The Best Restaurants in Lima, Peru
2024 Updated Information: Experience ten of the best restaurants in Lima and their varied cuisine. There is a dish for every tastebud in Peru!
In South America, you can experience some of the best food and restaurants in the world in Lima, Peru. Many tourists visit Peru to experience its rich history, as well as it’s delicious Peruvian dishes. From snacks served by street vendors to upscale restaurants, Lima has something for every taste and budget.
Upon arriving in Lima, there is no shortage of places to eat or people who’ll recommend their favorite spots. Although we all love the idea of eating great food all day long, time and money soon come into play. With so many great options for eateries, it can be difficult to decide which are the best spots to try. To help solve the all-important question of what to eat, we’ve put together a list of some of the best restaurants in Lima to help narrow your choices down.
The Best 10 Restaurants in Lima
Peruvian cuisine has a strong influence from all over the globe, including Arabic, Japanese, Spanish, African, Chinese, and Italian cultures. With the Peruvian cuisine blending with all of these cultural influences, the resulting food is both unique and delicious. From ceviche to Chinese Peruvian dishes, these restaurants offer a taste of some of the best food that Lima has to offer.
10# – Mayta
Avenida Mariscal La Mar 1285, Miraflores 15027, Lima
If you’re looking for some outstanding classic and traditional style dishes, then Mayta is certainly one of the best restaurants to visit. Opened in 2008, world-famous chef Jaime Pesaque has prepared a remarkable menu of contemporary Peruvian dishes. The star dish of this fine establishment is a smoked magret duck breast over risotto, foie gras and a fried egg served on top. If you’re thirsty, you can also visit their world-class Pisco bar for a classic Peruvian drink.
9# – Malabar
Camino Real 101, San Isidro, Lima
Malabar offers a truly unique and visually appealing eating experience. Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, masterfully infuses and blends different exotic Peruvian ingredients. When the restaurant opened in 2004 it was the first to explore the combining culinary arts with Peru’s immense biodiversity. Just one taste of the food and you’ll understand why Malabar is considered one of the best restaurants in Lima.
8# – La Mar
Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores, Lima
Lima is no stranger to good ceviche and one of the best restaurants in Lima to find some is at La Mar. La Mar is a very popular spot and is one of world-renowned Gastón Acurio’s flagship restaurants. The restaurant features a large raw bar, which serves fresh ceviche made daily from fish caught that day. There is a wide assortment of ingredients in the ceviche that include octopus, sea urchin, shrimp, and grouper.
7# – Kjolle
Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Lima
If you’re looking for a restaurant where you know for sure it’s going to be good, look no further than Kjolle. The owner and Central co-chef Pia León opened her own restaurant in August 2018 and already has been placed as number 21 out of the Top 50 Restaurants in Latin America. With colorful and exquisite dishes, Kjolle is easily one of the best restaurants in Lima. Kjolle offers bright and colorful dishes as well as a nine-course tasting menu. Although the food is best enjoyed in a sit-down setting, they do offer an a la carte menu as well if you are on the go.
6# – Rafael
Calle San Martín 300, Miraflores, Lima
When you smell the delicious food coming from inside the Art Deco building that houses Rafael, you’ll soon realize why it’s considered one of the best restaurants in Lima. Although the food can be quite eclectic it has a modern Peruvian-Italian style with Nikkei influences. Chef-owner Rafael Osterling and head chef Rodrigo Alzamora have joined forces to create dishes inspired by Peru and their world travel. With dishes like spaghetti with duck and sea urchin rice with leche de tigre, Rafael is definitely one of the best restaurants in Lima.
5# – Astrid Y Gastón
Av. Paz Soldán 290, San Isidro, Lima
Astrid Y Gastón is a restaurant well-worth stopping by and one of the best in Lima. They have won multiple awards throughout the years. The restaurant even ranked #1 of the Top 50 Restaurants in Latin America in 2013. The restaurant features unique dishes Peking-style guinea pig bao and ceviche that includes loche squash. Despite being over 20 years old, the restaurant always has new and fresh dishes to please your palette.
4# – Isolina
Avenida San Martín Prolongación 101, Barranco, Lima
Isolina is one of the best restaurants in Lima to visit if you want that perfect home-cooked feeling with your meal. Preparing classic traditional dishes by using recipes from previous generations is what makes the food here stand out. With traditional ceviche and hearty chicken sweetbread stew, the menu has something for every taste bud.
3# – Saha
Calle Bolívar 164, Miraflores, Lima
A perfect combination of affordable, fresh and innovative. Saha is home to world-class Peruvian chefs who have come together to create an unforgettable menu. If you want a taste of the real Peru, then Saha is the perfect place. With a fresh décor that perfectly compliments the food, you can enjoy it all while sampling drinks from their extensive cocktail list. If you choose one restaurant from this list, make it Saha.
2# – Maido
399 San Martin Street, Miraflores, Lima
Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine is a very popular food style that has only increased in popularity. In Lima, Maido is one of the best restaurants to go to experience Nikkei cuisine. Maido has continued to make the Top 50 Restaurants in Latin America since 2017 and placed at #10 for 2019. Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura has created a succulent seafood fusion with his menu showcasing dishes featuring fish and various citrus sauces.
1# – Central
Jr. Dos de Mayo 253, Barranco, Lima
Using obscure products and various varieties of Peruvian produce makes Central a truly remarkable experience. They serve traditional dishes; however, the menu also features many items rarely served. Although the ingredients are sourced locally, they come from almost every altitude, above and below the sea. The beautifully crafted entries served here have earned Central the #6 spot on the Top 50 Restaurant in Latin America for 2019. Although there are plenty of other great restaurants, if you are looking for the best restaurant in Lima, Central is the place to go.
In Conclusion…
Many tourists and visitors come to Lima, Peru to experience the history, culture as well as the food. With one of the most diverse and eclectic menus in the world, Peruvian cuisine has something to offer everyone. For those needing a beverage, nothing goes better with Peruvian food than a nice Pisco based drink. You can make the most of your Peruvian eating experience by setting up transportation through Peru Hop. From tours to transportation, they can help get you safely to and from many popular destinations. So, pack your stretchy pants and get ready to enjoy some of the best food and restaurants you’ve ever experienced in Lima, Peru.
