Café de Martín — Restaurant in Tallahassee

One word. Overpriced. I had the lomo saltado which was close to $30 dollars. My question is, how does the price get here? I had a quarter pound of beef which likely wasn't even choice grade. It was seasoned well and cooked decently but ultimately it's not enough quantity or quality. So the meat taking into account it's a quarter of a pound is probably max $4. Along with the beef you get a couple of slices of tomato, which are max 40 cents. You get maybe 1\20th of an onion which is around max 10 cents. You get a cup of what I assume to be jasmine rice which is likely a couple of cents. And some fried potatoes which cost under a dollar as well. So I'm paying premium prices for what's basically budget ingredients? Ridiculous.

On the part of service. My waiter needed to speak up. I could barely hear them, and they were shaking while trying to speak to my partner and I. I understand being a waitress for the first time and maybe finding difficulty at a commercial restaurant that charges less prices. But for charging these prices you better have some "chispa" as us Hispanics say, some spark. The waitress failed to ask me if I needed water and only refilled my water once I was already done eating. The waitress did not say what their name was and made themselves scarce in a restaurant that was not very busy. When they were within viewing range they were talking to one of their co-workers and laughing all the while my water remained empty. At the end they flip over a touch screen payment device which starts tips at 18% unless you manually input them.

Also their Peruvian cookies are disappointing. $8 dollars for three cookies that are barely filled with caramel. They taste store bought. And they come out right away like they're sitting in a bake case somewhere. In miami you can get cookies like for 10 dollars a tray of 20-30. Once again, ridiculous.

Minor mentions. They don't serve bread as a starter while they charge these prices. They don't provide the right cutlery like steak knives for steak.

It feels like this place is trying to nickel and dime you at every turn.

I will not be coming back here as there are better options for similar food in...

Unfortunately we will never return to this restaurant. I do not write reviews but felt that after this experience I needed to write a review. My girlfriend and I thought it would be nice to go out and try something new and different for our Valentines weekend dinner date. As Americans, we really like, embrace and enjoy all cultures. We thought we would do the same at this Peruvian restaurant and see what it had to offer. We were excited. We had reservations and were seated. It was immediately obvious by the demeanor of the service staff that we were not one of them. Our waitress never refilled our waters and multiple times I had to ask another staff member who claimed that she did not speak english for refills on our water. After our meals I had ordered another drink and my girlfriend had asked to see the desert menu. Again, both of our waters were empty. Another waitress came to the table next to us that was a large spanish speaking table and did not think that one of us spoke spanish, but we obviously heard her say that as soon as we left they could move down and get our spot. My drink never came, our waters were never refilled, the waitress never came to get our desert order, and I watched the other waitress who talked to the table next to us go complain to the manager and point to our table. I did not want to believe what I was seeing but it was verified in my opinion when then the manager (I assume that's what he was), not our waitress, came to our table and directly asked my girlfriend if there was a problem if she needed to order a desert or what. I simply asked the manager why he was trying to rush us out. He said no that he wasn't and I said we would like the check, no desert and that I no longer wanted the drink I had ordered over 30 minutes prior. It was just such an unfortunate...

Cafe de Martin in Tallahassee is a true gem for Peruvian food enthusiasts. The restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, with beautiful decor that brings a touch of Lima to the heart of Tallahassee. The menu is full of authentic dishes, including classic ceviche and the comforting ají de gallina. Every dish is expertly prepared, with bold flavors and generous portions. My personal favorite was the lomo saltado - succulent strips of sirloin steak stir-fried with fresh vegetables and served alongside crispy fries. The service is exceptional, with friendly and knowledgeable staff who are passionate about Peruvian cuisine. Cafe de Martin is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Peru in Tallahassee. I highly recommend this restaurant to all food lovers!

New Visit At Lunch Time

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem in Tallahassee – Café de Martin is a Must-Visit!

My son and I recently had the pleasure of discovering Café de Martin, a fantastic Peruvian restaurant tucked away behind Carrabba’s and next to Esposito’s Nursery on Capital Circle NE. What a treat!

From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by the incredibly polite staff. Our server, Christian, was the consummate professional—attentive, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home.

We each ordered a sandwich—my son chose the Gary Sandwich (chicken salad with celery, pecans, and lettuce), and I had the Osado Sandwich, a Peruvian-style beef sandwich with mustard and red onion creole sauce. Both came with regular fries, which were absolutely incredible—light, crispy, and full of flavor. The sandwiches were equally outstanding. Every bite was fresh and perfectly seasoned.

This was a perfect lunch—delicious food, top-tier service, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. We will absolutely be returning and recommending Café de Martin to all...