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    Ayawaska Hilltop

    4.3 (764 reviews)
    ModeratePeruvian, Bars, Seafood
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Ayawaska Hilltop Reservations

    Order Ayawaska Hilltop Takeout or Delivery

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    AYAWASKA HILLTOP ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Ayawaska Hilltop

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    Reviews With Photos

    Octopus
    Sharon H.

    We had a lovely dinner here. The restaurant is situated on top of a hill near downtown Novato. Indoor seating bar seating and an outdoor patio. You can see the beautiful hilly landscape from the restaurant. Cute colorful and chic decor inside. Food was excellent service was fine. They also provide free valet service Really fun, Pisco and cocktail menu, but we had a beer and wine, which were both good . My husband enjoyed his draft beer and I thought my Tempranillo wine was good . We started with the chicken empanadas, which came with three crispy empanadas filled with creamy chicken. I'm pretty sure they used the same chicken from our main course but that's fine. we also had the octopus appetizer. I'm glad the server clarified which octopus appetizer was cold in, which was grilled since we wanted the latter (pulpo antichichero) . The corn purée that it came on top of delicious octopus was very smooth . For the entrées we had in an arroz con mariscos - it had a slight spice kick with some Parmesan flavor and had a generous amount of shrimp and calamari. I feel like I almost always get Aji de Gallina at a Peruvian restaurant, and what's not to like about creamy shredded chicken. Overall fun dinner spot with lovely views !

    Delicious grilled octopus with amazing puréed potatoes, corn, sauce

    LOVED the Novato Ayawaska delicious impressively-gorgeous cuisine, expansive classic Novato rolling hills view, perfect service thanks to personable Ava, fun-personality culturally-influenced decor, lovely airy atmosphere. I felt like I was on vacation in a special international locale, getting exclusive gracious VIP treatment. I LOVED Ava's recommended grilled octopus, which was AMAZING (flavor, presentation, innovation); I have Hawaiian ancestry, taken cooking classes, and eaten at several Michelin-starred restaurants. I usually shy away from eating intelligent creatures, but glad I made an exception while at Ayawaska. My two grad-school friends here for our UCSF reunion had a magnificently beautiful steak fresh colorful salad and perfect-looking empanadas (i took empanada class in Buenos Aires); they were raving about old times vs paying attn to their food, so idk what they thought. New-looking, modern, clean, style with appealing flair. Was not busy on a Wednesday for lunch. Plenty of parking. Hidden away in a residential neighborhood. Ava said weekends are much busier, especially on outside view decks. (Also said squid/calamari was second choice. Some other seafood, maybe shrimp, was third.) I live in Mill Valley; Ayawaska would be a top hit, here. It's a schlep for me, but I plan to return (probably with a Costco shopping pit stop added)! Friendly people answer the phone. Definitely a large full bar available. Could be quite lively when crowded. I thought the prices were competitive and reasonable (most good food costs a lot, nowadays--even at the grocery stores).

    Pato a la norteña
    Annie L.

    My friend found Ayawaska via social media and we decided to come by to check it out. A winding road bought us up to this Hilltop restaurant and we wondered if we were underdressed (it's casual). We stepped into an oasis of plants, greenery (Costa Rica vibes) with modern touches. Unfortunately, they were short staff with only 1 server for the whole restaurant and they had a private party that night. So service was slow and they closed down early to prepare. The wait for the food was also slow. However, we were pleasantly surprised by how good the food so despite slow service and kitchen, Ayawaska ended with 5 stars. We ordered the calamari, fried shrimp won ton, Ahi Tuna Nikkei, beef and chicken empanadas, Lomo Saltado, Arroz Con Mariscos, Pato A La Nortena (duck dish). For dessert, we had the chocolate cake and churros. All dishes are sharable, huge portions, flavorful and fresh especially the seafood! So to make up for the slow service, we had the bartender? (guy with glasses, from Peru) come by to clear our dishes and poured us a glass of Chicha morada (purple corn)..oh so delicious! The food is amazing here, great hilltop views. I hope they ramp us their service especially on the weekends and get more servers here! Otherwise, we enjoyed it so much..we will check out their Petaluma location next time!

    chris m.

    Everything is amazing on this restaurant- food, ambience, and service. It's my second time this time with fam. They all loved the place and the food. Will definitely go back again. Highly recommended!

    bomba ice cream...so good!
    Nicole T.

    The service the food atmosphere and views... went here for a 2nd time and to celebrate my birthday--such a fun evening great service and the food delicious--especially my tuna ceviche!

    Yucca frites
    LaChaya M.

    Delicious food with beautiful views. Nice clean restaurant with quick and friendly service. Arrived 30 mins before our reservation and we were promptly seated. 10/10 will definitely return.

    Veggie lentils - soooo good
    Te-see B.

    2/9/25 While visiting my cousins in Northern Cali, they took me to one of their favorite Peruvian restaurants for lunch. Having never had Peruvian food, I didn't know what to expect but was blown away by the flavorful items we ordered. Located on a hill, the view was incredible and gave Burbank's "Castaway" vibes! Katrina was our server and recommended a few dishes and cocktails. We shared the chicken empanadas which were out of this world! For my main dish I went with the lentils served with rice. The lentils were incredibly flavorful and absolutely delicious! It was a pretty big serving so I took what I couldn't finish home. The drinks were presented like a stage performance! We oohed & awed! *The have an outdoor patio perfect for warmer days & nights *Huge bar area with TV's *Plenty of parking in the lot

    Mick A.

    Came across this gem with beautiful scenery and great ambiance and don't forget the service and food cannot fault it in any way a must and a romantic place highly recommended but got to book in advance don't be sitting on this one book early n

    Afshin A.

    Peruvian Comfort on a Novato Hilltop Ayawaska Hilltop is a Peruvian restaurant in Novato, California, located in a historic building that has been a local landmark since 1892. We had been curious to try their food for over two years. Finally, we had a chance to stop by and have a late lunch/early dinner there on a gorgeous afternoon. We sat outside to peek over a short wall beside our table and enjoy the fantastic view. As the name indicates, the building is on top of a hill. Over the years, it has housed various restaurants and businesses, and Ayawaska opened its doors at this location in mid-June 2021. The restaurant is the second for the owners, who found success with their first location in Petaluma. They continue to offer authentic Peruvian cuisine with a modern twist. The food at Ayawaska Hilltop shows Peru's rich culinary history. It mixes indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and French cooking flavors. The menu features a variety of popular dishes. Ceviche is a classic Peruvian dish where fresh fish is cured in a citrus-based marinade called "leche de tigre. " It's typically served with sweet potato and Peruvian corn. We started with a ceviche clasico, and I had a Pisco Sour to help me relax and enjoy the food and the view. For those who may not be familiar with it, pisco sour is a famous cocktail made with pisco (a type of brandy), lime juice, egg white, and bitters. This particular version was just a bit sweeter than I prefer, but I addressed that problem with a few ice cubes! I should add that the table service was flawless. We enjoyed all our interactions with the crew, who promptly answered our questions and delivered everything we asked for throughout our stay. The space is very large and beautiful. The bar section is designed really well and would make an ideal space for large groups having drinks and a good meal. For a heartier meal, we ordered their Lomo Saltado, a traditional stir-fry with marinated beef tenderloin, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro served alongside French fries and rice. The meat was high quality and cooked just right. Everything else on the plate was fresh and masterfully prepared. We closed the deal with a Tres Leches, which means "three milks," and is a classic Latin American sponge cake. The cake is soaked in three different milks: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream, making it incredibly moist and rich. It is traditionally topped with a layer of whipped cream or meringue. The Ayawaska version was excellent. It was not too sweet or too soft and spongy. In short, Ayawaska Hilltop is absolutely worth the detour. It offers excellent food, gracious service, and a view that does half the relaxing. If you go, aim for patio seating around golden hour, start with the ceviche, share the Lomo Saltado, or another heartier plate, but save room for the Tres Leches. We'll be back.

    La Duquesa salad

    One of the best places I've been. The location, ambience, food, drinks, dessert and service are consistently fabulous . I've eaten there so many times and I have never been disappointed! Can you say empanadas????? OMG ! Shout out to Raquel- she's the best!

    Rio and Doha cocktails with Pulpo anticuchero
    Elena D.

    A hidden gem as you drive thru a residential neighborhood. As you enter the restaurant it has a beautiful interior with a relaxing atmosphere that has a hilltop view pretty much like being in Peru. We got seated right away since it wasn't busy during the time we got in. We Ordered the pulpo anticuchero a grilled octopus, it was tender and smoky just cooked perfectly. The classic ceviche comes with ceviche halibut that was drizzled in lime cream sauce, the calamari had a crispy and soft texture, and the fried yuka fries is definitely one of my favorite. Another dish was the baked duck with the risotto rice in an iron cast plate. The duck was tender and went well with the risotto rice that had a full flavor. The Doha and Rio cocktails were refreshing especially on a hot day. Gotta have the homemade churros with the chocolate dip, a slightly crispy and moist as you bite into it, almost like a donut with a crisp. A Great experience. Will definitely come back again.

    Tacu Tacu
    Kathy D.

    The food was delicious, well seasoned. We ordered the classic ceviche, empanadas de logo, the Tacu Tacu, and the Arroz con Mariscos. The service was friendly and efficient. We arrived around 1.30pm on Sunday. Not too busy. The ambience of the location is beautiful. The weather was sunny and warm. We tried to sit outside, but there were other very loud guests out there, so we found another spot inside by the windows with a good view. The price is an average of $35 per person. It's a beautiful place to celebrate special occasions.

    Aji de gallina
    Donna F.

    Wonderful view, friendly service and didn't feel rushed during lunch. Food & drinks came out quite quickly after we ordered as well. Our group of three were playing catch up since it had been awhile & they did not rush us. Quiet location to have a good conversation.

    Pasta

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    Great service and setting, but food was only so-so. It is not a cheap place, so we expected better food. Drinks good, though.

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    Page 1 of 20

    Ayawaska Hilltop Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ayawaska Hilltop

    Are you open on Easter Sunday?

    Yes we will open at 10 for brunch and close dinner at 9pm

    What are the happy hour times/days?

    Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 5pm Thanks and hope to see you soon

    Can I get a gift certificate?

    We have e-gift certificate. We need your phone number and we will call you to create one for you

    Does anyone know if they have a private room? I'm not seeing any pictures of it but they claimed they do when I inquired about it.

    We have a private room. Just confirm day and at what time and we can see if it’s available

    Are dogs allowed on the outdoor/patio area?

    Yes dogs are allowed.

    Do they have high chairs available?

    We have high chairs available y 3 different of our tables. What is that for?

    Are there happy hour specials? If so, what are the times and specials?

    There were not the last time we were there. Did not deter the crowd though, the bar was packed at 5:30.

    Do they have outdoor dining available?

    Yes! They have a lovely patio for outdoor dining.

    Can you order takeout?

    Yes

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    HenHouse Brewing Company Record Room

    HenHouse Brewing Company Record Room

    4.6
    (30 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Jacob is awesome and funny!!! Cool vibe here. Great selection of beers and 2 ciders for the non…read morebeer drinkers!

    Had a pretty mediocre visit on June 8, 2026. Mostly due to the unfriendly, grouchy condescending…read moreserver. Didn't get his name, but he looks like Zach Galifianakis. Wearing a Hawaiian shirt with cactuses all over it & cassette tape tattoo , really awkward encounter. He kept trying to be funny, but it came off really rude and condescending. I took the high road complimented his tattoo. It seemed to go better, but he was really standoffish and just almost openly. Hostile for no reason. I still left a tip. The other guy had a lot of hip pain. I did have a really nice visit on April 7Th. That server that day was really into the music. There was two Australian guys at the counter. We had a blast but lately the place is just a dump. The side room is just completely a mess. Needs to get blown out with a blower. Nobody's wiping the tables down the grouchy condescending server was a huge turn off. The dreamland spaceport 9% that I had was way better in April now it just tasted really subpar. Stale even. I just slammed it down and got another beer reverse funnel was way more crisp and delicious. Come to think of it the last couple visits I had at the palace or barrels in Petaluma wasn't that great either. The staff just doesn't really care. Hopefully whoever's running this place can turn around. Bring back servers that are fun and care.

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    Outside
    Outside
    HenHouse Brewing Company Record Room
    Outside

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    Outside
    The Board Room

    The Board Room

    4.4
    (183 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    What an exquisite time we have every time we visit. This review is for when we visited in March for…read morea small birthday celebration. The food was amazing. I chose the Lamb Papardelle, which was earthy and savory with gloriously wide noodles. My companions had the grilled salmon and rigatoni. Jessica, the adjacent Speakeasy restaurant manager, made my custom cake. It was amazing. She made a gluten-free, fluffy chocolate cake with fresh raspberries between the layers--slightly sweet and tangy. Soooo delicious. She added red roses to match the roses on the tables. And they honor your celebration of birthdays and anniversaries with an adorable (Scrabble) sign on your table. And those exciting candles...feel free to check out the lovely photos. What an absolutely delightful memory we made for my birthday. The service is always accessible, attentive, welcoming, and friendly. It's a cozy space, so be sure to make reservations. The ambience is so elegant--at any point, you expect a member of the Rat Pack or some performer to be dining there. They have excellent live piano music I believe on Fridays and Saturdays.

    Hmmm...I'm going to err on the side of overrating this hidden gem…read more Tucked away in a strip mall, it's very much how I imagine New Jersey Italian eateries frequented by made men. Food was decent but the emphasis was on meaty dishes, and I'm more of a fish and veggies gal. This normally would mean I'd order the eggplant parmigiana, but I went for the salmon, and it was okay... Decor is very TJ Maxx adjacent with lots of Sinatra velvet paintings. Would come back for martinis.

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    The Board Room
    Charcuterie
    Charcuterie
    Butter Cake Dessert to finish a great dinner

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    Butter Cake Dessert to finish a great dinner
    Finnegan's Marin

    Finnegan's Marin

    3.8
    (548 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    We were in the area looking for a late dinner and were so glad to find Finnegan's Marin. Some pub…read morefood sounded really comforting after what had been a long day for us with little food in our stomachs. It was a Friday night and they had live music going on. I really liked the cozy pub atmosphere. They even have a table in the back of the restaurant with a sign saying "Worst Seat In The House," haha! Service was quick and friendly. We started off with the arugula and beet salad since we were starving, and we devoured it. We also ordered the pot roast and the bangers and mash. Both were delicious and comforting. The pot roast was fork tender and I really enjoyed the savory, tart sauce it came with. I also really enjoyed the gravy on the bangers and mash. We had a good first impression of this pub and will keep it in mind when we're in the area.

    Literally just walked out at 10:45am!It's a shame because we were excited to try this restaurant…read morefor the very first time for breakfast. From the moment we sat down and the server came to our table she was completely unpleasant and had a major attitude. Very condescending but with a smile. It was as if she didn't want us to be there and took it out on us. If I were the owners I would seriously be concerned with this server taking care of customers. Unfortunately, we weren't able to try the food, but we weren't willing to spend our money in a place where we're not welcomed. So, we walked a few minutes down the road and went to the Grazie restaurant. Amazing experience. Amazing customer service. Don't spend your money in places where you get poor service. There are too many choices out there! ***I can't reply to the owners reply (there's no option in Yelp) to my post so I'm adding my reply here. I do hope the owner sees it. What's a shame is that owners like you don't take accountability for your servers providing poor service. If you were so-called only 10 feet away then you would have noticed that we walked out and you would have noticed that your server was rude and condescending when we asked her simple questions about the menu. If you were so-called only 10 feet away and you were such a great owner then why didn't you care that we were leaving? How about you take accountability for your establishment and your employees... you know what's really sad about this... as an owner this is how you respond? What kind of owner are you? After your response , why would I ever want to discuss this face to face with you? You called me a liar. If you don't care, and you want to respond unprofessionally, well, that sounds like a you problem. I was in the food and service industry managing multiple restaurants for many years. I know how to treat customers and when I need to have a conversation with my employees for their poor behaviors. I would definitely never go to a restaurant where the owner doesn't care about their customers experience. Good luck with everything!

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    Great for Families
    Great for Families
    Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    Irish Nachos

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    Irish Nachos
    El Rey Mexican Bar and Grill

    El Rey Mexican Bar and Grill

    3.9
    (226 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    I tend to be very repetitive with the menu items I choose; today, however, my husband and I decided…read moreto try something different, and we were pleasantly surprised--the seafood was absolutely delicious! Thank you; El Rey will continue to be one of our favorite places. Great service and friendly staff, drinks

    Over a week ago, we were driving south to San Francisco through Novato when we decided to have…read moredinner, and Mexican food won the majority vote! We chose to try a new place, and El Rey caught our attention. We arrived around 7:30, and the restaurant wasn't busy since it was a Sunday evening. Looking at the menu, I was drawn to their ceviche. We decided to start with guacamole and chips, share a ceviche, and have a Quesadilla con Carne Asada. The guacamole was fresh and well-made, the ceviche was exceptionally delicious, and the quesadilla was very well prepared and tasty. Our server was very friendly and helpful with our questions, and we even shared a few good laughs. The service was excellent. El Rey has been a local spot in Novato for many years, family-owned and known for serving traditional Mexican dishes in a welcoming setting. It has built a reputation in the community as a reliable place for a hearty meal, and many locals have been coming here for decades. The restaurant is a standalone building in a shopping center and offers a large seating area. They also have an outdoor seating area, which I imagine would be especially nice on a warm evening. As a first-time visitor, I left impressed. The food, service, and relaxed atmosphere made for a very enjoyable stop on our drive. We would definitely come back again the next time we're in Novato.

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    El Rey Mexican Bar and Grill
    So much soggy mess in these overpriced "nachos" and my Happy Hour margarita was all ice and filler.
    So much soggy mess in these overpriced "nachos" and my Happy Hour margarita was all ice and filler.
    El Rey Mexican Bar and Grill

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    Beso Bistro And Wine Bar

    Beso Bistro And Wine Bar

    3.9
    (375 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    My colleagues and I had lunch together here recently - service was fantastic and I loved the…read morelandscape of the restaurant. They offer both indoor and outdoor dining options which is always a plus for me. I had the open faced crab sandwich and it was delicious! Others had tacos, salmon, and sandwiches.

    I have been dining at Beso Bistro since it first opened and have always appreciated the excellent…read morefood prepared by the chef. My two friends and I recently had dinner there on Friday, May 29, 2026, and once again, the quality of the food did not disappoint. All three of us ordered the Shrimp Chef Salad, and each salad was fresh, flavorful and beautifully prepared. We arrived at 6:00 p.m. and were seated immediately. Unfortunately, the table service throughout the evening was unexpectedly slow. We ordered an appetizer that never arrived, and no one checked back with us regarding its status. At the end of our meal, we waited for someone to pick up our bill and payment at our table, as usual. But eventually we had to go to the cash register ourselves to settle the bill. What made the experience more surprising was that the restaurant did not appear particularly busy, especially for a Friday evening. While the outstanding food remains a strong reason to return, I hope the service issues we experienced were simply an off night and not indicative of a broader trend.

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    Beso Bistro And Wine Bar
    Clams
    Clams
    Trio of Crème  brûlée

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    Trio of Crème brûlée

    Ayawaska Hilltop - peruvian - Updated June 2026

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