Warike Restaurant, Surry Hills

After weeks and weeks in the hospital, and a couple of weeks at home, I was finally well enough to enjoy a “major meal” out with a friend at “Warike Restaurant” in Surry Hills. Though I’ve been out for dinner to some restaurants, this was a big night out at a hip restaurant with a reasonable price tag. Warike is a Peruvian restaurant located in the building on Devonshire Street that was previously “The Book Kitchen”.

When we arrived at 6:30 pm, the restaurant was already about half full. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and we chose a table to the side, closer to the main serving area, mostly for accessibility. The crowd was youngish, with most people in their 30s and 40s. A family came in shortly after us, and my friend commented, “I’ll bet she’s a food blogger, and she’s with her mum and dad.”

I didn’t know much about the restaurant before we went, but we’d noticed it was popular when we walked by a few weeks ago. We chatted with a couple waiting outside for entry, and they raved about the place.

I started looking for online reviews, which were all very positive. I also wanted to learn more about Peruvian cuisine. The internet tells me that it’s “one of the most diverse and flavorful in the world, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse geography. It is characterized by its use of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and unique cooking techniques.”

We enjoyed a delicious meal with a couple of glasses of wine.

The restaurant has concrete floors, but it wasn’t overly noisy. My friend noticed that they had installed soundproofing, which she appreciated after a recent dinner at a noisy restaurant in Bondi. The restaurant was also well-lit, so we didn’t need to use our phone torches to read the menu. The price was mid-range to a little bit expensive, but well worth it.

The service was excellent, both friendly and efficient. We’ll definitely be back!