Cantina Valentina: Vibrant Peruvian Flavours in Dublin’s Hoxton Hotel

Dublin’s dining scene has a new contender, and it’s one that’s quietly defying expectations. Cantina Valentina, the Peruvian-inspired restaurant nestled within The Hoxton hotel on Exchequer Street, isn’t simply another hotel eatery content to cater to transient guests. As the Irish Times recently observed, it’s a destination in its own right.

Opened in November 2025, Cantina Valentina draws its inspiration from the picanterías of Peru – informal, family-run establishments where flavor reigns supreme. The restaurant, as described by the Irish Times, has successfully avoided the fate of so many hotel restaurants, which often feel “upholstered into submission.” Instead, it offers a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere, centered around a semicircular bar featuring rough brickwork and a yellow marble countertop.

The menu, as detailed in the Irish Times review, is expansive, moving seamlessly from small bites and raw bar offerings to more substantial main courses. Ceviches are a particular strength, showcasing Peru’s affinity for acidity and heat. The scallop ceviche, for example, features translucent cubes of scallop in a jalapeño tiger’s milk, accented with toasted cancha corn and green apple. The tuna ceviche offers a more restrained approach, with savory dashi and a ponzu sauce that diners can add to their preference.

Beyond the ceviches, Cantina Valentina excels in grilled meats and seafood. The Irish Times highlights the lomo saltado, a classic Peruvian stir-fry, served on a skewer with Hereford beef, crispy fries, and a piquillo pepper sauce. A standout dish is the duck rice, featuring a deeply browned duck leg with crispy skin served atop a saffron-infused arroz chaufa.

The restaurant’s commitment to authentic flavors extends to its starters. The chicharrónes – hefty cubes of pork belly deep-fried to a rigid, bubbled crust – are served with a pale yellow ají dipping sauce, offering a balance of richness and spice. The menu also includes vegetarian options such as sweet potato hummus, smoked miso aubergine, and a superfood salad.

Cantina Valentina doesn’t shy away from offering a full dining experience, with a dessert menu that includes Peruvian chocolate tart and tres leches cake. However, the Irish Times reviewer suggests finishing the meal with the pisco colonel, a citrus sorbet infused with pisco, offering a bracing and refreshing end to the meal.

The restaurant’s pricing is described as €€€, and a dinner for two with cocktails can run around €138. The Hoxton Dublin, where Cantina Valentina is located, opened in November 2025, bringing its signature “warmth and open-house hospitality” to Dublin’s Creative Quarter, according to reports from Hospitality Net.

Cantina Valentina is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner, with varying hours throughout the week. Breakfast is served daily from 7am to 10:30am. Lunch is available Wednesday through Friday from 12pm to 2:30pm, while brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to 9:30pm. The restaurant is closed on Mondays for both lunch and dinner. Reservations can be made by calling +353 (1) 263 5020 or emailing Cantinavalentina.dublin@thehox.com.

The restaurant sources its ingredients from local suppliers, including Wrights Fishmongers, McLoughlin’s free-range chicken and pork, and Silverhill duck, demonstrating a commitment to quality and supporting local businesses.

Cantina Valentina’s success lies in its ability to create a dining experience that feels both sophisticated and approachable. It’s a restaurant that doesn’t simply exist within a hotel; it stands on its own, offering a genuine taste of Peruvian cuisine in the heart of Dublin.