Meet the Founders of Lima Ceviche

When two long-time friends from Peru decided to bring the authentic taste of their homeland to Lisbon's food scene, they knew they were embarking on something special. Meet Marco Leyva and David Aguilar, the passionate founders behind Lima Ceviche Bar who are revolutionizing how Lisbon experiences Peruvian seafood.

A bowl of ceviche in Lima Ceviche Bar restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal

The Journey From Lima to Lisbon

Both Marco and David have called Lisbon home for over a decade, watching the city transform into one of Europe's most exciting culinary destinations. Yet despite the growing appreciation for international cuisine, they noticed something missing: an authentic Peruvian seafood experience that truly captured the essence of Peru's incredible coastal tradition.

"We've seen amazing growth in Lisbon's food scene," explains David, "but we realized there wasn't a place focused specifically on fresh Peruvian seafood paired with expertly crafted cocktails. We wanted to fill that gap."

Marco Leyva

Born in Peru, Marco's journey to becoming Lisbon's best pisco expert began in an unexpected place – a law office. After practicing law in Peru, he discovered his true calling through an International Bartending course in 2007-2008, which completely changed the course of his life.

Marco moved to Portugal in 2008 and began learning about European food and wine. He trained as a sommelier at Madrid's prestigious Spanish Tasting School and became a member of the Portuguese Sommeliers Association, where he wrote articles about pisco and collaborated on wine tastings for specialized publications.

In 2011, he launched "O Chefe em Casa," a catering service that brought authentic Peruvian cuisine directly into clients' homes. This led to opening Qosqo in 2012 – Lisbon's first Peruvian restaurant. But Marco's true passion project came in 2013 when he opened Wine&Pisco, Portugal's first bar dedicated entirely to pisco.

In 2016, he opened The Beer Station, a bar specializing in Portuguese craft beer, and he currently runs Pisco Peruvian Bar, a bar dedicated to Pisco and Peruvian cuisine next to Rossio Station, close to Lisbon city center.

Today, Marco serves as an international judge for prestigious wine competitions and regularly teaches pisco masterclasses. His expertise spans from Portuguese craft beer to spirits and cocktails, making him the perfect person to craft Lima Ceviche Bar's drink menu.

David Aguilar

David's path to Lima Ceviche Bar began with economics studies at Universidad del Pacífico in Lima. A semester exchange at Nova School of Economics in Lisbon in 2014 proved to be life-changing – he immediately felt at home in Portugal's capital.

After completing his bachelor's degree and spending a few years in industry with major companies like Colgate, David returned to Lisbon to study his master's degree at NOVA Business School. His finance career flourished as he worked with international corporations including Nestlé and Siemens, even taking his expertise across Europe to Poland and Finland.

After many years working in the corporate world, in 2024 he decided it was time to move back to Portugal and realize his dream of starting his own business. Together with Marco Leyva, they decided to combine forces and use their unique life experiences to create the new concept of a seafood restaurant based on Peruvian cuisine.

David's international background and financial expertise provide the perfect complement to Marco's culinary and beverage knowledge, creating a partnership built on both passion and practical business acumen.

A Perfect Partnership

What makes Marco and David special as founders isn't just their professional background but their commitment to sharing Peruvian culture with their adopted home. They've spent over a decade building relationships in Lisbon, understanding local tastes while staying true to authentic Peruvian traditions.

As Lima Ceviche Bar welcomes its very first guests, Marco and David are focused on creating more than just a restaurant – they're building a bridge between two cultures they love. Their goal is simple: make Campo de Ourique's newest addition a neighborhood favorite while introducing Lisbon to the tastes, traditions, and warm hospitality that make Peru so extraordinary.

Ready to experience what Marco and David have created? Visit Lima Ceviche Bar in Campo de Ourique and discover why fresh Peruvian seafood and expertly crafted pisco cocktails are the perfect combination for Lisbon's evolving food scene.