When Panka Peruvian opened its doors in 2019, it marked a significant moment in the Des Moines dining scene: The arrival of the city’s first true Peruvian restaurant. For owner Mariela Maya, who grew up in Lima in a family of restaurateurs, Panka was more than a business venture — it was a way to bring the flavors, culture and hospitality of her homeland to Iowa.
After a nearly seven-year run, the restaurant will close in early April, Maya said in a post on Instagram.
“After a lot of reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to close Panka in early April,” she wrote.
“This was not an easy choice. Panka has been a labor of love, built with culture, long days, late nights, and a deep respect for the community that supported it from day one.
“What began as a dream became a space for connection, celebration, and shared moments around the table.
“For that, I am endlessly grateful.
“Until then, our doors remain open. I would love to welcome you in, share one more meal, and say thank you in person.
“Thank you for being part of this chapter.”
Today, tucked into a bright corner of Ingersoll Avenue, Panka operates as both a love letter to Peru and one of Des Moines’ most distinctive dining destinations. From its warm, familial atmosphere to its deeply flavorful menu grounded in traditional Criollo and Chifa influences.
Panka offered a colorful cuisine with deep roots
Peruvian food is famously diverse, shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, African and Chinese influences. At Panka, that fusion comes alive in dishes built around staples like ají amarillo peppers and Peru’s iconic potatoes, of which the country boasts thousands of varieties.
The menu leans into bold flavors, vibrant sauces and comforting textures. Inside the restaurant, diners encounter a mix of traditional preparations and modern refinements such as ceviches, hearty stir‑fries, seafood and dishes layered with aromatics like lime, cilantro and Peruvian peppers. It’s food with history, soul and a decidedly celebratory spirit.
Panka Peruvian is a member of the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list.
Maya’s influence extended beyond Panka’s Ingersoll Avenue home. In 2023, she opened Panka Peruvian Chicken, a fast‑casual concept near Drake University dedicated to Peru’s national obsession: pollo a la brasa, or rotisserie chicken. Marinated for 48 hours and slow-cooked over algarrobo wood, the signature bird anchors a menu of sides like yuca fries, beans and salads. She closed that restaurant a year later.
Panka joins another high-profile restaurant closing in 2026. Django, one of the few remaining French restaurants in Des Moines, closes in March.
Where to find Panka Peruvian
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Panka, Des Moines’ first Peruvian restaurant, closes soon
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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