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December 8, 2020 Culinary Adventures, Peru

The 20 Best Restaurants in Lima: Where to Eat in Lima

The culinary capital of South America, Lima offers an incredible variety of flavors. Try the 20 best restaurants in Lima, Peru from traditional Peruvian to international cuisines.
White linen tables inside the Maras restaurant in Lima. Wooden furnature and accents throughout.
The comfortable, well-decorated interior of Maras, one of the best restaurants in Lima, Peru. Photo by MARAS Restaurante on Facebook.

Peru is known for its fascinating ruins, unique heritage, culture and delicious cuisine. For the last several years, many Peruvian restaurants have earned international praise and acclaim. With the vast culinary options that Peru’s capital city has to offer, this list was difficult to put together, but with great pleasure here are our favorite restaurants in Lima. If you’re interested in a list of the best archaeological sites to visit too, read our blog on the 21 Best Ancient Ruins to Visit in Peru. 

First, read through our “General Tips for Dining in Lima” section. Learn about tipping, dress code and more to prepare you for what to expect while dining out. Then, we have merged our insider expertise and passion for food to recommend the 20 best restaurants in Lima for you to enjoy. These restaurants provide superior customer service, overall character and savory cuisine. Our selection of restaurants are listed below. 

  1. Central
  2. Maido 
  3. Astrid & Gaston
  4. Kjolle
  5. Mayta
  6. Isolina
  7. La Mar
  8. El Bodegon
  9. El Mercado
  10. Panchita
  11. Osaka
  12. Amaz
  13. Cosme
  14. Madam Tusan
  15. Punto Azul
  16. Fiesta Gourmet
  17. Maras
  18. Cala
  19. Huaca Pucllana
  20. La Rosa Nautica

Last updated by Melissa Dreffs in December 2020.

General Tips for Dining in Lima

Peru’s culinary fame can be seen on Pellegrino’s list of World’s 50 Best Restaurants. ranking in this prestigious list. Two restaurants in Lima consistently rank on the World’s 50 Best list: Central and Maido. Of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Lima’s restaurants earned an impressive 10 spots. 

Among the many culinary gems in Peru, Lima is renowned for its ceviche. To enhance the cultural value of your seafood favorite, don’t forget to accompany your meal with a national Peruvian drink, such as a pisco sour cocktail or a purple corn beverage called chicha morada.

Given the wide array of cuisines and restaurants, the cost of food in Peru varies greatly. Nevertheless, there are restaurants to fit every budget and taste. It is not an accident that many modestly-priced restaurants are dominated by seafood options, as it’s the food genre that Lima does best. 

Discover some general tips for dining in Lima below. 

  • Suggested tipping: about 10%
  • Payment: credit cards and cash generally accepted. It is best to confirm this with the wait staff beforehand. 
  • Dress Code: casual/flexible
  • Transportation: walk from your hotel in Lima or arrange a scheduled transfer, taxi arranged through your hotel’s front desk or rideshare app like Uber
  • Most restaurants in Lima offer some vegetarian and gluten-free options. However, we recommend reading through our vegetarian guide and gluten-free guide for more details and tips.
A plate with beef and vegetable stir fry at Isolina, one of the best restaurants in Lima.

Plates like lomo saltado, beef stir-fry, are great options at many Peruvian restaurants. Photo by Isolina Taberna Peruana on Facebook.

1. Central

Enjoy a top-quality, avant-garde dining experience at Central restaurant. The food at Central defines chef Virgilio Martinez Veliz’s concept of haute Peruvian fusion. This very chic restaurant, Central in Lima continues to earn international recognition for its innovation, unique flavors and approach to Peruvian cooking. 

It is no surprise that Martinez’s “office” resembles a laboratory with herbs, spices, essences, a collection of books and even a whiteboard to scribe the ideas that become his culinary masterpieces. He also has an organic garden on site to garnish and flavor his creations.

The current premises of Central are balanced by the exquisite care that goes into the presentation of each dish. Every meal is a tribute to creation. The design not only compliments the dynamics of your plate but also brighten and tickle your mind with its poetic placement.

Central offers various tasting menus typically ranging from 11 to 17 courses. As new ideas come about, the menus evolve with the chef’s ideas and seasonality of ingredients. Each course at Central corresponds to a specific altitude, highlighted ingredients native to that area. From sea level in Lima to the high Andes of Cusco, the range of ingredients is both intriguing and rewarding.

Squash soup served in the bottom half of a hollowed-out squash shell served at Central in Lima.

A course at Central’s vegetarian tasting menu, a squash soup with spicy chili pepper and avocado. Photo by Melissa Dreffs of Peru for Less.

Central Restaurant at a Glance
Two small potatoes cooked surrounded by clay at the Central restaurant in Lima.

Potatoes cooked in edible clay, a traditional Andean technique. Photo by Melissa Dreffs of Peru for Less.

2. Maido

Maido by acclaimed chef Mitsuharu Tsumura is one of the best restaurants in Peru. This restaurant has the Japanese influence in Peruvian cuisine on full display.

One of the best sushi restaurants in Lima, Maido makes use of the fresh ingredients from the sea using Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. A very popular dish at Maido, tiradito, is a favorite for Lima’s residents. While the main ingredients are quite simple — thinly sliced fish — the sauce makes this dish exquisite. An acidic blend with a touch of spice, the tiradito sauce perfectly complements the fish. 

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.

A crab shell served on ice with a clam and crab mixture inside at Maido restaurant in Lima.

Sacha soba, a clam and crab dish at Maido in Lima. Photo by Maido Cocina Nikkei on Facebook.

Maido at a Glance
  • Address: San Martin 399, Miraflores
  • Phone: (+51 1) 313-5100
  • Website: https://maido.pe/en/ 
  • Hours: Monday to Saturday 1:00 to 8:30 p.m., Sunday closed
  • Price range: approximately $100 per person for a tasting menu. Drinks pairing menu and a la carte beverage options available separately. $35 to $55 a la carte (appetizer, main course and drink)
  • Reservations for Maido must be made far in advance. Make your reservation online.

    A green sauce with edible flours, beans and crackers at Maido, one of the best restaurants in Lima.

    Colorful, intricate plating is common throughout Maido’s entire menu. Photo by Maido Cocina Nikkei on Facebook.

3. Astrid & Gaston

Astrid & Gaston, or Astrid y Gaston, is among Lima’s top dining options. Perhaps the best way to understand the restaurant is to know more about its creators, famous 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. 

However, they could not deny the unique spices, products and techniques that Peru has to offer. They swapped the cream and butter for combinations of aguaymanto (goldenberry), ají amarillo (spicy yellow pepper), Peruvian native quinoa and more. Today, Acurio has become a voice of Peruvian culture, cuisine and biodiversity. Today, he is the owner of 11 restaurants and chains in cities across the world, such as Miami, Paris and Doha, Qatar. 

The dining experience at Astrid & Gaston is one that enriches the soul while filling your tummy with sublime yet daring flavor combinations. 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.

White arches and trees decorate the outdoor seating area at Astrid & Gaston.

The courtyard at Astrid & Gaston is the perfect place to enjoy a meal. Photo by Astrid&Gastón on Facebook.

Astrid & Gaston at a Glance
A piece of white fish surrounded by an orange and yellow sauce in a black bowl at Astrid & Gaston.

The fresh catch of the day at Astrid & Gaston is always a great option. Photo by Astrid&Gastón on Facebook.

4. Kjolle 

A new highlight in the Lima culinary world, Kjolle, pronounced KO-yay, is the independent project headed by acclaimed chef and co-owner of Central, Pia Leon. Opened in 2018, Kjolle has since earned high praise from local and international audiences. 

Named after an orange-flowered shrub that grows in extreme altitudes, Kjolle represents the unique ingredients cultivated across Peru. In the tasting menu, find ingredients such as olluco (a tuber similar to a potato), kiwicha (similar to quinoa) and tumbo (banana passionfruit). If ordering a la carte, try the paiche, an Amazonian fish with yuca, cocona (a fruit from the Amazon) and Amazonian spices known as mishkina.

Two pieces of fish covered in orange spice and topped with green herbs at Kjolle restaurant in Lima.

Choose between a tasting menu or a la carte options at Kjolle restaurant. Photo by Kjolle.

Kjolle at a Glance
Wooden tables and chairs with a glass wall, wood ceiling, and concrete floors at Kjolle in Lima.

The quaint Kjolle restaurant only has a handful of tables. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Photo by Kjolle.

5. 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 staples, 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.

A skillet with various meats, an egg and vegetables at Mayta, one of the best restaurants in Lima.

Prepare for large portions at Mayta. Photo by Mayta.

Mayta at a Glance
A stone bowl with a mix of meat, vegetables and herbs at Mayta restaurant in Lima, Peru.

Enjoy a nice meal in Lima at Mayta, one of the best restaurants in town. Photo by Mayta.

6. 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.

A wooden table covered with various plates, drinks and sauces at Isolina in Lima, Peru.

An extensive menu of drinks and dishes await at Isolina in Lima. Photo by Isolina Taberna Peruana on Facebook.

Isolina at a Glance
Small round tables close together in Isolina's dining room, featuring wood accents.

Reminiscent of an old-time tavern, Isolina welcomes guests into the past with their decor and cuisine. Photo by Isolina Taberna Peruana on Facebook.

7. La Mar

It is evident that to chef and restaurateur Gaston Acurio, a restaurant is much more than a place for dining. It’s a social and cultural reflection of everything that comes before creating each dish: from the fishermen’s daily catch to the farmers who nurture and harvest produce to the chef who lovingly prepares each meal to the waiter who charismatically presents it to you. Savor the path of production and reciprocity at La Mar.

La Mar Cevichería is Acurio’s proposal for internationalizing Peruvian cuisine via its national dish: ceviche. Acurio is working on conquering the North American palate and has opened La Mar franchises in California and Florida. In the Lima restaurant, one can expect to enjoy no less than the top-quality food given Acurio’s reputation.

Customers enjoy healthy portions of ceviche or a sampler of creative approaches to the traditional Peruvian causa, a mashed potato casserole layered with seafood, topped with sauces, spiced with ajís and flavored with local herbs, over a casual atmosphere. Contrast your acidic dishes with the robust taste of chocolate-lucuma cake or compliment it with a tangy mango-passionfruit sorbet.

A plate of ceviche with several different fish and seafood at Lar Mar in Lima.

The Kama Sutra ceviche combines urchin, black scallops, crab, shrimp and fish. Photo by La Mar Cebichería Peruana Lima on Facebook.

La Mar at a Glance
  • Address: Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores
  • Phone: (+51 1) 421-3365 
  • Website: https://lamarcebicheria.com/en/Lima 
  • Hours: Monday to Thursday noon to 5:00 p.m., Friday to Sunday noon to 5:30 pm.
  • Price range: approximately $20 to $40 per person (appetizer, main course and drink)
  • Reservations for La Mar can be made in advance but are not always necessary. Call to make a reservation. 
A platter with lobster, crab, scallops, snails and more at La Mar restaurant in Lima.

Seafood platters at La Mar include many of the fresh catches of the day. Photo by La Mar Cebichería Peruana Lima on Facebook.

8. El Bodegon

Lima offers a wide variety of culinary flavors that will not leave you unsatisfied. It is often believed that price dictates the quality of a meal, but such a rule of thumb does not necessarily apply to the multitude of excellent restaurants in Lima. 

El Bodegon is a small but mighty contender on this list of best restaurants in Lima. Big portions of classic dishes make this Miraflores restaurant a great option for a hearty meal. The sopa criolla, Creole soup, is a flavorful boost on a chilly day. Start with pastel de choclo, a sweet corn pie, or causa con más cangrejo que causa, a spicy crab and mashed potato casserole. 

Aji de gallina, a spicy chicken stew, and el lomito al jugo el Bodegón, a beef stir-fry, are two of the most recommended classic Peruvian dishes at the restaurant. End the meal with their exquisite chocolate cake or mille-feuille, two of the best desserts in Lima.

A plate with yellow sauce and a fried potato split in two filled with meat and vegetables.

Papa rellena, a classic Peruvian food, is stuffed potato with a meat and vegetable mix. Photo by El Bodegon on Facebook.

El Bodegon at a Glance
  • Address: Av. Tarapacá 197, Miraflores
  • Phone: (+51 1) 444-4704
  • Website: https://www.elbodegon.com.pe/ (Spanish only) 
  • Hours: Open daily from noon to 9:00 p.m.
  • Price range: approximately $15 to $35 per person (appetizer, main course and drink)
  • Reservations for El Bodegon can be made in advance but are not always necessary. Call to make a reservation. 
Two fried eggs with spinach pure beneath served with toast and a spicy sauce known as salsa criolla.

A specialty of the day, this fried egg dish served over spinach pure is a classic for many Peruvian families. Photo by El Bodegon on Facebook.

9. El Mercado

Acclaimed chef Rafael Osterling created a cozy, open restaurant right in the heart of Miraflores known as El Mercado, or the market in English. The chef’s vision for this restaurant was to create an ample, open environment and maximize counter space, emulating a real market. The design creates a friendly environment where diners can easily approach and access the preparation areas. This restaurant has become a lunchtime niche where one can escape and enjoy a wide range of dishes ranging from the traditional to the creative. 

You must try Osterling’s sushi inspired causa. Ignite your appetite with an array of ceviches or something a little more exotic like the Pulpo a La Parrilla, grilled octopus served with mushrooms, native potatoes and parsley sauce. Although El Mercado does an exemplary job on seafood preparation, rest assured you can find pasta and rice dishes as well as soups and salads.

Don’t forget dessert! Try the picarones, fried pumpkin and sweet potato doughnuts drizzled in clove and cinnamon syrup.

Waiters and guests in the dining area of El Mercado, with wood accents and green trees and plants.

The fresh, open interior of the El Mercado restaurant adds to the lovely experience. Image: Dining area by Charles Haynes, used under CC BY-SA 3.0 US / Compressed from original

El Mercado at a Glance
A plate with seven scallops covered in two different sauces at El Mercado in Lima.

A popular Peruvian appetizer, conchitas, or scallops, are always a great choice. Image: Conchas by Charles Haynes, used under CC BY-SA 3.0 US / Compressed from original

10. Panchita

A popular choice with large portions is Panchita, a small chain from Gaston Acurio. One of the best restaurants in Miraflores, Panchita welcomes guests to try traditional Peruvian dishes in a modern, comfortable setting. 

Adventurous eaters can try a unique food to eat in Peru, anticuchos. A popular street food, anticuchos are skewered beef hearts marinated in a spicy sauce. Panchita is one of the best restaurants to eat anticuchos in Lima. 

For variety, try one of their large sample platters, like el trío criollazo, a trio featuring tripe and potato stew, duck and sangrecita, a blood sausage. On the tame side, guests can try the seco de res, a cilantro beef stew, or tacu tacu saltado, a rice and bean mixture served with stir-fried beef and veggies.

A plate packed with various bites of typical Peruvian appetizers like anticuchos and causa.

Panchita’s piqueo doña pancha offers a platter of their top appetizers. Photo by Panchita on Facebook.

Panchita at a Glance
A large plate with four sections that have a different dish in each at Panchita restaurant in Lima.

The cuartero jaranero offers four of Panchita’s best-sellers on one plate. Photo by Panchita on Facebook.

11. Osaka

When you thought sashimi and sushi couldn’t get any tastier, Japan meets Peru! Osaka is an excellent example of cultural fusion in Peru. However, the restaurant doesn’t stop at Japanese-Peruvian cuisine; it also embraces and incorporates Thai and Chinese accents that will impress you and leave you asking for more.

The environment in Osaka’s Miraflores restaurant is chicly decorated with Japanese styled wooden carvings, an open kitchen and warm lighting. Enjoy perfectly sliced Sashimi, the classic tiradito — thinly sliced raw fish marinated in an acidic, spicy sauce — or any of the fusion ceviche varieties. Accompany your feast with warm or chilled sake or any number of cocktails and mocktails. 

Treat yourself to a trendy Peruvian-born Japanese fusion restaurant that leaves no questions as to its growing popularity around the world. International franchises include Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Quito, Bogota, Miami and London.

A waiter holds a white dish with various bites of sushi at Osaka, one of Lima’s best restaurants.

Try a variety of sushi at Osaka. Photo by Osaka on Facebook.

Osaka at a Glance
A quinoa cracker dipped into a beef tartare with decorative flowers on top at Osaka in Lima.

Alongside sushi options, Osaka offers fusion dishes like this tartare. Photo by Osaka on Facebook.

12. Ámaz

Ámaz, as its name suggests, is chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino’s Amazonian-inspired restaurant. Dine at the Ámaz restaurant for a neotropical experience, even if you don’t make it to the Amazon during your trip. Ámaz flaunts jungle-like décor and also boasts a wooden ceiling inspired by Shipibo style patterns. Colorful furniture and huambe fibers collected from the Nauta region of Northern Peru create a true Amazonian feel. 

Chef Schiaffino is well-known for his liking of exotic ingredients, some of which were incorporated into his other Lima restaurant, Malabar. However, it’s this bold proposal that has gained him much acclaim for the extraordinary foods that the restaurant offers. 

Step out of your comfort zone and start with the churros pishpirones, giant Amazonian snails served slightly spicy, in a shell and balanced with tapioca pearls. Then, savor a fish prepared patarashca style — cooked in leaves over an open flame — a popular preparation from the Northern Peruvian Amazon. For light options, try Peruvian flared spring rolls or a refreshing, delicate Heart-of-Palm salad. If you haven’t had your fill yet, try any number of fruit sorbets or tropical fruit cocktails.

Intricately designed dishes with varied Amazonian food at Amaz restaurant in Lima.

Dishes at Amaz are brought directly from the Peruvian Amazon, supporting local artisans. Photo by Amaz.

Amaz at a Glance
  • Address: Av. La Paz 1079, Miraflores
  • Phone: Miraflores (+51 1) 221-9393 or (+51 1) 221 9880; and Surco (+51 1) 501 3122
  • Website: http://www.amaz.com.pe/ (Spanish only)
  • Hours: Monday to Thursday 12:30 to 11:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12:30 p.m. to midnight, Sundays 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Price range: approximately $35 to $55 per person (appetizer, main course and drink)
  • Reservations for Amaz can be made in advance but are not always necessary. Make your reservation online. 
A wooden plate with a line of mashed plantains and pork served with two spicy sauces.

A popular Amazonian dish, cecina is a dried pork served with mashed plantains and hot sauces. Photo by amaZ Restaurante on Facebook.

13. Cosme

Head to Cosme Restaurante & Bar for a contemporary, colorful meal. Four friends combined their ideas to open Cosme in 2015. They created a sustainable, relaxed yet tasty restaurant that has since climbed the rankings among Lima’s restaurants. The team has creatively elevated comfort food into something new, yet familiar. Dishes like the Cosme rice have all the comforts of home, but in a refreshing, new presentation. 

The team takes sustainability seriously, with their ceiling decorated with over four thousand recycled plastic bottles. Fresh, homemade sodas with a range of flavors like orange and chamomile, lemongrass and tangerine, and cardamom lemonade help reduce plastic use within the restaurant. Pair your drink with the quinoa bowl or pork bun, followed by a flavorful Thai-style grilled fish, angus burger or any of the other dishes on the menu.

A waiter carrying a white plate with veal carpaccio at Cosme Restaurant in Lima, Peru.

An elevated veal carpaccio served at Cosme is sure to tickle your senses. Photo by Cosme – Página Oficial on Facebook.

Cosme at a Glance
A chunk of white fish in a brown sauce with greens on top served at Cosme in Lima.

Thai-style grilled white fish is a great option at Cosme. Photo by Cosme – Página Oficial on Facebook.

14. Madam Tusan

A top spot for chifa food in Lima, Madam Tusan offers high quality Peruvian-Chinese cuisine. This restaurant in Lima introduces its guests to a unique facet of Peru’s history: the Chinese immigration. Thousands of Chinese workers migrated to Peru, primarily during the nineteenth century. Along with them, they brought their cooking techniques and some key flavors that they then combined with the native ingredients across Peru. Chifa cuisine was born out of this collision of cultures and is a main staple for many Peruvians to this day. 

Known for their large portions to share between two or three people, chifas are a common place to find large families gathered on weekends or for special occasions. Visitors to Lima can experience this cuisine for themselves with a visit to Madam Tusan. With an extensive menu, there is something for every palate. Nevertheless, begin with one of their dim sum platters for small appetizer bites. Next, try one of their chaufa dishes, fried rice with various meats and vegetables mixed in, or a house speciality like la plancha taypá, a mix of meats, seafoods and vegetables.

A wooden basket with eight pieces of dim sum, Chinese small bites, at Madam Tusan in Lima.

The dim sum, or small bites platter at Madam Tusan is a great way to begin a meal. Photo by Madam Tusan on Facebook.

Madam Tusan at a Glance
Five large orange balls of sweet potato with seafood inside and a yellow dipping sauce.

Try the encamotado, a lobster and crab mix surrounded by fried sweet potato. Photo by Madam Tusan on Facebook.

15. Punto Azul

Punto Azul is certainly one of the top Peruvian ceviche restaurants. Since 1992, Punto Azul has grown into a well-known restaurant that still offers some of the best ceviche in Lima. A popular spot for lunch in Peru, head to Punto Azul for fresh-caught fish and to get a table before the line grows out the door. The restaurant does not accept reservations, so it is first come, first served. 

With various ceviche options, including the classic white fish or a mix of white fish and seafood, Punto Azul is a great spot to try Peru’s national dish. Other favorite dishes include jalea, a fried fish and seafood platter, and arroz con mariscos, a seafood and rice stir-fry. There are plenty of other fish and seafood-based options, along with a small selection of vegetarian options.

Four white dishes with different types of ceviche in each at Punto Azul, a top restaurant in Lima.

Choose from several different types of ceviche at Punto Azul. Photo by Restaurante Punto Azul.

Punto Azul at a Glance
Green rice with carrots and seafood mixture on top at the Punto Azul Restaurant in Miraflores.

The arroz Punto Azul, the restaurants signature rice dish, is flavored with cilantro and served with shrimp, calamari and octopus. Photo by Restaurante Punto Azul.

16. Fiesta Gourmet

Fiesta Gourmet has a long family history that started in the 1950s in Chiclayo, a city in Northern Peru’s Lambayeque region. At that point, Chef Hector Solís’ grandfather started their first restaurant, La Sala Bolivar. By 1983, Solís’ parents opened their first restaurant, Restaurante Tipico Fiesta, followed by another one in 1996, in the trendy district of Miraflores, Lima. The name has changed along with the times to a more modern version of itself, Fiesta Gourmet.

Chef Solís has been a significant player in elevating regional Peruvian cuisine to the gourmet level. To this day, his food has not changed in character. It holds the integrity that it had for generations. The spectacular flavors that Lambayeque has to offer can no longer go unrecognized.

Fiesta boasts its renowned arroz con pato, a flavorful dish that is prepared by slow cooking rice in duck stew, dark beer and cilantro – unchanged and proud. Now, this humble dish is presented to the world on par with culinary giants. You must also try the mero a la brasa: mero murique (fish) seasoned with spicy yellow pepper, chicha de jora (Andean corn beer) and cilantro. The fish is then briefly cooked on corn husks over charcoal embers to pack in the flavors.

A pot full of duck, rice and vegetables known as arroz con pato, a staple of Northern Peru.

Fiesta Gourmet’s signature dish, arroz con pato, or rice with duck, is a massive portion of high quality Northern Peruvian cuisine. Photo by Fiesta Gourmet on Facebook.

Fiesta Gourmet at a Glance
A piece of goat meat covered in a green cilantro sauce with a side of beans and whole chili pepper.

The seco de cabrito, a cilantro goat stew, is a typical meal in the Lambayeque region of Peru. Photo by Fiesta Gourmet on Facebook.

17. Maras

Every new deluxe hotel requires a chef of equal caliber to garnish its reputation. In this case, celebrity chef Rafael Piqueras Bertie became the restaurant-face of the Westin in San Isidro. Located on the first floor of the elegant hotel is Maras, Piqueras’ flagship restaurant named after the famous Maras salt mines near Cusco.

Maras Restaurant’s contemporary design and multiple ambiances give plenty of room to accommodate dining desires. Check out the bar area, the open terrace, principal dining hall, or dine privately at the chef’s table.

Have a treat from the Rice and Pasta menu and try delicate yet imposing arroz negro, juicy black rice with calamari and grilled clams seasoned with dashes of saffron and smoked sweet Spanish paprika. Alternatively, try the famous cola de buey, oxtail cylinders with sautéed spinach, mashed potatoes and veggies with essence of lemon verbena. Save room for dessert! There is a wide range of tasty sweets that will entertain your taste buds and feast your eyes.

A plate with grilled octopus, an orange sauce, and arugula at Maras restaurant in Lima.

Grilled octopus is a delicacy in Lima’s restaurants. Photo by MARAS Restaurante.

Maras at a Glance
Two creams in their own circle on a plate topped with meringue, fruit and edible flowers.

Choose from a number of exquisite options featuring classic Peruvian flavors. Photo by MARAS Restaurante.

18. Cala

Love is the theme echoed in the romantic presentation of food served at Cala. The design of this seaside restaurant is itself a testament to the open and vast presence of the ocean that stirs before it. Its spacious terrace allows diners to enjoy its charm with the caress of the Pacific Ocean breeze. The multi-ambient architecture with terrace, bar-lounge, main dining hall and private den, make Cala right for any occasion – day or night.

The contemporary Peruvian cuisine at Cala alludes to Mediterranean sentiments and Oriental nostalgia. To exemplify this complex flavor try the Chita Crocante (Crusted Thai style snapper) prepared in coconut milk-basil reduction served with prawns and a side of coconut rice. Or order from the Love is Sharing menu and try the Sobre Dosis, varied ceviches to share between 3-5 people. Don’t think you have only to eat seafood if you dine at Cala since the Pasta and Rice and Meat Lovers menus are also available. Those with an insatiable sweet tooth fear-not, as decadent dessert options such as the delightful traditional Suspiro Limeño, served with chirimoya foam, guanabana sorbet and aguaymanto are available.

A pink fish crusted in quinoa with a side of green salad at Cala, a top restaurant in Lima.

A quinoa-crusted fish served alongside a green salad at Cala. Photo by CALA Restaurante & Lounge on Facebook.

Cala at a Glance
A cheesecake with red jam on top sits on a white plate at Cala Restaurant in Lima.

A tasty cheesecake with fruit, Cala served delicious desserts in small portions to wrap up the meal. Photo by CALA Restaurante & Lounge on Facebook.

19. Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana Restaurant is located adjacent to an ancient ceremonial pyramid called Huaca Pucllana. It was constructed around 500 CE by the Lima Culture (200-700 CE). At night, this standing memory of the past is lighted to illuminate the unearthed adobe structures. 

The Huaca Pucllana restaurant leases space and donates a portion of the proceeds to maintenance and research at the ruins. Huaca Pucllana has been on the top of Lima’s best dining options not only for its outstanding archeological views but also for the exceptional quality of its food.

The Huaca Pucllana kitchen stays true to its location: founded on the timeless wisdom of the many faces of Peruvian people. This restaurant embraces classic regional dishes while elevating them to gourmet standards.

Pamper your palate with a classic ceviche or rocoto relleno, spicy pepper stuffed full of flavorful minced-beef, baked and topped with molten cheese. Venture into contemporary Peruvian cuisine (Novoandina) creations such as the seared sea bass crusted with crunchy red quinoa and Andean herbs. Enhance your meal with the unforgettable Peruvian dessert suspiro de limeña merengado, a custard caramel cream.

Pieces of meat topped with flowers and small slices of vegetables at the Huaca Pucllana.

Exquisite cuts of meat accompanied with edible flowers and colorful decoration are on the menu at Huaca Pucllana. Photo by RESTAURANT HUACA PUCLLANA on Facebook.

Huaca Pucllana at a Glance
A blue plate with lobster and a fried, stuffed potato at Huaca Pucllana restaurant.

Lobster and stuffed potato are an exquisite main dish at the Huaca Pucllana restaurant. Photo by RESTAURANT HUACA PUCLLANA on Facebook.

20. La Rosa Nautica

While in Lima, you may notice that there is not much development with beach access; rather, the city is built atop cliffs that overlook it. The Rosa Nautica restaurant is built on a pier that stems from the beach circuit of Lima. The pier delightfully stretches over the rough rocky edges that guard the coast and buds into the open Victorian-style structure, La Rosa Nautica restaurant.

In a culinary hot-spot like Lima, it can be a challenge to keep up with the vanguard restaurants and innovations that sprinkle the city. But, La Rosa Nautica is a classic. La Rosa Nautica offers a cozy, comforting dining experience with spectacular views. Enjoy lunch near the broad windows and watch surfers take on the waves below, or a romantic candle-light dinner that frames ardent summer sunsets transitioning to periwinkle twilight.

The range of the Rosa Nautica menu is suitable for even the finickiest palates. Try anything from Nikkei Peruvian-Japanese fusion, Funghi Crayfish Risotto, or classic Chicken Florentine for the conservative diner. Then, do not forget dessert! You must try the lucuma-filled crepes with chocolate sauce.

The Rosa Nautica restaurant sits on a rocky pier above the Pacific Ocean in Lima.

The Rosa Nautica restaurant is the only one in Miraflores on its own pier. Photo by La Rosa Náutica on Facebook.

LA Rosa Nautica at a Glance
Seven fried shrimp surround a brown sauce at La Rosa Nautica in Lima.

Fried shrimp are among the top appetizers at La Rosa Nautica. Photo by La Rosa Náutica on Facebook.

We hope you enjoy eating at the 20 best restaurants in Lima. Make sure to check out our selection of Peru tours and then contact us to start planning your own dream trip today!

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