La Mar — Restaurant in Vitacura

Ima just say quick… this is the best La Mar thus far. Easily. I’ll start—

My favorite thing about this La Mar was the cadence of the dishes. Everything took just long enough to come out that I was able to anticipate, but not get annoyed by how long it took. I spent a little over 3 hours on my meal. I started with the classic chips with ají amarillo and green sauce & the Punta Hermosa cocktail which yall…. that drink truly SET THE TONE for the entire meal. When I saw that LA MAR STAMPED LEMON PEEL 😭😭😭😭😭 ARE TOU KIDDING????? Iconic. and ofc needless to say the drink was GOOD. That was such a nice touch that I have not seen at the other La Mars. Ooooof. I leisurely sipped my drink for about 20 minutes before they took my “appetizer” order. I ordered the Atrevido tiradito with octopus, shrimp, and catch of the day (I believe it ended up being hamachi). I should have known what was about to happen based on the name but yall I wasn’t thinking. It took about 30-40 minutes to prepare and I remember thinking what on earth are they doing back there for it to take so long. Yall…. When they set that piece of ART down on the table, I understood. The pictures/videos can’t even capture how beautiful and how LARGE the dish was. It truly could have been the main dish on its own. Obviously, it was delicious. The seafood was so fresh and so soft, it just melted in my mouth. And the chimichurri on top? 80 out of 10. The saffron leche de tigre did not disappoint, with that rich aroma and coloring from the saffron. You see the clean plate? Slurped it all right down. 10 out of 10. Of course I really could have stopped after that but I needed to eat more 🤭 I begrudgingly tried something different from ceviche this time, having already gobbled the tiradito, and went with a pasttime favorite— La Mar Chaufa, with the La Mar ceviche. It was a La Mar branded evening chile. It was verrryyyyy good. Just subtly sweet enough. I added a little of the ají amarillo sauce from the chips just to bring it from A to A+. So good, and I did take the rest home. I left it with my airbnb host and as I sit in the Uber omw to the airport writing this… I’m kicking myself 💀 it was too good chile. I shoulda been greedy hehehe. Dessert had to come next. I am usually never attracted to more than 1 dessert even with extensive dessert menus, and this time, the Cariñosa with lemon mousse, fruit compote, cardamom, flan, and vanilla ice cream just needed to be ordered yall. I did not need it, but i did (slowly) eat the whole thing 💀💀💀 it could have easily fed 3 people but… greedy ol me 🤭 I remember I wanted to go on a walk afterwards to see the neighborhood. Hell absolutely no. I took myself right to sleep, happy & fed.

I will be back so quick. From the service to the chips to the ambiance to the food. No one was rude or pretentious. Everyone was friendly and NICE. I interacted with several staff members but mostly with Camilo. Pay him more!!!!!!!! 70 out of 10 yall. Even the takeout bag was beautiful. That was so good I can’t wait...

ALWAYS BUNGLE RESERVATIONS

I will not be returning to La Mar. My husband and I loved the La Mar in San Francisco. The employees at the Santiago La Mar have a real attitude.

All 3 times I have made a reservation (which must be done over the phone - ridiculous that they don't have on-line reservations) they have messed up the reservation. They seem to do it on purpose so they can 1) size you up, 2) act like they are doing you a favour by letting you stay, 3) give you a crappy table. They never admit that they made a mistake, let alone apologize. They never ask when you made the reservation or with whom you spoke.

The most recent reservation bungling, the hostess who was just so satisfied with her own beautiful self, tried to seat us at a table in the middle of the second floor terrace (hardly a terrace) where the ambiance is like an operating room of a hospital. (On the phone I had requested the downstairs patio by the pond. Not to be.) When I requested a different table, the hostess glowered and said it was for people who had reserved. I replied, "Yes just like us." At this, she spun on her heels and stomped away angrily. Needless to say we picked a table, sat down and ordered. The food was okay, but here in Santiago there are so many good Peruvian restaurants, we won't be returning to snot faced La Mar.

Another time my husband's company made a reservation for a large group. They did not acknowledge that reservation either, but "managed to fit them in.". And finally on our anniversary my husband tried to make a reservation for outside on the terrace They informed him that they didn't reserve for the terrace, so he asked if they would put a special note in his reservation. There was an empty table when we arrived, so naturally we asked for it. They told us it was for people who had requested it in their reservation. It sounds like I'm obsessing about tables, but the inside of the restaurant is ugly and noisy - not conducive to...

Last night was pure magic at La Mar in Vitacura, Santiago! My wife and I enjoyed an unforgettable dinner where every detail—from the vibrant flavors to the impeccable service—left us in awe.

We started our culinary adventure with their signature Ceviche de Pescado y Calamar en Leche de Coco. This dish elevated the classic ceviche to new heights. The freshest fish and tender calamari were marinated in a zesty citrus blend and finished with a silky, subtly sweet coconut milk infusion. It was a burst of freshness and flavor that set the tone for the rest of the meal.

Next up was a show-stopping main course: Pescado y Camarones a la Parrilla con Sazonado Peruano sobre Arroz. The grilled fish and succulent shrimp were charred to perfection and generously coated with a traditional Peruvian spice blend that brought out their natural flavors. Served on a bed of perfectly steamed rice, the dish offered a satisfying harmony of smoky, savory, and aromatic tastes of Peru.

Beyond the phenomenal food, La Mar itself is a celebration of modern Peruvian flair. The atmosphere is vibrant yet elegant, with a lively energy that makes it perfect for a romantic dinner or a celebratory gathering. The hostess greeted us with a warm smile and led us to our table without hesitation, even though we didn’t have a reservation.

And the service? Simply flawless. Our server, José Manuel, was attentive, warm, and genuinely passionate about sharing his knowledge & heritage. He went above and beyond to ensure our evening was perfect, making us feel like honored guests.

La Mar is more than a restaurant—it’s an experience. From the exquisite dishes to the welcoming ambiance and outstanding service, it’s a must-visit for anyone in Santiago. We can’t...