La Mar Cocina Peruana San Francisco Debuts Stunning Renovation and Revamped Menu
Marking a bold new chapter after 17 years on San Francisco’s waterfront, La Mar unveils a revitalized space and vibrant new menu by Chef Victoriano Lopez.
La Mar Cocina Peruana, San Francisco’s premier sea-to-table dining destination founded by acclaimed Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, proudly unveils its reimagined interiors and an expanded, modernized menu by Executive Chef Victoriano Lopez. The refreshed design draws inspiration from Peru and the restaurant’s Embarcadero waterfront setting, creating a sleek yet inviting ambiance. Meanwhile, Chef Lopez’s updated menu celebrates authentic Peruvian flavors through thoughtfully crafted, seasonal dishes. These enhancements mark a bold new chapter for the beloved restaurant and reinforce its role as a pillar in San Francisco’s culinary scene.
“We are thrilled to debut this latest iteration of La Mar, complete with stunning interiors and an exceptional menu that reflects the rich culture of Peru,” said Thomas Medl, Director of Operations. “This transformation elevates the guest experience both visually and functionally, while staying true to our sea-to-table philosophy and spirited hospitality. La Mar has always been more than a restaurant, it’s a gathering place where guests can share meaningful moments, enjoy world-class Peruvian cuisine, and celebrate life in a warm, welcoming setting.”
La Mar’s renovation, designed by San Francisco-based agency Eight Inc., unifies the restaurant’s five key areas: the bar (remodeled in 2023), lobby, Chef’s Table, main dining room, and outdoor patio, creating one seamless and immersive guest experience. Inspired by the ocean and Peru’s vibrant culture, the space features deep cyan ceramic tiling, built-in Naugahyde indigo-tide banquettes, and a new, welcoming host stand. Enhanced lighting transitions the space from day to night, including directional overhead lights and hand-shaped acrylic fixtures that evoke jellyfish above select round tables. A new overhang partially encloses the kitchen to concentrate energy within the dining room, while fluted, reeded glass panels offer a semi-private dining option at the adjacent Chef’s Table, perfect for an upcoming executive dinner or intimate gathering. Outdoors, the refreshed patio now features new furnishings, lush planters, refinished wood flooring, and ambient lighting, inviting guests to dine al fresco year-round. While tailored for the San Francisco location, the redesign draws inspiration from La Mar’s global sister restaurants, striking a balance between innovation and tradition.
To complement the redesigned space, Chef Lopez expanded the menu and refined guest favorites. In January, he returned to Peru to collaborate with Acurio and immerse himself in Lima’s vibrant culinary scene, an experience that deeply influenced the new offerings.
“Returning home and working alongside Gastón was an incredible opportunity to further explore the roots of Peruvian cuisine,” said Lopez. “We’ve introduced new dishes, enhanced flavors, and elevated presentation, all while focusing on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Our goal is to deliver an unforgettable dining experience that honors Peru’s culinary heritage and celebrates California’s seasonal bounty.”
Some of the new dishes available on La Mar’s lunch and dinner menus include Cebiche Victoriano — featuring local halibut, sunchoke leche de tigre, choclo, sweet potatoes, and artichoke chips; La Grand Bandeja Cebichera — an impressive sampling of Cebiche Clasico, Causa de California, Nigiri Anticuchero, jumbo prawns, hamachi sashimi, and Tiradito Laqueado; Tiradito al Olivo — Spanish octopus with purple potato sauce, avocado, dried black olives, crispy octopus chicharron, and habanero oil; and Arroz Con Cangrejo — a large-format dish designed to serve 2–4 people, featuring arborio rice cooked in Dungeness crab broth with aji panca, aji amarillo, and white wine, topped with crab meat, avocado, and spicy huacatay sauce. Additionally, the Chef’s Tasting Menu has been updated to include a fresh selection of authentic, flavorful dishes for $109 per person.
La Mar Cocina Peruana is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner at Pier 1 ½ on San Francisco Embarcadero’s waterfront.
