Tierra Peru is a family-run Peruvian restaurant at 164 Essex Road in Islington. The Jara brothers created it as a traditional neighbourhood expression of Peruvian food, pairing a warm welcome with cooking that reflects the country’s varied regions and ingredients.
The menu spans starters, soups, salads and main courses, bringing together coastal seafood, meat, potatoes, maize and chilli in recognisably Peruvian combinations. Ceviche and grilled or slow-cooked dishes provide contrasting ways to explore the cuisine.
Traditional sauces and garnishes add acidity, fragrance and heat without making every plate the same. Sharing a few starters before individual mains is a useful approach for first-time diners, while desserts complete the meal with a sweeter view of Peru.
Peruvian drinks and a full beverage selection accompany the food, and the restaurant opens for dinner early in the week and from lunchtime Thursday through Sunday. The intimate setting suits dates as well as family meals. Guests with allergies or dietary requirements should discuss the current menu with staff.
Address: 164 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 8LY, England
Tierra Peru Menu
Hot Starters
Yuquita Rellenas
Deep fried cassava balls filled with cheese on a bed of huancaina sauce
Anticuchos
Choose from Pollo, Corazon or Vegetarian. Skewered slices of grilled or heart/chicken/vegetarian marinated in panca pepper & aromatic herbs, served with chimichurri sauce
Tamalito de pollo o cerdo
Ground corn mash wrapped and steamed in banana leaves and filled with chicken or pork
Papa a la huancaína
Potatoes in a spicy creamy aji amarillo sauce with olives & egg
Huanchaco
Pan-fried king prawns cooked with aji amarillo, garlic and a splash of Pisco served with yuquitas fritas
Cold Starters
Leche de Tigre
Tiger’s milk: citrus based juice marinade with fish served in three spicy shots
Causa Cevichada
Potato causa filled with avocado with ceviche on top
Causa Limeña
Potato causa filled with tuna mayonnaise with avocado, olives and egg
Ceviche Bar
As a starter £15, as a main course £22
Ceviche Tradicional
Small pieces of fish marinated in green lime juice and aji limo, garlic, ginger, red onions and coriander
Ceviche al Olivo
Small pieces of fish marinated in green lime juice, garlic, ginger and Peruvian black botija olive cream
Ceviche al Verde
Small pieces of fish marinated in green lime juice, avocado, garlic, ginger, red onions & coriander
Ceviche de Hongos y Palmito
Mushroom and hearts of palm marinated in green lime juice and aji limo, garlic, ginger, red onions and coriander
Tiradito de pescado
Thin slices of fish marinated in green lime, garlic, ginger, aji Amarillo and orange
Ceviche Mixto
Small pieces of fish and seafood (calamari, baby octopus, prawns and mussels) marinated in green lime juice and aji limo, garlic, ginger, red onions & coriander
Side Dishes
Pan
Hot cassava and cheese bread (X2)
Salsa Huancaína
White cheese and aji Amarillo sauce
Papas fritas
Hand-cut fried potato chips
Maduritos
Fried sweet plantain with honey
Camote
Grilled sweet potato with honey
Choclito con queso
Steamed Peruvian corn kernels and small pieces of white cheese
Salsa Criolla
Onion, mild chillies, coriander and lime
Yuquitas fritas
Fried cassava fingers
Chifles
Green plantain chips
Arroz blanco
Steamed white rice
Canchita
Fried corn
Traditional Dishes
Arroz con mariscos
Wok-fried aromatic rice and seafood cooked with spring onions, aji amarillo, aji panka, garlic, and sesame oil. Vegetarian option available.
Chicarrón
Deep fried pork, marinated in aromatic herbs served with sweetcorn, sweet potato, fried cassava, garlic, salsa criolla and chimichurri sauce. Vegetarian option available.
Seco de cordero
Lamb stewed in cilantro and stout served with smoked beans, fried cassava, salsa criolla and rice. Vegetarian option available.
Jalea en tempura
Battered deep-fried fish and seafood, served with cassava fingers, wasabi mayonnaise, and salsa criolla
Lomo saltado de carne o pollo
Tender strips of fried prime beef or chicken breast fillet, onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and soy and oyster sauce served with chunky chips and steamed rice. Vegetarian option available.
Quinotto
Andean quinoa risotto style, cooked with aji amarillo pepper and cream, topped with fried halloumi cheese and fresh asparagus. Vegetarian option available.
Arroz chaufa
Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine – egg fried rice cooked with sesame oil, oyster sauce spring onions and garlic served with a choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian style. Vegetarian option available.
Salads
Ensalada mixta
Seasonal green salad, olives, tomato, avocado, asparagus and our house dressing
Combinado Clásico
Choose 2 from the following: Arroz con mariscos, chicharrón de pescado, papa a la huancaína, Ceviches, Anticuchos, Chaufa with prawns
Chef’s Recommendations
Cordero Huánuqueño
Lamb chops marinated in Huacatay sauce served with Andean sweetcorn and sweet potato
Aji de gallina
Chicken in a milky spicy amarillo pepper sauce served with rice, potatoes and boiled egg
Picante chalaco
Spicy creamy seafood stew with prawns, calamares, baby octopus and mussels cooked with aji amarillo, garlic, ginger, and served with potato medallions plus rice
Desserts
Lucuma Cheesecake
A Peruvian style cheesecake with exotic lucuma fruit
Mousse de Chocolate y Pisco
Chocolate & Quebranta Pisco mousse served with whipped cream
Picarones
Pumpkin and sweet potato fritters served with honey and dark palm sugar syrup
Alfajores con Helado
Soft biscuits filled with dulce de leche served with your choice of ice cream.
Helados
Any 2 scoops of your choice (Caramelito, Mango & Cream, Chocolate, Strawberry, Lucuma, Vanilla)
Hot Drinks
Cappuccino
Macchiato
Caffe Latte
Mocha
Espresso
Herbal Teas
Tea
English, Camomile, Lemongrass, Ginger and Lemon, Mint Tea, Eucalyptus and Green Tea
Coca leaf tea
Soft Drinks
Inka Kola
National soda from Peru
Coke, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite
Guava, Orange juice
S Bernardo
Still or sparkling water
Peruvian Cocktails
All the cocktails are available in Mocktail version (each glass £9). All cocktails are available by jug.
Pisco Sour
Pisco Quebranta, lime juice, sugar syrup, dash of egg white and angostura bitter
Pisco Special
Pisco (Quebranta, Lucuma (native Andean valley fruit), chicha (purple maize), passion fruit, coconut, mango), dash of evaporated milk
Peruvian Mojito
Ron Cartavio, lime juice, sugar syrup, mint, ginger & sprite
Inka Libre
Cartavio rum, lime, coke and ice
Pisco Bar
Sizes: 25ml/50ml
Coca Bomba Liqueur
Pisco Quebranta
Pisco puro made from a single variety of grape
Tequila
Pisco Portón
Beers
Cusqueña Gold/Dark/Trigo
Premium lager brewed in the foothills of Machu Picchu
San Miguel
Alcohol Free Beer
White Wine
House white
Pinot Grigio delle Venezie (Italy)
Full, but soft dry wine, yet fresh and lively with a pleasing lingering aftertaste of ripe pears
Intipalca Sauvignon Blanc viñas queirolo (Peru)
A delicate & uplifting Sauvignon Blanc, with light aromatic notes of citrus fruits
Intipalca Chardonnay (Peru)
Elegant with a lovely, fresh balance, with hints of vanilla, tropical and peachy stone fruit
Red Wine
House Red
Rioja Crianza (Spain)
Deep ruby red in colour with vanilla notes mingled with jammy black fruit nuances
Intipalca Malbec Viñas Queirolo (Peru)
Ripe & soury, this Malbec combines cherry & blueberry flavours with a hint of liquorice.
Chamuyo Malbec (Argentina)
A juicy supple wine combining the flavour of intense blackberry with chocolatey layers made from mature vines