Best Restaurants to eat in Lima - IDEAS South America Travel

Posted on 2 September, 2021
By c2001574
In Peru
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Best Restaurants to eat in Lima

Peruvian food, one of the most successful gastronomies in the world, confirmed that it is not just a fad. The Peruvian capital is the only one that has two gastronomic strongholds among the top 15 on the planet. In addition, it adds nine among the best half hundred in Latin America.

Thus, Lima is established as the main regional destination for lovers of good food. Central (ranked 4), Maido (13) and Astrid & Gastón (30) are the stars of this unstoppable ascent. It seems incredible, but until 2010 no Peruvian was on the list of the 50 best, chosen by almost a thousand experts from around the world. One of the keys has been experimentation with the country's generous biodiversity, testing and disseminating new Andean and Amazonian products.

Below you will find our suggested list of best restaurants in Lima. Keep in mind that all the restaurants mentioned by our team are exceptional. But it is important that you read our thoughts and comments since some restaurants are for people with a more adventurous palate and do not mind not being used to certain flavors while others are more traditional places with typical Peruvian dishes and familiar flavors.

What are some of your favorite Lima restaurants? Let us know in the comments!

Central

If you want to experience a truly evening of dining and if you have an adventurous flavor palette, you will appreciate Central. The flagship restaurant of Peruvian chef, Virgilio Martinez offers an innovative tasting menu that ranges between 11 to 17 courses ( estimated USD 160 per person – drinks pairing menu are available separately). Each course at Central corresponds to a specific altitude, highlighting the ingredients that are native to that area. From sea level in Lima to the high Andes of Cusco, the rage of ingredients is both intriguing and rewarding.

Tip: Central is world renowned and justifiably so. Please note that reservations only open up three months prior and fill up very quickly. For this reason, reservations for Central must be made far in advance.

Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco. Phone: (+51 1) 242-8515

Kjolle

Owned by Pia León, the best chef in Latin America, Kjolle is considered one of the best restaurants of Lima. It is possible to eat à la carte, but we recommend that you go for the eight-course tasting menu, which mainly showcases ingredients from the Peruvian Amazon. In the tasting menu, find ingredients such as olluco ( a tuber similar to a potato), kiwicha (similar to quinoa) and tumbo (banana passionfruit). If you order à la carte, try the paiche, an Amazonian fish with yuca, cocona (an Amazon fruit) and mishkina (Amazonian spices).

Tip: Like Central, this is a restaurant that is excellent for people who have an adventurous palette, have an appreciation for art and design and want to experience a truly unique dinning experience. This restaurant is not a good option for you if you are expecting familiar flavors and if you have a small appetite.

Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Phone: (+51 1) 242-8575

Maido (Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian food)

For a multi-sensory dining experience, Maido (by acclaimed chef Mitsuharu Tsumura) is an excellent choice. Maido makes use of the fresh ingredients from the sea using Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. Peru has the second-largest Japanese group in the diaspora located in South America, which is why Japanese food and culinary techniques have strongly influenced the traditional Peruvian cooking style.

A very popular dish at Maido, tiradito, is a favorite for Lima’s residents. While the main ingredients are quite simple — thinly sliced fish — Maido sauce makes this dish exquisite. Adventurous eaters can also try the tasting menu for a wide variety of Peruvian and Japanese flavors. Nigiris, seafood stew, guinea pig and leche de tigre are some of the possible bites on the tasting menu.

Tip: You don’t need to order the full Nikkei tasting experience. Reservations open two months prior and we recommend booking as early as possible.

Address: San Martin 399, Miraflores. Phone: (+51 1) 313-5100

Astrid & Gaston

Astrid & Gaston, is among Lima’s top dining options. Peruvian chefs Astrid Gutsche and Gaston Acurio. Acurio left law school in his third year of study to pursue his real passion: food. He and Astrid met while he was studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and they moved to Peru to open a French restaurant.

The menu offered at Astrid & Gaston changes every six months, presenting innovative contrasts and compliments of colors, flavors and textures. Try their famous cuy pekines (Pekinese guinea pig) and Punch A&G, one of Lima’s best Pisco Punch cocktails.

Address: Av. Paz Soldán 290, San Isidro. Phone: (+51 1) 442-2777

Mayta

Since 2008, Mayta has evolved into a top restaurant in Lima. The name Mayta comes from the indigenous language, Aymara, meaning “noble land”. An homage to Peru and its incredible biodiversity, Mayta represents the best of Peruvian cuisine.

Led by chef Jaime Pesaque, the menu covers some traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche, but also expands into international territories. Besides ceviche, try the arroz con pato, rice with duck, a staple of Northern Peru, or risotto de chupe, a risotto with flavoring of an Arequipa favorite, spicy shrimp stew.

Mayta also has one of the best pisco bars in Lima. Try the classic pisco sour, a chilcano or any number of specialties of the house.

Address: Av. La Mar 1285, Miraflores, Phone: (+51) 937-220-734 and (+51 1) 422-6708

Isolina

Isolina is one of the best restaurants in Barranco, Lima’s bohemian neighborhood. One of the best traditional Peruvian restaurants, Isolina revives techniques and flavors long lost to time.

Best known for their stews, chilcanos and old tavern feel, Isolina’s chef, José del Castillo, followed in his mother’s footsteps to create his own restaurant. His mother, Isolina Vargas, was the proud restaurateur of La Red, a staple of Lima’s culinary scene from 1981 to 2009. Castillo opened Isolina in her honor, reviving recipes of Lima’s past.

Dishes like cau cau con sangrecita, a tripe and potato stew with blood sausage, and guiso de mollejas, a chicken sweetbread stew, are among the unique options at Isolina. Fans of more typical food options can try their version of lomo saltado, a beef stir-fry, or seco de asado de tira, a cilantro and beef stew. Keep in mind the main dishes are massive, with plenty to share between 3 people.

Address: Av. San Martín 101, Barranco. Phone: (+51 1) 247 5075

La Mar

Gaston Acurio's cebichería is one of the most popular lunch spots in Lima. Decor is minimal, but the menu offers a wide selection of delicious seafood dishes. Start with a ceviche tasting (various types of fish or shellfish marinated in lemon juice) or a chalana de causa (various appetizers of mashed potatoes filled with seafood and mayonnaise). Then try the spicy seafood (seafood sauteed in a spicy cream sauce) or one of the catch of the day.

Tip: The portions are large and can be shared. The place does not accept reservations, it is first come first serve.

Address: Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores, Phone: (+51 1) 421-3365.

Cala

Cala is one of the few dining options facing the sea in Lima with a privileged view. The kitchen offers an innovative selection of Peruvian nouveau cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Signature dishes include grilled grouper served with olive gazpacho, lamb ravioli with pumpkin confit, and grilled tuna over polenta. The desserts are also excellent; try the lucuma tiramisu made with a fruit found only in Peru.

Address: Playa Barranquito, Circuito de Playas, Barranco. Phone: (+51-01) 477-2020.

Maras

Piqueras' flagship restaurant was named after the famous Maras salt mines, near Cusco. It is located inside the Westin Hotel in the ritzy neighborhood of San Isidro. The restaurant's design is contemporary and the bar area, open terrace, main dining room, or dining privately at the chef's table are worth visiting.

Delight in the menu of Arroces y Pastas and try the delicate but impressive black rice, a juicy black rice with squid and grilled clams garnished with hints of saffron and smoked sweet paprika. Alternatively, try the famous oxtail, oxtail cylinders with sautéed spinach, mashed potatoes and vegetables with lemon verbena essence.

Address: Calle Amador Merino Reyna 589, San Isidro. Phone: (+51 1) 201-5023

El Bodegon

This restaurant is a small but mighty contender on this list of best restaurants in Lima. Big portions of classic dishes make this restaurant in Miraflores district, a great option for a hearty meal. Start with a pastel de choclo (a sweet corn pie), or causa con cangrejo (a spicy crab and mashed potato casserole). Classic entrees at El Bodegon are: aji de gallina ( a spicy chicken stew), and el lomito al jugo el Bodegon ( a beef stir-fry). For dessert order the chocolate cake or mille-feuille, two of the best desserts in Lima.

Address: Av. Tarapaca 197, Miraflores. Phone: (+51 1) 444-4704.

We hope you enjoy learning about the best restaurants in Lima. Make sure to check out our recommended Peru Tours

Contact us to start planning your own dream trip today!

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