La Mar Cevichería Peruana — Restaurant in Lima Metropolitan Area

TLDR: Great food and atmosphere. Be aware if you're a tourist because they'll do anything to make the check larger.

Great food and atmosphere. We were impressed by how fresh the ingredients were and how much effort they put to keep this place sanitary.

The only reason why I gave it a 2-star is because our server was really pushy with his recommendations and his sole focus was to make us pay more money. This pretty much ruined all the good vibes my wife and I had when we first walked into this restaurant. Here are some things/tricks he pulled on us:

1. We asked to order some shrimps. He asked us "large shrimps ok?" and we said yes. We were given lobsters instead. He also tried to add-on 4 scallops to our order, saying they were really fresh (we ended up getting 2 of those).
2. He said they had really fresh special fish, which was about 2 pounds in total. I asked him what kind of fish it was and whether it was 2 pounds with bones or not. He started mumbling and pretended like he didn't understand us. This was after we ordered a decent amount of food already, so I asked him again saying that feels like too much food for 2 people. He started laughing and said it's not that much. It was insane amount of food.
3. He kept on pushing us to get one of the most expensive wine on the list. It was really tasty wine (~$70), but every time I contemplated about getting something a little bit cheaper, he kept on trying to talk me out of it.
4. We used credit card to pay. Despite all of this, we decided to tip him however much the internet recommended us at fancy Lima restaurant (15%). He then asked us if we had cash and if we can tip in cash. It made me feel very uncomfortable, especially after all of the above. I declined.

I was willing to spend some money this day because it was the last meal of our Peru trip and we just completed 5-day 74km Salkantay trek hike right before this. So I felt like we deserved something nice. And the waiter was very accommodating at first and because I didn't speak Spanish, I wanted to play along nicely and enjoy my food.

So I was a perfect target/victim and I let all this happen to me - so I take the blame for being so gullible. But I wanted to write this review so the restaurant is aware of these practices and whoever reads this are aware, so they don't get manipulated by pushy recommendations/tactics from...

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Lima, Restaurant La Mar stands as a paragon of Peruvian cuisine, offering an authentic gastronomic experience that tantalizes the senses and invites indulgence in its coastal delicacies. Under the deft stewardship of its culinary team, La Mar has crafted a menu that not only respects traditional methods but also embraces contemporary flair, ensuring every visit is both a familiar and innovative delight.

Upon entering La Mar, guests are immediately welcomed into a warm, elegantly casual atmosphere. The decor, a seamless blend of rustic charm and modern sophistication, complements the lively yet relaxed ambiance.

Service at La Mar is impeccable. Staff members, knowledgeable and attentive, navigate the nuances of the menu with expert ease, making recommendations that seem personally tailored to each guest. Their attentiveness ensures that every need is met with a prompt and gracious smile, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The culinary journey begins with an offering of Pisco Sours, Peru’s quintessential cocktail. La Mar excels in its execution of this beloved drink, presenting both the classic and a vibrant Passion Fruit variation. The regular Pisco Sour is expertly balanced, its silky texture and sharp, citrus bite softened by the subtle sweetness of the Peruvian Pisco. The Passion Fruit Pisco Sour, on the other hand, offers a tantalizing twist, mingling the aromatic tartness of passion fruit with the smooth, brandy-like base of Pisco, resulting in a refreshingly exotic concoction that perfectly primes the palate for the flavors to come.

The highlight of La Mar’s menu is undoubtedly its ceviche, a staple in Peruvian cuisine. Here, diners are treated to a trio of ceviche styles, each distinct, showcasing the versatility and range of this simple yet profound dish.

La Mar's approach to Peruvian cuisine honors the country's rich culinary heritage while also pushing boundaries, making each visit a...

If you are visiting Lima, Peru, I cannot recommend La Mar Cevichería enough. In fact, if you have more than one day in the city, I suggest going twice—there are simply too many amazing dishes to experience in a single sitting. The menu is extensive, and everything we tried was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor.

Be prepared for a wait—around 30 to 45 minutes at lunchtime and often longer during dinner since they don’t take reservations. Fortunately, the staff makes the wait pleasant. There is outdoor seating where you can relax, snack on toasted corn (“conchitas”), and enjoy a drink from the bar until your table is ready.

We went as a group of twelve, which gave us the chance to sample many different dishes. My favorites included the crab claws, priced individually at around $6 each. They are not your typical claws—more like delicate portions of sweet crab meat shaped into a ball, about half the size of a Twinkie. I also enjoyed a light avocado-based mixed salad and the Saltado with pescado y langostinos (fish and shrimp), which was absolutely delicious. My mother ordered the lomo saltado, another must-try classic.

The restaurant also offers impressive grilled seafood platters with shrimp, octopus, shellfish, and fish—perfect for sharing. If you enjoy your meal as much as we did, check out their cookbook, branded aprons, and other souvenirs. For dessert, the warm chocolate cake was rich, moist, and decadent—an ideal way to end a memorable meal. The ambiance is rustic, casual, and welcoming, with nautical touches that make it feel like a chic beachside spot. Lamar Cevichería is absolutely...