Over three weeks in July, participating diners around the Bay Area are in a race against time to dine at as many Peruvian restaurants around the region — up to 26 — in a chance to win a five-day, four-night trip to Lima, Peru.
Peru’s culinary tradition features favorites like lomo saltado, aji de gallina, pisco sours and ceviche, to name a few.
The initiative starts July 6 and culminates with a Peruvian market day on July 26 at La Mar Cocina Peruana in San Francisco, led by Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio.
Participants can start by visiting one of the 26 participating Peruvian restaurants around the Bay Area to receive a custom-designed passport. Visitors collect a stamp each time they order a main dish. Stamps from three participating restaurants earn participants one entry into the trip contest, and additional entries are available for every two additional restaurants visited.
Participants have to turn in their passports at La Mar Cocina Peruana on or before July 26 to be eligible for one of three prizes. The first is the trip to Lima with covered plane tickets, hotel accommodations, a trip to the Caravedo distillery and a 10-course lunch at Chef Acurio’s restaurant, Astrid & Gaston. Additional prizes are brunch for four and a cebiche and pisco workshop at La Mar, and brunch plus a dance class for four at Cunamacué, an Oakland-based Afro-Peruvian dance and music center.
“Having 26 restaurants on board this year is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of and speaks to the Bay Area’s vibrant Peruvian population,” says Thomas Medl, Director of Operations at La Mar Cocina Peruana, in a press statement.
Participating East Bay restaurants include Barranco Cocina Peruana, Bravazo Foods, Limón in Oakland and Walnut Creek, Parada New Peru and Paradita.
In the South Bay and Peninsula, participating restaurants include La Costanera Cocina Peruana, and the Limón locations in Burlingame, Redwood City and Mountain View.
Details: Passport to Peru runs July 6-26 at participating Bay Area restaurants; learn more at lamarcebicheria.com/news/passport-to-peru-2026.
Dining and Cooking