Puerto 511 in Baltimore: Peruvian Ceviches and Tiraditos in Fells Point
Puerto 511 is a small Peruvian seafood restaurant in Fells Point that specializes in ceviches, tiraditos, and cooked Peruvian mains, with a focus on raw fish preparations and a modest full bar. The restaurant seats around 30 people across a narrow dining room on South Broadway, making it intimate and loud during peak hours.
What Puerto 511 actually is
The menu centers on Peruvian coastal cooking, particularly the raw-fish dishes that define Lima's food scene. Ceviches are cubed fish cured in citrus juice and served with a cooling ají verde or leche de tigre base; tiraditos are similar but sliced thin and dressed tableside with oil and hot peppers. Cooked dishes include lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fries and rice), ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy yellow-pepper sauce), and grilled fish. The wine list emphasizes Peruvian producers and Argentine options, and cocktails lean toward pisco-based drinks.
Menu and pricing
Ceviches and tiraditos run $16 to $20 per order and arrive in portions meant for sharing or as a single entree, depending on appetite. The fish rotates based on daily catch; halibut, striped bass, and snapper are common. Cooked mains range from $18 to $26. A pisco sour costs $12 to $14. Appetizers like causas (layered potato cakes with avocado) and papa a la huancaína run $9 to $12. Verify current pricing by calling ahead, as seafood costs shift with market availability.
How Puerto 511 compares to other Peruvian options in Baltimore
Baltimore has limited dedicated Peruvian restaurants. Ateko Peruvian Cuisine in Canton also serves ceviches and tiraditos but operates as a full-service restaurant with a larger dining room and broader Latin American influences on the menu. Puerto 511 is smaller, louder, and more focused on Peru alone. For ceviche alone, you can find versions at some seafood restaurants around the harbor, but they will lack the regional depth and precise acidic balance Puerto 511 emphasizes. Choose Puerto 511 if you want to taste several Peruvian raw-fish styles in one sitting and accept a tighter, noisier space. Choose Ateko if you want a roomier meal with more variety beyond seafood or prefer a quieter environment.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Puerto 511 works for diners comfortable with raw fish, flexible about noise, and interested in regional Peruvian cooking. The portions are moderate, so groups often order multiple dishes to share. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet dinner or those who do not eat raw seafood. Vegetarians will find potato and bean-based sides but limited entree options.
What the first visit involves
Upon arrival, you will be seated quickly during off-peak hours but may wait 15 to 20 minutes during Friday and Saturday evenings. Start with a ceviche or tiradito to gauge the kitchen's current fish quality and your heat tolerance. Ask the server which fish is freshest that day and whether the ají verde or leche de tigre base suits your preference. If ordering cooked dishes, lomo saltado is a reliable choice and pairs well with a pisco sour. Expect to linger over multiple small courses rather than receive a single large plate.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Puerto 511 operates Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed Mondays. It is located at 511 South Broadway in Fells Point. On-street parking along Broadway and the surrounding grid is available but competitive during dinner service; a paid lot two blocks away on Thames Street offers reliable parking. The restaurant does not take reservations, so arrive early or expect a wait on weekends. Call 410-522-3354 to confirm hours or ask about daily fish availability.
Puerto 511 fills a specific niche in Baltimore's seafood scene by keeping Peruvian ceviche traditions intact rather than americanizing them, and its tight focus rewards diners who know what they want.
