The best South American restaurants in London

From ceviche to steak: London has a strong South American restaurant offering
David Griffen/COYA
Lizzie Thomson17 July 2018

From warming empanadas to juicy Argentinian steaks, South American cuisine is the gift that keeps on giving.

In terms of variety, South American food has it all, from quinoa soup (a delicacy in Bolivia) to a pisco sour.

Peruvian food in particular has grown in popularity over the recent years with traditional dishes like ceviche creeping onto UK menus and Peruvian restaurants popping up across the city.

London boasts great restaurants from all over the continent - including the most recent opening, Zuaya, in High Street Kensington.

Here’s a round up of the best South American eateries in the city.

Lima

Michelin-star grub: Lima's colourful plates

A wave of Peruvian restaurants launched in London in 2012 including this Fitzrovia spot. It's known for its modern take on classic Peruvian cuisine and it even gained a Michelin-star in 2013 for its mouthwatering dishes. The à la carte menu offers a selection of small plates including sea bream ceviche, scallop tostada and suckling pig. There’s even a Peru experience menu at £65 per person (or £100 with a wine pairing) which takes diners through the centuries offering Pre-Incan dishes and explores the Asian influence on Peruvian cuisine.

31 Rathbone Pl, W1T 1JH, limalondongroup.com

COYA

Work of art: Decadent ceviche at COYA
COYA

This restaurant combines traditional Peruvian cuisine with Mayfair luxury, so expect lavish decor and food to match. In terms of ceviches there’s eight different types to choose from, including sea bream and yellowfin tuna. It’s Asian-inspired counterpart, tiraditos, is on the menu too, featuring a luxurious one with dashi, truffle oil and chives. This Pervian-style sashimi is the ultimate indulgence so be prepared to spend a little more (around £12-£16 depending on the type). Other menu highlights include a decadent Chilean wagyu sirloin. This venue even has its own Pisco Lounge dedicated to the South American spirit - the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink.

118 Piccadilly, W1J 7NW, coyarestaurant.com

Señor Ceviche

As the name suggests, expect lashings of the stuff at this Kingly Court restaurant. The menu is an ode to all things Peruvian from street food bites to barbecue dishes. Highlights include the sea bass and octopus ceviche and the slow-cooked, crispy pork belly. For the more adventurous, try the grilled beef heart with sweet potato mayonnaise.

Kingly St, W1B 5PW, senor-ceviche.com

Arepa and Co

This Haggerston haunt experiments with traditional Venezuelan food. Choose between an arepas (a cornbread) or a cachapas (a sweetcorn pancake) before selecting a filling, which comes in the form of shredded beef, roasted vegetables, fresh cheese or pork shoulder. Or opt for the signature Venezelan dish - a Pabellón Criollo - which is made up of shredded beef, rice, black beans, cheese and plantain.

58A De Beauvoir Cres, N1 5SB, arepaandco.com

Guasacaca

Bountiful buns: A roasted pork leg and grilled goat’s cheese arepa
@joel.rockstar

It may not be an actual restaurant, but this street food franchise is the next best thing. They specialise in arepas, a speciality from Venezuela, and use them to form buns. For the filling, choose from a roasted pork leg, shredded chicken, shredded beef or a veggie-friendly black bean and cheese. Find them at Mercato Metropolitano every day or at Hammersmith Lyric Square Market on Fridays and Pitch Stratford from Thursday to Sunday.

42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR, guasacacalondon.com

El Inca Plebeyo

This Ecuadorian restaurant is located on Essex Road between Highbury and Islington and Angel stations. Its specialities include hornado (a slow roasted pork), fritada and quinoa but also boasts a selection of ceviches including a veggie option, containing mushrooms and truffle oil. The slow-roasted pork with white corn and fried plantain is one not to miss here.

162 Essex Rd, N1 8LY, elincaplebeyo.co.uk

Zoilo

Baked goods: Empanadas at Zoilo

This place will take you on a whistle-stop tour of Argentina with its diverse menu that explores the country’s cuisines. Chef Diego Jacquet is the man behind the food and while he switches it up every month traditional empanadas usually stay on the menu alongside Argentinian-style grilled meats. It’s also no surprise that the wine list is solely Argentinian too, so guests can sample the very best in the region.

9 Duke St, W1U 3EG, zoilo.co.uk

London's best Peruvian restaurants

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Made in Brasil Boteco

For a taste of Brazil, head to Chalk Farm Road (and it’s impossible to miss this spot with its vibrant exterior decor). It’s Brazilian food in a tapas format here, so opt for a platter or smaller plates to share. Meat lovers can feast on chicken pastries, slow cooked ribs and pan fried salted beef whereas veggie options include fried plantain and mini cheese breads. Make sure to try the acarajé, a street food from north east Brazil, which is essentially a black-eyed pea fritter.

48 Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AJ, madeinbrasilboteco.co.uk