Marking a new chapter after 17 years on San Francisco's waterfront, La Mar Cocina Peruana unveiled an interior renovation and an updated menu, signaling a new chapter for the flagship concept founded by renowned Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio.
Led by Executive Chef Victoriano Lopez and San Francisco-based design firm Eight Inc., the transformation integrates design and culinary enhancements that reflect both La Mar’s Peruvian heritage and its waterfront surroundings.
The refreshed interiors create a cohesive guest journey by unifying five key spaces: the bar, lobby, Chef’s Table, main dining room and outdoor patio. Design elements draw inspiration from Peru’s coastline and cultural vibrancy, with deep cyan ceramic tile, indigo-toned vinyl-coated banquettes and lighting inspired by the sea.
New lighting features include hand-shaped acrylic pendants that mimic the motion of jellyfish, guiding guests through the space. Suspended from the bar’s 18-foot ceiling hangs a 12-foot-long wicker lighting installation in the shape of a squid. According to The San Francisco Standard, the installation was handwoven by Peruvian artist David Goicochea after being specially commissioned by the restaurant and imported from Goicochea’s Lima workshop.
A partially enclosed kitchen and fluted glass partitions at the Chef’s Table provide both energy and intimacy, while the revamped patio offers year-round outdoor dining with updated furnishings, lush greenery and ambient lighting. Though tailored to San Francisco, the design reflects visual continuity with La Mar’s global sister locations.
“This transformation elevates the guest experience both visually and functionally, while staying true to our sea-to-table philosophy and spirited hospitality,” says Thomas Medl, director of operations. “La Mar has always been more than a restaurant—it’s a gathering place where people can enjoy exceptional cuisine in a dynamic, welcoming setting.”
Complementing the physical redesign is a revitalized menu from Chef Lopez. Together, the redesign and menu evolution reinforce La Mar’s position as a mainstay in San Francisco’s dining scene, one that seamlessly blends global inspiration with local sensibility.
Images courtesy of La Mar Cocina Peruana
