Seven mouthwatering Lima restaurants that will ensure your trip is as delectable and as gratifying as your sightseeing activities.
Gastronomy in Lima is not only rising with global talents, it’s growing with a cutting edge attitude. Sustainable cooking, molecular methods are trending along with a focus to highlight multiculturalism that is deep-rooted in the history of Peru. Here are six mouthwatering restaurants that will ensure your trip in Lima is as delectable and as gratifying as your sightseeing activities.
Astrid y Gaston – Best fine-dining experience
Neighborhood: San Isidro
As one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World, Astrid y Gaston is what many come to Lima for. The restaurant is situated in a gorgeous vintage building, Casa Moreyra, divided into various parts: a casual bar-restaurant, event space, botanic garden, research and development facility. Creator Gaston Acurio is a celebrity chef who is the walking ambassador of Peruvian gastronomy. The restaurant is named after himself and his wife.
You should splurge on the beautiful tasting menu that takes you through a journey of the world from the Pacific Ocean, the desert, the Andes, the Altiplano (High Plain) to the Amazon.
FACEBOOK Astrid&GastónMalabar – Best European/Peruvian fusion
Neighborhood: San Isidro
Fusion is the word in today’s Peruvian gastronomy. Malabar’s Head Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino brings beautiful dishes to life by emphasizing his Italian background with Peru’s fresh ingredients and products. Expect stunning dishes such as: homemade tagliatelle with mushrooms and crispy roast squab, duck with memepa and textures pituca, and pork tenderloin with smoked bacon. The restaurant is located in the financial district of San Isidro.
FACEBOOK MALABAR restaurante & barLa Huaca Pucllana Restaurant – Best museum restaurant
Neighborhood: Miraflores
After seeing the archeological pyramid which dates back to the 11th century, the restaurant at the museum is the perfect spot to rest your feet while discovering popular local dishes. Chefs Marylou Maduro and Andrea Massaro offers classic cooking techniques with contemporary styles. Every plate is presented with vibrant colors by fresh and rich products.
Look out for: Patagonian lamb chops in mustard sauce and mint, with lentejitas stewed and roasted tomatoes, Amazon Paiche fillet on mashed cassava aguaje sauce, and sweet pepper confit chonta, and Pepper Tuna (tuna crusted northern black pepper on mashed potatoes and native pepper cream).
FACEBOOK RESTAURANT HUACA PUCLLANAMaido – Best Japanese/Peruvian fusion
Neighborhood: Miraflores
Maido is another one of Latin America’s best restaurants. Head Chef Maido Mitsuharu successfully brings the Nikkai flavors to Lima in an upscale manner. He focuses on the profound philosophy: “Life is movement. Nothing is static or absolute. No one is. We are in a state of constant flux, just like the Earth, the tides, bacteria, light, the blood in our bodies, colors, seeds.” In his menu, not only are his dishes fusion but his way of thinking formidably shines through.
Expect to be blown away by his Nikkai Ceviche (cabrilla, clam, camaron, tobiko, crispy yuyo), Paracas Scallops with Maca, and his Nigiris from the Earth (cylinder duck – Crispy panceta – Outside skirt A lo Pobre).
FACEBOOK Maido Cocina NikkeiCentral Restaurante – Most ecological
Neighborhood: Barranco
Across the street from shopping mall Larcomar and two blocks away from the famous JW Marriott Hotel in Lima, there sits Central Restaurante with a gigantic wow factor. Chef Virgilio Martinez chooses to approach the diversity of ingredients in a manner similar to that used by the people of the Andes in pre-Hispanic times: through vertical ecological monitoring. He does so through a number of areas: ocean, lower Andes, extreme altitude, and high and low jungles.
We highly recommend the 8-course menu which includes scallops, tuna, calamari, goat, pork…and every goodness you can imagine.
FACEBOOK Central RestauranteAmaz – Best Amazonian
Neighborhood: Miraflores
As Lima’s first Amazonian restaurant, Amaz puts a huge focus on sustainability. Malabar’s Head Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino has the vision of bringing attention to everything the great Amazon has to offer to today’s global foodies.
We urge you to pay attention to his patarashcas – dishes cooked inside a bijao leaf – one that is prevalent throughout the Peruvian Amazon. The chef also uses pacamoto, in which is a traditional preparation with bamboo widely used in small villages. The cocktail menu at Amaz is also to-die-for.
FACEBOOK ámaZ Restaurante LamarLa mar cebichería peruana – Creative ceviche
Neighborhood: Miraflores
If there’s one iconic you have to devour in Peru, it would be the ceviche. La Mar, created by the ultimate Peruvian restauranteur Gastón Acurio, is the big papa of cevicherias. Situated in the fancy Miraflores neighborhood, La Mar features the freshest catch of the day, drenched in beautiful flavors presented in colorful plating. At least have someone at the table order the classic ceviche, and make sure everyone pairs it with pisco sours. You don’t need to make a reservation if you don’t mind waiting in line. La Mar is so popular that it now has locations in major cities around the world.
FACEBOOK La Mar Cebichería Peruana Lima