Time to spare on your layover in Lima? Well we have a tasty treat for you. Located in the heart of the modern district of Miraflores sits the most beloved of Peruvian restaurants: Astrid y Gastón. Not only is this a top-ranked restaurant among locals and visitors alike, it recently received an international culinary nod when it became the first restaurant in Peru to make an appearance on the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, a prestigious ranking second only to the esteemed Michelin Guide. Many consider this list the Oscars of the culinary world.
Created by celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, who owns several other celebrated restaurants in Peru and around the world, Astrid y Gastón features exquisite Peruvian fusion food and offers impressive gastronomic experiences, like a 12-course tasting menu that lasts for 3 hours (those with tinier tummies might enjoy the 5-course meal instead). Entrees and appetizers can also be purchased separately. Dishes tend to include seafood or meat (and yes, they serve the infamous cuy, known as guinea pig in English), though there are also a few vegetarian options available. One can expect to pay between $75-200 USD for a meal for two, including drinks. The restaurant helpfully offers menus in both Spanish and English.
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The 50 Best Restaurants list was first published in 2002 by the magazine Restaurant. Today, the list is decided by a diverse assortment of more than 800 individuals, including chefs and food journalists, and is considered by many to be a more democratic ranking than the Michelin Guide. However, the list has historically been skewed toward European restaurants, although Latin America’s presence is growing. This year, four Latin American restaurants made the list: D.O.M in Sao Paulo, Brazil (rank 7, up 11 spots from last year); Biko in Mexico City (rank 31, up 15 spots from last year); Astrid y Gastón in Lima, Peru (rank 42, new entry); and Puojl in Mexico City (rank 49, new entry). Peru is famous for its culinary arts, so you aren’t likely to go wrong wherever you dine during your vacation in Peru, and a bargain trip to the local market is a tasty and recommended cultural experience. But if you’re ready to pamper yourself after a rewarding, yet tiring, Peru vacation, you may want to head over to the now internationally famous Astrid y Gastón, conveniently located in walking distance of all of our top pick Lima hotels. Provecho!
How to get to Astrid y Gaston from our top pick Lima hotels.
Peru for Less is a group of travel experts who live, work, eat, and breathe all things South America. Their inspiration stems from a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity that make this continent so special.
suzanne
June 23, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Been there. Simply fantastic. Peruvian food is the best in the world, and Gastón knows how to play with the flavours to make it exquisite. The staff is polite and extremely knowledgeable, and we were amazed at how technologically advanced (and accurate) they were on orders, as they used iPhone Apps to take orders.
Anything you try is great at this restaurant. Well done.