The capital’s Peruvian options are getting better and better – here are our favourite spots to enjoy a taste of the Andean.
LIMA Fitzrovia
LIMA Fitzrovia, the first ever Peruvian restaurant in the UK and Europe to be awarded a coveted Michelin star, celebrates its 5-year anniversary this month. Having opened in 2012 to critical acclaim, LIMA Fitzrovia is the creation of chef Virgilio Martinez and the Gonzalez brothers.
Overseen by Martinez and head chef Robert Ortiz, the menu integrates both traditional and contemporary Peruvian cuisine, representing the gastronomic expansion that has taken place in Peru in recent years.
Whilst LIMA Fitzrovia aims to source much of its produce from within the UK, the restaurant also brings carefully selected and hitherto unheard-of ingredients from small producers in Peru.
Diners can enjoy starters of Octopus “al olivo” or Duck-cured magret, whilst main courses include Turbot with Amazon citrus and Suckling pig with potatoes cultivated at 4,000 metres.
Address: 31 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1JH / 020 3002 2640
LIMA Floral
An evolution of LIMA Fitzrovia, LIMA Floral offers a fun, sharing menu combining Peruvian market-inspired food with the sharpest flavours.
Highlights of the innovative-yet-accessible menu include tiradito of salmon, tuna and cobia fish and lamb rump Amazonia coated in huacatay herbs and coffee dust with 4,000m Peruvian potatoes, fresh cheese and red kiwicha.
Downstairs, the Bajo bar food menu is designed for sharing and experimenting over a social drink, while the cocktail menu focuses heavily on Pisco.
If you’re looking for a bottomless weekend brunch option, the restaurant offers 6 set courses with bottomless Pisco Sours for £44.
Address: 14 Garrick Street (Entrance on Floral Street), Floral, London, WC2E 9BJ / 020 7240 5778
Señor Ceviche
Lively Peruvian restaurant Señor Ceviche opened its doors to a second site on Charlotte Street this summer, introducing several new dishes, a free-flowing brunch offering, and an underground pisco bar. The menu includes distinctive national dishes such as ceviche, whilst also exploring the Japanese and Chinese influences on Peruvian cuisine with a selection of Nikkei and Chifa specialities.
Exclusive to the Charlotte Street site, a weekend brunch offering supplements the à la carte with dishes such as Sweet potato waffle with slow-cooked short rib, frijoles negros, fried duck egg and miso anticucho sauce and Corn bread French toast with burnt tomato salsa, avocado and yuzu truffle hollandaise.
Meanwhile, Señor’s Boozy Brunch Club allows guests to enjoy free-flowing Pisco Punch, Pisco Maria, or Cusqueña for just £18 per person.
Address: Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW / 020 7842 8540
