Welcome to Ayawaska Hilltop
"Ayawaska Hilltop, located in Novato, CA, is a hidden gem offering a unique dining experience. With a focus on Latinx-owned cuisine, the restaurant provides upscale dining with vegan options and a full bar. Customers rave about the stunning hilltop views and romantic terrace, perfect for special occasions or casual gatherings. The menu features standout dishes like ahi tuna Nikkei and lomo saltado, showcasing delicious flavors and presentation. Despite some minor hiccups, patrons appreciate the friendly service and overall ambiance of this Instagram-worthy spot. Ayawaska Hilltop is a must-visit for those seeking a memorable dining experience."
- 850 Lamont Ave, Novato, CA 94945, United States850 Lamont Ave, Novato, CA 94945, United States Hotline: +1 415-944-2066
Ayawaska Hilltop, a Peruvian restaurant nestled in Novato, CA, is a hidden gem that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant flavors of Latin America. With its stunning hilltop location offering sweeping views of the city, Ayawaska Hilltop provides a dining experience that is as visually pleasing as it is delicious.
Step into this restaurant and you'll be met with a blend of casual elegance and trendy vibes. The menu boasts a variety of dishes, from classic ceviche to mouthwatering lomo saltado and grilled octopus. Each dish is expertly prepared, showcasing the freshness and authenticity of Peruvian cuisine.
Customers rave about the impeccable service at Ayawaska Hilltop, with friendly staff who ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional. The bar is a standout feature, offering a range of exotic cocktails that perfectly complement the flavorful dishes.
Whether you're looking for a romantic evening with breathtaking views or a laid-back meal with friends, Ayawaska Hilltop has something for everyone. With its diverse menu, beautiful ambiance, and impeccable service, this Latinx-owned restaurant is a must-visit for anyone craving a taste of Peru in the heart of California. Treat yourself to a memorable dining experience at Ayawaska Hilltop and indulge in the flavors of Peruvian cuisine like never before.

Fine dining in Novato, believe it! So many reasons to visit. The romantic terrace is a delicious way to kick start one's date, event, gathering. COCKTAILS!!! Festive, active and alive. The view is super cool. Novato looks spectacular. Ask for a window seat, but there's no bad view. The food... Boom! Enjoy and support. We loved the ahi tuna Nikkei. So much flavor. Unfortunately we started and finished before the cameras came out.

Wow, we've really been missing out on this gem! Hadn't been here since it was the Hilltop and I'm sorry it's taken us so long. Ample parking when we arrived but lot was almost full when we left - for a Tuesday evening, that's pretty good. We shared the empanadas (beef and chicken) - the server smartly suggested that we get an extra of each so everyone could have their own (party of four) which was good since the empanadas were delicious. I had the Loma Saltado classic (meaning no prawns) and it was a very tasty dish. My only "complaint" was that the fries got soggy due to the sauce but that's minor. Service was pretty good - not always on point but very responsive when asked for something. And, as everyone mentions, great hill views. They do brunch on weekends, which looks fun!

I brought friends here for dinner to celebrate a birthday. When I made the reservation I indicated it was one of the guests' 75th birthday. The restaurant called me the day of the dinner to confirm that we would be coming. They said "and this is to celebrate a birthday, correct?" I said, "yes. It is one of the gentlemen's 75th birthday." We had a memorable dinner. The food was fantastic. The service was excellent. There were birthdays celebrated at other tables, but not ours. When the check was presented, I knew the server had no knowledge of the birthday at our table. I excused myself from the table saying I had to use the restroom, and found our server to tell her this was a birthday celebration. I even mentioned the person who called me that day confirmed that it was a birthday celebration. She handled it very well. She waited a little while after I returned to the table and brought the flaming sparkler and sorbet.

We came to Ayawaska on Saturday for my bachelorette and loved it!! We were about 15 minutes late but thankfully they still seated us! The food was delicious and their drinks came in the coolest cups. Also the view is everything! We had so much fun. Definitely recommend making a trip to Novato for this restaurant!

Was able to make a reservation online the day of for a birthday celebration. Food was good. We asked for a table by the window and was told there wasn't any even though we can clearly see one with 6 seats. We were offered a both with somewhat of a view. The appetizer we wanted was not available. The restaurant is pretty upbeat with music that puts you in a good mood.

Wasn't sure what to expect because the cover photo is misleading but this place is up on the hill and has a beautiful view. Inside is super nice as well. They offer complimentary valet (just tip) The drinks and food were equally amazing. The lomo saltado is the best I've ever had. Ceviche, empanadas were on point as well. The pisco sour is hella good and they have so many options and variations Service was also friendly with constant checking up on. Definitely gonna come back and try every pisco sour variation there is

Delicious food, friendly service, and lovely views! A last minute Thursday night dinner with friends who live in the area and they shared this spot with us. I could see it as a special occasion spot but it's also lovely to just be there and have a leisurely meal with friends, which is exactly what we did. The weather was gorgeous enough for us to sit in their open deck and when the sun went down the heat lamps went on. We started with drinks and appetizers - I enjoyed my excellent California Sour with our shared perfectly fried Empanadas de Lomo and moreish El Clasico ceviche. I loved the crispy skin of my Salmon con Crema de Poro! I only ate half of my entree to save space for Lucuma Tres Leches for dessert. It had nice level of sweetness to end the meal, though it could have had more lucuma flavor. I hope to explore more of their menu on future visits!

Probably more like a 3.5 stars but I was mostly happy... We were headed to Sonoma from SF so wanted to find lunch half way ish. Found this place on yelp and off we went. Totally random find in Novato, such a pretty location. The restaurant is very Instagram aesthetically pleasing. Super pretty. Great for date/ girls night. They have their own parking lot. luckily they have two large TVs, which is perfect as there was a soccer match on and we sat at a high table in the back to comfortably watch. I'll start with the weird/ sorta bad? The waitresses were nice, but so slow or hard to flag down? There were 3 of them but they were just floating all over the place. The food was very yummy and we were pretty hungry. Classic ceviche - nice and fresh, tart, good chunks of fish. yummier with a side of taro chips. Grilled Octopus - very tender and sauce complimented it well. arroz con mariscos - seafood rice. was DELICIOUSSSSS. yummmy and plentiful seafood. we thought we would tire of the sweetness but we kept taking just one more bite. tacu tacu with lomo saltado - this was okay to me, husband ate it. he enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of the rice and beans. could have used more meat to me. The food was delicious but it took awhileeeee to come out. If you're in a hurry, this is not the place to dine. We arrived around 11:45a? We left around 2pm!! haha not on purpose. everything was slowwwmo. Perhaps that's the vibe, but yea if you have somewhere to be, I recommend you tell them ahead of time. didn't get to try the drinks but they sounded yummy! overall pleasant experience. you could tell they had regulars or friends who dine here often. Oh yea. It was pretty expensive for lunch. LOL our tummies were happy but my husband's wallet was grumbling.

We went on a date night to Ayawaska, and it was an incredible experience! The hilltop views from this spot are absolutely amazing, providing a perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. The food was fantastic. We were particularly impressed with the Grilled Octopus on polenta, which was both delicious and beautifully presented. The Ceviche a la Huancaina and Pescado a lo Macho were equally outstanding, delivering authentic Peruvian flavors that left us craving more. The atmosphere at Ayawaska is just as remarkable as the food. The outdoor patio with its palm trees and stunning views makes dining here a sensory delight. The heated outdoor seating is perfect for those cooler evenings, and the interior is just as inviting with adjustable dim table lamps and a touch of elegance. And let's talk about the bar - it's hands down the best in town! They offer a fantastic range of exotic cocktails that perfectly complement the meal. Whether you're in the mood for a classic pisco sour or something more adventurous, the skilled bartenders have you covered. The service was friendly and attentive, ensuring our date night was perfect from start to finish. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience in Novato, Ayawaska is the place to be.

Nestled in a charming back corner of the restaurant, my partner, best friend, her honey, and I celebrated a memorable evening that delighted all our senses. The view was absolutely lovely, setting the perfect backdrop for our celebration. The ambiance was simply amazing, evolving beautifully throughout the evening. As night fell, the lighting transitioned seamlessly, culminating in an energetic vibe when the live DJ started. This addition truly brought the evening to life. The restaurant was buzzing with joy and laughter, partly due to a lively bridal shower in the front bar area. This festive atmosphere added to the overall sense of good times and celebration. Our seating was exquisite, offering a cozy yet vibrant setting that made us feel both comfortable and special. The food was nothing short of spectacular. We indulged in a variety of dishes that were so delectable they can only be described as "foodgasms" for the mouth. The octopus, in particular, stood out with its perfect blend of flavors and textures, leaving us craving more. Everything was so good that we found ourselves tempted to order one of everything from both sides of the menu. The customer service was equally impressive, with attentive staff ensuring our every need was met. Their warmth and professionalism added to the overall enjoyment of our evening. In conclusion, this dining experience was a true delight, and I am eagerly anticipating my next visit. This restaurant is a must-try for anyone seeking an unforgettable night of great food, fantastic ambiance, and wonderful company.