Travel

The Best Restaurants in Lima Peru for Travelers With a Taste for Luxury

Traveling to picturesque locations around the world can be a thrilling experience.

And enjoying the exquisite local cuisine is often a big part of the fun. So knowing the best restaurants in Lima Peru can really make a trip to that destination tastier. Mouth watering entrees, world class chefs and a range of international influence set the stage. And from there, bask in the local hospitality and service as you refuel for your next adventure.

Whatever you're looking for is likely only a short drive away. Plus, several rankings of the world's best restaurants include several from this beautiful coastal city. From fresh seafood and local recipes to exotic delicacies and fusion menus, there's plenty to love. And we think our list below will give you all the information you need to dine like a pro.

Lima is destination for trips of leisure, business or any mixture of both. But one thing is common among all who travel to its shores. Food is a big part of your stay. And it might just be your favorite part of the visit. Our guide is a representation of the best its chefs have to offer. But it's just the tip of a very tasty iceberg. Use the following information to kick start an exploration of the region's widespread and varied cuisine. 

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

The Best Restaurants in Lima Peru for Travelers of All Tastes

Your trip to this region can include many different excursions and experiences. But whatever is on your agenda, you'll have to find something to eat. And why not make it some of the world's best restaurants? As it turns out, you'll find several of them among the best restaurants in Lima Peru. So let's take a look at what makes these destinations stand out in a delicious destination. 

1. Central

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

We'd be remiss not to begin our list of the best restaurants in Lima Peru with Central. For starters, it consistently ranks high among the best restaurants in the world. It has commonly been selected as the best restaurant in all of Latin America. And among eateries in this picturesque town, there are few, if any, peers. 

It all starts with the vision of master chef Virgilio Martinez. The taste and experience dates back to a time where fresh foods were king. Back then, it was a necessity. Now, it's a delicacy. Using the very best of what is available, the menu consists of a wide range of Peruvian classics. 

Find uncommon ingredients prepared with precision. Even seafood and other expected eats wind up being used in innovative and tasty ways. Potatoes are elevated far beyond a mere side dish with a delectable local mint flavoring added. Find even more adventurous items for those who really want to try something different. Whatever you hope to order, make sure you get a seat. And with such a popular place, that can be a challenge. So reserve a time early, preferably as soon as you make your other travel arrangements. Otherwise, you might find the place is booked solid for your entire stay.

2. Maido

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

Credit: Maido

Love Japanese food? You might not expect to find world class cuisine among the best restaurants in Lima Peru. But you'd be selling this destination short if you don't try this acclaimed eatery. And though chef Mitsuharu Tsumura certainly knows the classics, you'll get some Peruvian flair.

The resulting cuisine is called Nikkei, and you likely won't find any better than the Maido menu. This type of food predates most of the fusion concepts we have grown to love around the world. And it continues to be refined into one of the tastiest combinations available in Latin America. 

It's no wonder this restaurant often ranks near Central among lists of the world's best eating destinations. Find a range of adventurous options alongside traditional meals sure to hit the spot. If you want to give a new spin to old classics, this is the spot to experiment. You can enjoy historically regional dishes like a potato stew with different flair, like the addition of sea snails.

3. La Mar

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

Credit: La Mar

You owe it to yourself to try the world class ceviche on display at the bet restaurants in Lima Peru. But if you're only going to enjoy it from one place, it should probably be this one. In reality, this business is known as a cevicheria, not an ordinary restaurant. That's because this unique dish requires an expert touch -- and La Mar can deliver. 

You can get any type of citrus marinated seafood, or local fare prepared in a variety of other ways. Gaston Acurio prepared a wide ranging menu that will give you a fresh take on fresh seafood. Try whatever ingredients are best suited to the day's preparations. 

Order something from the bar to give your meal the perfect balance. In Peru, many fans of ceviche say an ice cold beer is the best accompanying beverage. But you might prefer a selection from La Mar's impressive wine list.

4. Rafael

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

Credit: Rafael

Sometimes you're just hungry for a heaping helping of great food. And if you want some comforting and immense portions, check out this great restaurant. Chef Rafael Osterling lent his name to this eatery, which has gained a dedicated following. 

Pick your favorite entree and have it cooked perfectly to your own tastes and specifications. Then find some of the tastiest sides and accompanying tastes to create a complete feast. Of course there's seafood, prepared through a range of fresh and delicious methods. 

Some of the items on the menu are a bit experimental. These build on the chef's long history of creating world class dining experiences. But there are plenty of traditional options, too. Each one is cooked to order and delivered with maximum flavor and style. Choose local delicacies like beer braised duck with rice or an incredible seafood dish called tiradito. Whichever way you go, you won't leave hungry. And the overall dining experience is one you likely won't soon forget. 

5. AmaZ

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

Credit: AmaZ

Expose yourself to ingredients and a cooking style that might be unfamiliar. Unless you've spent a lot of time in the rain forest through the region, it could be a new experience. But it's definitely one worth enjoying if you're looking for the best restaurants in Lima Peru. 

The cuisine is unique to the Amazon basin and includes expertly prepared delicacies. There are foods that some locals consider part of their daily meals. And it's served in elegant style with the highest quality ingredients available.

Try the cecina and tacacho, which is a smoked pork dish served with a plantain dumpling. Then there's the juanes, a dish made from chicken and assorted ingredients wrapped together. Whatever you decide to order will be beautifully presented and full of flavor. And even what you might consider common entrees will be prepared in new and unforgettable ways.

7. Osso

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

Credit: Osso

If you love red meat, any great getaway should include a trip to a steakhouse. And it doesn't get much more impressive than Osso. For starters, you can always count on a prime cut. That's in large part due to the place's origins as a high end butcher shop. At one point, expert chef Renzo Garibaldi capitalized on the great meat by hosting private parties.

These meals included cuts aged as long as three months to create rich flavors and tender textures. Word started to catch on, and the restaurant was born. And to this day, demand continues to exceed supply. So this is also one of the best restaurants in Lima Peru to require a lengthy reservation. 

The locally inspired dishes are likely to be a big part of your trip to the region. And with such great options, that makes perfect sense. But if you just crave one of the best steaks available, you have an unforgettable option here. 

8. La Picanteria

best restaurants in lima peru, best restaurants in peru, best restaurants in lima, michelin star restaurants lima peru, best restaurants in lima peru, restaurants in limat peru, michelin star lima, michelin restaurants lima peru, michelin guide ima peru, top restaurants in lima peru, where to eat in lima,

Credit: La Picanteria

Enjoy flavors and culture from elsewhere in Peru with a visit to this restaurant. Its name is a reference to the lunch based restaurants in Arequipa Peru. And the spirit of those eateries lives in La Picanteria, too. 

Find foods from that region prepared in old style recipes. It's home of one of an incredible fried pork dish. There's light seafood dishes and heavier meals including beef ribs and other meats.

Soups and stews also occupy a large portion of the menu. We think the crab stew is a standout dish that could be a main course all on its own. Then there is the spicy, rich and complex taste of the rocoto en chupe soup. You can't go wrong whichever way you go with this traditional but thoroughly modern destination.


The best restaurants in Lima Peru are as varied as in any major tourist destination.

But the influence of local customs and indigenous ingredients is woven throughout much of the scene. Whether you want to dive right into that culture or take a break with a taste from home, you have options. And we hope our guide has helped you make the choices -- and reservations -- for an unforgettable meal.

If so, share this article with the world travelers in your life. And leave us a comment below if you have any final thoughts or questions.

You Might Also Like

Previous Story
Next Story

Leave a Reply