Coya Mayfair

Coya’s original London site (there’s a second location in the City), still pulls in the crowd with its glamorous take on Peruvian cuisine. In many ways, Coya is over the top: blown-up portraits of diamond-studded Rolex watches and vintage Champagnes line the walls, your bill is likely to top £100 and a riotous weekend brunch sees guests dancing in the windows and climbing onto the sofas.

Beneath the glossy surface though, Coya is turning out some seriously good food. It’s even tapped in to current dining trends by introducing a selection of vegan dishes which stay on the menu all year round – try the likes of puréed butternut squash served with purple potatoes and an aged vegan cheese which bears an impressively likeness in texture and taste to the real thing. We were also impressed with a cubed beetroot ceviche, also featuring vegan cheese, this time presented as miniature balls coated in chia seeds.

From the meatier parts of the menu, must-orders include a deeply smoky, slightly spicy beef fillet topped with crispy shallots, and a selection of ceviches, abundant with bold flavours and the likes of sparklingly fresh yellowfin tuna. Finish up with indulgent desserts, such as cinnamon-dusted orange and lime churros served with sinfully rich dulche de leche for liberal dipping, or a novel take on usually bland rice pudding, which features crunchy quinoa and a scoop of refreshing mango sorbet.

At Coya, eating is only partially the point, but top-notch ingredients and innovative takes on classic dishes help the food to stand out among the capital’s growing crop of Peruvian eateries. Our advice? Go in with eyes and wallet wide open.

Located in the heart of Mayfair, Coya is a lively destination showcasing traditional Peruvian flavours refined with contemporary techniques and presentation. This well-known brand has branches across the globe, from Paris to Dubai, and has been honing its signature dishes, cocktails and overall dining experience to provide an unforgettable occasion for every guest. At the time of writing, Coya boasts two sites in London, one in the City and a second in Mayfair. 

All things glitz and glamour are an integral part of the dining experience at Coya. Its stylish interiors feature azure seating, lush greenery, peacock patterned walls and moody lighting, designed to transport guests to another world for the evening. Settle in to one of its comfortable seats for dinner to indulge in an array of dishes. from light and zesty ceviche to hearty meat skewers. Equally, pay a visit to its Pisco bar to enjoy Latin American beats until the early hours of the morning.

The extensive a la carte sees indulgent appetisers like pulled wagyu bao buns with truffle, baby squid with Peruvian marigold and crab tacos with guacamole and yuzu tobiko. While a range of mains includes meat and fish specials - think spicy beef fillet with shallots and star anise, and Chilean sea bass with lime and aji amarillo. For an extra special evening out, why not opt for the tasting menu, where you can enjoy over ten dishes capped off with two sweet courses of orange and lime churros, and mango cheesecake?

A meal at Coya mandates a venture into the enticing cocktail list curated by the in house expert mixologists which includes a dedicated Pisco section, signature concoctions, and global classics.