Llama Restaurant

We were visiting from Michigan and made the Llama a priority on our list. I’m so glad we did! It’s small, but intimate and works so well. The staff was incredible; it might sound cliche but they felt like friends immediately. The food was amazing, even though it might feel outside your comfort zone. Definitely recommended and if we return to St Augustine, we’ll be back!

A dinner that’s an experience of Peruvian food & culture. Service was outstanding. Everyone was very passionate about the food and had amazing recommendations. The Salmon Ceviche appetizer and Sacred Valley dessert were must do’s! Hope to be back soon

Absolutely loved this meal and the place! An expensive meal but well worth the price since everything was so unusual. Started but sharing an appetizer of marinated beef heart that was served skewers over Peruvian corn and backed potatoes....fabulous! After that the brought us a palate cleanser of passion fruit juice served in copper mugs that came out on a plate of freezing stones that were steaming from the cold as they arrived....nice touch! Entrees were the rack of lamb...done perfectly!, and the braised pork belly over pappardelle which we both agreed was not pork belly but rather pork loin but was never the less very good. All that with a very good bottle of Malbec that was substituted for a less expensive one at no charge because they were out of it. Classy move! I can't say there are a lot of reasons to visit St Augustine other than the restaurants but if you do, certainly don't miss this one. Do make reservations far in advance since it is very small and very popular.

Food and service was just incredible! One of the best restaurants I’ve visiting in a long time. Very intimate, small, inviting atmosphere. Came for my birthday dinner. Every dish better than the next. Note- no liquor is served , just beer and wine. 10/10 Would highly recommend.

Fantastic meal, had the octopus and salmon ceviche, which was done to perfection. Followed by the surf and turf for my entree. Ended the meal with their version of campfire stores, fire included.. The other meal was the risotto and gifts from the sea.

I have been trying to take my wife to Llama for quite some time. My problem is that I try to make a reservation just a couple days in advance and that just does not cut it. I finally wisened up and made a reservation a month in advance. Wow! This place is incredible. So worth the wait. Alex was our server and was terrific. He was truly versed on everything on the menu and really served as our guide on our culinary journey! Note that the place is on the smaller side and a bit loud inside. Still, we found it quite romantic. We ordered a bottle of wine to start our journey. We had the beef hearts to start which had an amazing presentation. Alex served it in a glass case filled with smoke. So fun. It came with corn and potato. It was a healthy portion for an app. Alex then served a surprise palate cleanser. It was a beverage in these cute shot size mugs. It was a dreamy concoction of pisco and I believe Dulce de leche? So delicious. For entrees, I had the surf and turf while my lovely wife had the grouper which came wrapped in some sort of palm leaf. The surf and turf was so delicious with perfectly cooked skirt steak and shrimp with onions and tomatoes served over the best noodles that I have ever had. I can’t wait to eat my leftovers as soon as I finish this review! We had a chocolate mousse for desert with French press coffee. Again, the presentation was so impressive. They had a small bowl of eucalyptus leaves that they lit to indulge our senses! Llama is absolutely one of the top restaurants in St Augustine. It is a little off the beaten path as it is on the other side of the bridge of lions. The building is older…you have to go outside the build to access the bathrooms. As I mentioned, it is tight inside but clearly charming. I so recommend Llama. We can’t wait to go back with friends!

Tallarines Verdes with hanger steak and Mar Y Tierra. Both were amazing and a good portion size. For dessert we had Sacred Valley. It was so delicious that we contemplated ordering a second for the car ride home. If we are back in St. Augustine, we will be coming back to Llama.

A group of three friends, we celebrated a birthday at Llama. What a wonderful experience all around. The food was so creative and delicious, and the service by Lisa, Kendall and Eri was outstanding. Make your reservations early because it’s a small and intimate space. Highly, highly recommended!

It's a shame Michelin skips over Northeast Florida, because I think Llama would -- and should -- earn that recognition. We went as a party of three and were immediately greeted by staff, who were friendly and helpful (especially with suggestions) throughout the meal. The restaurant itself is very small and cozy; it almost feels like eating in someone's private dining room. The food was top notch. We had one vegetarian, one pescatarian, and one omnivore in our party and loved that there is an entire menu page dedicated to vegetarian options. We started with the hongos bachiche and the yucca fries. My only "complaint" with the hongos bachiche was that the leche de tigre was so good that we wanted something to scoop up the rest of it with after we ate the mushrooms. The yucca fries (and dipping sauces) were so delicious -- crisp on the outside, tender on the inside -- that we ended up getting a second order! I can't remember ever doing that in a restaurant. For entrees, my spouse enjoyed his cordero cusqueño (lamb dish), and I went with the patarashca (grouper) on the server's suggestion. The fish was great, and the accompanying sides paired with it well, especially the peppers. The other person in our party went with the mushroom quinotto, which was cooked absolutely perfectly. Everything here was plated beautifully, but the desserts are likely to catch your eye, especially as multiple involve fire. My spouse got the s'mores, which, of course, involves flames. The alfajore in it was perfect, and I personally loved the taste of the Parmesan ice cream, although my dining partners found it a bit too, well...Parmesan-y for their tastes. The rosemary in the compote was a delicious addition, too. My dessert -- the Sacred Valley -- may be my favorite thing of the night. It came with a eucalyptus "aroma" (hence the involvement of fire again) that helped balance the deep chocolate flavors, which were spectacular. Oh, and the drinks! I could drink a gallon of chicha morada if given the chance, and they make a delicious one here. They also brought an alcoholic "canapé" just before our entrees, which we liked. And we really appreciated that a server checked with us to make sure alcohol was OK BEFORE serving it; we're all fine with alcohol but thought it was considerate for those who may not be. The only "negative" -- and it's mild -- is that I actually would have liked a bit more time between dishes to really sit with the flavors after finishing a course. We had three courses in less than 1 hour and 10 minutes; while I wouldn't want it go the full two hours for that many courses, taking a little bit more time would match what I've experienced at restaurants of similar (great) quality. Overall, Llama feels like a love letter to Peruvian food and to its diners. I'd suggest it to anyone intrigued by the menu.

Just enjoyed our second visit to this gem in the past six months. It was so perfect the first time the only thing we changed this time was our choice of drinks and appetizer, and they were even better than last visit. This time Marcel was part of our service team and that made it even better, because he explained the origins of the dish he brought out. Everything about this menu is unique and high quality, but what really sets it apart is the attention given to smell. There are intentional aroma components to several of the dishes and it really makes for a special experience. My only regret is not taking our server's recommendation on our first visit to try the smoked beef hearts. We did this time and it might have been our favorite part of the meal. Consistently excellent job and looking forward to our next visit.

I love this place! The chef is so talented not only at making incredibly delicious food, but also at successfully executing on what is clearly an inspired vision behind each of the dishes - incorporating every sense into the experience. Prepare to embark on a truly delectable culinary adventure. Drinks: As a non-drinker, I really appreciate the drink options they have for me, and I am addicted to the chicha morada! If you want something delicious and refreshing, sans the booze, definitely try a glass(or pitcher)! My husband always enjoys a glass of red wine and the complimentary palette cleansers they serve between the apps and entree. Apps: We tried the hongos bachiche last night and practically licked the bowl - it was that good! The antichuchos are also a must! Next time we need to try the ceviches! Entrees: Our favorites so far are the mar y tierra and the seafood risotto. We need to try more, but one of us has ordered the mar y tierra each time because we both love it so much. Service: The staff is attentive and friendly. The dinner service always plays out like a perfectly orchestrated dance - everyone seems to share responsibility for running food and clearing plates or bringing a fresh set of cutlery. They are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and never overstay their welcome at the table. What more can you ask for? For dessert we've had the cookies, the tres leches, and the sacred valley mousse and they are all just wonderful! I honestly couldn't believe how much the ice cream scoop(tres leches)hovering over a fog of dry ice looked like the moon! Beautiful! The sacred valley dessert is served in a cacao bean boat with burning eucalyptus leaves and stunning edible flowers, and the cookies are supposed to have a little show too, but were served on their own the night we ordered them and they were still absolutely to die for. Coffee is great, too. All of this to say, if you want incredible food, impeccable service, and an intimate ambiance - make a reservation now and thank me later.

If I could give Llama 10 stars I would! This is honestly one of the top restaurants I've ever been to. Every course was fantastic! I had the traditional ceviche- my only complaint was that the serving was small. Then I ordered the lomo saltado, which is off menu but since it's probably the most classic Peruvian dish and they have another iteration of it (Mar y Tierra), they can easily make it. Then for dessert we had the chocolate mousse which was the perfect balance of sweetness and the mousse was perfectly smooth. For drinks, I looove the chichamosa. The restaurant is tiny so you definitely need a reservation. The ambiance pays homage to Peruvian culture and its namesake with pictures of llamas on the walls. Our server was helpful without being being overbearing. Overall, it was a wonderful meal and I can't wait to be back!

UPDATE: Marcel, the chef owner, responded to my initial review by asking "why is it so hard to be a good customer and human?" He ended his lovely retort by "hop[ing] [I] get better at that." Marcel, it's unfortunate that you took my review personally and resorted to personal attacks. There's no need to be salty (no pun intended). Our dining experience was mostly unremarkable until I scrolled through some older photos and realized I had never posted a review. My review could've mentioned how slow service was that day but I focused the content on the food itself, which was well below average. Mid-meal, we remember staring out the window at Mellow Mushroom, wondering why we hadn't just eaten there. That night, the meals did not warrant the high prices, and we did not have time to ask for the dishes to be prepared again. I have never asked for meals to be comped. I will ask, however, that you maintain your composure and professionalism on Yelp or more of your comments that violate content guidelines will be removed.

First off you MUST have reservations. So plan ahead. This place is amazing! The food is incredible! Absolutely breathtaking. Definitely a place to treat both your eyes and tastebuds. Get the beef heart appetizer. Don't think just do it! Trust me it tastes like filet. The ceviche was delicious. Yes the portions are small for appetizers and a tad pricey for portions. But wow the flavor sensation in your mouth. I got the grouper wrapped in plantain leaves it was mild the sauce it came with was divine. Trust me this place is so yummy!

Llama is known for its excellent Peruvian cuisine. Tonight's dining is definitely heavenly. We were greeted and seated promptly upon arrival since we had reservations. Ordered flower bomb for cocktails which is delicious, light and refreshing. Ceviche Lima was our appetizer, explosion of flavor. For main dish, we had Arroz con Marisco, creamy risotto with plenty of shrimps, mussels, scallops and squid. We also had Patarashca, seasoned grouper wrapped in banana leaf with plantain, fried yucca and hearts of palm. The fruity cilantro dip is very tasty that complements the dish. Lastly we had the Luna Llena, honey-lavender tres leches with white chocolate yeast ice cream. This dessert took our dinner to the finish line. Glad we thought of going here tonight.

As a response to the owner's rude reply to my review I'd like to reinstate the fact that to this day (March 2 2024) the restaurant's main website DOES NOT have any mentioning of the fact that reservations are required for dining there: http://llamarestaurant.com. Dear Marcel, your attitude is what ruins your restaurant's reputation among reviewers. It doesn't matter if I had a pleasure of dining at your restaurant or not but the off putting experience itself is what had caused this whole negativity in the first place. Please update your website to reflect your policy, so diners are aware before they make plans to drive all that way to try and walk in just to be turned away. Updating your website will truly help you avoid honest one star reviews like mine. Thanks! Original review below: No walkings! The waiter was very rude when we walked in suggesting that the reservations are recommended TWO WEEKS ahead of time! No apologies, he was actually very eager to kick us out. Before coming in, I thoroughly checked llamarestaurant.com which appears to be their main website and the information about reservations was NOWHERE to be seen. We just wasted our time getting there. Very disappointed.

Wow! The food here was incredible! Such a unique experience. The place is very small, but we had the cutest corner table under this beautiful fairylike tree they built, with lights and decor. And the staff was amazing. So helpful with suggestions. Definitely recommend the passionfruit juice, and their rice drink, so good! I love that passionfruit was infused into almost every dish because that is actually my favorite food of all time, so I was in heaven!

I literally would recommend this restaurant as the go to if you want to visit one of the best restaurants in st Augustine. This whole meal and experience went above and beyond every expectation we had. I had to Try the mar y Tierra and both the desserts were stunning and delicious. Perfect ambience too, very cozy

Wow!! We've been snowbirding in St. Augustine for years. Llama has been on our list and we finally ate there. Such a quaint and welcoming environment. Yes, Llama is "pricey" but there is no pretence here. We felt so comfortable probably due to the amazing service of the staff. Presentation, taste and uniqueness of the meals were second to none. The lamb was delectable; so tender. The grouper was amazing. We splurged and enjoyed the desserts too. We will definitely be back every season. Kudos to the chef!!

Abfab! Let us squeak in last minute, no reservation- and sit at the bar. The service was bar none! It was not a scaled back experience at all. The food/drinks were impeccably presented.

A small restaurant with big flavors! Reservations are recommended as they do fill up. The foods had so much flavor and by far one of the best restaurants I've been to. The service was quick and very welcoming! We enjoyed every bite here

The food is amazing!! Sorry didn't take more pictures was too busy enjoying the amazing food!!! This place is worth the wait for reservations. They are full every night for a good reason. Fresh produce amazing flavours one of my favourite places. Definitely my favourite in this area!!

Wow, what a meal! Polpo and ceviche...small spot so reservations key. Not much else around there but this spot is worth a trip, definitely a foodie destination. High class Peruvian!

Incredible food, great service! Dining area can be loud, and not conducive to conversation, but that's a small sacrifice for the awesome ceviche and lamb I had!

We went here for my husband's birthday and we had a great time until the end of the dinner, which was a shame because it really killed our vibe and ruined the experience. They rudely kicked us out because of the next reservation. Now, I understand that restaurants need to keep it going, but we just paid for a $400+ dinner. The least you could do is be tactful. There are ways to communicate this rather than straight up saying "the tables have time limits" and there is another reservation. I guess they care more about getting the most money out of the night than ensuring their patrons have an excellent experience. Also, if they are so worried about time then they should have improved their service because they were very slow. What sucks the most is it was my husband's birthday and they ruined the night. This was the fourth time we have eaten as this restaurants and have recommended this place to several friends. We will not be back and we will most definitely be discouraging anyone to come here. *Response the the owner: We were not seated 5 mins prior and we did not stay 10 mins after. We were shooed away at 8:57pm. Our reservation was 7:00pm. We were seated right at 7:00pm, which was fine but don't lie to make yourself look better. I know the time your waiter told us to leave because I was in the process of calling our cab and I checked the time right away. I remember distinctly what time it was. We ended up waiting outside in the cold. Plus, your bar area was full, so moving there was not an option. You are also lying about notifying us that the reservation is only for two hours. This was never mentioned. I also know $400 for 4 people is expected. This was our 4th time at your restaurant. I don't care about the money we spent. I'm just saying, for that kind of money, I expected to have a better overall experience. Restaurant is all about the experience and your restaurant placed a damper on the end of our night and it was a birthday dinner. Thanks a lot.

Delicious, unexpected taste and quality of food. The waitstaff very professional and friendly. We came an hour before closing, which I don't like to do for fear of getting rushed to eat. Not here. If you live in the area, you have to go here ! If you are visiting in the area, you have to go here !

WOW! If you are looking for a top notch dining experience, look no further. I've heard about the Llama Restaurant for a few years now and have always wanted to try it. Finally, the time came and I wish I didn't wait so long! This was truly a dining experience. From the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave, you will be excellently taken care of and amazed by the delicious food and creative drinks. I booked our reservation two months in advance. You definitely need a reservation and make it as soon as possible. The spots fill up fill up fast especially on the weekends and later times. We booked a 5:30pm and honestly it worked out for the best. The parking lot is relatively small so we didn't have any trouble at this time. We began our evening with the pulpo and the ceviche. The octopus was tender, flavorful and excellently paired with an olive aioli and some fresh onions. The ceviche was equally as spectacular with fresh produce and a spicy lime broth. Afterwards, we received a palate cleanser of tequila, lime and some other delicious ingredients. Then on to the main course! I ordered the duck and my fiancé ordered the pork belly. Both plates were cooked to perfection and had the best pairings. The duck was crispy yet tender and the pork belly melted in your mouth. This was easily one of the best dining experiences we've had together. I dream of the day we go back!

Great service and food is AMAZING! It's a small intimate restaurant and must have a reservation. Small menu but great options. No liquor license, but have wine.

Incredible food, incredible service. I could end this review now because you just need to go. It's as simple as that. Need more convincing? Ok, buckle your belts, I'll tell all. Read past the quirks because in the end it was absolutely worth it. I'd had Llama on my list for some time and decided to make a reservation for our anniversary. We had never been there before and had no idea what to expect. We were a little put off by the parking lot which seemed designed only for compact cars and the instructions for other vehicles to park in the front or back. I didn't really see any parking in the back, but we were able to park on the street right in front of the restaurant. The restaurant is small from the outside, with no lobby or check-in area. I tried the door handle at 4:55 but it was still locked. Peeking through the window I saw activity inside. Note, a hurricane had just passed through the area and although I had confirmed they were going to be open I was a little worried now. All worries ended at 5:00 sharp when the door opened and we were cheerfully invited inside. They meet you as you walk in with a friendly greeting immediately followed by "Do you have reservations?" After checking your name against their list, they seat you. The interior is extremely cute, and what seemed small on the outside was cozy and intimate on the inside. Decorations were adorable and on point for the cuisine. This is not a sprawling establishment and you will need reservations and a phone call if you have a large party. Service was impeccable. Super friendly, helpful, great suggestions, great explanations of the menu, great recommendations. You are served a complimentary dish that I'm afraid I can't recall the name of consisting of I believe plantain chips and a generous helping of some sort of roasted crunchy corn. Delicious unfamiliar flavors is the watchword of this establishment. I wanted to ask for more after we swiftly cleared our dish. Since we were dining peruvian I asked for a peruvian beer, and received an icy frosted mug of cusquena lager. So very refreshing and one of the best beers I've tasted from a bottle in a long time. I would totally buy that if I can find it in a local store. My wife opted for the chichamosa. She opted for it five times because she loved it so much. Champagne, purple corn, pineapple, lime and spices. You will not find this anywhere else, and you will want to try it. I'm not sure what the spices were but they reminded me of a pumpkin spice. Very intriguing flavor and a lovely purple color from the corn. They have a intriguing menu of non-alcoholic native beverages that I would have enjoyed sampling as well, but the occasion called for alcohol. For an appetizer we decided on the ceviche lima, which is fresh corvina marinated with lime juice, cilantro, and limo peppers served with Peruvian giant corn and glazed sweet potatoes. The liquid is poured into the dish tableside with the other ingredients placed around the rim of the bowl. We were then advised to push them into the liquid and let everything marinate for about a minute before eating. Incredibly robust flavors, amazing taste. A definite treat for our tongues. The intermezzo was again something I cannot recall, but served in small metal cups. Tasty and cleansing, it cleared our palates for the delights to follow. And delights they were. I had the arroz con mariscos which contained a delectable assortment of "fruits of the sea" served over the best risotto I've ever had. Generous amount of shrimp, two large prawns, two large scallops, tender calamari, parmesan crisps. Utterly amazing. I've had comparable dishes at the same price point with half the seafood. My wife had the mar y tierra with hangar steak and the same large shrimps I had in my meal, served over broad-noodled pasta and the most delightful sauce I've tasted in forever. Dessert: do not opt out! The custard is incredibly creamy with wonderful flavors, and the sacred valley cacao superb. Cappuccino was perfect, served with rock sugar that made it special. I know I'm running out of adjectives but what I need to stress is how fresh and robust everything tasted. Presentation is divine, with special dishes used and rocks or pebbles. What a wonderful way to glimpse another country's cuisine! Yes, the bathrooms are around the back of the restaurant and you have to go outside but they make it fun with cute llama signs and decorations. Is this part of a five-star experience? I'd prefer them inside but the building is what it is, and with this kind of amazing overall dining I'll slide this into the category of eclectic that adds to the overall charm. "Hole-in-the-wall" "Hidden Gem" do not do this place justice. I've dined at places with phenomenal bathrooms but the food was only half as good. Now we just need to figure out when we can return! Thank you, Chef Marcel!

What a delight! When we arrived, I immediately understood why it's so hard to get a reservation: the place is very intimate (tiny). Ambiance is Peruvian farmhouse. Service was good. The food preparation and flavor is five star, but at three or four star prices. The mocktail and cocktail menu had some items that were fun, different, and delicious. This meal is in "best ever" category, and we can't wait to go back. This time we'll know to book far in advance.

Small eclectic vibe boutique restaurant. The service was top tier. The food was tasty.

I came back for the chef's tasting menu and all I can say is wow wow wow. Locals and visitors alike if you love a culinary adventure take one with Llama! The wine parings were perfection. Each and every dish was executed with finesse and love. I can't get enough of this spot! Tip: you must book in advance for the tasting!

Incredible, really. Not much else to say here. The octopus is otherworldly. There wasn't a single thing I did not enjoy here.

It's one of my favorite restaurants in St Augustine. We took our friends there and they fell in love with this establishment. It's a cozy place where I highly recommend a reservation. We ordered drinks, apps, entrees and desserts. It was an amazing experience. The food was phenomenal. Highly recommended this place. Make a reservation.

Our favorite place for anniversaries and date nights! Travel to Peru without a passport! You'll receive 5 star service as if you're home for the holidays and your family is spoiling you with the most flavorful meal - appetizers, salads, drinks, entrees, desserts - that all taste heavenly, fresh and flavorful!

The service and the ambiance were great! It was a wonderful birthday celebration and I am glad that I made reservations before the date! The food was so well put together and the flavors were very well thought out. Little on the pricey side but wonderful for special occasions.

We haven't been able to visit Llama in a while due to COVID and just generally being busy, but had a chance to grab a table this last Friday. If anything, they've only gotten stronger. It's the kind of high level service where you never feel overly waited on, but looking back notice that the ticket times were uniformly quick, drinks were always full, and the table was always clean, almost by magic. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, and the vibe is just really good. The food is flawless. Everything we ate was executed perfectly - most impressively the Arroz con Mariscos, which manages to combine spot-on cooking times on the risotto, scallops, shrimp, and mussels. The kitchen must be on top of their timing because they just nailed it. And the ceviche is last-meal level good - I could eat it every day. The Leche de Tigre is bright, perfectly acidic, and bursting with flavor. Llama is a gem, highly recommended.

The surf & turf was to die for. I highly recommend this place. Wish they had more cocktail options. Make reservations in advance!

Food is amazing and unique..service is great and very intimate setting not really kid friendly but that's fine for date night etc...love it..it's an experience for sure

Plenty of parking which is a rarity in st augustine. Cute decor and small, intimate restaurant. Wonderful, friendly staff. Tried the crab appetizer - not that excited with flavors or textures. Crab very finely minced pieces and not much seasoning, potatoes somewhat gummy, avocado barely visible. The lamb and flank steak entrees yummy. Meat perfectly cooked, great noodles, wonderful sauces for lamb, potatoes and over the pasta. Next time will go with a ceviche app. Enjoyed the Cristol Peruvian beer. Good wine and beer options. No waiting area bc of size of restaurant - check in if table not ready and wait in car. Chef owner circulates in restaurant to check in. Overall enjoyed our experience.

I first found out about Llama restaurant on Instagram and immediately made a reservation. After having dinner there it is probably one of my favorite restaurants in north Florida- and will make every attempt to return! The physical restaurant is small and cozy, and the service was unparalleled. Everything - from the restaurant decor, to the service, to the warm wine palette cleanser(!!!) before the main course - was intentionally thought out to create a unique and unparalleled dining experience. The food was out of this world. For appetizers, our table shared the Anticuchos and Ceviche Nikkei; the Anticuchos were perfectly cooked and the Ceviche was a salmon ceviche that left my taste buds craving more. For the main course I had Seco de Res- some of the best braised beef I've ever had and the portion was well worth it. The criolla onion salad was the perfect side. Finally, the dessert did not disappoint. Alfajores Affogato and Crema Volteada (kind of like flan) were a great way to end a delicious meal and fantastic in-restaurant experience. Bravo!

Specific categories ranked on a personal scale of 1-5 Drinks: 3.75 (Cusqueña and the Lima Mule) Apps: 4.7 (Ceviche Lima!! Ceviche Nikkei!! Anticuchos!) Entree: 4.6 (Cordero Cusqueño and Patarshca) Dessert: 4.8 (The Jungle Zen Pie!!) Service: 4.5 (Very helpful, polite, and enthusiastic) Interior: 4.3 (Cute decor, intimate space, outdoor bathrooms) *Context* My boyfriend and I love to casually rank our dining experience in these categories (he does not give out 3.5+ scores easily). So far, Llama is our highest overall rated restaurant to date! We definitely enjoyed the food, which really stands out amongst other St. Augustine offerings and we will be back. Llama definitely gets 5 stars. Make sure to make a reservation.

Guess I needed to visit St Augustine to find out Peruvian cuisine Rocks Everything from the Service (shoutout to Alex & Lisa), Drinks, Ceviche & perfectly executed entrees was a standout. My Surf & Turf tagliatelle with flank steak and shrimp was so good. But my husband's Pasta with housemade pesto was truly decadent. Such a unique gem #Eatlocal #discoverflorida #bridgiebreland #floridafoodie #aperfectday

Llama is fantastic in nearly every way - food, atmosphere, staff - all five stars. Writing this now because Erfamian's review is completely delusional.

The most creativity in a very quaint space. Llama takes you away to Peru and you really feel like you've stepped into a different story while you eat here. Relaxed and heartfelt service, they put love and thought into everything. You get a whole experience with llama. My favorite drink would be the flower bomb and anticuchos for an app. My husband and I make it a anniversary dinner because it is a special kind of dining experience. Be willing to try new things and explore when you come here, it is definitely a place to plan your adventure and spark all of your senses. It's also photogenic, the food as well as the space. Convenient Parking on the side for limited guests as well as additional in the rear.

I moved from New York three years ago and live in the area and have tried all the top 10 restaurants from Jacksonville down to Daytona Beach and with the exception of one was sorely disappointed. I had tried to get a reservation at El Llama for over a year but every time it was booked and suddenly yesterday there was an opening at 815 and I decided to jump in my car to check it out. Without a question it is the best restaurant within a 90 mile radius. This is Michelin rated cuisine lovingly presented for a fraction of the price. We arrived 15 minutes before our reservation and I had hoped we could get seated but the restaurant was packed. We sat outside while we waited for a table to clear up. Although it was a little chilly the fantastic culinary experience and service was worth the wait. Our server a young man named Gabriel S. brought out these plaintain chips and corn kernels as a starter and I knew we were in for a special treat. At one point my daughter struggled to choose an appetizer and Gabriel S was outstanding. He didn't act like a waiter but a friend making suggestions regarding the menu. My daughter ordered the yucca fries and sweet plaintains and he brought it out plus three unique sauces for us to sample with our order. Totally unsolicited but very much welcomed. The presentation was delightful and the yucca fries were the best we have had in years. I ordered the Mar y Tierra or Surf and Turf after a fellow diner turned to me raving about it from the next table. She mentioned that she comes every 2-3 weeks to the restaurant just for this dish. Many of the diners are "regulars" and have been coming for years. Back to the entree, the hangar steak was very flavorful and I was impressed. The pasta was a little bland but it was made by hand and the quality and freshness of the ingredients was outstanding. My daughter ordered the Tallarines Verdes with creamy pesto sauce with the hangar steak and it was out of this world. I am originally from Latin America and my daughter and I are serious gourmet foodies and we are very discriminating when it comes to Latin food. So I am not exaggerating when I say it was fantastic. We saw other orders coming out that looked like art on a plate and we overheard other diners claiming their dishes were amazing. Gabriel proceeded with bringing out a palette cleanser - coconut/brandy concoction in these tiny bronze cups. I would have ordered a whole pitcher of the drink if it was available When we were ready to order dessert Gabe S told us most of them were sold out. We were so disappointed and looking forward to ordering the flambé, The S'More is on Fire, or this smoky dessert, La Luna Llena. We had seen the desserts come out earlier and we were so sad that our culinary journey was over. Gabe noticed our disappointment and recommended the last slice of the Passionfruit Tres Leches. I ordered it to take home and he added some ice cream at my daughter's insistence. Later that evening when we sampled it once again we were surprised. It was light and slightly sour and delicious. It was the best Tres Leches that I have had made in a restaurant or at home. Before we left the restaurant we got the bill and it was $118. Given the amazing service and quality/taste of the food it was a steal. I have been to 5 star restaurants in Miami and New York City that have charged $500+ for something comparable. Gabriel mentioned that he didn't charge for the Passionfruit Tres Leches as he wanted to make it up to us that El Llama ran out of their other desserts. I was touched and if I could I would have left $100+ tip for him alone. Instead I am writing this review to praise him for a level of customer service that we have not experienced in years. He works three days a week at the restaurant, Tuesdays, Fridays and another day I can't remember, so please ask for him to be your server if you can My only complaint with El Llama is that it's a very small restaurant and it's impossible to get a reservation unless u make it 3-4 weeks beforehand. Under no circumstances should you drive over to the restaurant in the hopes of getting seated. They are packed and deservedly so. The only positive is that Marcel Vizcarra, the owner and chef, has had such success with El Llama that he is building a larger place close by in 2025. I rarely write restaurant reviews because I find few restaurants in Florida that exceed my expectations. If you are a serious foodie and looking for a delightful culinary experience make that reservation and wait. This restaurant is best appreciated by people who are willing to be slightly adventurous and sample something out of the ordinary. This is nouvelle Latin cuisine at its finest and I look forward to returning next month. If you are visiting Jacksonville or Daytona Beach it is worth the drive. I regret not having made a reservation sooner !

Great food, great service, great experience, highly recommended. It is reservation only so make sure to book days in advance.

I will crave this restaurant and that's how I know if I'll go back. Definitely make reservations- very small restaurant so it books up quick and there is parking available. The bathroom is outside and around the corner so if it's raining, that will suck. Very clean restaurant and loved the simplicity of the decor. This spot is for foodies! If you're not into presentations or exotic flavors than this isn't for you. The wine list was great - a lot of unique wines. They offered samples before I committed to a glass. We started with the ceviche lima and ceviche nikkei and both were fantastic and very different. They offered us a shot of Peruvian liquor to cleanse the palate and I could've drank that all night. For entrees I got the Mar y tierra - lomo saltado and it was phenomenal. Probably the best pasta dish I've ever had. I ate my leftovers for bfast that's how good it was. My husband got the Cordero cusqueno and loved it. For dessert, well we tried all of them. Our favorites were the custard and the ice cream w espresso. Highly recommend this restaurant!

Had a wonderful experience! Staff communicated very well with me before-hand and created a special tasting menu to help celebrate my wife's 40th birthday. The atmosphere was perfect - quaint, tasteful, and all the ambiance you'd want on a chilly December evening. Upon arrival, we were immediately sat at our table. Our server was very attentive and kind, and helped us order drinks to our taste. The star of the show though was our tasting menu! The owner/chef, Marcel, hand-delivered each of the dishes to our table. He then told us the inspiration behind each dish, all with roots back to Peruvian influence. Super cool! Overall, they just went out of their way to make us feel special. We have visited Llama several times over the years, and have always had a five-star experience. This place is perfect for a date night or special occasion. Highly recommended!

How good is it?? In the middle of our dinner, we decided we needed to come back to try more. Luckily, there a cancellation so we got a last minute reservation for 2 the following night! 1st night: Beef Heart appy was superb... so tender with a wonderful smoky flavor! Surf and turf entrée was very good, but my risotto and seafood was the best I've ever had! They did not skimp on seafood! I actually had to take half of it home since risotto is so filling. For dessert, we had the S'mores. It may not have been the best dessert and marshmallow wasn't heated through enough, but It was fun to see it in flames! 2nd night: We tried the ceviche Lima and it was honestly the best ceviche I've ever had (and I've tried others in SanFran, Portugal and Spain)! The duck entree was ok (compared to our other entrees on night #1). The fish in banana leaves was much better...I only wish they gave more of that delectable passion fruit sauce. For dessert, the Zen pie came highly recommended both nights and it did not disappoint! Flavors and fruit were absolutely delicious! Love love this place! We were in StAug for a long weekend, and wish this resto was closer to home!

We dined here for Christmas on a visit to St. Augustine. Not being an adventurous eater, I was very intimidated by the small menu. However, our waiter, Gabriel, did a fantastic job making recommendations from the menu. We tried the mushroom starter which was incredible. It was light and citrusy, just enough without being over filling. My husband had the Mar Y Tierra while I had the grouper. Each dish was perfectly crafted! The dessert was the prefect top off. The chocolate mousse was just sweet enough with a hint of saltiness. While expensive, the Llama is a unique dining experience at St. Augustine. The dining room is very small. I believe it seats less than 30 people at a time. The music was perfect and added to the atmosphere of the restaurant without being too loud to talk over. Gabriel was very attentive without being disruptive. It was a great experience. We would highly recommend it for a special occasion.

The tastes are great. The textures are good. The service is very good. The ambiance is strip mall chic. The AC might freeze you out or the door opening right into the small dining area might make you sweat.

Normally, I don't leave negative reviews,, especially if I haven't had the opportunity to actually partake in the restaurants food, however, I'm going to make an exception in this case. After making a reservation for my family at this restaurant several days ago IN PERSON, our group grew from 4 to 8. We attempted the change via OpenTable, but could only add an additional reservation. We tried to call the restaurant however no one answered. We were going to be a party of eight with two of the guests being children under two who would not require seats. An hour before our reservation I was contacted by the restaurant and told that we would not be welcome to dine as we have small children in our party. When I originally made the reservation IN PERSON, I informed management that I would have our young children in our group. in any case, this is such a gross failure of service and consideration of us as customers, I'm convinced they did us a favor by not honoring our reservation. If you have children, obviously, this restaurants not for you!!!!!!! After reading the owners response, I would like to make a few additional comments: You mention that my review is unfair, what's really unfair is that our last evening in Saint Augustine was negatively impacted by the fact that we planned to dine at your restaurant, and had to change our plans at the last minute. Furthermore, during the day when we couldn't reach anyone on the phone to adjust the size of our party, we made a second reservation for two online, which would've brought our party size to six. Your comment about "not being able to accommodate our party size" is disingenuous at the minimum and patently untrue considering this context. Look, I understand that you don't want children in your dining establishment. But when I made our reservation IN PERSON AT YOUR RESTAURANT, I made it very clear that we HAD children in our group. So again, thank you very much for making our last evening in Saint Augustine so memorable!!!!

Amazing food and spectacular service. We decided one a more upscale dinner tonight and Llama was fantastic! It's a smaller restaurant and reservations are a must. Started with of octopus appetizer which was delicious. Plated beautifully with a light and delicate taste this is definitely a must try. Main course I tried their Paiche which is a Amazonian fish wrapped in plantain leaves served with yucca, plantains and heart of palm. Overall such a great dining experience from the service to the quality of the food. My only complaint would be the seat cushions on the chairs are pretty uncomfortable but wouldn't stop me from returning.

So, one of the activities that I really got into during the year of COVID was soccer. Well, I mean, on tv. English Premier League soccer. Teams with weird but cool names like Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. And West Bromwich Albion! (Come on you baggies!) I have to admit it though that it was tough to follow. Between the announcers with thick accents and the fast action that was foreign to my American football loving brain, it took a while for soccer to grow on me. But eventually I found that I really enjoyed it. Because it was different. When some good friends (who are also awesome chefs) recommended that we try Peruvian food, I have to admit I was a bit nervous. It was outside of my comfort zone and I wasn't sure how I would find the food. What would my non-Peruvian food loving brain think of it? I'm happy to say that dining on the Peruvian food at Llama was a fantastic experience. And I would definitely recommend it. First, you should know that the restaurant is small. Only about 8 tables and a tiny little bar. It took us a few weeks just to get a reservation at a time that we wanted. But it is worth it. When you first sit down, they bring you a little bowl of fried plantains and corn nuts. Well, no, not the big bag of bbq flavored ones that you find at the Speedway that are overly salted and make me want to chug water for a few hours after eating. No these are the real deal. And you just wanna keep eating them! But there is so much good food to come so hold off!! They have beer and wine and a variety of juice drinks. I tried a Peruvian beer (very light) and my wife tried a juice. The chicha - with purple corn, pineapple, spices and key lime punch. It tasted nothing like that. Best way to describe the flavor? Almost like the taste of a baked apple with cinnamon. Weird but so good! We had two appetizers - the ceviche lima and the pulpo (octopus). The ceviche is served with all of the items on the side of the bowl and you mix it into the citrus "soup" on your own. A cute way to serve it and very tasty. But the star was the octopus. It is described as a tender octopus carpaccio and it was probably the most tender octopus I've ever had. Works so well with the olive aioli and little red peppers that it's served with. Trust me. Try the octopus!! For entrees we had the paiche (a white fish wrapped in plantain leaves with yucca and hearts of palm and the tallarines con chancho (pork belly served over a spinach and basil tagliatelle pasta). Both were excellent but we agreed that the pork belly was the better dish. The pork was really tender and worked well with the pasta. It's a lot of food so we ended up taking some home. We were super full but decided to split the algarrobina custard. It reminded us of a creme brûlée with berries but with this crazy spun sugar webbing on top. Super tasty and definitely worth it! Now that I'm a huge soccer fan I'd love to go to a game in person. Who knows if that will ever happen. But you wanna know what will happen? A return to Llama!

First time here...reservations a must. Super expensive . Stellar service. Great for a special occasion. Peruvian food...everything on the menu is something you won't get anywhere else. I'm glad I tried it. Wines were super delicious... However our server never mentioned the price of the bottle and like a fool I was too embarrassed to ask in front of our guests bottles of wine can run you $80-$130 apiece if you don't ask! Surf and turf was delicious but the beef was not good quality... Fish great Pork belly great

HOLY LLAMA! This is no doubt the best food experience I've ever had! Not only was the food delicious the servers attentive and informative the atmosphere is that of a true chef. You can tell there is massive care and attention to every meal. My wife's Lamb Chops and Cuke drink was her all time favorite. 5 stars really isn't high enough for this place. The only disappointment was thinking that this place was being overlooked by places that have food 1/2 the quality.

This is my favorite restaurant in town hands down. Amazing food, amazing service. Reservations way in advance highly recommended. Great date night spot!