Welcome to Salar Restaurant and Lounge
At Salar Restaurant and Lounge, located in Dayton's historic Oregon District, a unique fusion of French and Peruvian cuisine awaits. This modern eatery blends culinary traditions, inviting guests to indulge in dishes like the tender Machu Picchu Pork Chop and flavorful Lomo Saltado, each crafted with high-quality ingredients. The dining experience is enhanced by attentive service and a vibrant atmosphere, making it ideal for special occasions or casual outings. Complement your meal with expertly mixed cocktails, including a refreshing Pisco Sour, and don’t miss the delectable desserts like the Tres Leches Cake. Salar is truly a culinary gem, promising unforgettable flavors and welcoming hospitality.
- 400 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402 Hotline: (937) 203-3999
Welcome to a culinary gem in the heart of Dayton, Ohio—Salar Restaurant and Lounge. This unique establishment skillfully blends the rich culinary traditions of French and Peruvian cuisines, creating a vibrant dining experience that tantalizes the senses. Located at 400 E 5th St, this restaurant effortlessly marries innovative flavors with a sophisticated ambiance, making it the perfect spot for any occasion, from family gatherings to intimate date nights.
The moment you step into Salar, you're enveloped by a warm and inviting atmosphere, enhanced by both modern and classic design elements. Guests have remarked on the restaurant’s ability to balance liveliness with a cozy feel, especially in the beautifully appointed back patio where you can enjoy al fresco dining.
The menu at Salar is a culinary adventure that fuses French techniques with the hearty and bold ingredients of Peruvian cooking. Highlights include:
- Northern Peruvian Style Braised Lamb Shank - A succulent choice that promises to be tender and flavorful, perfect for those looking for comfort food with an upscale twist.
- Tierra y Mar (Surf & Turf) - This extravagant dish marries premium beef with perfectly seasoned seafood for a delightful exploration of flavors.
- Chilean Sea Bass - A standout offering, flakiness and moisture characterize this dish, making it a must-try for fish lovers.
- Ceviche - Praised by many patrons, it embodies the freshness of Peruvian ingredients, balanced with citrusy notes that awaken the palate.
- Lucuma Croustillant - Ending your meal with this dessert is a choice you won’t regret; its unique flavors are a delightful surprise.
Guests rave about the staff’s attentiveness and professional service. From the moment you enter, you’re treated to an experience that isn’t just about food, but also about hospitality. The kind of service that respects dietary needs, as highlighted by a guest who appreciated the restaurant's gluten-free options, speaks volumes about Salar’s commitment to guest satisfaction.
The bar at Salar complements the dining experience beautifully, offering a fine selection of spirits, including celebrated bourbons and creatively crafted cocktails. Patrons often find themselves indulging in expertly mixed drinks while unwinding in the relaxed ambiance.
In a city with a burgeoning dining scene, Salar Restaurant and Lounge stands out with its dedication to quality ingredients, authentic flavors, and an atmosphere that welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, dining at Salar is not just a meal; it’s an experience waiting to be savored and repeated. Don't just take our word for it—make your way to this hidden gem and discover why it has quickly earned rave reviews and a loyal clientele.

We picked out Salar for our daughter's graduation celebration. We were a medium size group so we contacted the restaurant weeks beforehand. Nikki was great with all the lead up and plans and Joe was amazing as our server. The drinks were great the food was great and any bar that has Buffalo Trace as their well bourbon is ok in my book. Highly recommended for a special occasion or just a night out. The pricing was reasonable, we had drinks, apps, a champagne toast, appetizers and dessert and it was less than $100 per person before tip.

I am writing this review because it is so easy to write -Fabulous! I was going to stop there but thought perhaps I should go into more detail: 1). Food - Fabulous! 2). Wait staff - Fabulous! 3). Cool factor - Fabulous! Ok - more! I love a good beet salad. Theirs was top notch with perfect dressing, arugula, candied nuts, and blue cheese (goat cheese preferred, but...). And I had the best ceviche I've had in the USA. And a properly prepared Pisco sour. This place is worthy of a fancy NYC joint. My wife had this wild warm caprissi salad and some wonderful huge scallops. Now I am looking for excuses to visit Dayton. (Also being a railfan sitting on the patio, the six trains that passed by were a big plus). Go!!!!

We had such a lovely family dinner here. My mother who is 100% gluten free (celiacs disease) was treated with the upmost respect. Our server was very attentive to her gluten free necessity. A lot of the menu is gluten free with items clearly marked. We were greeted at our tables with some delicious homemade pita bread and avocado hummus. It was lovely. My mother (who is gluten free) was personally brought her own little appetizer which still included the same hummus but with cold cut vegetables! What a lovely touch! For my meal, I tried the surf and turf which came with a perfectly cooked filet mignon, two grilled shrimp seasoned to perfection, and a scallop. The meats were served over chorizo risotto and green beans. It had this lovely and unique onion marmalade to go with the meat. I will be dreaming about this meal. It was seemingly delicious! For dessert we got something that I can't quite remember the name but it came with this heavenly cinnamon "ice cream" that I will be drooling thinking about until I eat here again!! Another thing that really set this place apart for me was that both of the drinks I requested and ordered were not on the menu. I asked for an espresso martini and a mojito. Both of which were perfectly made and delicious. Any restaurant/bar that can still make an amazing drink that is not on their menu gets extra brownie points from me. Overall, a 5 star experience. They have plenty of indoor seating and also a BACK hidden outdoor dining patio.

Walked in for an early dinner and they were able to sit me, my husband and a stroller without any reservations. Kudos for that! They have seating outside, great to take advantage of the great weather. The food was absolutely excellent with subtle flavors and quality ingredients. We had the Ceviche (spelled with a v!). It needed more white fish, but it was tasty. My husband had the "Tierra y Mar". The steak was good. The shrimp was good. The scallops were excellent! For desert we had the Lucuma Croustillant and it was amazing! Never had it before, so it was meat to try something new. 10/10. Even the coffee was good. Will be back.

Tonight my wife and I decided to explore a taste of Peru from Salar, especially for its ceviche, sea bass, and lamb shank. Let me just say, it surpassed all our expectations. We were greeted with genuine smiles and an enthusiastic staff...Daniel kicked things off just right! For starters, we went with ceviche which had a burst of freshness! The ceviche was an absolute delight - tender, citrus-infused fish, perfectly balanced with the sweet and spicy notes of Peruvian peppers. It's a dish I'd come back for in a heartbeat The Sea Bass was the star of the evening. Cooked to perfection, the sea bass was flaky, moist, and infused with a blend of spices that highlighted its natural flavors without overpowering them. Paired with a side herbs and asparagus, it was a masterpiece The Lamb Shank was fall-off-the-bone tender, very flavorful, succulent, and well-seasoned as it practically melted in my wife's mouth. But you have to swap out the jasmine rice for risotto to really set the dish off The Tres Leches dessert is a sweet ending to an already fantastic meal. The cake was light, spongy, and soaked in just the right amount of creamy milk mixture, topped with a light whipped cream that wasn't too sweet but perfectly balanced As for the cocktails, including the hard to find Blantons, means no meal is complete without a great drink, and their cocktails were a hit! Creative, refreshing, and beautifully presented, each drink complemented our dishes wonderfully. Whether you're a fan of classics or in the mood to try something new, their bar won't disappoint, especially with Chelsea doing her thing! Overall, this Peruvian Dayton gem is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in authentic flavors, exceptional service, and a dining experience that leaves you planning your next visit before you've even left. Whether you're a ceviche aficionado or eager to explore Peruvian cuisine, you're in for a treat. Don't miss out on this culinary adventure!

I would describe Salar as modern European chef-driven cuisine, with Peruvian being one of many influences. This classy restaurant is tucked in a corner on a cobblestone street in the heart of historic Oregon District. Its beautiful inside. The main dining room & bar gets busy and loud. There's a smaller more secluded room up front with its own little bar. Bar was not attended when we dined but I imagine it would be at busier times. We started with the calamari app which was a unique interpretation with a very spicy sauce. It made me thirsty- maybe that's the idea. I ordered Lomo Saltado as the quintessential Peruvian dish and I was a bit let down. The rice was separate from the rest and they don't offer those classic Peruvian condiments (the hot creamy green sauce) to drizzle over it. It wasn't bad, just not what I was hoping for. The star of the show was the short ribs my husband ordered, so full of flavor and meltingly tender. The polenta was perfectly seasoned and the presentation was beautiful including an edible flower. He admitted the flower was not the best; I cannot comment as I don't eat flowers. I am upset now browsing other reviews mentioning getting pita triangles with dip for a complimentary starter. I even asked our waiter if there was bread or something and he said NO, that the little plates were there in case you were sharing. Street parking is pretty much non existent but there's a pay lot right across the street. You have to go on a website to enter your plate # and credit card - and for Heaven's sake DON'T FORGET to log out before you drive away! Overall I really liked Salar and will return, and will definitely take them politely to task about the starter.

Fantastic ambiance, very attentive servers, fine spirits selection, and a delectable menu. Salar provides an excellent option for a finer dining experience where you will be treated with superb service and very tasty menu items with generous portions. The Lomo Saltado was purely reminiscent of the top-tier Lomo Saltado dishes I've had in the past. The beef here seems a bit of higher quality than your standard tho. The Machu Picchu Pork Chop was a behemoth but quality was not lacking despite the quantity served. The Duck Fried Rice was not a necessary order but I wanted to try it so there I was, in a gluttonous fashion just enjoying the delicious of every bite regardless of me being nearly full to capacity The duck flavor wasn't too overpowering, and the slight savoriness of the rice was so flavorful. I started the evening at the bar for drinks and slowly made my way to the main dining area. The bar is a very comfortable place to relax and enjoy cocktails. Coupled with friendly and attentive bartenders, I wouldn't have minded staying there all night. But the dining experience was also superb, with the wait staff being very pleasant and frequently checking in on our table.