The Best Restaurants in Lima

Eating at the best restaurants in Lima, Peru will show you why the Peruvian capital is also considered the culinary capital of South America and one of the most important food destinations in the world. In addition, Lima is home to some of the best restaurants in Peru. If you only have one or two nights in the city, prioritize Maido, Kjolle, Central, Astrid & Gastón, La Mar, or Isolina, depending on the type of experience you are looking for. 

Lima’s cuisine is famous for its ceviches, anticuchos, and tiraditos. You should not miss iconic dishes such as lomo saltado or ají de gallina, which combine traditional cooking techniques with modern touches. Below, we introduce some of the top restaurants that stand out in Lima:

Central

• Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Lima, Peru.
• Best for: A dining experience with ingredients from different altitudes of Peru
• Type of cuisine: Fine dining tasting menu
• Reservation: Yes. Booking several months in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 280 - 450 per person

Named the best restaurant in the world by the prestigious British culinary ranking "The 50 Best" in 2023, Central is often considered the best restaurant in Peru. It offers a fine dining experience focused on Peru’s biodiversity. The tasting menu at Central Restaurant  is built around ingredients sourced from different altitudes and ecosystems of the country, including the Andes, the Amazon, and the Pacific coast. Its elegant, minimalist atmosphere makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

Food specialists recommend trying Rocas Rojas, a dish inspired by the Pacific Ocean. You can also enjoy highland dishes such as mashwa served with duck confit. And do not miss the light, soft Copoazú and Sachatomate fritters, made with fruits related to cacao and tomato, respectively.

Maido

• Address: Calle San Martín 399, corner of Calle Colón, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
• Best for: A dining experience with Amazonian and Andean ingredients prepared with Japanese techniques
• Type of cuisine: Nikkei-Peruvian fine dining tasting menu
• Reservation: Yes. Booking several months in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 370 - 473 per person

Since being named the best restaurant in the world by the “Oscars of gastronomy,” The 50 Best, in 2025, Maido has competed with Central for the title of best restaurant in Peru. Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, known as Nikkei, finds a place to be celebrated and enjoyed at its tables. 

The large Japanese migration to Peru in the early 20th century, driven by the need for labor in agricultural fields in the north of the country, brought Japanese customs and traditions to Peru. Among them were Asian cooking techniques, which were used to prepare and cook Peruvian ingredients for a large Japanese community. Over time, the flavors, seasonings, and spices that gradually arrived from Japan became part of local taste, and Peruvians began to embrace this fusion cuisine.

Eating at Maido means witnessing the blend of two cultures that are very different and distant, yet deeply complementary. Try the 50-hour braised short rib, the Nissei cebiche, or its creative nigiris. 

Astrid y Gastón

• Address: Av. Paz Soldán 290, San Isidro, Lima, Peru
• Best for: Peruvian classics, a first visit to Lima, or a special dinner.
• Type of cuisine: Contemporary Peruvian cuisine.
• Reservation: Yes. Booking in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 25 - 35 per person

The emotional and culinary partnership between French chef Astrid Gutsche and Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, who met while studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, gave Peruvian cuisine one of its finest restaurant names: Astrid & Gastón. Although their original idea was to open a French-style restaurant, they soon fell in love with Peru’s traditional techniques, ingredients, and spices.

They chose to replace some classic French cuisine ingredients with products rooted in Peruvian tradition. This also led them to include Asian-inspired dishes in their style, giving them their own textures and flavors and combining them in different ways during preparation. According to the 2025 Summum Awards, Astrid & Gastón ranked first among the best restaurants in Peru. 

Did you know?

The Summum Awards are among the most prestigious honors in Peruvian gastronomy. These awards recognize outstanding restaurants and chefs across Peru, based on innovation, quality, and the diversity of their culinary offerings.

La Mar Cevichería

• Address: Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
• Best for: Fresh seafood and trying Peru’s flagship dish
• Type of cuisine: Ceviche and seafood
• Reservation: Yes. Booking in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 34 - 45 per person

The recognition and fame of Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio have taken this restaurant brand beyond his home country, with locations in cities such as Bogotá, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, and Miami. In all of them, the menu is based on ceviches, traditional Peruvian seafood, and other dishes made with products from the sea.

Among all the restaurants in Peru specializing in seafood, La Mar stands out for its signature dish: ceviche, served in one of its most authentic expressions. It comes with Muchame de la Fortuna, made with olive oil, sliced onion, capers, lettuce, sweet potato, and toasted corn. At La Mar, you can also enjoy traditional Peruvian drinks such as pisco, along with its famous house specialty, the Cholopolitan.

Kjolle

• Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Lima, Peru.
• Best for: A dining experience with ingredients from different Peruvian ecosystems
• Type of cuisine: Contemporary fine dining tasting menu
• Reservation: Yes. Booking several months in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 217 - 285 per person

Kjolle definitely belongs among the best restaurants in Lima, Peru. Its ninth place in the 2025 “50 Best” top ten is proof of that. The restaurant, led by chef Pía León, wife of Virgilio Martínez, owner of Central, takes its name from a tree with orange flowers that grows in some of Peru’s harshest highland areas. At Kjolle, Peru’s biodiversity is honored through carefully prepared dishes made with ingredients from different altitudes and ecosystems.

Modernity, tradition, and creativity come together naturally in every dish. The colors and flavors of its tasting menu are the result of Mater Iniciativa, an interdisciplinary project that documents and researches flavors in Peru’s native communities and natural environments. Another important detail: Pía León was recognized as The World’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. 

Did you know?

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is a prestigious annual ranking that brings together the most outstanding restaurants in the world and is considered an influential alternative to the Michelin Guide. It was created in 2002 by the British magazine Restaurant. Its selection is based on votes from more than 1,000 experts from different countries and helps highlight the main global culinary trends.

Mérito

• Address: Jr. 28 de Julio 206, Barranco, Lima, Peru 
• Best for: Fusion dishes, fresh local ingredients, and a varied cocktail menu
• Type of cuisine: Contemporary Peruvian-Venezuelan cuisine
• Reservation: Yes.
• Approx. price: US$ 20 - 30 per person

Restaurants in Peru are not only places where Peruvian gastronomy shines; they are also spaces where different international cuisines blend naturally with local cooking. That is the case of Mérito, led by Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez. Its dishes are known for being made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and presented in a unique style. By combining Peruvian ingredients with Venezuelan cooking techniques, Juan Luis and his team have turned the restaurant into one of Lima’s favorites.

Try the scallops with sanky, a fruit similar to prickly pear, and jalapeño; the fish tartare with green tomato, huacatay, also known as black mint, and aged cheese; or the white fish with cocona. If you can, book a seat at the chef’s table on the first floor, where the open kitchen lets you watch each dish being prepared step by step.

Mayta

• Address: Av. Mariscal La Mar 1285, Miraflores, Lima, Peru 
• Best for: Travelers who love creative Peruvian cuisine
• Type of cuisine: Signature cuisine with Peruvian influences
• Reservation: Yes.
• Approx. price: US$ 18 - 86 per person

Mayta means “noble land” in Aymara, one of Peru’s ancestral languages along with the Quechua language. The flagship restaurant of renowned Peruvian chef Jaime Pesaque offers an intimate and innovative proposal that reimagines Peruvian cuisine. Fresh native ingredients from Peru, prepared with creativity and innovation, show why Mayta is one of the best restaurants in Peru. The Summum Awards place it in fourth position on their prestigious list.

Try the duck skillet, the grilled paiche, or the rice with prawns. Each dish is a tribute to the noble land from which its ingredients come. Mayta also offers a ten-course tasting menu that takes you through the different ecosystems of the Peruvian Amazon.

Isolina

• Address: Av. San Martín 101, Barranco, Lima, Peru 
• Best for: Traditional flavors of Lima cuisine
• Type of cuisine: Traditional Peruvian cuisine
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$ 11 - 30 per person

Isolina, ranked eighth among the best restaurants in Lima, Peru, on the 2025 Summum list, owes its prestige to the talented chef José del Castillo. He has brought back the traditional recipes of Lima’s criollo cuisine and turned them into generous dishes for diners who miss the flavors of home, family, and the most traditional side of Peruvian food.

The name is a tribute to his mother, Doña Isolina Vargas, who opened La Red restaurant in 1981, where José later worked as administrator. Over time, La Red became a reference point in Lima’s food scene, and José decided to bring his passion and experience to Isolina. Try Lima-style Peruvian classics such as lomo saltado, ají de gallina, or seco de asado de tira with rice and beans.

Osaka

• Address: Av. Felipe Pardo y Aliaga 660, San Isidro, Lima, Peru 
• Best for: Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine with à la carte dishes
• Type of cuisine: Nikkei cuisine with à la carte dishes
• Reservation: Yes.
• Approx. price: 

Nikkei cuisine once again earns its place among the best restaurants in Peru thanks to Osaka. Its locations in San Isidro and Surco offer a modern, elegant, and carefully designed experience, ideal for those looking for sushi, tiraditos, nigiris, hot dishes, and signature cocktails in an atmosphere with good music and attractive design. 

It is an excellent option for a special dinner, a night out with friends, or a first introduction to Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. More than just a place to eat, Osaka invites you to enjoy a full evening of bold flavors, beautiful presentation, and service designed for those who want to discover one of the most popular expressions of today’s Lima gastronomy.

The Best Restaurants in Cusco

In Cusco, tradition blends with culinary innovation, using ingredients such as potatoes, quinoa, oca, and local meats like alpaca and guinea pig. Restaurants here take you on a food journey through traditional dishes such as quinoa chupe or fresh Andean trout, capturing the essence of Andean cuisine. On one hand, you will find comforting traditional dishes, including hot soups made with local ingredients, perfect for cold days in the Andes, such as caldo de gallina. 

On the other hand, many restaurants in Cusco have also stood out for offering international fusion, combining Peruvian techniques with influences from other cuisines around the world, such as Italian, French, or Japanese. Below, we present some of the best restaurants in Cusco, Peru:

Chicha Restaurant

• Address: Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco, Peru
• Best for: Peruvian cuisine in the historic center
• Type of cuisine: Traditional regional, national, and fusion à la carte cuisine
• Reservation: Yes. Booking several months in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 35 - 50 per person

Also led by renowned international chef Gastón Acurio, Chicha is one of the busiest and the best restaurants in Cusco, Peru, thanks to its first-place ranking in the Cusco regional list of the prestigious 2025 Summum Awards. If you want to visit and enjoy its dishes, especially during the high season from April to October, it is best to book your table well in advance.

Its menu offers the most traditional Peruvian cuisine and, thanks to the chef’s creativity, fusion dishes that bring in elements from other countries. Favorite specialties include stuffed eggplants and, of course, a good ceviche, followed by stuffed truffles for dessert.

MIL Restaurant

• Address: Km. 53, Via a Moray, Maras, Cusco, Peru
• Best for: A dining experience with ingredients from different Andean ecosystems of Peru
• Type of cuisine: Fine dining tasting menu
• Reservation: Yes. Booking several months in advance is recommended
• Approx. price: US$ 360 - 660 per person

MIL Centro competes with Chicha for the title of best restaurant in Cusco, Peru, as it is the only restaurant in Cusco included in “The 50 Best” list. Eating at MIL is one of the most unique dining experiences in Cusco. Located next to Moray, in Maras, this restaurant connects Andean cuisine with the landscape and high-altitude products of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its proposal, led by Virgilio Martínez, Pía León, and the Mater Iniciativa team, goes beyond a tasting menu: each dish interprets an ecosystem, a community, and a way of understanding the Andean territory. 

It is ideal for travelers looking for a special meal, with local ingredients, contemporary techniques, and a deep look at Peruvian biodiversity. Eating at MIL is a way to approach the Andes through flavor, research, and respect for the land. Its location at more than 3,500 meters above sea level also turns the visit into an intimate experience connected with the living landscape.

Cicciolina Restaurant

• Address: Calle Palacio 110, 2nd Floor, Cusco, Peru
• Best for: A special dinner and Andean fusion cuisine
• Type of cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian, and Andean cuisine
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$ 30 - 40 per person

Italian cuisine, one of the most loved and recognized cuisines in the world, found a perfect partner in Peru. This connection, along with a skillful blend of techniques and ingredients from both traditions, shapes the menu at Cicciolina. Just by reading the menu, you will probably want to try the pumpkin ravioli, the ossobuco served with pumpkin ravioli covered in local cheese and a delicate touch of Andean mint, or the shrimp with coconut and quinoa.

The restaurant’s setting, which recalls an old Tuscan house, also offers handmade pasta and other dishes made with seafood, beef, alpaca, duck, and chicken. All of this follows the successful idea of bringing together two of the world’s great cuisines: Peruvian and Italian. For all these reasons, eating at Cicciolina means enjoying the best of two culinary worlds in one of the best restaurants in Cusco, Peru.

Don Pancho Taberna Peruana

• Address: Plaza de Armas, Portal de Panes 151, Cusco, Peru
• Best for: Criollo dishes and fusion cuisine in the city center
• Type of cuisine: Criollo cuisine with Cusco ingredients
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$ 20 - 45 per person

Don Pancho Taberna Peruana is a good place to eat right in the center of Cusco, facing the Plaza de Armas. Its proposal blends Peruvian criollo flavor with Cusco ingredients and touches from other regions of the country, all in a warm, simple setting with plenty of character. Its menu includes classics such as lomo saltado, causa limeña, and dishes with a contemporary touch, making it ideal for anyone who wants to try Peruvian food without leaving the historic heart of the city.

Tripadvisor ranks it among the best restaurants in Cusco, and it is a comfortable place for lunch, dinner, or drinks after exploring Cusco. The style of Don Pancho Taberna Peruana recalls old Lima taverns and the picanterías of southern Peru, but with a modern approach and service focused on making diners feel well looked after from the moment they walk in.

Best Restaurants in Machu Picchu

At the foot of Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, offers a blend of unique flavors that highlight fresh ingredients from the jungle and the Andes. Here, it is common to enjoy dishes made with trout, quinoa, and local herbs in traditional recipes such as trout tiradito and adobo. These options not only satisfy hungry travelers, but also celebrate the richness of Peruvian cuisine. Below, we share the best restaurants in Machu Picchu Pueblo:

Full House Peruvian Cuisine

• Address: Av. Imperio de los Incas 620, Aguas Calientes, Peru
• Best for: After visiting Machu Picchu
• Cuisine: Peruvian / international
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$ 20 - 45 per person

Full House Machu Picchu is a comfortable and popular place to eat in Aguas Calientes, ideal before or after visiting Machu Picchu. It offers a wide range of Peruvian and Cusco cuisine, with traditional dishes, pasta, pizza, vegetarian options, desserts, and drinks. Its setting combines Andean details, wood, and river views, creating a pleasant space to rest after walking around town or coming down from the citadel. 

Full House Machu Picchu is a good choice for travelers who want to try local flavors without overcomplicating things. It has a varied menu, generous portions, friendly service, and a practical location in the heart of Machu Picchu Pueblo. It works well for families, couples, or groups who want a tasty meal and then continue their trip without wasting time.

El Indio Feliz Restaurant

• Address: Pje. Lloque Yupanqui 103, Aguas Calientes, Perú.
• Best for: After visiting Machu Picchu
• Cuisine: French-Peruvian cuisine
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$  45 - 60 per person

El Indio Feliz is one of the best restaurants in Machu Picchu Pueblo, ideal for a special meal before or after visiting the citadel. Its concept blends French-Peruvian cuisine in a warm, colorful setting full of character, with a menu designed for travelers looking for something different in Aguas Calientes. Located at Lloque Yupanqui 103, close to the main area of town, it offers generous dishes, homemade flavors with European technique, and a cozy experience after a day of hiking, trains, or excursions. 

Its bistro style, friendly service, and creative recipes help it stand out among local options. It is a good choice for couples, families, or groups who want to enjoy a relaxed dinner and end their visit to Machu Picchu with a special moment.

Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant

• Address: Av. Imperio de los Incas 614, Aguas Calientes, Peru
• Best for: After visiting Machu Picchu
• Cuisine: International - Peruvian
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$  20 - 35  per person

Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant is one of the most enjoyable places to eat in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Its concept combines Peruvian cuisine with international dishes, generous portions, and craft beers, all in a riverside setting that helps you slow down and enjoy the moment. It is ideal for trying a burger, trout, ají de gallina, snacks to share, or a local beer before taking the train back to Cusco.

More than a formal restaurant, Mapacho works as a place to take a break: a good view, varied menu, friendly service, and a traveler-friendly atmosphere that fits Aguas Calientes very well. It is a practical, easygoing option, which makes it one of the best restaurants in Machu Picchu.

Best Restaurants in Other Cities in Peru

In other regions of Peru, local ingredients and traditional dishes change with the landscape and climate. On the northern coast, seafood dishes such as northern-style ceviche and arroz con mariscos stand out, while in the Amazon, paiche and juanes are prepared using ancestral techniques. Ingredients such as bijao leaves, sacha inchi, and camu camu introduce you to the unique flavors of the Amazon. Below, we share some of the best restaurants in these cities:

La Santitos Restaurant

• Address: Calle Libertad N°1001, Piura, Peru
• Best for: After a day at the beach
• Cuisine: Traditional Piura cuisine
• Reservation: No
• Approx. price: US$  15 - 35  per person

In this northern Peruvian city, known for its beautiful beaches, you will find La Santitos. It offers a delicious variety of typical dishes made with ingredients from both the land and the sea. It is not a luxury restaurant, but it stands out not only for its traditional food, but also for the kindness and warmth of its owners and staff.

Some of its most popular dishes include traditional ceviche, seco de cabrito, lomo saltado, tacu tacu, and chicharrones. It also serves affordable Peruvian drinks, such as homemade chicha and lemonade.

Al Frío y al Fuego Restaurant

• Address: Malecón Tarapacá 332, Iquitos, Peru. Floating platform on the Itaya River
• Best for: An Amazon experience
• Cuisine: Amazonian / seafood cuisine
• Reservation: Yes
• Approx. price: US$  35 - 55  per person

Al Frío y al Fuego is one of the best restaurants in Peru and in Iquitos, an important city in the Peruvian Amazon. Al Frío y al Fuego is located on a floating island on the Amazon River, adding another reason to visit and discover why Summon, a prestigious food magazine, has awarded this restaurant seven times.

Its name comes from the fact that its specialties include, among others, paiche, a grilled fish from the Amazon River; doncella ceviche, made with another river fish; and other cold and hot dishes based on fresh fish and seafood.

You should also try its traditional cocktails, house creations, and desserts. So, enjoy Al Frío y al Fuego while floating on the longest and largest river in the world.

Peru’s culinary world is a celebration of its vibrant culture, bringing together flavors that tell the story of its land and its people. From the busy streets of Lima to the peaceful beauty of the Andes, every meal is an invitation to experience something memorable. Dive into these flavors, book your table, and let Peru’s rich cuisine become part of your own adventure.

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