Tue. Dec 10th, 2024
The interior of Inka's Peruvian restaurant in Syracuse that has a bar and table seating with plant decorations.
Inka’s Peruvian restaurant brings a mix of Peruvian and Asian cultures to Syracuse. © Timmy Wilcox 2024
Inka’s Peruvian restaurant opens in Syracuse.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Inka’s Peruvian restaurant opens in Syracuse.

Timmy Wilcox: Inka’s Peruvian Fusion Cuisine opened Oct. 15. The restaurant sits on the corner of South Salina and East Washington street and offers a combination of Peruvian and Asian cultures. Inka’s manager Sebastian Ramirez says the menu has a lot of common flavors, but the experience is unlike any other.

Sebastian Ramirez: There’s a lot of stuff that’s very different than what Syracuse is usually accustomed to, and we’re just trying to create more of a culinary experience and show off the Peruvian culture a little bit more.

Wilcox: Inka’s owners also own Margarita’s Mexican Cantina in Armory Square. After learning from mistakes at Margarita’s, Ramirez said they’ve been able to hit the ground running.

Wilcox: Despite Inka’s being open for just over a week, it’s already had customers travel from far distances. It’s already had customers make the trip from Long Island.

Ramirez: So for sure is the pollo a la brasa which is kind of the rotisserie chicken, it’s one of the staple foods in Peru. Everything is cooked with charcoal and wood fire, so they’re roasted over I believe it’s an hour and a half roast process so it’s very very good.

Wilcox: These customers have come for the full bar and to enjoy a menu with fresh ingredients. Ramirez is excited for Syracuse to dig in to the restaurant’s top choices.

Wilcox: Inka’s plans to change their food menu every three to four months. The restaurant’s variety of food and drinks provide a unique dining option for Syracuse. Tim Wilcox. NCC News.

Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse has a new dining option in the downtown area. Inka’s opened on Oct. 15 and offers Peruvian fusion cuisine.

Located on the corner of Salina and Washington streets, the restaurant is owned by the same owners as Margarita’s Mexican Cantina in Armory Square. 

Inka’s had a smoother opening because the owners learned from the obstacles of starting Margarita’s. Some customers from Margarita’s have dined at Inka’s and already, customers from as far as Long Island have visited.

Inka’s menu has both common flavors and new tastes, Inka’s manager Sebastian Ramirez said.

“There’s a lot of stuff that’s very different than what Syracuse is usually accustomed to, and we’re just trying to create more of a culinary experience and show off the Peruvian culture a little bit more,” Ramirez said.

Inka’s prides itself on the fresh ingredients that it uses in its seafood and meat dishes. The restaurant’s Peruvian food consists of stir fry and soy sauce flavors.

One of the restaurant’s favorite dishes is the pollo a la brasa, similar to rotisserie chicken.

“It’s one of the staple foods in Peru,” Ramirez said. “Everything is cooked with charcoal and wood fire, so they’re roasted over an hour and a half, so it’s very, very good.”

Inka’s decorated the interior to bring a mix of New York City style and “tropical South American flair” to the restaurant. Fixtures such as the mezzanine and bar were kept from the previous building tenants.

The restaurant plans to change its menu every three to four months while providing a unique dining experience to Syracuse.