I was super excited to try Contramar after hearing so many great things about it. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

First off, the tables were too close together, and the place was way too loud for a relaxed meal and conversation. And considering the prices, I expected a more comfortable setup.

The service was alright but lacked a personal touch. It felt like they were understaffed because the waiters were always rushing around.

I could let the lackluster ambiance and service go if the food was truly amazing, but unfortunately, it was only average, especially for the price.

For apetizers, our group shared the tiradito de pescado, which was the standout dish of the night. The fish was fresh and the marinade tasty, although it leaned more towards a ceviche or aguachile than an actual tiradito (no leche de tigre in this dish). I would order it again, but would’ve enjoyed a slightly larger portion.

Next, we sampled the aguachile, which was well-prepared but lacked the some spiciness. It was decent but not memorable.

Finally, we opted for the grilled octopus. The portion size was adequate for three people, but it was slightly overcooked and chewy, especially towards the ends of the tentacles. It came with a simple, slightly smoky salsa and lightly grilled sweet potato rounds that lacked seasoning. Given the nearly 1000-peso price tag for this dish alone, I expected better in terms of taste and presentation.

In conclusion, while the overall experience was acceptable, I find it difficult to recommend at this price point, especially when there are great seafood options at a fraction of the price. 3/5