Welcome to Casa Zoraya: A Taste of Peru in Portland

We had an incredible dinner experience at Casa Zoraya last night. The food was hearty, rich in flavor, and well-balanced--not overly spicy, but with just the right amount of heat to enhance the dishes without overwhelming the palate. Every bite was comforting and deeply satisfying. What truly set this experience apart was the exceptional service. Lately, service in many Portland restaurants has felt lackluster, often making us feel like we're inconveniencing the staff. That was absolutely not the case here. The team at Casa Zoraya provided warm, attentive hospitality, treating every guest with care. There was no single assigned server to a table--everyone checked in, ensured we had everything we needed, and made the dining experience seamless. Their attention to detail was impressive, from the perfectly handled wine pours to the thoughtful plate replacements between courses. It's rare to find a restaurant that nails both food and service, but Casa Zoraya delivers on both fronts. This is a place that truly values its guests, and we'll definitely be returning. Highly recommend!

This was our first time here and it will NOT be our last. Everything was amazing. It's so vibrant inside, with the sounds and colors and smells of authenticity. The service was the right amount of checking in without feeling ignored or stalked. And the food...oh the food was incredible! Can't wait to go back!

Wonderful staff, great food, and beautiful restaurant! The only downside is parking. Plan ahead.

I will let the pictures speak for me! This was the most beautiful, intimate outdoor patio for dining with very good food. I had the Aji de Gallina and it was mouthwateringly good!

Having been to Peru a few years back, we were excited to try Casa Zoraya in North Portland. It's in a very unsuspecting location and the signage out front is not very ostentatious, so it's easy to miss. But, to be clear, nobody should miss out on Casa Zoraya! a must-visit and we would be delighted to come back. Restaurant: There's two front doors, the first enters to a counter to the kitchen and the door on the left is to a modest dining room. We were seated out on the back patio, which is definitely an all-season patio with a roof covering for the rainy season and the addition of fans and misters for warmer seasons. It's quite a casual atmosphere, but inviting with bright colors and touches of Peru scattered across the premises. Service: The wait staff was attentive and friendly. They proactively took our empanadas off our bill because we'd waited for a while to receive them, which was a very thoughtful but unnecessary gesture. We never went without water or drinks and felt that our needs were met from start to finish. Appetizers: Papa Rellena- order comes with 2 perfectly cripsy croquettes with a lovely sauce to complement them. Empanada de Ají de Gallina- order comes with 2 empanadas. Being a big fan of Ají de Gallina, I was nervous that the empanada would not do it justice. But, I was wrong; it was a perfect way to enjoy it. Entrees: Ceviche de Pescado- our fish of the day was Hawaiian ono, which came with a complex mezcla, including 2 types of inca corn. Arroz con Mariscos- this was accurately described to us as their "paella-like" dish. It came with clams and fried ono. Not bad but not our favorite. Arroz Chaufa- a Chinese-Peruvian dish that was the table favorite. The pork belly and rice were both cooked to perfection. Dessert: Alfajor: a very unique dish, with many different flavors. A nice way to end our dinner but not something I would order again. Drinks: Classic Pisco Sour- can't go wrong with a pisco sour, and they do it right. Chica Morada Batida- a favorite of the evening. so very unique with the addition of the purple corn-based drink, chica morada. Chilca-jito- fresh, crisp and ginger-forward.

Outstanding menu that perfectly straddles the line between comfort food and high end cuisine. We came here for father's day with a toddler and infant. I am convinced that the chill ambience and excellent food is what got us a full hour and a half dinner without any fuss from the littles. Been in Portland for 7 years and this is easily a top 5 restaurant in town.

Sit on the patio!! It is absolutely gorgeous and feels so homey - I adore the fairy lights and the hanging plants. Of course the service and food was wonderful too! The Chicago Morada Batista cocktail was spectacular! This was a great first introduction to Peruvian food - highly recommend for a fun night out.

I had never been to a Peruvian restaurant before and wasn't sure what to expect, so I didn't really have any expectations for Casa Zoraya except that it came highly recommended. Oh. My. Gosh. What a delightful place! The staff was among the most friendly and welcoming/helpful in recent memory. Every dish we ordered was excellent, and I enjoyed my "pisco manhattan" The veggie empanadas, ceviche, chicharrones and picante hongos (mushroom entree) were so flavorful and delicious. This is one of those places that you'll be thinking about for a while. It was a bit of a trek from our neighborhood but was absolutely worth the trip. The space was surprisingly large - there's a good sized indoor space and the enclosed/heated back porch/patio area is so cozy and inviting. If you're in the mood for a new experience, give Casa Zoraya a try!

My husband and I had a giftcard but had never been before and I left knowing I would think about this meal for a while. It was one of the best meals that I have had in a while. Not to mention that the vibe and service were stand out! I made reservations but there were spots open for walk in. They are located off North Lombard and easy to miss if you arent looking for it. Even as a person who lives in NE, I have passed by multiple times without knowing. We started off with drinks. My husband got the Pisco Punch and I go the Pisco Passionfruit sour. Both were delicious and well balanced. We started off with the Empanada de Ají de Gallina (shredded chicken empanadas) and the Papa Rellena (potato croquetas). They come two per order. I am not usually super into shredded chicken but almost ordered another set of these bad boys because they were so good. The potato croquetas were also delicious. They were perfectly fried on the outside and well seasoned mashed potato on the inside. I am not a fan of olives and was informed (after) that olives are apart of the ground beef mixture, though that wasnt listed in the ingredients under the item. But no worries, I ate my husbands empanada and handed my husband my croqueta. We then ordered the Chicharron de Puerco, Fried pork with sweet potatoes and it was really well done. Lastly, my favorite dish of the night, the Arroz Chaufa. It is pork belly and shrimp, stir-fried rice with egg, oyster sauce, passion fruit & rocoto sauce. The portion is huge and we split this dish. The first bite was mind blowing and the egg was perfectly cook. This is a must order! Overall, gift card or not, we will be back! We are excited to bring our friends and try other parts of the menu. This could also be a great date night spot, with low lighting and great drinks!