Our Top Restaurants in Lima
Where to eat when traveling to Lima
Mar
18
2025
The top restaurants in Lima have been selected by The Hungry Post and presented by:
The best advice we can give when planning a trip to Lima is this: book your restaurants before you even buy your plane ticket.
Lima, widely considered the gastronomic capital of Latin America, is a vibrant city where flavors from Chinese, Japanese, and Italian cuisines have blended with Peruvian ingredients. This global influence has helped shape one of the most exciting food destinations in the world.
At the heart of this culinary evolution is Gastón Acurio, the chef who put Peruvian cuisine on the world stage. His talent and recognition opened the door for a new generation of chefs—Virgilio Martínez, Pía León, Rafael Osterling, and Mitsuharu Tsumura—who continue to push the boundaries of Peruvian food, redefining tradition while honoring the country’s rich heritage.
Lima is a playground for the curious, where food is central to the culture, and travelers are truly “flying for food.” We recommend planning at least four full days in the city, but if you can stretch it to five, even better. You’ll love it here. The Peruvian energy is undeniable—every person you meet will greet you with warmth and hospitality. And los Limeños get it. They know why you’re here and take pride in the fact that you’ve come for one reason: to eat, and to eat well.
We’ve put together a list of restaurants that range from fine dining to more casual spots. Some are classics, and some are gems that all the locals are raving about. Follow along for a mix of spots that will give you an idea of the diversity that exists in Lima.
MÉRITO
Neighborhood: Barranco
Address: Jr, 28 De Julio 206
Cuisine: Venezuelan, Peruvian
Go here for our favorite restaurant in Lima.
Mérito, ranked #8 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, offers one of the best dining experiences in Lima, blending Peruvian and Venezuelan flavors in unexpected ways. Chef Juan Luis Martínez, who trained at Central, Martín Berasategui, and DiverXo, has created something truly unique.
From the outside, Mérito may look like a tiny Japanese alley restaurant, but inside, it’s an entirely different experience. You enter through the kitchen, and if you book the kitchen bar downstairs, it feels like you’re sitting at a friend’s kitchen counter—except, let’s be honest, your friend’s kitchen is not this spotless. Every detail is meticulously planned, from the rock display showcasing unique Peruvian produce to the seamless precision with which the chefs work together.
Go a la carte and start with the Curry de Pez, served with an incredibly soft, house-made pita that soaks up every bit of the sauce. One of the most surprising dishes is Maíz, Café, Lúcuma y Macambo. At first glance, it looks like a thick Japanese milk bread, but once you take a bite, the flavors are deep, nutty, and slightly sweet. And the flan? This is not your standard Latin American flan. This one will completely change your expectations.
Before you leave Lima, check out Chef Juan Luis’s other spots—Clon, the more casual sister restaurant of Mérito, and Demo, where you must go for brunch. Yes, they have cachitos, cachapas con queso, and their take on eggs Benedict with arepas de choclo.
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LA NIÑA
Neighborhood: Miraflores
Address: Av. Angamos Oeste 598
Cuisine: Peruvian, Latin American
Go here for some of the best flavors Lima has to offer.
Don’t skip La Niña. An amazing, approachable yet refined take on Peru’s rich biodiversity through cuisine. Located in Miraflores, La Niña shares the space with their wine bar, Curador, and their more casual concept, Cruzas, which offers a modern twist on rustic dishes like Muchame de Atún and Apanado de Carne con Tallarines Verdes.
Although we didn’t sit down for a full meal here, this was our introduction to Peruvian cuisine, and we can confidently say we’d go for the tasting menu next time—the flavors were some of the best we experienced during our trip.
We had a unique experience at La Niña, arriving at 10 a.m. to hang out with Chef Andrés Orellana and his team as they prepped some dishes. We even tried uni in its purest form, straight from the sea urchin. La Niña is all about bringing the strong history of Peruvian food to life via its dishes, and it’s a place we’d love to revisit.
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ISOLINA TABERNA PERUANA
Neighborhood: Barranco
Address: Av. San Martín 101
Cuisine: Peruvian
Go here for the best Seco de Asado de Tira and Ají de Gallina.
If it’s your first time in Lima, Isolina is a must. Located in the hipster neighborhood of Barranco, known for its coffee shops and vibrant restaurant scene, this classic Peruvian taberna serves nostalgic, home-cooked comfort food. Open since 2015 and named after his mother, Chef José del Castillo honors family recipes that celebrate Peru’s culinary heritage.
Set in a brightly lit, two-story space with wooden tables, open windows, and traditional balcones Limeños, the atmosphere is lively and inviting. Our favorite dishes? The Seco de Asado de Tira con Arroz y Frijoles Canarios and the Ají de Gallina with a side of rice. Portions are generous, so come with at least four people and grab a seat on the ground floor to catch all the action. If you don’t have a reservation, arrive 10 minutes before opening—there’s usually a small line.
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LA PICANTERÍA
Neighborhood: Surquillo
Address: Sta. Rosa 388
Cuisine: Seafood
Go here for the best ceviche.
We wouldn’t have discovered La Picantería without Be Part of the Journey, a travel consultancy that tailors your Lima itinerary based on personal preferences. Thanks to them, we connected with Chef Miguel Hernández, who showed us around Surquillo, a thriving culinary neighborhood.
For a truly local experience, head to La Picantería, where Chef Héctor Solís serves up some of Lima’s best ceviche in a restored Spanish Colonial mansion.
Picanterías, originally from Arequipa, were places for eating and drinking chicha, and this spot keeps that tradition alive. Pick your fish from the market-style display and try the best classic ceviche, complete with well-balanced and aromatic leche de tigre. Arrive early to grab a table and order a refreshing Pisco Sour. If you’re in Surquillo, also check out La Capitana and Al Toke Pez.
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KJOLLE
Neighborhood: Barranco
Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301
Cuisine: Peruvian
Go here for the restaurant we believe is on its way to becoming #1 on the 50 Best list.
Kjolle, located on the second floor of the same building as Central and led by chef Pia León, offers a more relaxed atmosphere, with a shorter, easier-to-digest storytelling experience while you enjoy your meal. Currently ranked number 16 on the 50 Best List, we think it’s on its way to becoming one of the best in the world.
With one round of drinks, this dinner for two will cost you around $500. The tasting menu features seven savory dishes and two desserts. Some of our favorite dishes included the Corvina Y Navajas with lulo, quinua blanca (white quinoa), and camote, as well as the Costilla De Vaca with corn, tumbo (a cousin of the passion fruit), and smoky ají mochero. The last dessert, Theobromas Mater, was particularly memorable and educational, as the team took us to a special room to introduce us to the Theombra family, featuring cacao, copazu, and macambo, just before we dug into some amazing chocolate-forward flavors.
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CHIFA TITI
Neighborhood: San Isidro
Address: Av. Javier Prado Este 1212
Cuisine: Chifa (Peruvian-Chinese)
Go here with a big group for the best Chifa.
Chifa Titi, known simply as TITI to regulars, is an institution for Chifa cuisine—a blend of Peruvian and Cantonese flavors that has been a staple in Lima for over a century. This classic family spot is the place for expertly executed Chifa-style cooking.
Chef Bruce Loo Chan, a third-generation chef, continues the legacy with dishes meant to be shared. We recommend going with a big group so you can try more dishes. Make sure to order the Pato al Sillao, a must-try soy-marinated duck. If you want to try something different, Titi is known for its vast variety of duck preparations, including garlic sauce, oyster sauce, and even orange sauce.
Other highlights include the Titi-Styled Squid, dumplings from the dim sum section—options include shrimp; pork, and prawn; or chicken and turnip—and their take on fried rice, known as Chaufa. We went for the Arroz Thai, a flavorful mix of raisins, pineapple, and cashews.
MAIDO
Neighborhood: Miraflores
Address: Ca. San Martín No. 399
Cuisine: Nikkei
Go here for the best nigiris in Lima.
Maido by Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura is currently ranked No. 5 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, offering a Nikkei experience that blends Peruvian and Japanese flavors.
The moment you step into the second-floor dining room, the entire team greets you with a loud “Maido!”—which means “welcome” in Japanese—setting the tone for the meal.
While Maido offers a tasting menu, we loved going à la carte during lunch, especially for the nigiris. Some of our favorites included the tableside toro, carved and torched right in front of you, the a lo pobre nigiri, featuring thinly sliced Angus beef with a ponzu-infused quail egg, and the scallop nigiri with uni.
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TOMO
Neighborhood: Miraflores
Address: Francisco de Paula Camino 260
Cuisine: Nikkei
Go here if you’re going out and want to kick off the night with a local Nikkei experience.
Tomo is a trendy local Nikkei spot, recommended by our friend who knows all the best places to eat in Lima. The rooftop is where you want to dine and enjoy their delicious sushi and nigiris—especially if Maido is out of your budget. And lucky for us, the restaurant was founded by Francisco Sime and Jeremy Lopez Osorio, both former Itamaes (master sushi chefs) at Maido.
We started with the Tobiche, their unique take on an ají amarillo ceviche, finished with “water caviar” or cushuro, bite-sized algae balls, and paired with crispy calamari karaage for added crunch. The Acebichado Roll was our favorite roll, featuring ebi furai (a crunchier version of shrimp tempura), palta (avocado), smoked ají amarillo, green onions, and a sprinkle of togarashi. We also loved the Sanguchito de Panceta and the Sanguchito de Pesca, both topped with a delicious Nikkei tartar sauce. Do us a favor and don’t leave without trying the Chocolate Cake.
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EL MERCADO
Neighborhood: Miraflores
Address: Av. Hipólito Unanue 203
Cuisine: Peruvian, seafood
Go here if you want to go Lima’s version of Contramar.
El Mercado by Chef Rafael Osterling (also behind the renowned restaurant Rafael), pays homage to the Peruvian cevichería. We think of it as the “Contramar of Lima,” a spot loved by both locals and tourists who embrace the art of sobremesa, lingering for hours with a cocktail in hand. Completely outdoors and always lively, it’s the best place for a relaxed, extended lunch.
The menu celebrates seasonal ingredients and seafood, with dishes that draw global influences. Don’t miss the Tostas Teotihuacan, a tuna tostada with salsa macha and pâté de mejillones, or the petit Tuna Burger al carbon. We also loved the Conchas Reggiana, with burnt butter cream, parmesan cheese, and confit garlic, as well as the Conchas del Griego with Pisco butter, ají amarillo, and fresh oregano. If it’s available, the Cocktail de Puerto, featuring uni, scallops, and leche de Pantera, is a must-try.
It’s always packed, and if you’re from Lima, you’re bound to run into familiar faces. Make sure to reserve a table before 1 PM on Saturdays, as they typically only take walk-ins after that.
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CENTRAL
Neighborhood: Barranco
Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301
Cuisine: Peruvian
Go here if you want to experience the #1 restaurant in the World (50 Best in 2023).
Central should be at the top of your list if you live and breathe fine dining and are on a mission to check off the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
As the number one restaurant in the world according to the 50 Best list in 2023, Central offers more than just a meal—it’s an immersive, three-hour journey through Peru’s biodiversity.
The 13-course tasting menu by Chef Virgilio Martínez is a deep dive into the country’s ecosystems, exploring the “why” and the “how” behind each dish. To fully appreciate the experience, we recommend watching one of the Netflix documentaries featuring Central “Chef’s Table” (Season 3, Episode 6) and “Virgilio” (2023) —it will give you a visual preview of what to expect and enhance your night.
This is an experience for the truly curious—those who want to listen, learn, and understand the story behind every detail. Everything at Central has a purpose, and if you care about that level of storytelling, especially as a creative looking to get lost in it—this is the place for you.
Of course, dining at one of the world’s best restaurants comes at a price. Expect to spend at least $500 per person.
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