Peru and Lima in particular is a must-visit for foodies. For the eighth consecutive year in 2019 Peru has been named best culinary destination in the world by the World Travel Awards. For anyone having visited the country before, this doesn't come as a surprise - the ingredients, the preparation, the cooking, the food is simply out of this world. Lima is home to six out of the best 20 restaurants in Latin America, two of them made it into the world's top ten. Besides the capital's world renowned restaurants, the city hosts vibrant international food festivals and top notch culinary tours. Let's dig in!
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
Pisco Sour and Ceviche Making Class
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
In the culinary capital of the world, you will of course find dozens of companies offering food tours such as Food Tour Lima, who offers a range of excellent food tours. Then the Lima Gourmet Company, based in Barranco were also absolutely exceptional. These guys offer a daytime and evening experience, but the daytime experience, which I did, has the added bonus of visiting a food market and going to Barranco’s most famous coffee shop. So let’s talk about this one.
Top Tip: Make sure you don’t have an early dinner reservation that day. You will be stuffed after the tour!
After you’re picked up from your accommodation by a very knowledgeable local guide (and driver), you start off by visiting a local food market showcasing dozens of rare Amazonian fruit you will have likely never heard of. Yes I know what you think – seen it, done it. But this tour is different.
Lima Culinary Guide - Food market visit during the Lima Culinary Tour
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
Pisco Sour and Ceviche Making Class
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
Apart from these very high-end and exclusive two, Lima offers an uncountable number of other amazing restaurants to get your taste buds going. One of my personal favourites and one that certainly deserves to be on the list for the best restaurants in Lima is Amoramar in Barranco. From the outside barely distinguishable as a restaurant, once the gate opens, you step into a stunning and beautifully designed courtyard. This is a place you want to check out in good weather.
Additionally the below are some of the best restaurants in Lima worth checking out:
Isolina – Down to earth Peruvian Tavern. Stews, beers and Andean specialities
Edo Sushi Bar – Cheap and cheerful, tasty, fresh Japanese fusion and sushi. Edo runs a handful of restaurants throughout Lima
Culinary and Food Tours Lima
In the culinary capital of the world, you will of course find dozens of companies offering food tours such as Food Tour Lima, who offers a range of excellent food tours. Then the Lima Gourmet Company, based in Barranco were also absolutely exceptional. These guys offer a daytime and evening experience, but the daytime experience, which I did, has the added bonus of visiting a food market and going to Barranco’s most famous coffee shop. So let’s talk about this one.
Top Tip: Make sure you don’t have an early dinner reservation that day. You will be stuffed after the tour!
After you’re picked up from your accommodation by a very knowledgeable local guide (and driver), you start off by visiting a local food market showcasing dozens of rare Amazonian fruit you will have likely never heard of. Yes I know what you think – seen it, done it. But this tour is different.
Lima Culinary Guide - Food market visit during the Lima Culinary Tour
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
Pisco Sour and Ceviche Making Class
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
For three years in a row since 2017 two Lima based restaurants, Central and Maido, have made it into the world’s top ten best restaurants and of course are two of the best restaurants in Lima. Central, now located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco, has been the world’s number 4 both in 2015 and 2016. On top of that Maido, offering Peruvian Japanese fusion called Nikkei Cuisine, was awarded best restaurant in Latin America last year. Both of them are inarguably two of the best restaurants in Lima.
To get a glimpse into the cooking of Central’s head chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz or Maido’s Mitsuharu Tsumura, reservations must be made months in advance and even then getting a table at least for dinner is often a challenge. But there is another way! If you’re a solo traveller (might even work for couples) you might take a chance and just try a walk-in early or late for lunch. Nothing to lose! Occasionally they do have a spot left at the bar, which also gives you incredible views into the open kitchen.
I took a chance and walked in to Maido without a booking for dinner a couple of years ago. To my pleasant surprise, I got a spot at the bar.
Lima Culinary Guide - Central - One of the world's top 10 and one of the best restaurants in Lima
Apart from these very high-end and exclusive two, Lima offers an uncountable number of other amazing restaurants to get your taste buds going. One of my personal favourites and one that certainly deserves to be on the list for the best restaurants in Lima is Amoramar in Barranco. From the outside barely distinguishable as a restaurant, once the gate opens, you step into a stunning and beautifully designed courtyard. This is a place you want to check out in good weather.
Additionally the below are some of the best restaurants in Lima worth checking out:
Isolina – Down to earth Peruvian Tavern. Stews, beers and Andean specialities
Edo Sushi Bar – Cheap and cheerful, tasty, fresh Japanese fusion and sushi. Edo runs a handful of restaurants throughout Lima
Culinary and Food Tours Lima
In the culinary capital of the world, you will of course find dozens of companies offering food tours such as Food Tour Lima, who offers a range of excellent food tours. Then the Lima Gourmet Company, based in Barranco were also absolutely exceptional. These guys offer a daytime and evening experience, but the daytime experience, which I did, has the added bonus of visiting a food market and going to Barranco’s most famous coffee shop. So let’s talk about this one.
Top Tip: Make sure you don’t have an early dinner reservation that day. You will be stuffed after the tour!
After you’re picked up from your accommodation by a very knowledgeable local guide (and driver), you start off by visiting a local food market showcasing dozens of rare Amazonian fruit you will have likely never heard of. Yes I know what you think – seen it, done it. But this tour is different.
Lima Culinary Guide - Food market visit during the Lima Culinary Tour
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
Pisco Sour and Ceviche Making Class
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
Many people travelling to Peru have only one aim; Cuzco, seeing Machu Picchu and maybe hiking the Inca Trail. And yes, I agree Machu Picchu is worth a visit (or two or three), but people sometimes forget the other thing Peru is famous for – its food! Let yourself be taken on a Peruvian culinary journey – welcome to your Lima Culinary Guide and an introduction to the best restaurants in Lima!
Planning itineraries for my clients, I heard the same sentence all over again “We want to skip Lima entirely”, or “We don’t have time to visit Lima”. And each time I would throw my hands up in despair.
Granted, I am a a bit biased because I have lived in Lima for half a year during my graduate studies falling in love with the city. There is no other place I have been to where the food is as good. And I’m not just talking about Lima’s high end, top restaurants but also the more “normal” ones. Peruvians simply know how to combine ingredients and prepare dishes in a tasty way.
Peru’s food culture is heavily influenced by the Japanese cuisine as a large number of Japanese immigrated to Peru in the late 19th century. And that’s where the cuisine’s exquisiteness comes from. Peru’s national dish, Ceviche, raw slices of fish marinated in an acidic mix of lemon, onions, chili and coriander reminds me a lot of common Japanese dishes made with raw fish. The Sushi in Peru is just as amazing as the region’s typical Andean meat-based dishes.
Lima Culinary Guide -Nikkei - Peruvian/Japanese Fusion Cuisine - The best restaurants in Lima
Where to dine - the best restaurants in Lima
For three years in a row since 2017 two Lima based restaurants, Central and Maido, have made it into the world’s top ten best restaurants and of course are two of the best restaurants in Lima. Central, now located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco, has been the world’s number 4 both in 2015 and 2016. On top of that Maido, offering Peruvian Japanese fusion called Nikkei Cuisine, was awarded best restaurant in Latin America last year. Both of them are inarguably two of the best restaurants in Lima.
To get a glimpse into the cooking of Central’s head chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz or Maido’s Mitsuharu Tsumura, reservations must be made months in advance and even then getting a table at least for dinner is often a challenge. But there is another way! If you’re a solo traveller (might even work for couples) you might take a chance and just try a walk-in early or late for lunch. Nothing to lose! Occasionally they do have a spot left at the bar, which also gives you incredible views into the open kitchen.
I took a chance and walked in to Maido without a booking for dinner a couple of years ago. To my pleasant surprise, I got a spot at the bar.
Lima Culinary Guide - Central - One of the world's top 10 and one of the best restaurants in Lima
Apart from these very high-end and exclusive two, Lima offers an uncountable number of other amazing restaurants to get your taste buds going. One of my personal favourites and one that certainly deserves to be on the list for the best restaurants in Lima is Amoramar in Barranco. From the outside barely distinguishable as a restaurant, once the gate opens, you step into a stunning and beautifully designed courtyard. This is a place you want to check out in good weather.
Additionally the below are some of the best restaurants in Lima worth checking out:
Isolina – Down to earth Peruvian Tavern. Stews, beers and Andean specialities
Edo Sushi Bar – Cheap and cheerful, tasty, fresh Japanese fusion and sushi. Edo runs a handful of restaurants throughout Lima
Culinary and Food Tours Lima
In the culinary capital of the world, you will of course find dozens of companies offering food tours such as Food Tour Lima, who offers a range of excellent food tours. Then the Lima Gourmet Company, based in Barranco were also absolutely exceptional. These guys offer a daytime and evening experience, but the daytime experience, which I did, has the added bonus of visiting a food market and going to Barranco’s most famous coffee shop. So let’s talk about this one.
Top Tip: Make sure you don’t have an early dinner reservation that day. You will be stuffed after the tour!
After you’re picked up from your accommodation by a very knowledgeable local guide (and driver), you start off by visiting a local food market showcasing dozens of rare Amazonian fruit you will have likely never heard of. Yes I know what you think – seen it, done it. But this tour is different.
Lima Culinary Guide - Food market visit during the Lima Culinary Tour
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
Pisco Sour and Ceviche Making Class
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
Spoil your taste buds in Lima - the world's top culinary destination
Table of Contents
Many people travelling to Peru have only one aim; Cuzco, seeing Machu Picchu and maybe hiking the Inca Trail. And yes, I agree Machu Picchu is worth a visit (or two or three), but people sometimes forget the other thing Peru is famous for – its food! Let yourself be taken on a Peruvian culinary journey – welcome to your Lima Culinary Guide and an introduction to the best restaurants in Lima!
Planning itineraries for my clients, I heard the same sentence all over again “We want to skip Lima entirely”, or “We don’t have time to visit Lima”. And each time I would throw my hands up in despair.
Granted, I am a a bit biased because I have lived in Lima for half a year during my graduate studies falling in love with the city. There is no other place I have been to where the food is as good. And I’m not just talking about Lima’s high end, top restaurants but also the more “normal” ones. Peruvians simply know how to combine ingredients and prepare dishes in a tasty way.
Peru’s food culture is heavily influenced by the Japanese cuisine as a large number of Japanese immigrated to Peru in the late 19th century. And that’s where the cuisine’s exquisiteness comes from. Peru’s national dish, Ceviche, raw slices of fish marinated in an acidic mix of lemon, onions, chili and coriander reminds me a lot of common Japanese dishes made with raw fish. The Sushi in Peru is just as amazing as the region’s typical Andean meat-based dishes.
Lima Culinary Guide -Nikkei - Peruvian/Japanese Fusion Cuisine - The best restaurants in Lima
Where to dine - the best restaurants in Lima
For three years in a row since 2017 two Lima based restaurants, Central and Maido, have made it into the world’s top ten best restaurants and of course are two of the best restaurants in Lima. Central, now located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco, has been the world’s number 4 both in 2015 and 2016. On top of that Maido, offering Peruvian Japanese fusion called Nikkei Cuisine, was awarded best restaurant in Latin America last year. Both of them are inarguably two of the best restaurants in Lima.
To get a glimpse into the cooking of Central’s head chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz or Maido’s Mitsuharu Tsumura, reservations must be made months in advance and even then getting a table at least for dinner is often a challenge. But there is another way! If you’re a solo traveller (might even work for couples) you might take a chance and just try a walk-in early or late for lunch. Nothing to lose! Occasionally they do have a spot left at the bar, which also gives you incredible views into the open kitchen.
I took a chance and walked in to Maido without a booking for dinner a couple of years ago. To my pleasant surprise, I got a spot at the bar.
Lima Culinary Guide - Central - One of the world's top 10 and one of the best restaurants in Lima
Apart from these very high-end and exclusive two, Lima offers an uncountable number of other amazing restaurants to get your taste buds going. One of my personal favourites and one that certainly deserves to be on the list for the best restaurants in Lima is Amoramar in Barranco. From the outside barely distinguishable as a restaurant, once the gate opens, you step into a stunning and beautifully designed courtyard. This is a place you want to check out in good weather.
Additionally the below are some of the best restaurants in Lima worth checking out:
Isolina – Down to earth Peruvian Tavern. Stews, beers and Andean specialities
Edo Sushi Bar – Cheap and cheerful, tasty, fresh Japanese fusion and sushi. Edo runs a handful of restaurants throughout Lima
Culinary and Food Tours Lima
In the culinary capital of the world, you will of course find dozens of companies offering food tours such as Food Tour Lima, who offers a range of excellent food tours. Then the Lima Gourmet Company, based in Barranco were also absolutely exceptional. These guys offer a daytime and evening experience, but the daytime experience, which I did, has the added bonus of visiting a food market and going to Barranco’s most famous coffee shop. So let’s talk about this one.
Top Tip: Make sure you don’t have an early dinner reservation that day. You will be stuffed after the tour!
After you’re picked up from your accommodation by a very knowledgeable local guide (and driver), you start off by visiting a local food market showcasing dozens of rare Amazonian fruit you will have likely never heard of. Yes I know what you think – seen it, done it. But this tour is different.
Lima Culinary Guide - Food market visit during the Lima Culinary Tour
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
Pisco Sour and Ceviche Making Class
The next stop is a restaurant in Miraflores, where your group (maximum of 6) enjoys a private Ceviche and Pisco Sour class. Whereas Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Pisco Sour is the country’s national drink (sorry Chilenos, I know you’re claiming Pisco as well). The mixing of the fish with the lime is as a treat for the eyes as well, as you can see the fish “cook” in the acidity of the lime juice.
Lima Culinary Guide - Pisco Sour Masterclass
Lima Culinary Guide - Huaca Pucllana - one of the best restaurants in Lima
By then you’re already pretty full. But another highlight is yet to come. You’ll get to taste an assortment of delicious Peruvian dishes and desserts over looking the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana. With this fantastic experience touching on all senses, the food tour comes to an end.
Mistura Food Festival
Besides exploring the Peruvian culinary delicacies in the best restaurants in Lima, the city hosts South America’s largest food festival every September – Mistura. Farmers from around the country sell their produce, restaurants advertise mouth watering dishes and celebrity chefs put on life cooking performances. Indulge in some of the country’s rarest delicacies and be amazed by the incredible number of colourful types of corn and potatoes.
The festival goes on for 10 days and if you’re planning to be in Peru around September time, it’s another must-do for foodies!
So if you’re booking a trip to Peru, leave at least a couple of days for this fantastic culinary metropole and follow this culinary guide to pre-book the best restaurants in Lima – your taste buds won’t regret it!
For a selection of amazing foods around the world check out this mouthwatering post by the Creative Travel Guide.
Besides tasting flavours your brain can’t even comprehend, you learn how to be able determine the freshness of seafood. Did you know that a fresh scallop will not stick to its shell when turned upside down?
You’ll then grab a coffee at Tostaduría Bisetti, arguably Lima’s most famous coffee shop. It’s been around for over 60 years, its coffee, which is roasted in the back of the shop has won numerous awards and frankly, after one of their coffees and pastries, you’re off to a great start.
I love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 May
All that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
I love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]
Hi, I am Toni – Adventurer and Travel Addict and I’m so happy you’re here!
I’ve been working in travel ever since graduating from uni and I’m really excited to share my travel experience, tips and tricks with flashpackers looking for that extra special journey!
7 Comments
EvBeing
Posted at 15:22h, 09 MayI love Pisco Sour ❤️The food looks delicous and the fruits in the market Good to know about the festival definitely a good time to visit in September!
limitlesssecrets
Posted at 17:11h, 09 MayAll that food made me so hungry! I am a foodista myself but I didn’t know that Peru was such a great place for the food scene. You motivated me to check that out!
The Ginger Wanderlust
Posted at 19:40h, 09 MayO yum! everything looks so good! I still haven’t made it to South America but pinning this for a future trip, thanks!
Lyne
Posted at 20:18h, 09 MayI love trying new food! All those tours and restaurants seems amazing, the Mitsura festival sounds like a lot of fun with all those delicious foods and dishes 🙂
passportforliving
Posted at 23:34h, 09 MaySouth America’s largest food festival sounds like a winner to me! Adding to bucket list!
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Posted at 18:18h, 26 February[…] Whist in Peru, make sure to visit the cities and try the amazing Lima food! […]
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Posted at 22:39h, 06 June[…] So you’ve visited all of Lima’s highlights and main attractions while indulging in the city’s incredible culinary delights? Great, let’s see what else is […]