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Miami, United States

La Mar by Gastón Acurio

CuisinePeruvian

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

Our verdict

Gastón Acurio's La Mar Miami elevates the traditional Peruvian cebichería to fine dining heights, where Executive Chef Diego Oka crafts innovative ceviches and Nikkei-influenced dishes on a stunning Biscayne Bay terrace. This Florida MICHELIN Guide restaurant offers both à la carte dining and the exclusive AMANO eight-course tasting experience.

La Mar by Gastón Acurio restaurant in Miami, United States
About

Where Biscayne Bay meets Peru's gastronomic revolution, La Mar Miami transforms the traditional cebichería into a waterfront temple of modern Peruvian cuisine, showcasing Gastón Acurio's visionary approach to South America's most dynamic culinary tradition. Founded by Gastón Acurio—the architect of Peru's international gastronomic renaissance—La Mar opened its Miami doors in 2014, bringing the celebrated Lima concept to American shores. Under Executive Chef Diego Oka's masterful direction, this Florida MICHELIN Guide restaurant has earned recognition as the Best Peruvian Restaurant in the United States by El Comercio.

Oka's Peruvian-Japanese heritage infuses the kitchen with authentic Nikkei influences, honoring ancestral techniques while embracing contemporary innovation. The restaurant represents Acurio's global mission to elevate Peruvian cuisine beyond stereotypes, creating a sophisticated yet approachable celebration of Peru's remarkable biodiversity. La Mar's menu showcases Peru's coastal treasures through an extensive selection of ceviches and tiraditos, each preparation highlighting the interplay between native ingredients and global influences.

Signature dishes include the tuna tataki with tamarind leche de tigre and sesame butter, the layered causa limeña featuring Peruvian purple potatoes crowned with fresh seafood, and traditional anticuchos elevated through precise grilling techniques. The kitchen's mastery of Ají Amarillo pepper creates the distinctive heat that defines authentic Peruvian flavor profiles. For the ultimate culinary journey, the exclusive AMANO by Oka experience presents an intimate eight-course tasting menu served on handcrafted ceramics to just twenty guests, blending artisanal presentation with Chef Oka's most innovative creations.

The restaurant's stunning waterfront location offers both a sophisticated indoor dining room and an expansive terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay and Miami's glittering skyline. The vibrant design pays homage to traditional Peruvian cebicherías while maintaining contemporary elegance through bold colors and dynamic social spaces. Service reflects the warmth of Peruvian hospitality, with knowledgeable staff guiding guests through the menu's cultural nuances.

The beverage program celebrates Peru's national spirit through expertly crafted Pisco Sours alongside an international wine selection that complements the cuisine's complex flavor profiles. Reservations at La Mar Miami require advance planning, particularly for terrace seating and the coveted AMANO experience. As the restaurant prepares for its 2025 relocation to an elevated Brickell space, current guests can still experience Acurio's revolutionary vision in its original Miami setting, where every meal becomes an exploration of Peru's extraordinary culinary heritage.

Reputation & Price

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The record

Recognition history

Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.

  1. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #236

    Opinionated About Dining

  2. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

    Wine Spectator

Full recognition history (4 entries)
  1. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #242

    Opinionated About Dining

  2. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended

    Opinionated About Dining

La Mar by Gastón Acurio

The wine

La Mar by Gastón Acurio holds the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, which Wine Spectator gives to lists of usually 90 or more selections.

Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Selections
325
Bottles in cellar
1,350
List strengths
France
Wine director
Gordana Josovic

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Details
Wine ProgramWine Spectator Award of Excellence