For the Best Ceviche in Lima, Hit These 12 Cevicherias | Eater
"Rafael Osterling’s lunchtime-only cebicheria is all about honoring Peruvian cuisine with quality ingredients in a festive, energetic atmosphere. The namesake cebiche el Mercado might be the most popular choice on offer; the kitchen combines the catch of the day with ají amarillo (Peruvian yellow pepper), leche de tigre, and crunchy fried calamari, creating an outstanding contrast of textures and temperatures." - Liliana López Sorzano
"The open-kitchen, low-key vibe at El Mercado is Rafael Osterling’s take on the traditional cevichería , but he offers some modern twists guaranteed to keep taste buds active and delighted. The restaurant’s name—Spanish for “The Market”—alludes to a commitment to constant communication with providers, ensuring that only the freshest ingredients make it to your table. Though El Mercado is justly hailed for ceviche, there is much more on the menu, including a wide variety of tiraditos , causas , sushi, grilled meat and fish, chaufa (fried rice), pastas, and Osterling’s rendition of other Peruvian comfort foods. Along with cuisine grounded in what’s found at farmers’ markets, catch-of-the-day specials are wide-ranging and likely to be winners."
"Rafael Osterling’s consistent quality makes his lunchtime-only cevicheria and Peruvian seafood restaurant a favorite in Lima. As you walk into the semi-open patio, the pleasant atmosphere makes you want to stay the whole afternoon. That’s plenty of time to sample the extensive menu, but start with a ceviche or tiradito combined with the must-have Parmesan scallops, followed by the chicharron sandwich. A pisco sour makes a sure pairing to any order. [$$$]" - Liliana López Sorzano
Amazing meals with fresh ingredients cooked with top class attention to detail, beautifully balanced and with a huge variety of high quality dishes. Tasty cocktails with an atmosphere you could spend the entire afternoon in chatting with friend and family with drinks. Wont be the last we swing by!
Jonathan Reeves
Google
This place has the secret sauce - it all comes together to create a whole that is superior to the sum of its parts.
Every dish was delicious and featured the freshest produce, the venue and ambiance hit the note and the superb staff rounded it all out, add to this a world class selection of cocktails and drinks which results in one of my favourite restaurants in South America.
Campbell Hoskins
Google
El Mercado served the best ceviche I have ever had in my life. The leche de Tigre was so delicious I could have drank it on my own, and the fish was fresh and melted in your mouth. The camote was a perfect complement, and the calamari was perfectly crispy and flavorful on top. Amazing experience and well worth the price. I don’t think I will ever have ceviche that tops this
Sara A
Google
one of the best experiences ever!
I loved everything, from the welcoming hostess, the service was fast and attentive, food was out of the world (the bao and the tiradito were to die for), pisco sour was perfectly made.
I would definitely return as my first stop in Lima.
Tamas Molnar
Google
One of our best meals in Lima, highly recommended.
The place is absolutely brilliant. All the dishes are executed amazingly to the last detail. Service was nice and helpful.
The highlight was the ceviche, absolutely perfect dish.
Portions are nice too.
We loved the buzzing and relaxed atmosphere of the place, it was a nice match with the food.
Kenny Pearson
Google
Very good food, prompt service, and a good environment without being too over the top or stuffy; there isn’t much to not enjoy. It is one of the top restaurants in Lima in my opinion.
It is not trying to be the 3 star, one bite of food per course type restaurants, which is a good thing.
I gave only 4 star for atmosphere as it is more of an open air restaurant and is a bit on the loud side, but you can still easily hold a conversation and it’s a fun change of pace from many other “top” restaurants.
Britney Meszaros
Google
My husband owns a travel agency and was speaking with a tourist who had asked us about El Mercado so we came to check it out. I liked the restaurant, I felt like the layout was similar to La Mar (without the iced fish preview haha)! We had great service from Daniel and I loved the signature drinks/items.. he recommended the ceviche which we found delicious but would've liked a little spicer. I ordered the grilled octopus and we weren't a fan but we also ordered the rice with duck (arroz con pato) and it was absolutely delicious and one of the best we have tried (def recommend)!!! Overall we had a good experience but we found it pricey for the portion size you get. They gave us a free little desert at the end which was also really nice :)
Keith Moore
Google
I visited El Mercado for my second lunch of the day because I wanted to compare it directly with the nearby La Mar. It had a little bit more upscale feel to it, but I thought the mood was a bit dark for lunch. I was seated immediately, but it took a while for my server to come by and take my order. I did enjoy an excellent Negroni 'El Mercado' while I awaited my ceviche. The ceviche itself was well-presented and quite good. I would rate it just a tad below the one I had earlier. That said, I would have been quite satisfied if I didn't have the earlier one to compare it to. Overall, El Mercado is a nice spot, and it will be on my list of regualar places to visit in Lima.