Lima Criolla Peruvian Restaurant, located in Lincoln Village on IH-35, looks very inviting from the…read moreoutside looking in. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor tables are covered with blue umbrellas to protect you from the pesky sun. So I walk into Lima with a food blank slate. I was not super hungry, but I wanted something to quench my hunger. I ordered the Aguadito soup (chicken soup with rice and cilantro) and plantains along with a Alfajores cookie (made with dulce de leche). The soup came with chicken on the bone along with fluffy rice, peas and carrots. OMG...this soup was amazing!!! It tasted like something your grandmother would prepare. I am a picky when it comes to plantain (no green, hard plantain for me). The menu stated, "golden, caramelized sweet plantain, fried to perfection). Lima had me caramelized. My ideal plantain is sweet with a crispy edges. Lima's plantains are my new favorite! Don't tell anyone, but I ate them with my hands...like a little kid. The cookie was also baked to perfection...really enjoyed my cookie. When I walked in, I was immediately escorted to a table by a friendly hostess and server. She was quiet-spoken and super nice. This was an excellent dining experience...will definitely be back...sooner than later!

Peruvian fried rice? Count me in…read more I was in the Linc for a calligraphy class and worked up an appetite. I saw this restaurant and decided to check it out. My waitress was friendly and the atmosphere was very casual. I decided to take a chance and get the Peruvian fried rice. My rice had chicken and shrimp. They gave me soy sauce and a spicy sauce. I didn't use the spicy sauce and one pack of soy sauce was enough. This rice was so good and flavorful. I wish I had more shrimp! Overall my experience was good and I could see myself going back !

I had an incredible meal at Llama Queen! I had ordered the "Aji de Gallina", and this was my first…read moretime ever trying Peruvian Cuisine. My meal was absolutely delicious! The service was fantastic, and the Ambiance is very welcoming. If you haven't tried Llama Queen, you are truly missing out!! I look forward to coming back to Austin, and dining here again.

I am from New York City so my review might be a bit harsh for Austin but the food was pretty…read moreaverage as far as Peruvian food goes. My go-to Peruvian dish is the lomo saltado and I was surprised that the potatoes were *not* french fries. It is typically french fries in other peruvian restaurants. Additionally, they didn't have the typical spicy green sauce that I've come to expect. Instead, they gave me a different green sauce (forgot the name) that did not go with the flavor of the food at all. I will say the chicha morada drink is pretty on point/traditional. Tasted really good. I unfortunately will not be coming back for the lomo saltado. I have not tried their ceviche. Vibes and people are really nice here - the staff are great!! So I do think this is a great spot for a date or for going out but temper your expectations for the food.

Hubby loves rotisserie chicken and we saw Inka while we were out and decided to try it. Needless to…read moresay, he and my daughter were pleased. They loved it! I got a beef empanada and my husband said, I thought you didn't like those. Well I'm not sure where I got the last one but this one was GOOD! It is seasoned well and the sauce on the side is perfect for it. If you like rotisserie chicken, then you need to try it.

Inka Chicken is a great place for flavorful Peruvian food. The star of the show is, without a…read moredoubt, the rotisserie chicken...juicy and moist on the inside, perfectly roasted on the outside, and seasoned with just the right balance of savory spices. Each bite tastes fresh and well prepared, very moist rotisserie chicken. I ordered the rotisserie chicken and sweet plantains...the perfect combination. Both exceeded my expectations. The meat was delicious and the plantains were sweet and tasty. The side really helps round out the meal. The orange sauce was a standout, which adds a creamy, slightly spicy kick that elevates everything it touches. I could taste a hint of mustard, not sure of the other ingredients...all I know it was quite tasty, Service was quick and friendly, making it an easy choice for a casual lunch. Portions are generous for the price, and the food feels filling without being heavy. The restaurant sparsley packed, however, they do also have drive through...a convenient benefit. Very chill environment.

Excellent Peruvian food. Service was very friendly . The…read morefood was great. The Adobo pork was very tender with a fantastic sauce, sweet potatoes and rice. My wife loved her chicken pasta dish. We will definitely come back to try other dishes.

I met a friend for a late lunch at Brasas Peruanas. The restaurant name "Brasas Peruanas" is…read moreSpanish and means "Peruvian embers" or "Peruvian hot coals." A little irony in that...Peruvian restaurant with a Spanish name. Their authentic Peruvian cuisine has bold flavors and traditional charcoal cooking. Brasas Peruanas is a medium sized restaurant with seating on both sides of the bar and at the bar. It is warm, inviting and laid-back...ideal for family meals as well as friend meet ups. My friend and I both had their standout dish, pollo a la brasa, a Peruvian classic (chicken marinated with spices and slow roasted over charcoal until the skin is crisp and the meat stays juicy and flavorful.) The pollo came with a green salad and French fries. The plates were quite generous and tasty. Perla, our server, was friendly and bubbly. Overall, good dining experience...next time we will try the seafood fried rice. Someone ordered this rice seating next to us and it looked amazing!

We've been to Ember Restaurant several times now, and it never misses.This visit was for dinner,…read moreand we sat at the chef's counter- which is absolutely worth it. Watching the chefs work up close adds so much to the experience and really highlights the care and skill that goes into every dish. We started with the morita shrimp appetizer, then had the short rib special and the half chicken. Every bite was packed with flavor- the food is consistently incredible. What really sets Ember apart, though, is the service. It's consistently warm, attentive, and perfectly timed without ever feeling overbearing. Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, Ember delivers on food, experience, and hospitality. One of our go-to spots in Austin and always worth coming back to.

Most of my reviews focus on the perceived value I believe I get for the money spent. Overall, I…read morethink Ember Kitchen is certainly worth checking out, but I think I might order a little differently next time. First off - parking is convenient in the Seaholm parking garage. My understanding is that Ember will validate, but it wasn't apparent to me how that works and honestly I walked out forgetting it and having to pay the bill for parking - oh well. I came with a party of six and we were celebrating a birthday. The team at Ember was very accommodating. We were seated downstairs in their "Speakeasy" room. It's a bit dark, but cool atmosphere. There are other dining options if you prefer a bit brighter setting. We were served complimentary birthday shots! These were quite tasty - enough so that I ordered another round of those citrus based shooters. Everyone at the table ordered a cocktail. Nearly all the cocktails on the menu are going to be served in a feminine looking glass and with a flower. The cocktail menu is pretty much for the ladies. On the bright side, they have a good selection of bourbons, tequila, etc available for straight pours at a decent price. Not extensive selection, but I think a good choice - enough that I think you will find something to fit your price point and taste profile. Our waitress was top notch. Very attentive and paid close attention to the orders from our gluten sensitive guest ensuring she ordered safely. We ordered a couple small plates as appetizers for the whole table. Everyone loved the crab cake. I thought it was tasty but wasn't expecting whole kernel corn in a crab cake so that threw me off a little. Market seafood crudo - this is a fish appetizer and as the name implies changes based on availability. The night we ate was a Hamachi or Salmon option. The salmon had a bit more of a spicy sauce so we chose that. It was a hit. We also chose a tuna tartare and it was fresh, good but didn't knock our socks off. When ready for the main course - our waitress had a number of off-menu specials to tell us about and honestly many were very interesting options. In fact, we chose to split a 50oz Tomahawk steak. This was a huge steak plated on a hot platter, already sliced off the bone with some fingerling potatoes. This was honestly the most expensive part of the meal (no surprise), but also the least impressive. Now visually it was a spectacle for sure, but the meat certainly had pieces that were tough with some large pieces of fat. Now I don't mind the fat, but when sliced there were a couple pieces that were nothing but fat, other pieces still that were mostly gristle. We all agreed the seasoning was just missing, it seemed to have no seasoning at all. It was also quite charred. One of the claims to fame here is their Josper oven and clearly it can put a good char on a steak. Some in our party liked it, but I thought it was a bit much. There can be fine line between a good steak crust and a burnt crust. I thought it was a bit much, and maybe why the seasoning seemed missing. On the bright side, it was cooked correctly to order. My only problem was, for the price, this was a complete miss. We also ordered scallops and the morida shrimp. Both were excellent. These were probably worth coming back for. The morida shrimp come served in a bowl with a rich sauce that was enjoyed by the whole party. The scallops come pan seared and were cooked perfectly - which is key to enjoying a good scallop. Be aware that the typical order of scallops though comes with only two scallops - rather light even for a single individual, because these were not on the "small plates" menu, it was supposed to be a full entree. Great experience overall, but we just felt not quite worth what we had to pay for it. Overall, it was just over $150 per person. What could have saved it - for that price, the steak HAS to be on point.

Each year, my husband and I participate in Lent by giving up something meaningful, such as meat and…read moredesserts. Lent is a 40-day period of spiritual preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday (symbolizing the need for repentance) and ending before Easter. Its main goals are reflection, repentance, and renewal. After observing Lent, our treat was brunch at Ciclo (Four Seasons Hotel). Ciclo hosted Easter Brunch and an Easter Egg hunt including the hotel's lake-level ballroom. The celebration included live music and lawn activities for hotel and brunch guests. The brunch included a cold buffet, hot buffet, carving station, benedict station, and dessert buffet. You also could order customized omelets from your table. Ciclo's brunch features gluten-free and vegetarian choices. OMG...the Four Season's Hotel and Ciclo restaurant looked as though a lush bright flowered garden had been quietly grown there. Flowers spilled over every surface from the hotel's entrance to the Ciclo restaurant out onto the patio. The floral arrangements were stunning. They also served as a beautiful backdrop for photos. In addition, we ran into ole friends at brunch, which was a pleasant surprise. The standout for us was the lamb chops (one of my favorites) and callosal-sized shrimp. The sweet potatoes and ham were memorable as well with perfectly spiced sweet potatoes. All desserts were good today, however, the Oreo cheesecake and sugar cookies were the highlights. Our server was so attentive and pleasant. Also, Abribal, the restaurant manager, came over to inquire about dining experience. Such excellent service... Dining a Ciclo today was superb! It was fantastic end to our Lenton season.

Had an amazing experience at Ciclo. We were in town with friends attending an event. For some it…read morewas a return visit and they could not speak highly enough. Outstanding service provided by the staff. Denis was our tables primary attendant. He is super. He provides impeccable customer service which makes your experience even better. The garden backdrop to the restaurants decor is a perfect pairing. Our meals were excellent. We shared the Tomahawk in addition to our individual dishes. My salmon entree was really good. I'm calling it premium surf and turf. Great night with friends and dinner. Ciclo did not disappoint. Well done.

Got into Austin for the weekend and we were looking for a great place for a late dinner. We were…read moreprobably an hour or so away from closing time but the staff still accommodated us and was really nice about it. We were seated at the bar and got a couple of drinks to start off. We ordered the smoked avocado escabeche and loved it - the plantain chips (I think) really worked well with the avocado. For mains we had the west Indian curry and jerk chicken. The curry was very flavorful and the chicken was spiced perfectly. I'd recommend, and would go back!

Hey y'all Wag Waan! Nothing funnier than watching a server try to deal with a bunch of fresh off…read morethe plane Trinidadians, and trinis who truly know Caribbean food. *Service- The service here was fine enough. There were definitely some issues, but I think that lays more on the restaurant itself rather than the servers. Sure they know the plates name and what is used to make it, but they couldn't tell us what made it a "Guyanese Roti". Was it a bussup shut? Was it dosti? They had no idea. We sent the jerk chicken back so we could get it cut up into some smaller pieces so we could share it, and the kitchen refused. Which was a little annoying, but what was more annoying was that it took them over 10 minutes to just say no. The staff here is not trained to deal with some real deal Trinis who are gonna rib you and ask questions about the food. *Drinks- We enjoyed all the drinks we had! They were all delicious and we liked that they at least used some Caribbean ingredients in them. The beer section is lacking heavily though. To only offer red stripe as the Caribbean beer is very disappointing, especially since Carib and Stag are sold here in the states. The excuse of it being "too expensive" doesn't sit well when I can go to total wine down the road and get it. *Food- The most controversial part of our meal. We ordered quite a bit after being told everything was shareable, but what we found that to not be 100% true. Certain things like the Wild Boar pepper pot were, but the "West Indies" curry was not. Most of the food was sadly not remarkable and didn't have the spice and flavor it should've had. The most disappointing was the curry, it felt more like a Japanese style curry than a West Indies curry. Barely any meat for the 28 dollars you pay, the flavor was just flat with no spice, and whatdeass is the cabbage there for? I don't want to hark too much, because at the end we still enjoyed the food. But do not come here thinking you're going to get the real deal Caribbean cuisine. *Dessert- I guess we wanted a "likkle muore" and ordered desert. We had the flan and tres leches, and both were delicious. If you want a little something sweet, I'd recommend the flan. It was almost a cheesecake texture and the jam it came with complimented that extremely well. Wasn't too sweet and it was a great end to the meal. TLDR; The food is okay, but at this price it's not worth it. It's not true enough to Caribbean food as we would have liked. If they're playing to "local" tastes, they should stop and serve dishes with the spice, seasonings, and strong flavor that is so synonymous with Caribbean food. I wouldn't come back, nor would I recommend it, especially charging $28 for a curry with 4 pieces of meat, 5 potatoes, and 3 pieces of chana. If you do come; get a drink, get the wild boar and roti, get the flan, and maybe grab a shirt that says "jerk your heart out" on your way out.

Ambiance: 4/5: cute restaurant, with outdoor seating. We were sat as soon as we got there…read more Restaurant is next to a main road so sitting outside can be kind of noisy sometimes. Service: 4/5: our waiter did a good job at checking on the table and taking our order on time. Nothing bad to point out. Food: 4/5: The food was better than what I expected. I ordered the stuffed chicken plate and I would order it again if I went back. The salsa that comes with the chips is a bit hot but so tasty. Definitely poured that on everything. Unfortunately, we didnt order drinks so couldn't rate my experience with that. Overall good experience

I thoroughly enjoyed my business trips to South America, particularly eating my way through…read moreColombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and beyond. It's challenging to replicate the same experience locally, as these restaurants lack access to the fresh, local ingredients that define their unique cuisine. Casa Colombia does a good job replicating a true Colombian dining experience. Their menu is extensive with some very interesting offerings. Scanning the dining room, I noticed that their portions are huge. We started with a shrimp cocktail, an empanada, and their version of a rum - mango martini. The small option for the shrimp cocktail was bountiful and easily shared. The housemade cocktail sauce was a perfect accompaniment. The empanada was a tad dry, but their spicy salsa sauce was a great addition. Our "martini" was sweet but very satisfying on a warm afternoon. We did want to try their ceviche, but they are using tilapia as their fish. Quality Seafood is not too far away, and I'm sure that they could offer a better-tasting white fish than plain ole tilapia. We split one of their house specials, the Bandeja Paisa Tipica. This is a traditional Colombian dish, and it is a meat lover's dream served on an oversized platter. Our platter arrived with a chorizo link, beef sirloin, rice, red beans with pork, a huge fried chicharrón, an arepa, a sweet plantain, a slice of avocado (well, there's the only healthy portion), and a fried egg on top. We struggled to eat about 70% of this feast. It's going to take a few visits to the gym to work off this lunch. Dis & Dat: Parking is a breeze as they have their own parking lot. They do offer a happy hour that begins at 3 PM. A definite 4-plus star experience.

Food was straight fire definitely recommend!!! Went for a co workers bday while on the road, food…read morewas authentic and made to order

We went with another couple friend so we ordered 3 appetizers:…read more - tequeños - mini empanadas - arepitas All were solid choices! Really couldn't go wrong with any of those. Our server was great! She was nice, checked on us and refilled our waters frequently. Entrees: - Pabellion Criollo: meat was a little too salty for my friend's taste but she said the rice balances it out really well. They accommodated her request for scrambled instead of fried eggs. - Asado Negro: Sooo good. It was like, beef and gravy, but better. They allowed me to sub the beans for extra rice - Surf and turf sandwich: Hubby said it was okay but adding more of the green sauce helped a bit - Filet mignon (can't remember the exact name): our other friend liked his staff as well! They also accommodated his request to have the egg on the side. I guess it could be a hole in the wall place since it's in an unassuming small business strip but the music was good and everyone loved the food! Be warned: there is only 1 bathroom so plan your potty break accordingly...

I went to my friends campaign event at Cuba 512, known for traditional Cuban cuisine. They had a…read morelarge room that was reserved for the event separate from the dining area. I started with the Margarita on the rocks from the happy hour menu. It was made from scratch with tequila, triple sec, fresh lime, and cane sugar. I added mango flavor and tajin. The event ordered the Tropical Ceviche for the table with fresh fish cured in lime, with cilantro, avocado and onions. It was served with plantain chips. The flavors in this ceviche were so balanced and light. I was blown away on how much I enjoyed this. For my entree, I ordered Lechón Asado the most traditional Cuban dish. It is pulled pork marinated with Cuban Mojo criollo and slowly oven roasted. It was served with your choice of beans, rice and plantain. I went with the black beans, white rice and Yucca con Mojo. You can taste the citrus, garlic, and slow-roasted depth in every bite. It was juicy without being heavy and felt authentically prepared. The portion was generous, and everything on the plate complemented the pork beautifully. It felt comforting, well balanced, and thoughtfully executed. I did have an issue with slow service as far as receiving my food and one margarita I ordered was never delivered and I had to follow up on. Also my food was added to another person's check instead of on a separate check. However, these issues can be expected with a large event. It was a great location to host an event. If you're craving real Cuban flavors, Cuba 512 is a great choice.

From the moment I walked in, Cuba512 captured everything I love about a great dining experience --…read morewarm hospitality, bold flavors, and a vibe that feels both relaxed and special. Every dish we ordered was spot on -- rich, well-seasoned, and deeply satisfying. The Cuban classics on the menu are done with real care and authenticity, and you can taste the quality in every bite. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely happy to be there -- which made the experience even better. Whether you're stopping in for lunch, dinner, or just a quick bite, this place delivers on every level. Highly recommend the food, the atmosphere, and the overall experience. If you're in the mood for delicious Cuban cuisine in Austin, Cuba512 should be at the top of your list!