One of Lima’s most famous ceviche restaurants is Sonia. It is a small, humble and hidden place bellow the large rocky wall of sand that reaches out into the ocean in Chorrillos.

First discovered by the Regattas Club regulars from the beach below, Sonia soon became popular. It’s fresh fish were caught each morning by fisherman Freddy and cooked each lunch time by his wife Sonia. As more people heard of the restaurant’s excellent ceviche it was soon frequented by the likes of Peruvian actor Christian Mayer, footballers Nolberto Solano and Franco Navarro, Presidents Alejandro Toledo and Fernando Belaunde and the rich and famous from all over.

The restaurant became more widely known when it was popularised by Peruvian Chef Gastón Acurio during the surge in popularity of traditional Peruvian food among Peruvians in the last decade.

Sonia was made famous outside Peru when travelling chef Anthony Bourdain visited Peru and was taken to Sonia by Gastón. (See video, 3:34)

Sonia is affordable despite its fame, most meals cost S./25 or $8. If visiting on the weekends you will be treated to a show while you eat, on week days you might get lucky and find an old guy playing the cajón or piano.

Don’t forget to look at the photos attached to this blog!

Tags: anthony bourdain, belaunde, ceviche, chorrillos, food, gaston acurio, regattas, restaurant, solano, sonia, toledo