Brasa Peruvian Kitchen — Restaurant in New York

This new fast-casual restaurant just opened its second NYC location here in Astoria, offering healthy, fresh options with Peruvian flavors. The menu includes smoothies, seasonal salads, and bowls (from set menu or build your own). I love that the Build-Your-Own bowl comes with unlimited toppings. You choose your base, protein, toppings, sauce, and blossoms and dips.

I opted for a base of half spinach and half tri-color Peruvian quinoa, topped with marinated (ceviche-style) tuna, broccoli, cucumber, Peruvian sweety drop peppers, choclo (giant Peruvian corn), sweet potato and avocado blossoms, and Brasa dipping sauce on the side.

First off, the bowl was beautifully prepared—colorful and nicely arranged (which I always appreciate—nothing worse than a bowl that looks like it was tossed together haphazardly). The sweet potato and avocado blossoms were not only visually fun and unique but also added great flavor. The choclo was another highlight—chewy, satisfying, and unlike anything you'd find at your average salad bar.

Taste-wise, the bowl delivered. Everything was fresh, vibrant, and flavorful. My only gripe is that the portion of tuna was a bit small, especially for this price. Also, I wasn’t a huge fan of the sweety drop peppers, but I’m glad I gave them a try.

Service was great. The staff was friendly and gave helpful advice—especially their recommendation to eat the bowl right away since the tuna was raw. While checking out, they mentioned that if you download their app, you get a free bowl after your first purchase. Definitely a...

Wow!!! Finally a place that will likely stay in this location. Everything was a 10/10!

I have to start with the service because I don’t think I’ve been to a place in the past couple years with such incredible service. ANDY was helping me and he was THE BEST. He was very patient in helping me decide what to get, explaining all the options, and doing it all with a smile on his face. The first place I was eager to tip when paying and the ONLY PLACE that doesn’t offer a tip option?! If there’s any complaint, it’s that I couldn’t tip Andy. He was great give him a raise!

The place is SUPER clean which is a very nice change of pace compared to many places these days. You can see the kitchen in the back and all the ingredients are out in front of you. I’d describe the set up like a Cava, but the food is much better with better flavors.

The food was amazing. It all tasted very fresh and flavorful. I did the build your own bowl option and tried a bit of everything to see what I’d like for the next time. They also have menu options which are ready to go. They also have ALL the options- vegan friendly, vegetarian friendly, pescatarian friendly.

If you work in the area they offer 20% off which is great and gives incentive to go multiple times a week for lunch! The pricing is very fair and dare I say it’s even low for how much food they give and the quality. Overall super happy with this new addition to the neighborhood and again ANDY WAS THE...

Tried this place for the first time today! I got the tuna ceviche bowl. Pros: the product feels very fresh which is a must on ceviche, good presentation and portion size, good variety of components, the place was super clean and the team members seemed so happy and friendly! Like they loved their job and were proud and that speaks highly of the company.

Room for improvement: flavor was lacking, which for a Peruvian place is a big thing. I am Peruvian myself so obviously I’ll be a little more strict with my observation but I think that the ceviche needed more citrus and salt, but specially citrus, I was also missing the “jugo” from the fish which is so traditional in a Peruvian ceviche, that concentrate is really what makes a ceviche. I did order online so I wonder if I walk-in I can ask the server to poor me some more juice? But overall I feel like the bowl should come with more juice on the bowl itself or a little side of juice for those who want to add on.

I think I’ll be back and give it another try! Overall I am so happy a new Peruvian option is available in the neighborhood and with excelente fast and healthy options! So I hope they keep improving...