Coya City

Amongst all the grandeur of the City of London, Coya offers a welcome change from the kind of old-school dining that is rooted in the area. Arjun Waney’s Peruvian spin on his phenomenally successful Zuma concept draws crowds with its Pisco Bar and menu of small sharing plates that takes diners on a tour of the continent’s culinary hits.

Instagram-worthy interiors are part of the draw; artistic extravagance juxtaposes vibrant pops of bold colour against earthier tones. Suspended wooden trellises are climbing with greenery, an eclectic array of artwork and decor adorning the stone walls. It’s perhaps not as over-the-top as its Mayfair counterpart, but it’s distinctly recognisable in its design.

A Pisco Sour is a fitting start to our evening of Peruvian fare, and Coya makes it as well as any we’ve had, adorning it with the restaurant’s logo for added flair. Guacamole continues the theatrics, ground together tableside into a creamy and lightly spiced dip that we scoop up with corn tortillas.

Where Coya truly shines is in its ceviche offerings, with an entire crudo section on the menu brimming with options. We start with the clasica ceviche; fragrant sea bass paired with sweet potato, charred corn, and crisp red onion, all bathed in a zesty sauce. A truffle alternative is bold and aromatic, perhaps lacking subtlety, but showcasing that Coya doesn’t do things by halves.

The highlight of the evening is the arroz nikkei, a tender sea bass cassoulet with sweetcorn puree. Fragrant saffron rice, fiery chilli, and perfectly cooked fish make this a rather unforgettable main course. A patatas bravas side dish, however, just doesn’t quite work for us; its mildly crispy potatoes coated with strings of tomato, and cheese sauce that lacks the same punch as some of the dishes so far.

No meal at Coya would be complete without churros. These crispy, golden sticks are dusted in sugar and citrus zest, and we dunk them into an indulgent blend of milk chocolate and dulce de leche, devouring them in minutes.

Bold flavours and a buzzing atmosphere make Coya a place to visit any day of the week, although be prepared to pay handsomely for these delights.

Coya is ideally located in the City of London, in the heart of the buzzing financial district, and has built a reputation itself through its glamorous aesthetic and innovative Peruvian dishes.

The decor combines a contemporary lime green seating and striking light features, with some more authentic furnishings and wooden accents throughout. Enjoy some small plates at the bar, or relax in the main dining room and work your way through the menu, with plenty of cocktails to wash it down with.

On the menu you’ll find traditional Inca flavours with a twist, available as a la carte or set menus. Whilst the menu changes on a regular basis, you’ll always be able to decide between various sections across the a la carte menu, including appetisers, anticuchos (marinated meat skewers), salads, citrus cured fish and Peruvian style sashimi, as well as a plethora of fish, meat and vegetables.

Desserts are an equally tempting selection of Peruvian inspired dishes, from deeply indulgent chocolate flavours to lighter fruity alternatives. No matter what you choose to go for, you’ll not be disappointed with the selection of dishes to finish your meal.

It’s just as much about the cocktails here as it is the food, so it’s vital you try some specials from the Pisco Bar - where inspiration has been drawn from some of Lima’s oldest bars. With a team of mixologists on hand, you can delve into some Coya signatures, Peruvian classics, and localised specials. Of course if cocktails aren't your thing, you'll also find a carefully curated list of wines, spirits and beers available.

Perfect for date nights as much as it is celebrating with friends, Coya is a no brainer when you’re in the city.