Best Peruvian Cuisine in Miami

Quinoa and ceviche are likely Peru’s most notable edible exports and, yes, those are big ones, both having a culinary moment right now, but that’s just the beginning of the menu at Miami’s very delicious Peruvian restaurants.

Today’s Peruvian food is defined by both the Incan ancestry together with the immigrant influxes from Spain and China of the 19th century. Imagine unbeatable pairings like lomo saltado, a flavorful beef stir fry paired with French fries (there are over 3,000 kinds of potatoes in Peru!), ceviche cooked in leche de tigre paired with sweet potato, and a specialty fried rice called chaufa just to name a few favorites.

Expect to spot ceviche on the menu of many a Miami restaurant - even if it isn’t a Peruvian restaurant. Ceviche is a staple around here. You’ll find it on menus like Ariete, Meat Market , Traymore by Michael Schwartz, Amara at Paraiso, Glass & Vine, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, and many, many more. Keep an eye out for other influences like the causa that sneaks into the otherwise new-American bistro menu at B Bistro Bakery in Brickell.

Whether you’re in the mood for a simple fish tiraditos or a heartier wok dish, Miami is the perfect place to experience a wide range of Peruvian restaurants, one of the most treasured South American fares.

With locations all over Miami, this local fast-casual chain has carved out a space as a go-to for a local’s lunch but it also makes for the perfect pick-up for a beach picnic. At My Ceviche you’ll be able to chose from prepared wild caught fish, marinade and toppings combinations or create your own ceviche, ceviche bowl (served over rice, quinoa or lettuce with sweet potato and corn) or even burrito. For a classic taste, go for the Tradicional with both fish and octopus, tossed in a citrus sauce with red onions, cilantro, jalapeños and tomato, or switch it up and go for the Rocotto, a lime ginger sauce. Regulars know to be sure to ask for the chile and lime spiced popcorn on the side and double up on the roasted jalapeño mayo.

This colorful and family-friendly restaurant, Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latam Grill is located in the lush bohemian neighborhood of Coconut Grove. As the name suggests, the focus here is ceviche but it doesn’t stop there. The full breadth of Peruvian food is explored on this expansive menu alongside other Latin American favorites (like quesadillas and fish tacos). Start with their ceviche spoon sampler consisting of six varieties of ceviche to get a taste of the entire spectrum of their mouthwatering signature dish and then order something from the grill, an avocado and mango salad or an ancient grain bowl.

Nestled inside the Five-Star Mandarin Oriental hotel in Brickell Key, La Mar by Gastón Acurio is one of the most upscale Peruvian restaurants. With dramatic views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline and a beautifully designed dining room, they offer everything from sumptuous novo-Andean fare to Asian-Peruvian fusion dishes, classic ceviche and freshly grilled anticuchos, similar to a kebab. Try platters as an easy way to sample the many enticing options like Piqueo Frio with mixed ceviche, potato causa cangrejo and seafood jalea, as well as Piqueo Caliente with anticucho de corazon, ají de gallina empanadas and yuca. Join them for a Peruvian brunch that’s worth writing from about or for lunch or dinner.

Across four locations in Miami, Aromas del Peru celebrates the flavors of their national cuisine. They focus on quality ingredients and highlighting the variety of influences in Peruvian food ranging from Creole cuisine to African, Chinese and European. The menu includes pastas and risottos, sushi and grilled items with all the influences of Peru infused into them - like a fettuccini with huancaina sauce and churrasco or shrimp sushi rolls covered with tuna and an acevichada sauce.

Pisco y Nazca calls itself a “ceviche gastrobar.” Located inside The Palms at Town & Country plaza in Kendall and an another location in Doral, they’re serving up a modern twist on Peruvian cuisine paired alongside Peruvian-inspired cocktails. Executive Chef Miguel Fernandez, formerly of Gastón Acurio’s La Mar outpost in San Francisco, creates some of the most delicious and creative Peruvian food in town. The menu boasts ten different styles of ceviche, as well as a traditional Nikkei dish, which includes ahi tuna, mirin, soy sauce, wasabi peas, cucumbers, chanchaca leche de tigre and wonton-sesame crisps. Take note of the Italian influence in dishes like the Burrata Con Quinoa and Tallarines a la Huancaina, lomo saltado in a creamy huancaina, a typical creamy sauce made of cheese, peppers and milk, served over linguini.

Join them for a happy hour or “hora loca” Monday - Sunday between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. for ceviche dishes on special for just $5.

With locations in both Key Biscayne and inside Dolphin Mall, El Gran Inka is a Peruvian restaurant by Chef Felipe Villanueva. Sit outside, order a pisco sour and try the signature ceviche with octopus and shrimp in a spicy ají amarillo sauce with chopped tomato, avocado and lime juice. The Lomo Gran Inka with grilled beef tenderloin over tacu-tacu plantains is another popular choice

With popular locations in Downtown, South Beach, and Aventura, CVI.CHE 105 5 is the brainchild of Chef Juan Chipoco who was born and raised in Lima, Peru and relocated to Miami to share his love of Peruvian food with our community.

Locals not only flock to the restaurant for its traditional Peruvian dishes and mouthwatering ceviches, but also for the hip and modern vibe. Try the Juan Chipoco Iron Man dish featuring tender pieces of filet mignon, jumbo shrimp and scallops cooked with vegetables in a fiery wok, enough protein to get you ready to run an Iron Man! For a lighter main course option, try the octopus, shrimp or crab causas.

Located in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, GK Bistronomie is a Peruvian restaurant where you can watch Executive Chef-Partner Rafael Perez Cambana at work in the open kitchen. The menu reflects the area’s interest in the cool and hip. Dishes are artfully plated, Peruvian-inspired dishes with a modern twist, along with intricate handcrafted libations in a sleek and stylish setting where there is often a DJ. Go for happy hour and order the Peruvian Margarita, made with chicha, a popular Peruvian beverage made with purple corn, and pair it with the fried yuca with huancaina sauce.

The SuViche restaurant franchise has quickly spread across Miami with locations in Brickell, South Beach, Wynwood and more. Offering an inventive menu of light and healthy Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, there’s a dish that will satisfy any palate. Start with the SuViche salad made with tuna, salmon or crispy shrimp and move on to hearty steak saltado served with French fries. The Pisco bar offers over 15 types of macerados (home-made pisco infused fresh fruits, herbs and spices), so you’ll never run out of flavors to sample. If you're looking to have a family dinner or party catered, be sure to check out their catering menu available for events of all sizes.