Peru’s capital city of Lima is one of the most foodie cities in the world. It holds an astounding concentration of award-winning restaurants, as well as more casual eateries that are just as enticing.
Lima’s reputation as one of the top foodie cities in the world is well-deserved. With its variety of options, from unique fusion restaurants to traditional picanterías, the city offers an unparalleled dining experience that celebrates the best of Peruvian food. In fact, some of the restaurants in Lima are so sought after that they require reservations; prepare ahead in order not to miss out!
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply looking to explore new dishes and rich flavors, Lima’s good restaurants are sure to exceed your expectations and leave you eager to return for more.
Chez Wong — what is the most famous food in Lima, Peru?
Located in a nondescript residential building in Lima’s Santa Catalina neighbourhood, this humble restaurant is run by chef Javier Wong, a self-taught genius who is considered one of the best ceviche masters in the world. There are no menus here at Chez Wong.
The chef creates a daily menu that always includes his classic ceviche. The 5-ingredient star dish (fresh fish, salt, pepper, lime juice and onions) is served with or without precooked octopus and always with sliced hot peppers on the side. The simplicity is disarming, and one is left wondering how something so basic can taste so heavenly.
The generous portions and fresh, local ingredients add to the dining experience, making it one of the highlights of any trip to Lima.
La Picantería
A picantería is a humble, traditional lunchtime tavern popular in Peru’s towns of Arequipa and Cusco. La Picantería in Lima’s Surquillo neighbourhood is a fun and colourful restaurant that specializes in fish and seafood.
Seated at communal tables, diners choose the fish they want from an array of daily catch displayed in front of the kitchen. They then choose their preferred method of cooking, which traditionally includes a ceviche to start followed by grilled fish. The meal always includes a soup, and the food is served family style. Arrive early because the restaurant closes once all the fish is sold.
Known for its rich flavors and generous portions, La Picantería is a right place to indulge in Peruvian culinary traditions.
Astrid y Gastón in Miraflores
Chef Gastón Acurio was the instigator behind the Peruvian food revolution that sent Peru’s culinary scene on a star-bound trajectory for the past two decades or so. His flagship restaurant Astrid y Gastón is a fine dining, Relais et Châteaux establishment operating out of a gorgeous 300-year-old plantation house located in Miraflores.
Together with his pastry chef wife Astrid Gutsche, they have created a legendary restaurant where Peruvian ingredients and combined with its creative use of local ingredients, provide a truly memorable dining experience. If you are a foodie, no trip to Lima is complete without a visit to Astrid y Gastón.
La Mar
Founded by chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar specializes in fish and seafood and is only open for a few hours each day around lunchtime to ensure the freshness of the daily catch. It’s a popular choice among good restaurants in Lima.
The extensive menu can be dizzying but ordering a classic ceviche here is a must, so is savouring one of their Pisco cocktails. Enjoy your meal in the open air (but roofed) dining room and mingle blending into the relaxed atmosphere with the limeños, as this is a very popular spot. There are no reservations here so arrive early if you want to get a table at La Mar.
Central — the best fine dining restaurant in Lima, Peru
Voted best restaurant in South America as well as best restaurant in the world in 2023, Centra is a truly unique dining experience. Chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León have created an unbelievably rich and interesting fine dining establishment.
Through Central’s research department Mater Iniciativa headed by Martínez’ sister, the couple is constantly travelling through Peru’s various regions in search of indigenous ingredients to feature at Central. The multi-course menu takes you on a discovery of Peru’s many corners through some of the endemic ingredients that grow there.
Maido
Maido specializes in Nikkei cuisine, the fusion of Peruvian cooking with Japanese techniques. Born in Peru but with Japanese origins, Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura excels at this exclusively Peruvian way of cooking. Maido is as much an art gallery as it is a restaurant.
The modern design elements are stunning and no detail is left unturned, from the gorgeous ceramics to how the dishes are plated. Opt for the multi-course tasting menu, which showcases local ingredients from around Peru, offering a unique and flavorful twist. Maido is a top choice for those looking to experience a variety of options and rich flavors in the Miraflores district.
El Pan de la Chola
El Pan de la Chola is an artisanal Lima bakery that uses local flours and cereals and long fermentations to make amazing breads, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and more. It’s also a café where the coffee is locally sourced and roasted and a blend is created specifically for them. They have several locations throughout the city, some of which also serve craft beer and natural wines.
El Pan de la Chola – Brunch & Pizza, located next door to the original shop in Miraflores, is an excellent option to get a real taste of what this quintessential Lima bread provider does.
Other noteworthy restaurants in Lima
Kjolle
Central’s co-chef Pía León’s first solo restaurant, Kjolle, showcases the very best Peru has to offer, from the ingredients sourced from around the country to the craft featured in the furniture and dishes. Kjolle is a fantastic option for those looking for a more intimate dining experience with a focus on local ingredients. The modern design elements complement the culinary traditions, creating a space that highlights the best of Peruvian food.
Mayta
Mayta serves contemporary Peruvian cuisine with a special emphasis on plating, with each stunning dish resembling an art piece. Under the helm of chef Jaime Pesaque, Mayta is also a pisco bar so ordering a classic version of this drink or a more creative one with the team’s own twist is a must.
Mérito Barranco
Mérito is a unique fusion of the chef’s Venezuelan roots with Peru’s local ingredients, all set in an unpretentious space in the Barranco district. The outstanding drinks, catchy music, and buzzing vibe all contribute in making Mérito a great place to eat and enjoy Lima’s culinary highlights. Its relaxed atmosphere and emphasis on culinary traditions make it a standout spot in the neighborhood.
El Mercado
El Mercado is chef Rafael Osterling’s (from the eponymous Rafael restaurant, also worth a visit) version of a cebicheria. Open only for lunch, this bustling spot offers great drinks and the freshest catch of the day prepared in a variety of options, including an excellent ceviche. The generous portions and relaxed atmosphere make it a must-visit for Peruvian food lovers.
Tomo Cocina Nikkei
As the name suggests, the chefs excel at Nikkei cuisine, blending Peruvian ingredients sustainably sourced from the ocean to the Amazon with precise Japanese techniques in a casual ambiance. The restaurant offers a variety of options, making it a favorite for those seeking unique fusion dishes.
Siete
With a creative, seafood-forward menu inspired by the Mediterranean and Asia, Siete’s fresh pasta, great cocktails, and exquisite desserts have quickly garnered a loyal following, offering a relaxed atmosphere where modern design elements meet rich flavors.
