El Inka Peruvian Cuisine Toronto — Restaurant in Toronto

Disclaimer: this is my personal opinion, therefore subjective.

TLDR: Great atmosphere, good food, would recommend. Ask for Peruvian Pisco if ordering cocktails.

Context: as a Peruvian, we are very proud of our food and therefore very picky. In reviewing this restaurant, I'm hoping that potential customers find useful information and that the restaurant owners see this as a way to compliment them on what they are doing right and provide feedback on areas of improvement.

Ambiance: the restaurant had a great ambiance and was very well decorated. Lots of Peruvian ceramics, tastefully placed around and it felt very modern and clean. The music that was playing was Peruvian and the volume low enough. Overall great first impression. 10/10

Service: the service staff was very friendly, very knowledgeable and spoke Spanish, as expected. However, they didn't refill our glasses with water until we asked close to the end of the meal, I would suggest leaving the bottle of water at the table. The food took a little longer than expected to arrive, even though the place was not full. In short, when engaged they were great, however they were not proactive and did not really ensure we had the best posslble experience, which I would expect since there aren't that many Peruvian restaurants around. 6/10

Drinks: we had the chicha morada, which was excellent. The only grief I have is the fact that they show Chilean Pisco as their first option for base spirit for cocktails, as opposed to Peruvian Pisco. For the people that are not aware, Chilean and Peruvian Pisco are both very different even though they are both made from grapes, their process and end product are very different. If this is a Peruvian restaurant, they should showcase the Peruvian product, especially because the average consumer will not be aware of this distinction,this was very disappointing. If you are ordering cocktails, I would suggest you specifically ask for Peruvian Pisco. 4/10

Food: we had a variety of dishes, ranging from entrees to main to dessert. Overall, the food was good, it wasn't great and it certainly didn't match up to the real thing. It felt that the chef was given the instructions and ingredients to prepare the food but they didn't know what it is supposed to taste like. It was missing the "Peruvian Sazón" Peruvian cuisine is very particular. Here is what we ordered: Yuquitas con Huancaína - excellent here, no complaints. Causa Acevichada - causa was good, ceviche was missing some salt, otherwise good. Tallarines verdes - excellent, no complaints. Lomo saltado / Huancaína con Lomo - this is a more intricate food, the beef was great, but the sauce was lacking, it didn't taste like lomo saltado made in a wok, was missing salt and vinegar, the sauce felt like a gravy and this dish doesn't really have a thick gravy, more like a soy and vinegar jus. The tomato slices were too large and the onion was undercooked. For the untrained person, this was great! But it wasn't Peruvian Lomo saltado, again, it had all the ingredients but the taste was lacking. Suspiró a la Limeña - excellent, no complaints 3 Leches - not very good, very dry, for a dessert called 3 milks, you wouldn't expect it to be dry Chupe - excellent, no complaints. Overall, I would try it again to explore the rest of the menu. So far, in June 2024, this is by far the most well rounded Peruvian restaurant in Toronto that I have tried, however, that is a very low bar, because there aren't that many Peruvian restaurants in Toronto, and the few that are around are mostly bad. The dishes that did well were very good, but the ones that were lacking were not really up to the Peruvian standard, don't get me wrong, they tasted fine but were not there representing Peru. There are some improvements to be made and it has great potential....

I had the pleasure of celebrating my mom’s birthday with my parents at El Inka on St. Clair and Yonge - and wow, it was beyond anything we could’ve hoped for.

From the moment we walked in, Sébastien (our server) was impeccable. Polished, warm, and intuitive, his service felt like a 10/10 masterclass in hospitality. And that conversation about my mom’s birthday? Legendary. After our meal I discreetly left to go to the bathroom to let Sebastien know it was my mom’s bday - hoping to keep any potential deserts as a surprise. Sébastien picked up what I was putting down, assured me quietly, and let the magic happen. Moments later, my mom was stunned as a moist, delectable cake arrived – lit candle and “Happy Birthday” artfully spelled on the plate. It was the kind of low-key, heartfelt gesture that makes a birthday truly unforgettable.

Appetizer/Sharing plates Highlights

Ceviche Mixto – A dazzling mix of tilapia, lime, cilantro, calamari, octopus, shrimp, mussels, red onions, sweet potato, and choclo, bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors.

Pulpo a la Parrilla – Spanish grilled octopus served with ají panca, chimichurri, purple potato, huancaína, asparagus, choclo, and radish – a delightful dance of textures and tastes.

Entrées:

Steamed Whole Red Snapper with Seafood (Pargo Entero Sudado con Mariscos) – A soaring plate of whole snapper bathed in seafood stew-like broth with calamari, octopus, shrimp, mussels, tomato, red onion, ají panca, and ají amarillo. Absolutely exquisite.

Fried Fish (Pargo Entero Frito) – Elegantly crispy and perfectly cooked, a simple yet masterful take on perfection.

Seco a la Norteña – Braised beef short rib in luscious cilantro sauce, served with white rice, panamito beans, criolla salad, and fried cassava – a comforting, flavour-packed hug of a dish.

The Sauces

The green sauce deserves its very own rave review – herbaceous cilantro goodness with just a whisper of heat. I’d put it on everything.

The red sauce was equally stellar – 10/10 for balance, depth, and flavour.

Plus – This Location…A Second First Love

Having previously dined at the Burlington location, I was thrilled to discover one so close by – and equally (perhaps even more) exceptional. Everything felt just as authentic and satisfying as my first visit.

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Final Thoughts

Service: Sebastien was the embodiment of thoughtful, memorable service.

Flavor: Each bite was layered, vibrant, and genuinely revelatory.

Ambience & Experience: From the surprise birthday cake to the friendly attention, it felt like a family affair – with flair.

I’m still buzzing from the experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to combine heartwarming celebration with bold, authentic Peruvian flavors. If you’re thinking of a place that hits all the right notes – food, service, atmosphere – El Inka at St. Clair...

As a first-time explorer of Peruvian cuisine, my visit to El Inka in Toronto few days ago was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment I walked in, the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. They have a warm glowing light and it just makes the places stand out from the whole street.

The restaurant's decor is a beautiful blend of traditional Peruvian elements like ceramic sculptures and traditional art pieces placed carefully everywhere. Some modern touches, creating an inviting and comfortable environment. The staff was friendly and were well versed about the dishes. They were able to suggest some dishes based on my liking and their most popular ones.

The menu is diverse and rich with authentic Peruvian dishes. I started with the Ceviche mixto, a dish I'd heard much about from this restaurant , and it did not disappoint. The fish was incredibly fresh, marinated to perfection, definitely stood out from all the other ceviches I had in the past.

Next, I tried the Poached Branzino, dish suggested by our waiter Aldo, and I’ve never had experienced such bright flavours. The fish was tender and juicy, cooked with squid, shrimp and muscles all simmered in rich tomato broth. The balance of flavours and textures was exquisite, making it a standout dish.

To finish, I indulged in the Tres Leches Cake. This dessert was a revelation: moist, rich, and topped with a light whipped cream that added just the right amount of sweetness. It was the perfect end to a remarkable meal.

Service: The service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations. The timing of the courses was spot on, and I never felt rushed.

Overall Experience: El Inka Toronto has made a lasting impression on me. As a newcomer to Peruvian cuisine, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food, the warmth of the staff, and the overall dining experience. I highly recommend El Inka to anyone looking to explore the vibrant flavors of Peru. I’ll definitely be returning to try...