Tierra Peru

"At Tierra Peru, it’s impossible not to smile. There’s the enlivening, citric ceviche. The hum of people swapping stories and anticuchos. The blitzing sound of the blender mixing another drink from behind the bar. The family-run Peruvian spot in Islington can make a Wednesday night feel like a weekend and the food is just as fulfilling. A couple of chef-recommended dishes—cordero huanuqueño (lamb chops rubbed in huacatay sauce) and picante chalaco (spicy seafood stew)—are must-tries, as are their homemade alfajores. " - jake missing, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley

"Until someone has the good sense to start an emotional support group for Londoners whose hair has fallen victim to the latest bout of torrential rain, we bring you the next best thing—Tierra Peru. Whether you’re stopping by solo for some life-affirming ceviche or merging your friend group with the Islington regulars for a huacatay-soaked lamb feast, you’re bound to have a great time at this Peruvian restaurant. The combination of pisco sour cocktails, bright Incan fabrics on the tables, and crumbly, homemade alfajores is irresistible." - rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley

"At Tierra Peru, it’s impossible not to smile. There’s the enlivening, citric ceviche. The hum of people swapping stories and anticuchos. The blitzing sound of the blender mixing another drink from behind the bar. The family-run Peruvian spot in Islington can make a Wednesday night feel like a weekend and the food is just as fulfilling. A couple of chef-recommended dishes—cordero huanuqueño (lamb chops rubbed in huacatay sauce) and picante chalaco (spicy seafood stew)—are must-tries, as are their homemade alfajores. " - jake missing

"Our enthusiasm for Tierra Peru is not not related to its sensational pisco sours. Nor should the fuzzy feeling we get from seeing a local restaurant on the Essex Road regularly heaving on a Wednesday night be ignored either. The ceviche bar—featuring all your friends from under the sea with a classic selection of pairings like aji amarillo or aji limo—is a delight. Full of fresh prawns and juicy baby octopus, biting red onion and lively lime juice. Whether you get it as a starter or a main, it's great, and the same goes for the hot, tender ox heart skewers or those homely alfajores biscuits." - jake missing

"Our enthusiasm for Tierra Peru is not not related to their sensational pisco sours. Nor should the fuzzy feeling we get from seeing a local restaurant on the Essex Road regularly heaving on a Monday night be ignored either. Overall though, it’s everything about this buzzing Peruvian spot that makes us smile. The enlivening, citric ceviche. The hum of people swapping stories and anticuchos. The blitzing sound of the blender mixing another drink from behind the bar. Tierra Peru can, simply put, be a party any night of the week. Who’s invited is up to you. More often than not you’ll find one rowdy group in the dining room. The combination of pisco cocktails, a pleather banquette, and Amsterdam red lighting is obviously irresistible. But the 20-or-so table room suits everything: low-key dates, catch-ups, restorative solo dinners at one of the quiet tables at the back. The more time you spend here the more you realise that Tierra Peru is a restaurant that’s relied upon by families and friends and Islington locals. Some regulars, some not. Food-wise, ceviche is essential. A couple of chef-recommended dishes, cordero huanuqueño (lamb chops rubbed in huacatay sauce) and picanta chalaco (spicy seafood stew), also stand out as must-tries. The former is perfect for a group of mates leaning across the table for a bite of this or a spoon of that, while the latter suits when you just want your own homely, generous bowl of food. Especially as it comes with rice and potato medallions. For pudding, you want to look at the biscuits. Tierra Peru’s alfajores. Handmade weekly and entirely scoffable in the best possible way. Come here en masse or with someone you like, really like. It’s a loving and celebratory kind of restaurant. But, be warned, you'll likely have to share your biscuits. Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Pisco Sour The only way to start your meal here. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Anticuchos If grilled ox heart isn’t your thing then know that you can get chicken or vegetable versions of these skewers. The chimichurri sauce they come with is seriously vibrant—make sure it stays on your table. Cordero Huanuqueño Lamb chops should be given attention on any menu they feature and these are no different. The huacatay sauce they’re marinated in gives a green herbaceous kick and the meat itself is as pink and tender as you’d like. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Picanta Chalaco A bowl of food that every person needs after a long day’s work. This creamy seafood stew has a background heat that builds but never blows away, perfectly offset by tender baby octopus and salty mussels. Get a spoonful of rice and a chunk of potato involved. It’s a proverbial hug of a dish. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Alfajores con Helado These biscuits are small, dinky things, and short in every sense of the word. Perfectly crumbly and filled with a centimetre of sweet, luscious dulce de leche. Alongside a couple of scoops of ice cream it’s a dessert that just makes you smile." - Jake Missing