Warike

Overview

Peruvian cuisine has made a splash in Sydney's dining scene, and leading the charge of representing Peru's vibrant culinary culture is this pop-up-turned-local-staple. Housed neatly on Devonshire Street, the Surry Hills eatery is co-owned by Luis Guzman, Valeriya Finogeeva and Warike's Executive Chef Hector Chunga. Using Chunga's breadth of experience, the restaurant champions a menu dedicated to the flavours and produce of the South American country.

In Peru, warikes are hidden eateries and bars, often the locals' best-kept secret and reliant on word of mouth to be discovered. This 46-seat casual eatery lives up to this, boasting warm, inviting interiors adorned with Peruvian artwork and an open-plan style kitchen serving up a range of enticing bites and sips.

Start your meal off with a bang — the oysters al aji amarillo is a menu highlight, packed with flavour and presented beautifully. The Ceviche Clasico is refreshing and flavour-filled, while the melted parmesan-coated scallops al pisco are perfect for cheese lovers — plus, they come with a bite of smoky duck breast.

For mains, the jumbo-sized king prawns coated in a hearty, spicy parihuela soup and the tender steak paired with a citrusy lomo saltado sauce are top contenders, while the duck breast paired with eggs and resting on a bed of green rice pudding is an adventure with every bite.

Round out your meal with a dessert — or two. Warike curates the ideal bite with a deconstructed approach to cheesecake, serving up a cheesecake sauce topped with fresh strawberries, figs, olive oil and bites of chocolate cake. For a combination of citrus and chocolate, opt for the spongey fondant filled with a lucuma sauce, which transforms from citrus-forward to creamy caramel, pairing splendidly with the chocolate mousse and hazelnut crumble.

Indulge in a sip from Peru with the wide-spanning selection of beer, wine and Peruvian cocktails. Each cocktail features a Warike twist, with the andino old fashioned and tangy passionfruit pisco sour taking top spots on the list.

When paired with lively music, dim lighting and dishes served with a friendly smile, Warike becomes the ideal atmosphere to wine and dine your next date. And, if you opt to visit in a group of six or more, you'll be served the tasting menu aptly named "Let the Peruvians Feed You" for $95 per person.