Best Restaurants in Lima

Lima, Peru's gastronomic capital, is a maze of fresh, local ingredients that reflect the country's rich biodiversity. From aji amarillo and purple corn to the freshest seafood from the Pacific, Lima's cuisine is famous for its ceviches, anticuchos, and tiraditos. You can't miss emblematic dishes such as lomo saltado or aji de gallina, which combine ancestral culinary techniques with modern touches. Below, we present the best restaurants that stand out in Lima:

Astrid y Gastón

Av. Paz Soldán 290, San Isidro, Lima, Peru​

The emotional and gastronomic union of the French Astrid Gutsche and the Peruvian Gastón Acurio, who met while studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, has given Peruvian cuisine one of its best exponents. Although their idea at first was to establish a French-style restaurant, they soon became enchanted by the techniques, products, and spices typical of Peru.
They preferred to replace some products that were very typical of French cuisine with those that were typical and traditional from the Peruvian region. This has also led them to incorporate, in their style, dishes of Asian origin but giving them their textures and flavors, to which they have provided various complements in their preparation.

La Mar Cevichería

Av. Mariscal 770, Miraflores, Lima, Peru.

The recognition and fame of the Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio have led him to establish restaurants beyond his country of origin, in cities such as Bogotá, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, and Miami. In all of them, the menu is based on ceviche, seafood typical of Peru, and other types of food with seafood.
This restaurant in Lima is characterized by the fact that the main dish of the house is ceviche in its most original expression, along with Muchame de la fortuna, whose subtle composition includes olive oil, sliced ​​onion, capers, lettuce, sweet potato, and toasted corn. At La Mar, they also offer typical Peruvian drinks such as pisco and their much-appreciated specialty, known as Cholopolitan.

Sanguchería "El Chinito"

Jirón Chancay 894, Cercado de Lima, Lima, Peru.

As its advertisement proclaims, it has been a classic since 1960, when its owner, Don Félix, established it. Today, it has several locations in different parts of the Peruvian capital. In addition to the traditional sandwich, its offer includes a range of combos with pork rinds, turkey meat, tamales, breads, roasted pork, smoked sirloin, fried sweet potatoes, pickled turnips, and the unbeatable chicha, among other specialties.

La Picante

Av. Huascar de Junín 748, Jesús María, Lima, Peru.

Francisco Robles has made La Picante, both in its original location and in its other places, one of the restaurants that you cannot miss to enjoy its excellent ceviche.
Gastronomic critics, who specialize in and are demanding of the restaurant, highlight its precise seasoning, the generosity of the portions served, and its authentic home style.
Other dishes that stand out in its offer are canned tuna, which has an abundant and very well-spiced filling. It has offered to expand its offer of typical and very Creole dishes, always with the same dedication and its deep-rooted homemade flavor.

Siete Sopas

Av. Arequipa 2394, Lince, Lima, Peru.

Although its name offers that quantity, it is up to nine days because there is no shortage of Creole soup and chicken broth, to which are added shambar on Mondays, menestrón on Tuesdays, choque arequipeño on Wednesdays, patasca on Thursdays, chupe de cola de buey on Fridays, lamb soup with morón on Saturdays and sancochado limeño on Sundays.
During your visit to Lima, enjoy soups that require many hours of cooking and require demanding and complicated preparations for large quantities. Don't forget to try warm teas with lemon, orange, cinnamon, and pisco as a timely accompaniment, especially on winter days.

Malabar

Av. Camino Real 101, San Isidro, Lima, Peru.

This restaurant, included in the list of the 50 best in the world, owes its privileged position and fame to the master chef Pedro Miguel Schiafinno, who has given his art an exceptional touch in which he combines his creativity and the permanent search for personal improvement, inspired by the very particular Amazonian cuisine.
His gastronomic concept is based on the products corresponding to each season so that they are more useful and offer diners the best of their aromas and flavors. Among his most appreciated dishes is the cassava or manioc basket, which is based on the preparation of casabe, bread, and boiled and then fried and crispy with peppers, chestnuts, and cheese. All of this is to accompany the different types of fish and game birds of his Amazonian specialty.

Central

Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Lima, Peru.

His greatest inspiration is Peru's surprising biodiversity. This is a good reason for the menu to be based on ingredients from different altitudes and ecosystems in the country's territory, including the high Andes, the Amazon, and the Pacific coast. The atmosphere of Central Restaurant is elegant, minimalist, and extremely welcoming.
Specialists in the culinary world and the highest gastronomy recommend that you try Rocas Rojas, a dish extracted from the Pacific Ocean. To enjoy dishes from high-altitude farmland, this dish combines two types of tuber, "mashwa," accompanied by duck confit. And you cannot miss the light and soft Copoazú and Sachatomate fritters, fruits from trees related to cocoa and tomato, respectively.

Best Restaurants in Cusco

In Cusco, tradition meets culinary innovation with ingredients such as potato, quinoa, oca, and local meats such as alpaca and guinea pig. The restaurants here will take you on a gastronomic journey through traditional dishes such as chupe de quinua or fresh trout from the Andes, which capture the essence of Andean cuisine. On the one hand, there are traditional and comforting dishes such as hot soups that are prepared with local ingredients, perfect for cold days in the Andes, for example, chicken soup. On the other hand, many restaurants in Cusco have also excelled in offering international fusions, where they combine Peruvian techniques with influences from other cuisines of the world, such as Italian, French or Japanese. Below, we present you the best restaurants in Cusco:

Chicha Restaurant

Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco, Peru.

Also run by the internationally renowned chef, this restaurant is the busiest in Cusco. Those interested in getting to know it and enjoying its dishes are recommended, especially in high season, to reserve their table well in advance.
Their menu offers the most traditional Peruvian cuisine and, thanks to the creativity of their chef, dishes of what is known as fusion, which involves the integration of elements of the cuisine of other countries. Among their favorite specialties are stuffed eggplants and, of course, a good ceviche, which is finished off with stuffed truffles for dessert.

Tierra Restaurant

Av. Fernandini s/n, Urubamba, Cusco, Peru.

The owner and chef of this restaurant in Urubamba, in the department of Cusco, combines artisanal cuisine with signature cuisine. They cook in a wood-burning oven, make their bread and pasta, and work with dishes that take a long time to cook, such as ossobuco, which is macerated in an artisanal beer.
It all follows the same artisanal concept and uses natural products from the area, which means that diners can delight themselves with fresh trout in different presentations, the essential ceviche, and a highly preferred accompaniment such as trigotto, made with wheat grown in that area.
Without a doubt, what you can enjoy in this restaurant honors and fully justifies its name.

Cicciolina Restaurant

Calle Triunfo 393, 2nd Floor, Cusco, Peru.

One of the most well-known and preferred cuisines in the world, Italian, found a perfect ally in Peru. This alliance and a masterful combination of both make Cicciolina's menu.
Just by reading the menu, you will understand and want to try the pumpkin ravioli, the ossobuco accompanied by pumpkin ravioli covered with local cheese, plus a delicate touch of Andean mint, coconut shrimp and prawns with quinoa.
The premises of this restaurant, which recalls an old Tuscan house, also offer you its artisanal pasta and other dishes based on seafood, beef, alpaca, duck, and chicken. All of this is under the successful concept of the union of two of the great cuisines of the world: Peruvian and Italian.

Best Restaurants in Machu Picchu

At the foot of Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes offers a fusion of unique flavours that highlight fresh ingredients from the jungle and the Andes. Here, it is common to enjoy dishes that include trout, quinoa and local herbs in traditional recipes such as trout tiradito and adobo. These options not only appease the weary traveller's hunger, but also celebrate the richness of Peruvian gastronomy. Below are the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes:

Full House Peruvian Cuisine

Av. Pachacutec 606, Aguas Calientes, Peru.

Located in Aguas Caliente in the Inca Empire, right next to the train to Machu Picchu, this restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from pumpkin cream to a pizza called Machu Picchu made with bacon and chorizo, to traditional drinks such as chilcano, pisco sour, and chicha. You can even enjoy Andean music played by a musician playing a flute.

Ponchos Restaurant

Av. Pachacutec 814, Aguas Calientes, Peru.

Also located in the Inca Empire in Aguas Caliente, this restaurant combines traditional dishes with modern food, thus achieving authentic Peruvian dishes. So you will see everything from authentic ceviche, including Andean soups, and exotic dishes such as alpaca tartar to the traditional trout tiradito. These are just some of the options you will find at Pochos Food.

Minkay Wasi Restaurant

Sinchi Roca, Aguas Calientes, Peru.

Located on Sinchi Roca Street next to the bus station, it means "House of Encounter" in Quechua. This restaurant's main characteristic is highlighting its valuable traditional roots through the use of ancestral techniques when preparing its exquisite dishes. It is a delight that you will not miss if you visit Machu Picchu.

Best Restaurants in other cities

In other regions of Peru, typical ingredients and dishes vary according to the landscape and climate. On the northern coast, seafood such as northern ceviche and rice with seafood stand out, while in the jungle, paiche and juanes are prepared using ancestral techniques. The use of ingredients such as the bijao leaf, sacha inchi and camu camu immerses you in the unique flavours of the Amazon. Below, we present the best restaurants in these cities:

La Santitos Restaurant

Av. Grau 1352, Piura, Peru.

In this city in the north of Peru, with beautiful beaches, you will find this popular restaurant. It offers a succulent offer of typical dishes using products from the land and the sea. It is not a luxury place, but it also stands out, in addition to its typical dishes and the kindness and friendliness of its owners and staff.
Among its most outstanding dishes are the traditional ceviche, dry goat, lomo saltado, tacu tacu, and chicharrones. It also offers very affordable Peruvian-style drinks such as homemade chicha and lemonade.

Al Frío y al Fuego Restaurant

Malecón Tarapacá 332, Iquitos, Peru (Floating platform on the Itaya River).

This is the best restaurant in Iquitos, an important city in the Amazon region of Peru. Al Frío y al Fuego is located on a floating island in the Amazon River, which offers another attraction to visit and find out why Summon, a prestigious magazine in the gastronomic field, has awarded this restaurant seven times.
Its name comes from the fact that its specialties include, among others, Paiche, grilled fish from the Amazon River; ceviche de doncella, another fish from this river; as well as other hot and cold dishes based on other fresh fish and seafood.
You must try different traditional cocktails and others of their creation, as well as their offer of pastries. So, enjoy Al Frío y al Fuego floating on the longest and most voluminous 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 people. From the bustling streets of Lima to the serene beauty of the Andes, each meal is an invitation to experience something unforgettable. Dive into these flavors, reserve your table, and let the rich tastes of Peru become part of your own adventure!