Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar — Restaurant in Reston

My immediate family and friends have been here on several occasions; mostly a party of 6 or 3. We decided to introduce our other family members to our special occasion spot. What better way to do it than to bring the family together for our mother in laws birthday. We would be a total of 13 (10 adults and 3 small children). When placing the phone call for reservations (a little over a month in advance) we were told that they would have to connect us to Laura, who is their large party coordinator. We didn't hear back so we decided to call back a week later. It took them 1.5 weeks to get us some information to move forward. Once we were connected we were told that in order to bring our large party, we would need to sign a contract and have minimum spending. $1500 minimum for the private room or $1000 minimum for the semi private area (which is part of the main dining) and there was no way around it. We were told that a contract , deposit and minimum spending is needed in order to provide the best service. Which is ridiculous because that just means, they want us to just be able to spend more as a large party. I get it, makes sense as a business. We could understand if gratitudity would automatically be included and that additional tip is given for the best service given that day. But having a minimum for party of 8 and over is ridiculous, especially if we have small children who won't be consuming much. For 10 adults, and picking the semi private area , that would be 100/pp before tax and tips. Which is more than what each person would spend by ordering one appetizer, entree and dessert off their menu. For their private area, that would be a out $150/pp before taxes and tips. I writing this in hope that they will recognize what could be a loss because of their policy and for awareness for those who are looking for a large party reservation of more than 8 people.

Overall, food is decent here and would be enjoyable for parties less than 8. The aesthetic is nice for pictures. If you're gathering friends and family for a night or day out and are more than 8 people, probably find another place, unless you have the funds to pay 100-150per person. If you're celebrating a corporate event, I'm sure they would be happy to provide service. Also, if you're actually organizing an event, party, not just a dinner, then the extra $$$ per person might make sense to you. It just didn't for us.

Also, pro tip is to go on Yelp to read the reviews. There are incentives from the restaurant to write...

This restaurant is one of Reston’s best places to gather with friends, talk, and enjoy excellent Peruvian small plates. The vibe is relaxed and social, with the kind of energy that makes it easy to linger over drinks and food while catching up. Whether you’re at the bar or a table, the atmosphere feels designed for conversation.

The menu is perfect for sharing, and the small plates are the highlight. If you’re at the bar, two items stand out as must-orders: the Ceviche Callejero and the Empanadas de Ají de Gallina. The ceviche is bright and refreshing, with just the right mix of lime, spice, and fresh seafood. It’s light, flavorful, and exactly the kind of dish you’ll want to order again. The empanadas are golden and crisp on the outside, filled with a creamy ají de gallina chicken stew, and served with a rocoto aioli that brings a gentle heat. Together, they’re the perfect pair for a cold beer, a cocktail, or a round of pisco sours while chatting with friends.

Beyond those, the menu’s traditional platters—marked with the Peruvian flag—are all worth trying. They showcase authentic flavors in dishes like anticucho de pollo and causa crocante, balancing comfort with bold seasoning. They’re excellent for ordering a variety, setting them in the middle, and letting everyone take a little of everything.

The service adds to the experience. Cat and Diego deserve a special mention for making the bar such a welcoming place. They’re attentive, friendly, and genuinely make you feel like you’re part of the community. Their recommendations were spot-on, and their easygoing energy really set the tone for a great evening.

What makes this spot shine is how well it blends authenticity with approachability. The food is consistently excellent, the staff makes you feel at home, and the setting encourages you to slow down, talk, and share. It’s casual enough for a quick bite and a drink, but also polished enough for a full night of eating and exploring Peruvian flavors.

For anyone looking for a social dining experience with outstanding food, this is a must-visit. Order the ceviche and empanadas at the bar, trust the staff’s recommendations, and settle in for an evening of conversation and flavors you...

Today I went to dinner here with my au pair who was newly arrived from Huancayo. My husband is also Peruvian. I eat here often since it is near my house. We went as a party of five without a reservation and were seated in a central large table in the middle of the restaurant. Five minutes later, a woman identifying herself as the manager with two other staff asked us to come and switch tables. She moved us to a table that was not large enough for our party of five, but I decided it was okay because one of my sons was asleep in his stroller. They told us they would give us 2 appetizers or an entire round of drinks for moving. The waiter from the old table then came over and told us he would make sure the new waiter took care of us.

The service was not bad, the new waiter was fine. However, they did not comp any items on our bill at all, or tell our waiter they had offered us free items for the move. Once we asked, it changed to desserts to go or a free gift card. We didn’t take either because it was clear they didn’t actually mean to keep their promises to us. Considering the woman at the table identified herself as the manager, that was pretty disappointing.

The Lomo Soltado ordered by two of our table was just okay, nothing you can’t get at several other less expensive Peruvian restaurants in the area. The other items we ordered, Pescado a lo Macho and a Leche de Tigre, were better.

The food here overall is inconsistent, some items I have enjoyed over time (I swear the lomo was better at one point), but other items have been disappointing, like the sushi (which made me sick last time I ate it even though it was delicious) or the anticucho platter (which was expensive and not seasoned in the Peruvian...