REVIEW: Lima Dubai

Much like the décor, the food at Lima is packed with colour and personality – the dishes are almost too beautiful to eat, which is hardly surprising given that the founder is Virgilio Martinez, who already has a Michelin-starred restaurant to his name.

For starters, we had the stunning and equally delicious salmon causas (AED75). Served with yellow potato, fig preserve, sour grana Padano and topped with edible purple flower petals, the dish, although small, was filling, and rich in flavour.

We also had the aubergine tiradito (AED50) which featured a mix of pickled carrots, asparagus, artichokes and rocoto tiger’s milk. And, even as someone who despises the very word “aubergine” none the less the taste, it was absolutely delightful. The rocoto tiger’s milk added a nice kick to the dish.

Now, before we get onto the next course, please note that Peruvian food is meant to be shared and as a team that loves food, we ordered a lot – you know, to share…

The first dish to arrive was the buratta salad (AED75). Filled with granadilla, heirloom tomatoes, mixed leaves, grapes, nasturtium tiger’s milk – we devoured within seconds.

If you’re a fan of lamb, the slow cooked lamb seco (AED130) is the dish for you. Served with pumpkin and seasoned with coriander, the slow cooked rump quite literally falls apart in your mouth, it’s that tender.

That said, there are a number of meat-free dishes that not only taste great but are also quite filling The dried potatoes (AED95) are served with whole confit cherry tomatoes, radish, feta cheese and huancaína sauce, offering a sharp burst of flavour. The cherry tomatoes provide a sudden sweet taste that is well balanced by the feta and the huancaína sauce.

Helping us end the night off on a sweet note was the venue’s San Martin chocolate (AED55) and Peruvian suspiro (AED50).

The surprisingly different dishes – the San Martin is made using four different types of chocolate while the suspiro is light and has a refreshing apple taste to it – taste quite nice when paired together. The sour apple meringue balances the rich flavour of the chocolate while the texture of the chocolate brownie goes down nicely with the sorbet and caramelised raspberries.

With great food, excellent service and stunning décor, Lima Dubai really does have all right ingredients to become one of Dubai’s best Peruvian hotspots.

Three dishes to try…

Tenderloin anticuchos (AED85)
Served with a homemade corn brûlée, the beef is tender, juicy and cooked to perfection.

Braised octopus (AED80)
The signature Lima  dish is served with lentils, potato cream and Kalamata olives.

Crumbed chicken breast ceviche (AED60)
The moreish dish comes with sweet potatoes and pak choi glazed in hot rocoto tiger’s milk.

Lima Dubai
Where: City Walk
Contact: +971 56 500 4571,