Alpine Grandeur Meets Peruvian Whimsy at Amaru Restaurant in St. Moritz
Words by Eric David
Location
Saint Moritz, Switzerland
Alpine Grandeur Meets Peruvian Whimsy at Amaru Restaurant in St. Moritz
Words by Eric David
Saint Moritz, Switzerland
Saint Moritz, Switzerland
Location
Nestled within the historic Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz, known as the birthplace of winter tourism since its opening in 1856, Amaru is rewriting the rules of Alpine dining, courtesy of British artist and designer Luke Edward Hall and Peruvian chef Claudia Canessa. One of three new culinary concepts that the hotel has unveiled this winter, the Peruvian restaurant stands out as a theatrical fusion of the Andes and the Alps, serving street-food-inspired dishes in a whimsical setting that artfully marries Alpine grandeur with a Bloomcore aesthetic. Named after the mythical Incan serpent, Amaru beckons guests into a dreamlike universe where the natural beauty of the Engadin valley meets the vibrant spirit of Peru through Hall’s theatrical approach using through floral motifs, blooming colours and rich textures.
Luke Edward Hall. Portrait by Billal Taright.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Hall’s signature palette of green, pink, and yellow imbues the space with a romantic sensibility, enhanced by London-based artist Timba Woollard’s mural of oversized Engadin wildflowers on the vaulted ceiling. This striking artwork is complemented by glossy olive-green lacquered panelling inspired by Spanish Baroque doors, an elegant addition that serves to almost wrap the room in a tactile sense of wonder. Mushroom-shaped plaster lights, blush pink tablecloths, and a hand-woven carpet featuring an antelope print underscore the attention to detail, while paintings by Peruvian artist Ernesto Gutierrez and Hall’s own floral and Peruvian landscape sketches add layers of storytelling—Hall’s sketches also adorn the cotton tote bags that guests receive when they check in.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Photography by Billal Taright.
Amaru’s design is more than a visual feast; it’s an immersive experience meant to connect guests with the culinary journey. "When I visit a restaurant, I want to be transported somewhere more fantastical," says Hall. “I want to enter another world, but this has to feel connected to something real.” This philosophy aligns seamlessly with chef Claudia Canessa’s vision. Drawing on her Peruvian-Italian heritage, Canessa delivers bold, street-food-inspired dishes rooted in simple yet beautifully prepared ingredients. Her cuisine is a vibrant echo of Amaru’s aesthetic, one that is unexpected yet deeply tied to its surroundings.
Photography by Billal Taright.