Fernando’s Lima Foodie Guide

Fernando
Fernando’s Lima Foodie Guide

World's 50 Best Restaurants

These restaurants are featured in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list!
The #1 restaurant in the world! If you're looking for an EXPERIENCE, this is the place. Central has been placing among the top spots in the World's Best 50 for years now, and 2023 gave it the top spot, and there are many reasons for that. You can choose between an 12 or 14 course meal, either way you go you'll be delighted. Reservations highly recommended!
239 locals raden deze aan
Central Restaurante
301 Av. Pedro de Osma
239 locals raden deze aan
The #1 restaurant in the world! If you're looking for an EXPERIENCE, this is the place. Central has been placing among the top spots in the World's Best 50 for years now, and 2023 gave it the top spot, and there are many reasons for that. You can choose between an 12 or 14 course meal, either way you go you'll be delighted. Reservations highly recommended!
Maido placed 6th in 2023 World's 50 Best, and it's so worth it! This is nikkei cuisine (japanese-peruvian fusion), and you'll find some of their traditional peruvian dishes re-interpretations and signature dishes just amazing!
157 locals raden deze aan
Maido
No. 399 C. San Martin
157 locals raden deze aan
Maido placed 6th in 2023 World's 50 Best, and it's so worth it! This is nikkei cuisine (japanese-peruvian fusion), and you'll find some of their traditional peruvian dishes re-interpretations and signature dishes just amazing!
#28 (2023) Pía León rose to fame as the head chef of Central, and Kjolle is her first solo restaurant, where she zeros in on Peru’s vibrant pantry and lets her gastronomic instincts run wild. It's in the same complex as Central, so maybe you can do both in a lunch through dinner marathon!
Kjolle
#28 (2023) Pía León rose to fame as the head chef of Central, and Kjolle is her first solo restaurant, where she zeros in on Peru’s vibrant pantry and lets her gastronomic instincts run wild. It's in the same complex as Central, so maybe you can do both in a lunch through dinner marathon!
2023 marks Mayta's 2nd time in the World's 50 Best list, placing in the 47th spot. With its 12-course Yachay tasting menu focusing on Peruvian ingredients, each plate is a work of art that you definitely shouldn't miss!
Mayta Restaurante
2023 marks Mayta's 2nd time in the World's 50 Best list, placing in the 47th spot. With its 12-course Yachay tasting menu focusing on Peruvian ingredients, each plate is a work of art that you definitely shouldn't miss!

Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants

These restaurants are featured in the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list!
#1 If you're looking for an EXPERIENCE, this is the place. Central has been placing among the top spots in the World's Best 50 and the top spot in Latin America's Best 50 for years now. You can choose between an 12 or 14 course meal, either way you go you'll be delighted. Reservations highly recommended!
239 locals raden deze aan
Central Restaurante
301 Av. Pedro de Osma
239 locals raden deze aan
#1 If you're looking for an EXPERIENCE, this is the place. Central has been placing among the top spots in the World's Best 50 and the top spot in Latin America's Best 50 for years now. You can choose between an 12 or 14 course meal, either way you go you'll be delighted. Reservations highly recommended!
#3 This is nikkei cuisine (japanese-peruvian fusion), and you'll find some of their traditional peruvian dishes re-interpretations and signature dishes just amazing!
157 locals raden deze aan
Maido
No. 399 C. San Martin
157 locals raden deze aan
#3 This is nikkei cuisine (japanese-peruvian fusion), and you'll find some of their traditional peruvian dishes re-interpretations and signature dishes just amazing!
#8 Kjolle (pronounced KOY-ay) is the brainchild of chef Pía León, one half of the husband-and-wife team that heads up Central. Bright and bold dishes dominate the menu, paying homage to Peruvian produce.
Kjolle
#8 Kjolle (pronounced KOY-ay) is the brainchild of chef Pía León, one half of the husband-and-wife team that heads up Central. Bright and bold dishes dominate the menu, paying homage to Peruvian produce.
#9 Contemporary Peruvian cuisine takes the spotlight at Mayta, where each dish is a masterclass in presentation. Vibrant and colourful, plates are as much of a visual marvel as they are packed with flavour.
Mayta Restaurante
#9 Contemporary Peruvian cuisine takes the spotlight at Mayta, where each dish is a masterclass in presentation. Vibrant and colourful, plates are as much of a visual marvel as they are packed with flavour.
#30 This place is owned by Gastón Acurio, the world-renowned chef responsible for placing Peru in the World Map of best cuisines, the one responsible for our gastronomic revolution. You're in for a treat!
123 locals raden deze aan
Astrid y Gastón
290 Av. Paz Soldan
123 locals raden deze aan
#30 This place is owned by Gastón Acurio, the world-renowned chef responsible for placing Peru in the World Map of best cuisines, the one responsible for our gastronomic revolution. You're in for a treat!
#32 Rafael, the eponymous restaurant of super-successful lawyer-turned-chef Rafael Osterling, opened in 2000. For the past two decades, Osterling and his team have been cherry picking gastronomic tropes from Peru’s historic dishes, as well as taking touches from the Nikkei canon and left-field inspiration from the chef’s international travels, to create their own style of cuisine.
68 locals raden deze aan
Rafael
300 C. San Martin
68 locals raden deze aan
#32 Rafael, the eponymous restaurant of super-successful lawyer-turned-chef Rafael Osterling, opened in 2000. For the past two decades, Osterling and his team have been cherry picking gastronomic tropes from Peru’s historic dishes, as well as taking touches from the Nikkei canon and left-field inspiration from the chef’s international travels, to create their own style of cuisine.
#38 OSSO is rising star Renzo Garibaldi's steakhouse, and also a butcher's shop. This is a joint to get your hands dirty and become at one with your carnivorous self!
Bar de Carnes OSSO
Avenida Santo Toribio
#38 OSSO is rising star Renzo Garibaldi's steakhouse, and also a butcher's shop. This is a joint to get your hands dirty and become at one with your carnivorous self!

Authentically Peruvian

In this traditional Peruvian food restaurant, you'll be able to taste the most authentic Peruvian dishes from the creole and andean sub-genres. A few of them are Arroz con Pollo, Papa a la Huancaína, Causa Limeña, Lomo Saltado, among many others!
Sabores Peruanos
2392 Av. Alfredo Benavides
In this traditional Peruvian food restaurant, you'll be able to taste the most authentic Peruvian dishes from the creole and andean sub-genres. A few of them are Arroz con Pollo, Papa a la Huancaína, Causa Limeña, Lomo Saltado, among many others!
El Rocoto is a restaurant that pays homage to food from the Arequipa region, one of the top Peruvian food areas in the country. In here, you'll find classics such as Rocoto Relleno, Ocopa Arequipeña, Solterito, and so many dishes with prawns, as Arequipa is also famous for its amazing prawns!
El Rocoto
360 Federico Villarreal
El Rocoto is a restaurant that pays homage to food from the Arequipa region, one of the top Peruvian food areas in the country. In here, you'll find classics such as Rocoto Relleno, Ocopa Arequipeña, Solterito, and so many dishes with prawns, as Arequipa is also famous for its amazing prawns!
Isolina serves many dishes using offal and seafood, including cau cau con sangrecita (tripe and potato stew with fried blood), pork ribs, liver and onions, and ossobuco stew. These are all dishes that are associated with older times and traditional tabern food.
216 locals raden deze aan
Isolina Taberna Peruana
101 Av. San Martin
216 locals raden deze aan
Isolina serves many dishes using offal and seafood, including cau cau con sangrecita (tripe and potato stew with fried blood), pork ribs, liver and onions, and ossobuco stew. These are all dishes that are associated with older times and traditional tabern food.
El aguajal is one of the top places to go for authentic dishes from the Amazon region. You'll find delicacies such as Inchicapi, Juanes, Tacacho con Cecina, Patarashca, and many dishes made with Paiche, a giant fish from the Amazon River (look it up!), that also happens to be de-li-cious.
El Aguajal (Jesús María)
1498 Jr. Huiracocha
El aguajal is one of the top places to go for authentic dishes from the Amazon region. You'll find delicacies such as Inchicapi, Juanes, Tacacho con Cecina, Patarashca, and many dishes made with Paiche, a giant fish from the Amazon River (look it up!), that also happens to be de-li-cious.
This is a seafood restaurant which specializes in seafood from the Northern side of Perú, where one can find probably the best seafood in the country. Don't miss out on dishes such as Ceviche de Pescado, Arroz con Mariscos a la Norteña, Tacu Tacu Tanquecito, Arroz con Pato among many others!
10 locals raden deze aan
Restaurante El Merlin De Cabo Blanco
1500 Av. César Vallejo
10 locals raden deze aan
This is a seafood restaurant which specializes in seafood from the Northern side of Perú, where one can find probably the best seafood in the country. Don't miss out on dishes such as Ceviche de Pescado, Arroz con Mariscos a la Norteña, Tacu Tacu Tanquecito, Arroz con Pato among many others!
Huancahuasi specializes in andean food, especially from the Huancayo region (where Papa a la Huacaina comes from) so definitely do not go without starting with that appetizer made with the original recipe. Other stars among their menu are Patasca, Trucha Frita, Cuy Chactado (yes, as in guinea pig) and the list goes on!
8 locals raden deze aan
Restaurante Huancahuasi
1405 Av. Javier Prado Este
8 locals raden deze aan
Huancahuasi specializes in andean food, especially from the Huancayo region (where Papa a la Huacaina comes from) so definitely do not go without starting with that appetizer made with the original recipe. Other stars among their menu are Patasca, Trucha Frita, Cuy Chactado (yes, as in guinea pig) and the list goes on!
Second entry for Chef Héctor Solís. You'll find fresh seafood at this casual lunch joint in a rustic wooden house. Inspired by the Arequipa region’s picantería restaurants, diners select a fish from the daily catch (priced per kilo) and decide how they want it prepared, with help from kitchen staff.
20 locals raden deze aan
La Picantería
388 Francisco Moreno
20 locals raden deze aan
Second entry for Chef Héctor Solís. You'll find fresh seafood at this casual lunch joint in a rustic wooden house. Inspired by the Arequipa region’s picantería restaurants, diners select a fish from the daily catch (priced per kilo) and decide how they want it prepared, with help from kitchen staff.

Peruvian & Casual

The name of the dish is Pollo a la Brasa. You might hear the translation would be "rotisserie chicken", but hold your horses... it would have to be more like "rotisserie chicken made in heaven", this is hardly similar to any chicken you've had before. We take such pride in this dish that it has it's own national day. This is one of the best and biggest Pollo a la Brasa chains, so you might always find one near you.
60 locals raden deze aan
Pardos Chicken
595 Avenida Javier Prado Oeste
60 locals raden deze aan
The name of the dish is Pollo a la Brasa. You might hear the translation would be "rotisserie chicken", but hold your horses... it would have to be more like "rotisserie chicken made in heaven", this is hardly similar to any chicken you've had before. We take such pride in this dish that it has it's own national day. This is one of the best and biggest Pollo a la Brasa chains, so you might always find one near you.
Bembos is our own fast food chain, it offers a wide variety of burguers grilled at the moment, with Peruvian and international flavors. The burgers are as big as advertised, so definitely give it a try!
Bembos
461 Avenida José Larco
Bembos is our own fast food chain, it offers a wide variety of burguers grilled at the moment, with Peruvian and international flavors. The burgers are as big as advertised, so definitely give it a try!
A sandwich place like no other. My reccommendation: everything. This place was even named Best Fast Food Restaurant by Tripadvisor. Do not miss.
108 locals raden deze aan
La Lucha Sangucheria
308 Diagonal
108 locals raden deze aan
A sandwich place like no other. My reccommendation: everything. This place was even named Best Fast Food Restaurant by Tripadvisor. Do not miss.
Tanta is one of the restaurants owned by famous chef Gastón Acurio and it's got many locations in Lima. You'll find many signature dishes that combine traditional Peruvian cuisine with new ingredients, as well as classics. It's really good and the serving sizes are huge!
88 locals raden deze aan
Tanta
115 Pancho Fierro
88 locals raden deze aan
Tanta is one of the restaurants owned by famous chef Gastón Acurio and it's got many locations in Lima. You'll find many signature dishes that combine traditional Peruvian cuisine with new ingredients, as well as classics. It's really good and the serving sizes are huge!
Embarcadero 41 is a Seafood restaurant chain, it's got many greeat seafood dishes at affordable prices. Definitely try one of their Causas and Ceviches!
Embarcadero 41
181 183 Pasaje de José Olaya
Embarcadero 41 is a Seafood restaurant chain, it's got many greeat seafood dishes at affordable prices. Definitely try one of their Causas and Ceviches!
One of the best places in Lima to get our famous Anticuchos, which could be described as a type of beed kebab, but very different in terms of ingredients and flavor, definitely a must!
67 locals raden deze aan
El Tio Mario
Puente de los Suspiros
67 locals raden deze aan
One of the best places in Lima to get our famous Anticuchos, which could be described as a type of beed kebab, but very different in terms of ingredients and flavor, definitely a must!
Siete Sopas is a restaurant chain that specializes in soups! Many of them from traditional creole and andean recipes. Although if you ask me, the best part of dining here is the toasted bread they give as a side to the soup... just incredible. They also serve traditional Peruvian dishes if you're not feeling like soup!
15 locals raden deze aan
Siete Sopas Surquillo
609 Av. Angamos
15 locals raden deze aan
Siete Sopas is a restaurant chain that specializes in soups! Many of them from traditional creole and andean recipes. Although if you ask me, the best part of dining here is the toasted bread they give as a side to the soup... just incredible. They also serve traditional Peruvian dishes if you're not feeling like soup!
Another amazing option for Pollo a la Brasa... so good! This one is a bit pricier than the average Pollo a la Brasa restaurant... but totally worth it.
30 locals raden deze aan
Primos Chicken Bar
546 Armendariz
30 locals raden deze aan
Another amazing option for Pollo a la Brasa... so good! This one is a bit pricier than the average Pollo a la Brasa restaurant... but totally worth it.

Best in Seafood

This is also a Gaston-owned restaurant. It's his own seafood place, the creativity of its signature dishes and their own version of traditional ones make it a must in town.
210 locals raden deze aan
La mar cebichería peruana
770 Av. Mariscal La Mar
210 locals raden deze aan
This is also a Gaston-owned restaurant. It's his own seafood place, the creativity of its signature dishes and their own version of traditional ones make it a must in town.
This is part a chan of seafood restaurants that has managed to replicate a homogenic formula of fresh, delicious and accesible seafood. They have a great original ceviche recipe!
Embarcadero 41
This is part a chan of seafood restaurants that has managed to replicate a homogenic formula of fresh, delicious and accesible seafood. They have a great original ceviche recipe!
One of my favorite places for seafood, and all because of a particular dish. If you're into cilantro, this is one of the very few places that serves a ceviche marinated in a cilantro sauce... just to die for. It's right inside of Larcomar.
7 locals raden deze aan
Popular de aquí y de allá
7 locals raden deze aan
One of my favorite places for seafood, and all because of a particular dish. If you're into cilantro, this is one of the very few places that serves a ceviche marinated in a cilantro sauce... just to die for. It's right inside of Larcomar.
One of the most famous and upscale cevicherias in Lima. It's themed around the deadly sins (PeScado means fish and "Pecado" means sin), with a long and diverse menu, and unforgettable flavor!
73 locals raden deze aan
Pescados Capitales
1337 Av. Mariscal La Mar
73 locals raden deze aan
One of the most famous and upscale cevicherias in Lima. It's themed around the deadly sins (PeScado means fish and "Pecado" means sin), with a long and diverse menu, and unforgettable flavor!
This is a seafood restaurant which specializes in seafood from the Northern side of Perú, where one can find probably the best seafood in the country. Don't miss out on dishes such as Ceviche de Pescado, Arroz con Mariscos a la Norteña, Tacu Tacu Tanquecito, Arroz con Pato among many others!
El Merlín de Cabo Blanco (Av. La Mar)
This is a seafood restaurant which specializes in seafood from the Northern side of Perú, where one can find probably the best seafood in the country. Don't miss out on dishes such as Ceviche de Pescado, Arroz con Mariscos a la Norteña, Tacu Tacu Tanquecito, Arroz con Pato among many others!