Celebrated table

Lima Nikkei Izakaya

Name: Lima Nikkei Izakaya
Address: Mechelsesteenweg 76, 2018 Antwerpen, BE, Antwerpen, BE
Telephone: +32 460 96 99 79

Chef Diego Salas brings authentic Japanese-Peruvian cooking to Antwerpen, earning Gault&Millau recognition for its precise technique and relaxed garden setting.

Call restaurant Visit website

The story

Lima Nikkei Izakaya Antwerpen | Award-Winning Nikkei Cuisine

Foundations and leadership

Lima Nikkei Izakaya in Antwerpen builds its Nikkei cuisine on a foundation laid by founders Luis Garcia and Mayra Linares. Their 2020 catering project grew so quickly they established a permanent restaurant. Head chef and co-founder Diego Salas now leads the kitchen, bringing training from Barcelona’s Joviat school and professional experience at Albert Adrià’s Michelin-starred PAKTA alongside an internship at Lima’s acclaimed MAIDO.

Plates and technique

The kitchen treats Nikkei cuisine as a dialogue between regions rather than a static style. Diners frequently order ceviche carretillero met zeeba, a preparation that balances raw fish with crisp textures and bright citrus. A Gault&Millau score of thirteen in 2026 confirms how the team navigates these complex flavor combinations while maintaining structural clarity.

Space and service rhythm

Guests move through an intimate dining room designed to feel unhurried and focused on the table. A secluded garden sits behind the main floor, offering a quiet alternative during daytime visits. The venue reserves a separate room for private gatherings of up to forty guests, while Saturday and Sunday lunches provide a lighter entry point to the full schedule.

Recognition