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Kayao Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Kayao Restaurant
8.1
A modern Old Town spot that leans Nikkei and seafood-forward, landing best when you build a table around shareable cold plates and a couple of hot dishes. The room reads social and date-friendly, and it’s most rewarding when you order for variety rather than locking into one lane.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche, Tiradito, Sushi/nigiri selection
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Seafood-driven plates designed for sharing in a lively Old Town room.
Who should go: Dates and groups who like ordering variety
When to visit: Weeknights or early weekend dinner
What to order: Ceviche, tiradito, nigiri/sushi picks
Insider tip: Start cold (ceviche/tiradito), then add one hot dish to finish.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Old Town is limited and competitive at night; paid garages nearby are usually the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy—jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished for dates and nights out.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy for table conversation, but it feels energetic during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some vegetable-driven small plates available, but the menu is primarily seafood-focused.
Vegan options: Limited—best to review the menu ahead or ask about off-menu adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free seafood dishes; staff can guide you through safe options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's social, stylish, and built for sharing, which makes ordering feel collaborative rather than formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is better suited for adults, dates, and group dinners rather than young kids.
Best For
Better for: Shareable seafood plates, Nikkei-leaning flavors, and a date-night-forward Old Town atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional sushi bar or a menu built around large individual entrées.
Kayao Restaurant
8.2
A newer Old Town room with soft lighting and a Peru-forward menu built for sharing—ideal when you want romance without the steakhouse script. The strongest experience is a tight sequence: one ceviche, one hot skewered or wok-style dish, then a final plate to round it out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Anticuchos
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A modern Peruvian menu in a mood-lit room that naturally suits sharing.
Who should go: Couples who want something different
When to visit: Dinner when you can linger
What to order: Ceviche, anticuchos, lomo saltado
Insider tip: Balance cold and hot—one ceviche plus one wok dish is the sweet spot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Wells and nearby side streets; can be tight after 6pm. Rideshare is easier for dinner.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine, but heels, boots, or a polished jacket fit the room better.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but still comfortable for conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; light crowd if they’re open earlier in the evening window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward small plates and sides work well for a shared meal.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with careful ordering and server guidance, but not a dedicated lane.
Gluten-free options: Yes—ceviches and many protein dishes are naturally gluten-free; confirm sauces with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—intimate lighting, shareable plates, and a menu that invites conversation without feeling formal make it an easy first-date win.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights if you arrive early, but weekends fill quickly—book ahead or expect a short wait at peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is a mood-forward, date-night room best suited for adults rather than families with kids.
Best For
Better for: A romantic, share-plate dinner when you want bold flavors and something less predictable than Italian or steakhouse classics.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth experience or large-format mains—this menu shines most when shared.
Kayao Restaurant
8.2
A compact Old Town room with a buzzy soundtrack and a Peru-meets-Nikkei menu that’s strongest in bright, citrus-forward lanes. Build your meal around one ceviche, one hot wok or skewer dish, and one rich rice plate to keep the pacing clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche, Lomo saltado, Smoked duck breast rice
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Peruvian-Japanese flavors in a small, high-energy room.
Who should go: Couples and groups who like sharing plates
When to visit: Peak dinner hours for the full buzz
What to order: Ceviche, lomo saltado, smoked duck rice
Insider tip: Balance cold and hot—one ceviche plus one wok dish is ideal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive after 6pm. Rideshare recommended during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but the room skews stylish—clean sneakers or boots work.
Noise level: Lively. Music-forward energy; conversation is possible but expect to lean in during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or short waits; easier walk-ins.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several vegetable-forward small plates and rice dishes can work.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with modifications, best to ask server.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options (notably ceviches), but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you like energy. The intimate room, shareable plates, and upbeat vibe make it engaging, though it’s better for confident conversation than quiet intimacy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings. On weekends, arrive early or be ready to wait; the small footprint fills fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. The menu, pacing, and noise level are geared toward adults; better for teens than young kids.
Best For
Better for: Bright, citrus-driven Peruvian-Nikkei flavors in a compact, social setting with strong share-plate rhythm.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, lots of personal space, or a traditional, single-plate dining experience.
Kayao Restaurant
8.2
A Peruvian-leaning Nikkei kitchen that performs best in a curated, chef-guided sequence—especially when you treat it as a prix-fixe/tasting-style meal rather than a wide à la carte sweep. Build the table around one bright raw dish, one wok/heat-driven main, and a clean finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche Kayao, Arroz con Mariscos, Yucas Trufadas
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Nikkei flavors that shine in a chef-curated, coursed flow.
Who should go: Share-plate groups and dressed-up dates
When to visit: Happy hour start, then an early dinner seating
What to order: Ceviche Kayao, arroz con mariscos, a dessert finish
Insider tip: Keep it to one raw opener + one hot main lane for pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Old Town; manageable early, competitive after 6pm. Nearby paid garages are the safest bet for dinner.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine, but most guests are polished for night dining.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy at the table, but expect energetic room buzz.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—dinner-focused operation
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward plates and rice dishes can anchor a meal
Vegan options: Limited—possible with guidance, but requires selective ordering
Gluten-free options: Partial—many ceviches and rice-based dishes work, but soy-based sauces limit full flexibility
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—strong for a first date if you like sharing plates and guided ordering; the energy helps keep things lively without feeling chaotic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes early or late, but peak dinner hours are tough—reservations are strongly recommended on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than young kids; the menu and pacing skew adult, and there are no kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Nikkei flavors with structure—this excels when you let the kitchen guide the flow rather than ordering randomly.
Skip if: You want quiet, white-tablecloth fine dining or a broad à la carte menu with maximum customization.