"Acurio's flagship cevichería has set Lima's standard since 2005; arrive at noon for the city's defining lunch."
La Mar serves only at lunch, and the line on Avenida Mariscal La Mar starts before noon. Gastón Acurio opened the cevichería at number 770 in Miraflores in 2005, and it became the template that exported Peruvian seafood worldwide, with outposts from San Francisco to Dubai. The Lima flagship takes no reservations: ceviche runs about S/60 to S/90, a full lunch closer to S/130 to S/180. It headlines the cevichería picks in our Best Restaurants in Lima guide.
Gastón Acurio, the chef behind Astrid y Gastón, built La Mar in 2005 to do one thing supremely well: fresh Peruvian seafood, served at lunch, the way a cevichería should. The kitchen works only with the day's catch, so the menu shifts with the market. The classic ceviche, fish cured in leche de tigre with red onion, choclo and sweet potato, is the dish to order, alongside tiraditos, causas, arroz con mariscos and a roster of piscos at the bar. The format proved so influential that Acurio rolled La Mar out across the Americas and the Gulf. The cooking belongs on any best seafood restaurants worldwide shortlist.
La Mar is a large, open-air cevichería: a covered terrace, bright daylight, and a buzz that builds through the lunch rush to a happy roar. Tables are close, service is quick because the room turns hard between noon and mid-afternoon, and around 150 seats still fill by 1pm at weekends. Dress is casual to smart casual. There is no dinner; the kitchen closes in the late afternoon, so this is strictly a midday meal.
Book La Mar, or rather arrive early, for a daytime celebration because the format suits a crowd: a big, sunny terrace, sharing plates of ceviche, and pisco sours to mark the moment. It is one of Lima's defining lunches. See more in our best restaurants for a celebration.
Not for a dinner plan or anyone needing a guaranteed table. La Mar serves lunch only and takes no reservations, so a late arrival on a weekend means a real wait.
Yes. La Mar is the cevichería that set the modern standard for Peruvian seafood, and the ceviche, cured to order from the day's catch, lives up to the reputation. At about S/60 to S/90 for ceviche it is mid-priced, and the open-air lunch is one of the essential Lima experiences.
La Mar takes no reservations and serves lunch only, so timing is everything. Arrive at noon when it opens to walk straight in; by 1pm on a weekend expect a wait. Weekday lunch is calmer. Put your name down and have a pisco sour while the terrace turns over.
Casual to smart casual. As a daytime, open-air cevichería it is relaxed, so neat casual clothing is perfect. There is no jacket or formal requirement. Many guests come straight from the beach or a morning out, and that fits the easy lunchtime mood.
Ceviche runs about S/60 to S/90, and a full lunch with a starter, a main and a pisco sour lands closer to S/130 to S/180 per person. That makes it more affordable than Lima's tasting-menu restaurants while still delivering top-tier seafood.
The classic ceviche, fish in leche de tigre with red onion, choclo and sweet potato, is the must-order. Add a tiradito to see the kitchen's lighter, Nikkei-leaning side, an arroz con mariscos to share, and a pisco sour to start.
La Mar serves lunch only and does not take reservations. Arrive at noon when it opens, or expect a wait by 1pm.
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La Mar headlines the cevichería section of our ranking of Lima's essential tables.
Best Restaurants in Lima →