef and Owner Arnaldo Castillo leans into a spirit of generosity that connects Peru to the Gulf Coast. The word later evolved into lagniappe in Louisiana, an expression of giving more than expected, and that philosophy drives the day.

Waves of all-you-care-to-enjoy crawfish arrive hot and fragrant throughout the afternoon. Each reservation includes a welcome glass of house pisco punch, followed by crawfish tossed with andouille, sweet yellow corn, and red potatoes. Peruvian coastal sides are served alongside the boil, including arroz guisado layered with chicken and spice, red beans and rice, Peruvian potato salad, and house-made ají garlic and rocoto butters for added depth and heat. The patio carries an easy, celebratory rhythm from early afternoon into evening.

La Ñapa: A Peruvian Coastal Crawfish Boil is $120 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity, and includes all-you-care-to-enjoy crawfish, coastal sides, and a welcome cocktail. Seating is available between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., with advance booking encouraged. Tio Lucho’s is located in Poncey-Highlands at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE #6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more information or to reserve, visit www.tioluchos.com and follow along on Instagram at @tioluchos.

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TIO LUCHO’S BRINGS TWO COASTS TOGETHER FOR DOS COSTAS CARNIVAL ON FAT TUESDAY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/23/26

Blending Gulf Coast Spirit and Northern Peruvian Flavor for a High-Energy Evening Driven by Food, Music, and Cocktails

Free to Attend on February 17, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On Tuesday, February 17, Tio Lucho’s turns up the energy with Dos Costas Carnival, a lively evening inspired by the shared rhythm, flavor, and joy of coastal traditions from New Orleans and Northern Peru. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the restaurant comes alive with oysters, festive cocktails, live music, and a menu by Chef and Owner Arnaldo Castillo that treats coastal cooking as the main event.

Rooted in the idea that Carnival thrives wherever working ports meet the sea, Dos Costas Carnival brings together two cultures that know how to cook, gather, and throw a proper party. Cajun soul and Peruvian technique collide through seafood-driven dishes, slow-roasted meats, and expressive flavors designed for sharing. Led by Castillo alongside Chef de Cuisine Manny Sosa, whose two decades of cooking under a Louisiana chef bring deep Cajun credibility to the table, the menu leans fully into Carnival. Expect crawfish empanadas, a jambalaya-inspired arroz con mariscos layered with andouille, gumbo built on Peruvian sofrito, BBQ shrimp, maque choux, and red beans and rice, capped by a show-stopping porchetta—whole hog belly roasted until crisp and carved tableside in true parade fashion. Dessert keeps the indulgence going with king cake picarones served alongside banana foster ice cream. Time-honored Carnival cocktails carry the night, from daiquiris and sazeracs to sidecars and French 75s, flowing from start to finish.

Live music sets the pace as the night builds, starting with Afro-Peruvian rhythms like festejo and cumbia before evolving into brass-heavy New Orleans funk and second-line sounds. Guests can expect a lively, fluid atmosphere accented by Carnival-inspired décor, colorful masks, and beads passed throughout the room. Free to attend, guests are encouraged to drop in, grab a drink, sample the menu, and stay as long as the music and mood allow.

Tio Lucho’s is located in Poncey-Highlands at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE #6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more information, visit www.tioluchos.com. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tioluchosatl and Instagram at @tioluchos.

TIO LUCHO’S HOSTS A ONE-NIGHT NOCHE BUENA HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/4/25

An Evening of Peruvian Tradition, Seasonal Cooking, and a Late-Night Holiday Party on December 20

Tio Lucho’s is marking Saturday, December 20, with a one-night holiday celebration centered around good food, music, and the welcoming, come-as-you-are spirit that defines the restaurant. The evening begins at 4 p.m. with the full dinner menu and a few seasonal cocktails, giving guests the option to make it their holiday dinner, meet friends early, or ease into a night that carries into the late hours.

At 10 p.m., the room shifts. The lights dip, the DJ steps in, and Tio’s becomes a late-night holiday gathering with a limited menu, Christmas movies on the screens, and surprise touches from Hornitos Tequila and Maker’s Mark that keep things loose and lively. Guests are free to drop in for one part of the night or stay for the whole thing.

The celebration draws from Noche Buena, the Peruvian and Latin tradition at the center of Chef Arnaldo Castillo’s childhood. “Noche Buena is how I grew up celebrating the holidays. Families come together late, nobody rushes dinner, and midnight is when things really get going. That’s the feeling I want people to experience here,” says Castillo.

Dinner reservations are encouraged; late-night entry is first-come, first-served. Details and booking are available at tioluchos.com. Tio Lucho’s is located at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306. Follow @tioluchos on Instagram and Facebook.

TIO LUCHO’S HOSTS A FRIENDSGIVING BASH WITH JAMES BEARD–NOMINATED TALENT, LATE-NIGHT BITES & DJ-DRIVEN ENERGY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/10/25

Special Guests Jose Medina Camacho of ADIÕS Bar, Chef Claudia Martinez of Bar Ana, and Chef Eric Fernandez of Monte Join Owner and Chef Arnaldo Castillo for an Evening Where Culinary Cred Meets Late-Night Energy 

Friday, November 21, 2025 | 4 p.m. to Midnight 

Thanksgiving may be all about gratitude, togetherness, and the sides—but as the saying goes, you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends. It’s in that spirit that Tio Lucho’s brings together three James Beard–nominated experts for an elevated, festive feast that doubles as the ultimate Friendsgiving gathering—taking place long before Cousin Eddie can drop in, on Friday, November 21. One night. Three experts. And a menu that leaves no detail to chance.

These James Beard–nominated talents—Chef Arnaldo Castillo of Tio Lucho’s, Jose Medina Camacho, co-founder and beverage director of ADIÕS Bar in Birmingham, and Chef Claudia Martinez, founder of Bar ANA, Atlanta’s forthcoming late-night dessert and cocktail bar—come together for a mash-up as rare as it is delicious. Beginning at 4 p.m., guests will be seated for dinner service, exploring the creations from each talent at their own pace—from Tio Lucho’s signature Peruvian-inspired dishes to Camacho’s six standout cocktails to Martinez’s sneak peek of new Bar ANA bites and snacks—capped by a single, show-stopping dessert as the sweet finale.

As plates clear, the lights dim and the evening shifts gears, beckoning longtime friends and new faces to hang back and revel in the season. At 8 p.m., the DJ kicks in, spinning a late-night soundtrack that sets the tone for an after-hours bash. Then, at 10 p.m., Chef Eric Fernandez—formerly of Watchman’s and one of the opening chefs for Spring 2nd Branch—takes over with his pop-up, Monte, serving farm-to-table Mexican bites with a contemporary edge. The limited late-night menu adds an extra layer to the night’s agave-forward cocktails and Friendsgiving spirit.

Equal parts foodie friend fest, cocktail-fueled hang, and late-night revelry, the evening promises something extra to be thankful for this year. Tio Lucho’s will also offer regular dinner service from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more details or to make reservations, visit www.tioluchos.com. Tio Lucho’s is located at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306. Stay connected on Instagram and Facebook at @tioluchos.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT TIO LUCHO’S 

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/5/25

Atlanta’s Award-Winning Peruvian Restaurant Announces a Month of Chef-Driven Dinners, Community Partnerships, and Seasonal Offerings

September 15 through October 15, 2025

From September 15 through October 15, Tio Lucho’s, the acclaimed Peruvian restaurant in Poncey-Highland from James Beard Award semi-finalist Chef Arnaldo Castillo, celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with a lineup of events, collaborations, and new seasonal menus. Known for blending Peru’s coastal flavors with Atlanta’s vibrant culinary scene, Tio Lucho’s will highlight Latin American culture, community, and cuisine through experiences both inside and outside the restaurant.

A Taste of Tio Lucho’s at Home with Garnish & Gather

Tio Lucho’s has partnered with Garnish & Gather, Atlanta’s locally sourced meal kit service, to bring Chef Arnaldo’s Peruvian flavors into home kitchens. From September 12–25, guests can order a special Peruvian-inspired dish as part of Garnish & Gather’s rotating chef series, featuring carefully curated ingredients from Georgia family farms. Orders are available at garnishandgather.com.

Four Hands Collaboration Dinner at Brasserie Margot

On Saturday, September 20, Chef Arnaldo will team up with Brasserie Margot’s Executive Chef Jon Novak for a one-night-only Four Hands Dinner: Paris Meets Lima. Together, they will craft a four-to-five-course tasting menu blending French technique with Peruvian flavors. Tickets are $78 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and can be purchased at brasseriemargot.com.

Make a Miracle Benefit Dinner at Tio Lucho’s

On Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 PM, Tio Lucho’s hosts a family-style fundraising dinner with Make a Miracle, a nonprofit supporting education and housing initiatives in Peru and Colombia. Guests will enjoy a curated four-course menu—from vibrant ceviches and fritters to braised beef seco and a seasonal blackberry lime tart—while learning about Make a Miracle’s impact. A silent auction will accompany the evening, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit. Tickets are $125 (including tax and gratuity) at tioluchos.com.

Ceviche Sessions: An Interactive Seafood Experience

Tio Lucho’s ongoing Ceviche Sessions monthly dinner series continues on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The evening begins with a whole-fish breakdown and unfolds into a multi-course seafood experience featuring fresh tiradito and Chef Arnaldo’s choice of grilled, fried, or braised preparations with seasonal sides. Guests receive a glass of wine and enjoy this communal, hands-on celebration of Peruvian coastal cuisine. Tickets are $90 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) at tioluchos.com.

Get Hooked on Happy Hour

Tio Lucho’s Happy Hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 4–7 PM. Offerings include $2 raw oysters, $3 Tio’s Oysters, Peruvian-inspired cocktails like the Chilcano, Caipirinha, and Spicy Margarita, and shareable bites including tiradito, anticuchos, and housemade chips with cancha. Wine Wednesdays feature overlapping happy hour and half-priced bottles of wine and sangria.

New Fall Menu Launches October 7

Chef Arnaldo introduces new fall dishes, including the return of a fan favorite: Seco de Res, braised short rib with fall vegetable succotash, and Pulpo a la Plancha, featuring grilled octopus with Tio Lucho’s signature anticucho sauce. These dishes highlight Tio Lucho’s balance of tradition, innovation, and locally sourced ingredients.

Whether enjoying Chef Arnaldo’s food in the restaurant, trying a home-cooked kit with Garnish & Gather, or attending one of Tio Lucho’s special dinners, National Hispanic Heritage Month at Tio Lucho’s is a chance to celebrate the traditions, stories, and community that define Latin American culture in Atlanta. With something for every palate, from interactive seafood experiences to fall menu favorites and festive happy hours, guests are invited to share in the joy that makes Tio Lucho’s a standout in Atlanta’s dining scene.

To make a reservation, get event tickets, or learn more about Tio Lucho’s, visit www.tioluchos.com or call 404-343-0278. Follow @tioluchos on Instagram and Facebook for updates, and join the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month at 675 North Highland Avenue, Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30306.

Photo by Nico Julia

TIO LUCHO’S HOSTS WINE VS BEER DINNER 

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/22/25

An Interactive Showdown of Sips, Flavors, and Friendly Competition

Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 7 p.m. 

Tio Lucho’s is hosting a spirited showdown that puts wine and beer head-to-head, course by course. On Wednesday, August 27, James Beard-nominated Chef Arnaldo Castillo will partner with A Cork in the Road to host a one-night-only tasting experience featuring five Peruvian-inspired courses, each paired with a two-ounce pour of wine and a two-ounce pour of beer. Guests will vote for their favorite pairing throughout the evening to help crown the ultimate match.

Bringing together creative pairings and chef-driven cuisine, the evening is built for curious palates and anyone who’s ever wondered whether a crispy potato or a passionfruit-spiked tiradito goes better with a glass of wine or a pour of beer. With wine pairings led by Kelly Cornett of A Cork in the Road and Blasian Bon Vivant Toni Williams representing beer, the evening promises plenty of friendly banter and palate surprises.

Chef Castillo’s menu brings Peruvian traditions to the table in new ways, starting with papas y salsas and moving through dishes like hamachi tiradito with passionfruit leche de tigre, the fan-favorite Tio’s Salad, flounder with caviar lentils and aji amarillo beurre blanc, and a sweet finale of house-made picarones—Peruvian-style donuts with warm spiced syrup.

Tickets are $100 and include five dishes, ten pairings, and a guided tasting with a bit of friendly competition thrown in. Seating is limited. Tickets are available now at www.tioluchos.com. Tio Lucho’s is located at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more details, call (404) 343-0278 and follow @tioluchos on Instagram and Facebook.

TIO LUCHO’S PERU ON PONCE PARTY RETURNS FOR YEAR THREE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/22/25

An Anniversary Patio Party Stacked with Ceviche, Peruvian Skewers, Refreshing Drinks, and Cumbia Beats

Reservations Now Available for Saturday, June 28, 2025


 Perfectly timed with National Ceviche Day, Tio Lucho’s brings back its annual Peru on Ponce celebration for the restaurant’s third anniversary on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This all-day patio party brings the vibrant spirit of coastal Peru to Poncey-Highland with seafood, skewers, cocktails, and more.


The celebration kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with a special midday edition of Ceviche Sessions, the restaurant’s interactive, chef-led seafood experience. Guests who secure a ticket will enjoy a guided, three-course tasting featuring fresh ceviche, a live tiradito demo, and a glass of chilled wine—all served on the patio in a breezy, laid-back setting. Spots are limited for this hands-on ceviche experience. Tickets are now available at www.tioluchos.com. For those craving something more low-key, regular lunch service will also be available throughout the day.


To set the tone for the coastal-inspired celebration, the first 50 guests of the day will be welcomed with a complimentary Caravedo Pisco Champagne Cocktail—a sparkling nod to three years of hospitality and heart.


As afternoon rolls in, the heat turns up with Anticuchos on the Patio for Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. The Big Green Egg grill will be fired up outside, filling the air with irresistible smoky aromas as anticuchos — juicy skewers of beef sirloin, beef heart, chicken thigh, pork belly, fresh fish loin, and even cauliflower — hit the grill. Each skewer comes with house-made parrillera salsa that is sure to keep everyone coming back for more. Alongside the skewers, $10 cocktails from the happy hour menu will keep the buzz alive, perfectly balanced to cool off both the heat from the grill and the Atlanta summer air. For those looking to indulge, the $50 Patio Platter for two offers a mouthwatering mix: two beef skewers, two chicken skewers, smoked fish dip crostinis on sourdough, crispy fry bread topped with cream cheese and pepper jelly, and sweet corn mini cobs finished with crema de aji and Grana Padano cheese, all served with parrillera and aji verde sauces for dipping.


DJ Franklin will bring the patio to life with infectious Peruvian Cumbia beats, setting the soundtrack for an evening that’s equal parts delicious, lively, and unforgettable. Join Tio Lucho’s in celebrating this milestone at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE #6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. For more information or to book a reservation, call (404) 343-0278 or visit www.tioluchos.com. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tioluchosatl and on Instagram at @tioluchos.

TIO LUCHO’S & PUMA YU’S PAIR UP FOR ONE-NIGHT-ONLY EVENT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/12/25

Sunday, May 18

They started out the same way—late-night pop-ups, word-of-mouth dinners, and a whole lot of hustle in Athens and Atlanta. Now, Tio Lucho’s and Puma Yu’s, two James Beard-nominated restaurants that turned those early days and late nights into something bigger, are teaming up for the first time for one night only on Tio Lucho’s patio, Sunday, May 18, 2025. It’s Peruvian meets Thai. Open flames, stacked grills, citrus, smoke, herbs, spice. Whole chicken quarters kissed by the fire, shrimp skewers sizzling in chili and lime, pastel de papa layered and rich, a wedge salad made wild with huacatay ranch, papaya salad piled high, and sticky rice to bring it all together. Dessert? A creamy, dreamy Suspiro de Atlanta. And then there’s the bar. Smitty Luck of Puma Yu’s is pulling up from Athens to collaborate with the Tio Lucho’s crew on a one-night-only cocktail menu made for golden hour and good decisions (or bad ones—no judging). Two seatings are available at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $100 and include dinner for two; beverages will be available for purchase separately. Space is limited, so grab a ticket today at tioluchos.com. For more information, call (404) 343-0278. Tio Lucho’s is located at 675 N. Highland Ave. NE, Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30306. Stay connected on Instagram and Facebook @tioluchos.