Alejandro Soto opens Alma by Latinos on Ocean St

A prominent Ocean St site formerly home to a nightclub and dumpling bar has been transformed into a latino-style restaurant with the flavours of the owner’s hometown.

Alejandro Soto opened a Latino-inspired restaurant and bar on Ocean St at the previous site of the Drunken Dumpling. Picture: Contributed

A globe-trotting chef from Costa Rica has opened his first restaurant at Maroochydore where he hopes to bring flavours from his mum’s kitchen to diners.

Alejandro Soto has opened Alma by Latino at the former home of Drunken Dumpling at the Ocean St nightlife precinct.

Mr Soto’s hospitality career, inspired by watching his mother prepare authentic Central American dishes, has allowed him to travel the world and work at South America, Switzerland, London, Ireland, Taiwan and China.

He moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2017 and has since worked in restaurants including Rice Boi, Junk, Giddy Geisha and Lucio’s in Noosa.

His restaurant has opened at the former site of the Drunken Dumpling which closed in late June.

It follows other changes in the food and dining precinct this year including the closure of Peak Wine Bar and the opening of Liliana’s Trattoria.

Viet Haus has also recently opened at the former location of Enigma Bar and Restaurant. 

Sunshine Coast artists Rythmicolour Collective painted a mural for the venue. Picture: Contributed

“I’ve called it Alma by Latinos, in Latin America, Alma means Soul so I want to combine some of the incredible traditional meals my mother made for our family and add in other inspirational dishes I have learnt from my time working in some incredible restaurants overseas,” Mr Soto, who grew up in San Jose, said.

“I want our guests to feel like they are at my mother’s home, a place where people can enjoy each other’s company in a cosy setting over authentic dishes and a nice drink while the world passes them by.

The menu features a range of hot and cold meals including Peruvian salmon ceviche, veal marinated with pickled vegetables, empanadas and a Coconut inspired Brazilian seafood stew as well as a variety of snacks.

Alma by Latinos dishes including Brazilian Seafood Moqueca, De Papa and Chorizo Empanada and Chicharron. Pic: contributed.

A Pork Carnitas dish consisting of pork belly pieces, smoked pineapple, adobo sauce, avocado crema, pickled pineapple , lettuce, green chilli, lime, soft corn tortillas

The 100-seat restaurant also has a full bar serving cocktails, wine and more.

Mr Soto said after seeing a gap in the market, he wanted to create a place for people to enjoy the authentic flavours which may not have been an opportunity on the Sunshine Coast before.

“I’m confident there’s no other restaurant on the Sunshine Coast which will serve such authentic Latino inspired meals,” Mr Soto said.

“Anything slightly similar would be the Mexican franchise chains but I can assure diners we will be offering the most authentic dining experience with a unique twist on some classic dishes.”

Mr Soto being familiar with the clientele and foot traffic on Ocean St, said it was an opportunity “not to be missed” when the former venue shut down.

A wall mural created by Sunshine Coast artists Rythmicolour Collective is featured alongside other artwork.

Alma by Latinos is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.