At La Mar Cebichería Peruana on the Embarcadero, celeb chef Gastón Acurio serves vibrant Peruvian seafood in a breezy, waterfront space perfect for groups and views.
"La Mar looks like a classy sea blue hotel lobby set somewhere on Miami Beach, with two bar areas and a high-ceilinged dining room. But the covered waterfront deck overlooking some piers is exactly where we want to drink never-ending pisco sours and fill up on tangy ceviche, crispy empanadas, grilled scallops over lima bean tacu-tacu, and other Peruvian classics. This small plates spot is always packed with tourists, locals popping in for the 3-5pm weekday Happy Hour, and people in town for some sort of convention, which makes a night here buzzy." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"We reserve La Mar for when we have a high-maintenance friend in town who wants to actually dress up for dinner, or when we need to keep a visiting client on our good side. But for the purposes of a group meal, the Peruvian spot on the Embarcadero has it on lock. There’s a patio right along the water, a lively dining room, and a bar to keep all the overflow cocktail-filled while waiting for a table. Adding to the photogenic space and waterfront location are the small plates that are worth coming here for alone, like tangy cebiches, Peruvian-style nigiri, and fantastic empanadas." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
"La Mar is a Peruvian restaurant on the Embarcadero that could double as a swanky hotel lobby in Miami—and if you run out of things to discuss with the client you’re intensely wooing for the next two hours, just look up at the giant woven squid hanging overhead and say something like, “Oh, look at that giant woven squid.” The ceviches are lip-puckeringly tangy, and the empanadas resemble puffy pool floaties (and taste much better). There's also an "Executive Lunch" option ($45 per person) on weekdays, which comes with your choice of a starter and an entree. Soak in the waterfront views with a pisco sour while you close that very important deal." - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1, patrick wong
"If happy hour coincides with the sunset, you’re in luck - head to La Mar to sip on $10 cocktails, such as the Pisco Sour, $8 wine and $6 beer, and while there, sample some bites too - the $5 empanadas are both filling and budget-friendly, and the $9 plantain chips make for a great drink accompaniment. Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m." - Flora Tsapovsky
"La Mar is a favorite for its views and post-work drinks, but a new brunch menu will make it a tempting spot for Sunday brunch. On the sweet side of things, the Tostada a la Limeña is a French toast with caramelized banana rum, a touch of suspiro limeña foam, and crunchy quinoa and pecans on top. Seafood fans may want to check out the Tortilla de Cangrejo, an omelet with Dungeness crab, black rice, avocado, sweet peppers, and more. If you’re inclined, a mimosa flight is available to complete the meal." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
