By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Morena Sydney is bringing the bold, bright flavours of Peru to the heart of Martin Place with a limited-edition tasting menu that’s as rich in culture as it is in comfort.
In celebration of Peru’s Independence Day on July 28, the modern Latin American restaurant has launched Taste of Peru - a one-month-only culinary journey that showcases the country’s most iconic dishes, native ingredients and soul-warming traditions.
If you’ve ever dreamt of sipping a Pisco Sour while watching the sun set over the Inca Trail, this might just be the next best thing.
From the soaring Andes to the coastal cevicherías, Taste of Peru is a five-star tour without the airfares. Running from July 1 to July 31, the seasonal set menu is available for both lunch and dinner, Monday to Saturday, for $120 per person.
It’s not just a meal - it’s an edible map of Peru’s cultural heritage, with each dish highlighting native produce and historic influences, including the exciting fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine known as Nikkei.
The adventure begins with a dish that captures Peru’s most famous culinary export: ceviche. Morena’s rendition is made with market-fresh fish, marinated in aji limo-infused leche de tigre and served with sweet potato, balancing brightness and heat with the kind of finesse Chef Alejandro Saravia has become known for.
From there, the menu deepens with an ox tongue anticucho, marinated in Peruvian dried chillies. Smoky, tender and richly spiced, it’s a nod to the street food skewers you’ll find sizzling on the corners of Lima.
Then comes the tiradito, a dish born of the Nikkei movement - a blend of Japanese precision and Peruvian punch. Here, delicate scallops are bathed in a citrusy Nikkei dressing and topped with crispy shichimi oil and daikon. It’s subtle yet unforgettable, offering texture and tang in every bite.
It’s the main course that truly brings Peru’s agricultural bounty to the plate: a slow-braised lamb shoulder, meltingly tender and blanketed in an earthy adobo sauce. It’s served alongside confit leeks, Peruvian yellow potatoes, huancaína sauce and Peruvian olives - an homage to the country’s native tubers and love affair with bold, creamy sauces.
Of course, no Peruvian celebration would be complete without its most iconic cocktail: the Pisco Sour. Morena’s take on the national tipple is as celebratory as it is classic, blending Barsol Quebranta Pisco, fresh lime juice, sugar and egg whites into a silky, citrus-forward drink that’s both nostalgic and new. Served all month as the featured cocktail, it’s the perfect companion to the menu’s mix of heat and heart.
Whether you’re a seasoned lover of Peruvian food or completely new to its cornucopia of flavours, Taste of Peru at Morena offers a limited-time chance to indulge in one of South America’s most exciting cuisines - no passport required.
Set within the stylish surrounds of Martin Place, with its refined service and softly lit dining room, it’s a dining experience that invites you to slow down, savour and celebrate.
Walk-ins are welcome, but with a menu this special - and for just one month only - it’s worth booking ahead via the Morena Sydney website.
