Morena

I’m still trying to process the ridiculously amazing dining experience at Morena, tucked away in the historic GPO Building in Martin Place - I mean, who needs reality when you can dine in a place dreamed up by Peruvian Head Chef Alejandro Saravia? Massive thanks to my bestie for introducing me to this gem, where we celebrated my early birthday in style, bonding over our shared love of Peruvian cuisine - and Nikkei and Callao, of course. She managed to score a table for two under the breathtaking glass roof of Sydney’s original GPO, setting the tone for an evening that was nothing short of unforgettable - kind of like that one time I won the lottery in my dreams. Of course, I had to kick things off with one of their signature cocktails, which was basically a party in my mouth, minus the noise complaints, featuring guava and Latin American spirits. Then, we dove into the entree: Snapper, Fremantle octopus ceviche, citrus tiger’s milk, sweet potato. Next up was the Marlin aguachile tostada, which was basically a flavor bomb that left me speechless. For mains, we both opted for the braised ox-tongue skewer, Peruvian dried chillies, and the Slow grilled lamb neck, adobo sauce, braised leek, which was basically perfection on a plate. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, we wrapped things up with their traditional Peruvian dessert, Sweet Butternut pumpkin flan, candied pepita seeds, dark caramel - it was sublime, to say the least. The cherry on top was when the two friendly waitresses broke into a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, complete with a candle on the dessert, because, why not? Massive props to the team for their exceptional hospitality, particularly Laura, our waitress. We’re already planning our next visit and have officially crowned Morena one of my top three Peruvian restaurants in Sydney. I mean, I went from a disappointing restaurant experience the day before to an unforgettable, amazing experience at Morena - it was basically a culinary resurrection.

The evening felt like a journey to Europe, wrapped in an enchanting atmosphere and the vibrant soul of Latin American flavors. Every dish was a joy—the meats were tender, the fish full of depth, yet it was the corn brioche that truly stole my heart, a taste I’ll never forget. With a wine list that paired so beautifully and a setting that radiated elegance and charm, it was a night beyond perfection. I’m already dreaming of coming back, perhaps to experience its magic in the daylight over lunch.

We went for our 26 th anniversary celebration. My husband was excited to see how this restaurant was due to the fact he was born in Peru. We both loved it so much. The food was delicious and the service fantastic and the place has really enjoyable vibe. Excited to return to try more of the menu and to enjoy sitting outside for next time. Thank you so much Kym and Charles

I had an amazing time from the moment we stood outside the restaurant to the moment we said goodbye. The staff were attentive and graciously helpful; for a pregnant, an eat/nut, and a person with a pork exclusion diet - in one sitting. Further, our 2-year-old niece and 7-year-old both found the seating accommodating and were treated like royalty. It was an enjoyable place for a family celebration. Whilst we are not people who eat spicy food often, the set menu degustation allowed us to take a slow journey to desensitise our taste buds. The palate was ready and appreciating the burst of flavours to the end. A memorable night. Many thanks to the team for a great night.

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying the Executive Lunch at Morena Sydney, and I was genuinely impressed. From the moment the dishes arrived, the presentation was flawless elegant, modern, and inviting. Each course was thoughtfully plated and bursting with flavor. The food itself was outstanding – fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and a creative touch that made every bite memorable. It’s clear the chefs take great pride in their craft. I highly recommend Morena to anyone looking for a refined lunch experience in Sydney. I’ll definitely be back!

I celebrated my birthday there a little over a month ago and recently visited again. The food was delicious, the place is calm and pleasant, and I have to highlight the service from Paula. Very attentive, funny, good service and with great recommendations. I know you guys changed the menu recently, but if the Snapper ceviche still, it’s a must try. Thanks guys.

Visiting from Melbourne, we walked by during the day and decided to try Morena for dinner - what a fantastic discovery! Every dish was full of elevated flavours and textures that genuinely impressed us. The service was impeccable, with our server Laura being the perfect balance of attentive and genuinely engaging. She made the whole experience memorable. We will definitely recommend Morena to anyone traveling to Sydney. Outstanding food, flawless service, and welcoming atmosphere - exactly what you want when exploring a city. Already planning our return visit!

We came for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. Great value, I had the pineapple daiquiri that was sooooo good I had to have another, Connor had a sangria and it was also lovely! We loved sitting out front and watching the world go by. The staff were very friendly - we will be back!