We went to celebrate my best friend's graduation. The food was amazing! Everything was delicious: we order the empanadas, causa limeña, lomo saltado, seco de tira and ceviche. The service was excellent, plus kind with my friend and very helpful. The place was beautiful. The aesthetic of the place was very coherent and pleasant. We would definitely go back again, not only for a special occasion but for good food and service! read more

Excellent food at Coracora this evening. Guava & Cheese empanadas were delicious and perfect starter with our dragon fruit cocktails. The Arroz Marinero seafood rice and chicken chaufa were amazing. We couldn't decide who had ordered the best meal. The restaurant was busy and our waiter "the road runner" was very gracious and entertaining. He let us know that the food would take so time, which was fine. Nice to relax, enjoy our drinks and visit. Fun evening read more

Tried Cora Cora and it was sooo good! From drinks to desserts, everything was just perfect! We explored some vegetarian & vegan options and absolutely loved every bite.....Also, their complimentary crispy snack with that secret sauce? TOO good. The ambience is super lively and such a vibe--perfect for dine in, and the staff were so warm and welcoming, made the experience even better! Highly recommend from my end if you're looking for something unique & delicious!!!! read more

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We went to Coracora for my husband's birthday dinner. Their food is delicious and the atmosphere is so elegant and pretty. It's such a different vibe from the original location so we were taken aback! Even the menu is completely different. Definitely make a reservation and feel free to get dressed up to come here. For starters, we had the croquetas and the empanadas. Toddler favorites! For mains, I had the lomo soltado, my husband got the seco de tira, and the kids shared the arroz con pato. Everything was really delicious and filling. I would truly have given five stars if we didn't wait almost an hour for the main dishes to come out. It was absolute torture because the kids were so hungry, and they didn't bring anything out or give an explanation for why the food was taking so long. We were there around 4:00 p.m., so it wasn't busy at all. So it got a little chaotic for us, but once the food did come out, everybody was happy and satisfied. I'd love to come back and try some of their other entrees. So happy that there is an authentic local Peruvian restaurant in town! read more

So there are two locations for CoraCora. This review is for their new location in Blue Back Square. I had never tried Peruvian food before, and with all the buzz around this place (James Beard nominations - FYI the awards were from their other location), I wanted to check it out. Our reservation was for 8:15, and we arrived a little late at 8:30. Since it was our first time with this cuisine, we took a bit to look over the menu and ended up ordering around 8:45. Our waiter was very friendly and recommended a Pisco cocktail as something authentic to Peru, so I went with the Pisco punch. It was good, but unfortunately it took about 30 minutes to arrive. Based on other reviews, there is clearly something going on with the bar. People had mentioned they got their cocktails after their food, so note that your drink will probably take awhile to arrive. By the time the drinks came, our food followed shortly after, so I didn't really get to enjoy the drink--it basically became dessert. Note, our food arrived at 9:20. Before dinner, they served corn nuts with a spicy dip, which ended up being my favorite part of the meal. My entrée was underwhelming. I got the Pescado bien Macho which was basically like a Cioppino. The sauce itself was flavorful, but the shellfish--mussels and scallops--tasted overly fishy. It also came with a piece of white fish on top. You have the option of Branzino on top but they give you the whole fish (I love Branzino but didn't feel like dealing with deboning a fish) or a deboned catch of the day, so I chose the latter. In contrast, my boyfriend ordered the salmon over pesto quinoa - "Quinton al Pesto" which was delicious, and he really enjoyed it. Service seemed stretched, as our waiter was handling around a dozen tables in the back room, which likely contributed to the delays. Since they've only been open a few months, I'd consider giving them another try down the line once things smooth out. With so many other great options in the area though, it's likely going to be a long while. read more

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Went on Friday night with another couple and it was overall a good experience. The waitstaff was attentive and although other reviews mentioned very slow service, ours was about average. It is nicely appointed inside with a relaxed but upscale ambiance. My husband got the ceviche which he liked but realized as an entire meal was too much. I am not a huge spicy food fan so stayed mild with chicken thighs and pineapple fried rice. My plate was full of fresh veggies but no fresh or even canned pineapple. The pineapple looked like maybe homemade maybe from a jar pineapple jelly. It was so mild that it honestly could have been almost any fruit. Which was ironic because the dish needed some brightening up and the pineapple would have done it. The croquettes from the appetizer menu were good. I might go back again? With so many great restaurants in WeHa though, I'm not sure. read more

The ceviche was delicious and fresh! Server was very friendly and had great recommendations. The inside of the restaurant is pretty, has beautiful Peruvian decor. read more

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"This weed is mine You can't have it" (Snoop Dogg) Well, if you're wondering why that song kicks off this review, let me explain. Hector Ludena and Luisa Jimenez opened their original Peruvian restaurant "Coracora" in 2011 in Hartford. The couple hail from Coracora, Peru and that word translates into 'full of weeds'. So now you know. Let's fast forward to 2026 when Coracora opened their second location in West Hartford's Blue Back Square, a decidedly more upscale version of the OG Cora Cora. Their menu is solid Peruvian cuisine, with empanadas, yucca, four ceviches, and house specials. Our terrific server Alonso started off with a complimentary appetizer of crunchy Peruvian corn served with a spicy sauce. Alonso told us the sauce was spicy.... And yes it was! Next, our party of three shared an order of Croquettes de Aji de Gallina ($13) - think medium sized dumplings with a crunchy exterior and delicate stuffing of minced chicken and cheese. They were decadent and delicious. I went with one of the ceviches, namely Ceviche Carretillero. That's a street style Peruvian ceviche, traditionally sold from carretillas -- wheelbarrow-style carts -- especially around Lima's beaches, parks, and markets. Its generous toppings include fresh fish cured in lime juice, shrimp, two styles of calamari, some mussels, red onion slices, Cancha (toasted corn), Choclo (large-kernel Peruvian corn), peppers, and two potato slices. My ceviche was $26. The portion was so large (there must have been a dozen shrimp in there) that finishing it was a definite "No Go". Half of it came home, so two meals at $13 is a definite value. We were very impressed with our first visit to the newest Cora Cora. read more

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So excited they opened this location up in Blueback! Absolutely gorgeous inside and more elevated than their Elmwood location, although similar menu with the favorites! We visited on Valentine's Day and the staff was incredible! Made the day totally special, especially this heart shaped empanada! We always get their lomo saltado but really enjoyed their half chicken Valentine's special. We can't wait to come back! read more

Coracora - Vday empanada special - Peruvian Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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I'm so glad they opened a CoraCora in West Hartford, smack dab in blue back square. They offer an exceptional, award-winning Peruvian dining experience. The atmosphere is lively and modern thoughtfully decorated. The menu must haves are...the ceviche(authentic), and vibrant Pisco Sours(yum) Which the bartender offered us as a shot, towards the end of our dinner and sport enough to do the shots with us. They have a full bar featuring some twist on classics. I had the chicken and guava &cheese Empanadas. I was excited to try the causa limeña a traditional Peruvian appetizer made of layered, seasoned mashed yellow potatoes, topped with chicken salad, avocado and boiled eggs. My friend had the classic ceviche white fish in tigers milk (yup). Everything was exceptionally good. I'd come back to try few other dishes and desserts. The price is moderate ($20-$30) a dish. They are consistently rated as a top dining destination in the area. read more

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Coracora opens their second location in Blue Back Square on Isham Rd across Cheesecake Factory where Rosa Mexicano used to be. They've done a marvelous job in sprucing up the restaurant making it aesthetically pleasing with competitive pricing, although in the higher end. Street parking is difficult to find, so lucky there is a garage right across making it easy to travel to and from in any weather. Host staff are absolutely welcoming and ordering is pleasantly easy. I'm looking forward to enjoying this treat! read more

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New Peruvian restaurant just opened up in blue back square . And I m so glad I got to go check it out before opening weekend ! The food and drinks were amazing ! I started with the "la patron" which was a sweet. Cocktail with dragonfruit and passion fruit . It was strong and delicious perfect for me with fruity flavours . Next we got the cheese and guava empanadas and I loved it ! The crust was nice and flaky freshly baked and delicious ( you can also get chicken or beef options too ) I liked they had options for vegan food as well which was nice . For the entree our friend got the lomo Saltado , which he loved the beef was cooked perfectly and it was nice and tender ! Because the empanadas were so good I had to try their dessert options . I choose the golden alfajor , which weee golden fresh baked cooked with a caramel center and coated in chocolate . Served on top of a fruity custard ! And it was AMAZING ! I loved it the custard was very good and the cookies were soft and fluffy ! Highly recommend Overall the ambiance was great very modern chic vibes and food was delicious , the service was a little slow since they just opened but everyone was very nice and friendly ! Highly recommend to check them out ! And presentation of food is 10/10 !!! read more

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We went to Cora Cora's new location in blue back Square. The new location is upscale and classy. The ambiance makes for a nice quiet date night out or a fancy cocktail with friends. The food was similar to the original locations with options for starters like empanadas, delicious lomo saltado, and ceviche. The drinks were strong but flavorful. I got the Inca Azteca (I forgot the name) and the cusquena beer which was a golden ale that paired nicely with the peruvean flavors. They give you toasted corn kernels with a spicy dipping sauce for the table. read more

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Very nice place to either have dinner or sit at the bar. A lot fish and meat dishes here which is not really what I eat, but the rice with seafood was just amazing, if you like paella this is the way to go and I would say it was better than a paella. Wife had seco de tira, which was a braised short rib that she said was amazing. Prices are not cheap, dishes here over 30$+, but honestly was worth it, service was excellent. We had a dessert that was just ok, some sort of cinnamon roll with ice cream on top, would have been better if the ice cream was vanilla. Still good but it sounded better. Will definitely be back read more

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Went for the first time for some drinks and food with friends on a Saturday night and it was lovely. The service was a bit slow but we didn't mind because one of our friends was running late. I will say the food and drinks were phenomenal! The decor and the ambiance was great for any occasion and the staff was very friendly. Will definitely be coming back. 10/10 would recommend read more

Coracora - Empanadas & Croquetas - Peruvian Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

I used to go to the original location on Shield St. and always loved it. Was so excited that they've opened in Blue Back Sq., West Hartford. The new location is very upscale in decor and the menu. Of course the higher prices to go with it, but that's to be expected. The four of us all loved our appetizers (assorted empanadas, Inca salad, Yuquitas a la Huancainas, Ceviche Carretillero), entrees (Seco de Tira short ribs, Branzino fish, Chaufa de Pollo), and dessert. All were wonderful. My only request of them is to PLEASE lower the volume of music. It felt like we were at a nightclub and listening to booming club music. It doesn't seem necessary to have music so extremely loud. At a lower volume, you can still create the same upbeat vibe, but al least the patrons could hear themselves think and talk. I hope management reads this feedback. Otherwise a great restaurant and we'll ne back. read more

Interior looks very vibey, food was good, so were the drinks, but the amount of time it took for us to get our food at the bar was ridiculous. Front of house was somewhat busy but nothing crazy, there were still plenty of seats at the bar and tables. I must say the bartenders...the majority of them, were friendly and observant of our annoyance. They offered a sample of one of their cocktails, dessert on the house and a shot...which we appreciated. If it wasn't for them, I'd probably would have rated lower. Also the bathroom can use routine cleanups and perhaps an auto deodorizer, I almost passed out when I went in after arriving. I mean I know they can't control what happens in there but it wasn't a pleasant start of an experience. As I said the food was pretty good but the yucca balls were very lukewarm and the cheese was somewhat tough, that was the only dish we were unsatisfied with. Def order the Pisco Sour! read more

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Great service! Salmon with pesto and crispy chicken with fried rice and the empanadas...all were really good. The roast beef could have been tender but overall a great experience given that this is the soft opening menu. Couldn't do the cocktails n dessert but am sure they'll be good too try it out! read more

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It was a beautiful evening. We got to enjoy a Japanese drum concert while we sat outside. I ordered a cocktail, although it tasted good, it was mostly ice. I had a chicken thigh dish with rice. It was ok but not great. I was a bit disappointed. That being said, the staff was friendly and the service was good. I will give it another try and order something else. read more

There okay a lot of buzz for the new location it left room for improvement maybe there still working out there kinks with the new location and it was very busy on a Sat night but the food took almost an hour to come out & It was just okay nothing over the top for that long of a wait. The ambiance is sleek and modern and the vibe inside is nice. The food was eh maybe because of how long it took to come out I lost my appetite by that point. read more

The food is always fresh, delicious and better than the menu descriptions. Service is consistently excellent. So glad to have a second location nearby. It's good to see how successful a restaurant can be when they focus on the basics- the food and service. read more

Great dining experience. Food was pretty good and the service was nice, although a bit slow. It took a long while to get my drink. Fortunately I was deep in conversation so I wasn't very phased, but I found myself waiting on my server for a while to ask for even little things. Very nice staff nonetheless and they were pretty busy, I just expected a bit more effort for the price point. The restaurant was very nice though and beautifully decorated. read more

Every time I've come here I've been met with great service and amazing food! It's definitely become a repeat restaurant for me in blue back square. read more

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As someone who has been dating a native Peruvian for several years and has been to Peru multiple times (and is in the process of moving there), I know how special Peruvian food is. I've been dying to try this place since I first saw it under construction like a year ago. Finally got around to it today. I think my waiter could sense my excitement to be there. He was super, super friendly and accommodating even though I was by myself. Everything was amazing. The atmosphere, the service, the food and drink. All of it. The pisco sour was SO good. Very strong and knocked me on my butt, if I'm being honest! For my meal I ordered classic lomo saltado. The meat was cooked perfectly, melt in your mouth. Everything was absolutely perfect. This was a treat for myself and I couldn't have had a better meal. I will definitely be back, equally as excited as I was this time. read more

I mourn the loss of the old location where parking was easy and where local Peruvian families (ourselves included) would go. Working families with their children young and old to have their comfort food. Will that base be interested in the new trendy vibe? The cosmopolitan fancy hotsie totsie ambience? I want to hear Peruvian music not some neutered hip hop or whatever it was in the air. But that's just me. It's like when they straightened Old Farms Road in Avon to make it safe. Not realizing what they lost. Authentically. read more

The food was absolutely amazing. The empanadas should always be ordered. The ambiance was nice as well. And the service was impeccable. Very attentive wait staff. read more

Coracora - Peruvian Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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the service was okay and food is not great for vegetarian options. the ambiance is good and it's fairly occupied because they had just a soft opening. no happy hour menu tet. read more

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The new location is gorgeous, spacious and an amazing new addition to WeHa. The menu is expanded and atmosphere is chic and classy. This is our new favorite spot! read more

Coracora - Peruvian Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

We went to Cora Cora to celebrate my birthday today. It was a phenomenal experience. The staff was warm and friendly- felt like they were welcoming us into their home. Food was fantastic. I had the ceviche and it was beyond delicious! They kindly offered me a choice of cake for my birthday. The dulce de leche cake was the best I've ever tasted. They also brought my husband and I complementary prosecco- again making my birthday feel so special. Thank you for such a wonderful experience! I can't wait to come back! Service, food and atmosphere was all fantastic! Thank you! read more

Amazing food in the new beautiful location. And amazing service from Jean Franco. We will be back.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Our waiter, Jeanfranco, was very accommodating and went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. It was my dad's birthday and they made the dinner even better with some delicious dessert and champagne. Will definitely come back again! read more