Using a reviewing method honed over decades, Gault&Millau’s team of expert independent investigators visited restaurants across the UAE to discover which addresses were worthy of including. During the search, certain cuisines rose to the fore, and one of the most exciting in Dubai has been Peruvian, a fresh, vibrant mix of corn, potatoes, quinoa and fresh fish – with plenty of Pisco Sours on the side.
And, while Peruvian cusine has been a world-leading cusine for sometime now – the current number one ranked restaurant in the world is Central in Lima, Peru – it has gone through change. As the number of Japanese immigrants to Peru has increased, so, too, the national cusine has been transformed, so much so that a new culinary term was coined: Nikkei Cuisine, meaning a type of fusion cuisine that combines Japanese and Peruvian elements.
From ceviche and juane to ají de gallina, these are the five best Peruvian restaurants according to Gault&Millau UAE’s 2024 guide.
Amazónico
Amazónico is one of those restaurants that shines brightly in more ways than one. Whether for a business lunch, dinner or drinks on its rooftop bar, it’s a magnetic spot in DIFC that attracts a cool crowd and is rarely less than buzzing.
The setting is as lively as the feel, thanks to the lush greenery and brightly coloured décor swathed across the large, three-storey rainforest-inspired restaurant. The striking interiors come from renowned designer Lázaro Rosa-Violan, who is also behind the décor at the original Madrid restaurant and countless others.
Meanwhile, the food is just as colourful and exciting. The menu, crafted by chef Diego Fernando Sanchez Vargas, is a Latin American exploration with innovative, palate-popping dishes. Hamachi tiradito comes with passion fruit and shiso leaves, while the signature Amazónico maki is a fresh vegetarian roll of mango, avocado, coconut and cacao nibs. Spanish red prawns, as well as slow-cooked 16-hour lamb with chilli huacatay and cassava, also impress.
Read the 2024 Gault&Millau review in full here
www.amazonicorestaurant.com; +971 4 571 3999
COYA Dubai
COYA is a globally renowned name for a good reason. One of the first to bring Peruvian dishes to the forefront of Dubai’s dining scene, COYA is a buzzing spot at any given time. Much-loved for its lively late-night dinners, anniversary lunches and party brunches, COYA is one of the must-visit restaurants in the city, whatever the occasion. It covers the full spectrum of a fun vibe and good food.
COYA started life in London’s Mayfair before expanding to the Middle East, where it also has homes in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. In Dubai, it can be found at the Restaurant Village at Four Seasons Dubai, a bustling gastro-hub home to fellow Gault&Millau-rated restaurants Mimi Kakushi and Scalini.
Signature dishes not to be missed include Arroz Nikkei, Chilean sea bass and rice cooked in an iron pot bursting with flavour. At the same time, the anticuchos are gloriously smoky, whether you go for the beef fillet, vegetables, or tiger prawns.
Read the 2024 Gault&Millau review in full here
www.coyarestaurant.com; +971 316 9600
Fusion Ceviche
A small but mighty Peruvian spot, Fusion Ceviche blows any expectations out of the water and should be applauded. A petite, unlicensed and unassuming restaurant tucked away in JLT, Fusion Ceviche arrived on the Dubai dining scene in 2022, quickly making a name for itself thanks to high-quality ingredients and punchy Peruvian flavours.
Since opening, it has attracted plenty of attention and received culinary acclaim from the city’s food connoisseurs, who laud its bold approach to simple dishes. The brains behind the operation are chef-founder Penelope Diaz, who has created an authentic, low-key restaurant that serves dishes packed with spices and heat that leave diners coming back time and time again.
Menus are displayed on chalkboards on the restaurant’s walls, while seats at the counter are the ones that are most in demand. A highlight on the petite menu includes ceviche clasico – chopped sea bass bathed in a tangy, spicy tiger’s milk dressing and accompanied by a duo of corn, cubed sweet potato, red onion and a smattering of fresh coriander.
Read the 2024 Gault&Millau review in full here
www.instagram.com/fusioncevichedxb22; +971 50 421 4509
La Mar by Gastón Acurio
The original Peruvian culinary wave hit Dubai with the opening of COYA in 2015, sparking an influx of restaurants serving Nikkei dishes. The blend of Japanese and Latin American cuisine has remained popular ever since. In 2023, world-famous Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio brought his La Mar brand to join other culinary big names at Atlantis The Royal.
Like many other outlets, the restaurant caters mainly to staying guests, providing a sparkly upgrade on most hotel restaurants. There’s a lively open show kitchen, a ceviche bar, and regular seating.
While Peruvian cuisine is typically humble, Acurio has given his dishes a high-end makeover, and they come with the price tag to match. Ceviches start at AED130, and tiraditos are around the same mark, meaning the bill could easily spiral. You will be dining on impeccable ingredients for those prices, with the Kobe beef main course providing the most eye-catching produce, coming from the highly prized certified Tajima cattle.
Read the 2024 Gault&Millau review in full here
www.atlantis.com/dubai/dining/la-mar; +971 4 426 2900
Nobu Dubai
While not technically a fully-fledged Peruvian restaurant, Nobu is a world leader in Nikkei Cuisine, fusion cooking that combines Japanese and Peruvian elements. Relocating to a new spot in Atlantis The Palm in February 2023, the revamped Nobu Dubai is a spectacle, and the restaurant teems with the city’s beautiful people, making it a glamorous place to see and be seen.
The real show-stopper is the outdoor terrace, offering panoramic views of the city that are nothing short of breathtaking. However, despite the stunning aesthetics, Nobu Dubai somewhat falls short in terms of service and cuisine. While not impolite, the staff gives off a vibe of indifference, which, unfortunately, impacts the overall dining experience.
The food, like the service, is a mixed bag. While some dishes brilliantly showcase Nobu’s trademark fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian flavours, others seem to lack the care and attention one would expect. The standout dishes, though, have creative pairings of ingredients and well-balanced flavours, speaking volumes about Nobu’s culinary capabilities when delivered properly. The chu toro tataki kinome miso is a case in point.
Read the 2024 Gault&Millau review in full here
www.noburestaurants.com/dubai/nobu-dubai-japanese-restaurant-bar-and-lounge; +971 4 426 2626