The Best Restaurants in Lima

City: Lima // Category: Food // Reading time: 4 min

In recent years, Lima has built up its reputation as the gastronomic hotspot in South America. The amount of excellent restaurants that you can find in Peru’s capital is very high. In fact, for the eighth time in a row since 2012, the country received the prize for the “World's Leading Culinary Destination”  by the World Travel Awards in the category of gastronomy. 

Therefore, when you’re in Lima you’ll have many amazing opportunities to spoil your palate. In order to help you with the decision making process, we have created a small list of restaurants, which we think are definitely worth checking out. You will not just come here to have lunch or dinner but rather to truly immerse yourself in the Peruvian gastronomy and to enjoy a real culinary experience. 

Note: We are not affiliated with any of the restaurants mentioned below. This list is based 100% on our personal opinion and on the feedback we have received from our travelers.

List of Lima’s Best Restaurants

MAIDO

Interesting facts: Number 10 of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2019.  Number 1 of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019. 

Kitchen: Japanese-Peruvian Fusion 

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: Only with reservation online. Make a reservation as soon as you know that you are coming to Peru. 

Try this: $120 for NIKKEI Tasting Experience (11-course tasting menu) 

Atmosphere: Modern and minimalistic 

CENTRAL

Interesting facts: Number 6 of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2019. Number 2 of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019. 

Kitchen: Contemporary Peruvian 

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: Only with reservation online. Make a reservation as soon as you know that you are coming to Peru. 

Try this: $161 for Alturas Mater Tasting Experience (16-course tasting menu)

Atmosphere: Modern

Astrid y Gaston

Interesting facts: Number 13 of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019. 

Kitchen: Modern Peruvian cuisine 

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: At least one week in advance.  

Try this: Tasting Menu - Menú Degustación or a la carte menu 

Atmosphere: Elegant

Statera 

Interesting facts: Named Peru's best new restaurant in 2019. 

Kitchen: Peruvian modern

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: At least one week in advance.

Try this:  The eight courses tasting menu for S/315 ($93). In case you go with the a la carte menu we recommend you “Cordero Costa Norte”.

Atmosphere: Modern

Isolina

Interesting facts: Number 12 of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019.

Kitchen: Peruvian  

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: Some days in advance.

Try this: Seafood, Cau Cau with Sangrecita or Octopus Chicharron  

Atmosphere: Rustical

Rafael

Interesting facts: Number 19 of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019.

Kitchen: Fusion of Italian, Asian and Nikkei influences.

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: At least one week in advance.  

Try this: Grilled Octopus with pimento chimichurri; Kalamata olives and garlic confit.

Atmosphere: Elegant

Amoramar

Interesting facts: Is built in a republican-era mansion that holds an art gallery and an open-air bar.

Average Price: $40-65

Kitchen: Seafood

Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner 

Reservation: Not needed.

Try this: Pasta Negra; Tuna Fillet, Organic Trout. 

Atmosphere: Modern

Huaca Pucllana

Interesting facts: The Restaurant is located within the ancient ruins which got constructed 1500 years ago. 

Average Price: $20-50

Kitchen: Peruvian, Vegan Dishes  

Best time to eat: Lunch & Dinner  

Reservation: At least one week in advance.

Try this: Shrimp Casserole with Peruvian Aji sauce; Alpaca medallion herbed crust. 

Atmosphere: Casual

La Mar Cebicheria

Interesting facts: Number 15 of Latin America's 50 best Restaurants 2017.

Average Price: $13-20

Kitchen: Seafood

Best time to eat: Lunch & Dinner

Reservation: Not required

Try this: Classic Ceviche and Arroz con Mariscos (Rice with seafood) scalloped with cheese; Ceviche con Palta (Ceviche with avocado)

Atmosphere: Modern restaurant

Tanta

Interesting facts: One of the restaurants of the famous chef Gastón Acurio. The restaurant in the shopping mall Larcomar in Miraflores, has a beautiful view over the coast of Lima.

Average Price: $11-18  

Kitchen: Peruvian, Latin American, Seafood  

Best time to eat: Lunch & Dinner   

Reservation: Not required

Try this: Lomo Saltado, Causa, Anticuchos de Corazon (bovine heart), Aji de Gallina, Aeropuerto

Atmosphere: Modern restaurant

Enjoy Lima’s Variety of Delicious Restaurants

As you can see, Lima doesn’t lack incredible restaurant options. Top-notch culinary tasting menus, modern restaurant fusions or typical Peruvian “comida criolla”; in short: Lima has it all. As a general rule of thumb, the more expensive the restaurant the more in advance you should reserve a table. 

Many of the restaurants listed above have received national and international awards. After having tried their food, you’ll understand why. Give them a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!

And in case you’re interested in finding out about more restaurant recommendations for Cusco or Arequipa, make sure to read our related blog posts.