In recent years, Lima has built up its reputation as the gastronomic hotspot in South America. Knowing about the best restaurants in Lima is very useful to ensure you make the most out of your time Peru’s capital.
In fact, for the eighth time in a row since 2012, the country received the prize for the “World’s Leading Culinary Destination” by the World Travel Awards in the category of gastronomy.
Therefore, when you’re in Lima you’ll have many amazing opportunities to spoil your palate. In order to help you with the decision making process, we have created a small list of restaurants, which we think are definitely worth checking out.
You will not just come here to have lunch or dinner but rather to truly immerse yourself in the Peruvian gastronomy and to enjoy a real culinary experience.
Note: We are not affiliated with any of the restaurants mentioned below. This list is based 100% on our personal opinion and on the feedback we have received from our travelers.
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List of the Best Restaurants in Lima
MAIDO
Interesting facts: Number 11 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021. Number 3 of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022.
Kitchen: Japanese-Peruvian Fusion cuisine
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner
Reservation: Only with reservation online. Make a reservation as soon as you know that you are coming to Peru.
Try this: $120 for NIKKEI Tasting Experience (11-course tasting menu)
Atmosphere: Modern and minimalistic
CENTRAL
Interesting facts: Number 2 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. Number 1 of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021.
Kitchen: Contemporary Peruvian
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner
Reservation: Only with reservation online. Make a reservation as soon as you know that you are coming to Peru.
Try this: $161 for Alturas Mater Tasting Experience (16-course tasting menu)
Atmosphere: Modern
Astrid y Gaston
Interesting facts: Number 4 of Latin America’s 30 Best Restaurants 2022.
Kitchen: Modern Peruvian cuisine
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner
Reservation: At least one week in advance.
Try this: Tasting Menu – Menú Degustación or a la carte menu
Atmosphere: Elegant
Mayta
Interesting facts: Number 32 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022.
Kitchen: Peruvian modern.
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner.
Reservation: At least one week in advance.
Try this: For appetizers we recommend the Pulpo Tostado (grilled octopus), Langostinos Melocha (avocado with sauteed vegetables in citrus sauce) and for the main course Lomo & Langostinos (stir-fried filet, lomo saltado sauce, quail eggs, grilled plantains and Tacu Tacu).
Atmosphere: Elegant.
Isolina
Atmosphere: Rustical
Interesting facts: Number 24 of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021.
Kitchen: Peruvian
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner
Reservation: Some days in advance
Try this: Seafood, Cau Cau with Sangrecita or Octopus Chicharron
Kjolle
Interesting facts: Number 68 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. Kjolle is also the sister restaurant of the award-winning Central.
Average Price: $16-30.
Kitchen:Peruvian modern.
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner.
Reservation: At least one week in advance.
Try this: Start with one of the following appetizers: Duck and Squid or Vegetable Diversity (mixture of kale, coffee and avocado). For main courses, we can recommend the beef cheeks served with corn, purple cabbage and mochero pepper.
Atmosphere: Casual
Amoramar
Interesting facts: Is built in a republican-era mansion that holds an art gallery and an open-air bar.
Average Price: $40-65
Kitchen: Seafood
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner
Reservation: Not needed.
Try this: Pasta Negra; Tuna Fillet, Organic Trout.
Atmosphere: Modern
Huaca Pucllana
Interesting facts: The Restaurant is located within the ancient ruins which got constructed 1500 years ago.
Average Price: $20-50
Kitchen: Peruvian, Vegan Dishes
Best time to eat: Lunch & Dinner
Reservation: At least one week in advance.
Try this: Shrimp Casserole with Peruvian Aji sauce; Alpaca medallion herbed crust.
Atmosphere: Casual
La Mar Cebicheria
Interesting facts: Number 13 of Latin America’s 50 best Restaurants 2021.
Average Price: $13-20
Kitchen: Seafood
Best time to eat: Lunch & Dinner
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Classic Ceviche and Arroz con Mariscos (Rice with seafood) scalloped with cheese; Ceviche con Palta (Ceviche with avocado)
Atmosphere: Modern restaurant
Tanta
Interesting facts: One of the restaurants of the famous chef Gastón Acurio. The restaurant in the shopping mall Larcomar in Miraflores, has a beautiful view over the coast of Lima.
Average Price: $11-18
Kitchen: Peruvian, Latin American, Seafood
Best time to eat: Lunch & Dinner
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Lomo Saltado, Causa, Anticuchos de Corazon (bovine heart), Aji de Gallina, Aeropuerto
Atmosphere: Modern restaurant
Enjoy the Best Restaurants in Lima
As you can see, Lima doesn’t lack incredible restaurant options. Top-notch culinary tasting menus, modern restaurant fusions or typical Peruvian “comida criolla”; in short: Lima has it all. Check out our Lima travel guide for your next trip!
As a general rule of thumb, the more expensive the restaurant the more in advance you should reserve a table.
Many of the restaurants listed above have received national and international awards. After having tried their food, you’ll understand why. Give them a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!
And in case you’re interested in finding out the best restaurants in Cusco or the best restaurants in Arequipa, make sure to read our related blog posts.
Steward Fisher 30 July, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Dear Exploor Peru team, I want to thank you for these recommendations! My wife and I went to La Mar and it was delicious. The mix of three different tiraditos, the Ceviche and the Arroz con langostinos were fantastic. 10/10
Oliver from Exploor 30 July, 2023 at 6:36 pm
Hey Steward, glad to hear that you liked them! All of the options you named sound delicious.
Best wishes for you,
Oliver