This weekend, Nicole and I checked out one of the hottest new restaurants in Frederick, MD: Lima Soul. This exciting Peruvian spot in downtown is all over social media right now, and it did not disappoint.
Lima Soul is a place for flavors. We were lucky enough to have the owner guide us through some amazing dishes and cocktails, and it was special.
If you are looking for the next great Downtown Frederick dining experience, you need to visit yourself.
Several years ago, my kids and I took an unforgettable trip to hike the Inca Trail in Peru. There were many memorable aspects of the journey, including the town of Cusco, the richness of Peruvian culture, and, of course, Machu Picchu.
However, perhaps the most remarkable part of our experience was the cuisine. Peru offers incredible food! I’ve loved Peruvian food ever since.
Lima Soul Restaurant in Frederick, MD
Lima Soul Frederick, MD - Basics
Lima Soul is located in the heart of downtown Frederick on Patrick Street, just a block off North Market Street.
It’s adjacent to other popular restaurants, such as Sumittra Thai and JoJo’s. (Lima Soul occupies the building formerly home to Delizia Cafe.)
According to the owner, Antonio Poggi, when we visited in mid-May 2026, the restaurant was still considered in its ‘soft opening’ phase.
First Impressions of Lima Soul
Downtown Frederick is an underrated destination for great restaurants, and Lima Soul is a fantastic addition to the lineup.
Located on bustling Patrick Street, home to popular spots like Cafe Nola, Sumittra Thai, Lazy Fish, JoJo’s, and Sabor de Cuba, Lima Soul brings a delicious Peruvian focus to Frederick’s dining scene.
Lima Soul is similar to many downtown Frederick restaurants in that it is upscale enough for date night but casual without being overly fancy.
The Menu at Lima Soul Peruvian Restaurant
If you aren’t familiar with Peruvian cuisine, well, you need to. The Lima Soul menu brings these exciting flavors out in an aggressive way.
Peruvian cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world. Heavily influenced by indigenous, Spanish, and (as Antonio explained to us) early Japanese immigrants.
The Lima Soul menu is full on Peruvian, and here is what to expect:
- Fresh seafood dishes
- Latin flavors and spices
- Lots of fresh citrus
- Amazing ceviches
- Flavorful grilled meats
- Fresh Juices and handcrafted cocktails
The Lima Soul menu is very focused on starters, small plates, ceviches, and raw bar, plus a short list of entrees.
What We Ordered at Lima Soul
Luckily, we had Antonio to guide us through the menu and make recommendations.
I’m a huge fan of ceviches (and have incredible memories of the fresh ones in Peru). So we started with Trio Civichero. Fabulous!
The freshness and flavors of this dish cannot be overstated. In fact, I could have composed an entire meal at Lima Soul solely from ceviche and other raw fish dishes.
However, Antonio had more recommendations, so Nicole and I continued on to the Pulpo a la Parrilla con Chimichurri (grilled octopus – Nicole’s favorite), and the Lasana de Aji de Gallina.
Both dishes were delicious and authentically Peruvian. The octopus was succulent, complemented by a lima bean purée.
The lasagna was the most intriguing dish of the night. Made by Antonio himself, it featured layers of pasta filled with a traditional yellow chicken stew. It was unique and incredibly tasty.
We finished with dessert (volcano lava cake) :).
The Vibe at Lima Soul
It will take some time for Lima Soul to settle in and find its place in Frederick. But it’s already a cool place for a night out.
If you like to linger over dinner, slowly order small plates along with cocktails (including lots of pisco), then you’ll love Lima Soul.
In fact, the bar at Lima Soul is inviting in itself, and there were several couples eating there in a ‘chef’s table’ fashion.
The night we visited had a live music performer, but the place still had a dining room vibe only with some background music.
Antonio also explained that Lima Soul will eventually have a small Peruvian-focused market in the back, featuring products from Peruvian artists and food producers.
Final Verdit - Is Lima Soul Worth Visiting?
Nicole and I love dining in downtown Frederick, and the more cool restaurants we can add to our rotation, the better. Lima Soul Frederick is now on the list.
We’d highly recommend you do the same, especially if you have never tried authentic Peruvian cuisine. It will surprise you in a very delicious way.
Continue Your Night In Downtown Frederick
Part of the reason we love downtown Frederick is that dinner is usually neither the beginning nor the end of the night.
Check out our list of the best bars in Frederick for some great places to get a cocktail before or after your visit to Lima Soul.
Explore Frederick’s Best Food & Drink Guides
