TO EAT AND DRINK
It’s hard to go wrong in Lima. Honestly, everything is delicious. The best of the best are of course Central (currently ranked #2 in the world!), Maido, and Astrid y Gaston to name a few. Here’s a list of the upscale restaurants, but honestly you can find some real gems not on this list. For example, Punto Azul in Miraflores has great ceviche and a more casual feel. Al Toke Pez has a cult following and was featured in Netflix’s Street Foods Latin America series.
PRO TIP: We highly recommend watching the Chef’s Table episode about Central for a gorgeous introduction to Peruvian ecology, environment, culture and history through food!
More than restaurants, here are the foods you need eat in order of our favorites:
ceviche - Juan loves the classic fish ceviche with a side of chicharron de calamar. It’s better to have this during lunch. The spicier the better.
lomo saltado - this is a Peruvian staple: a steak stir fry with onions and tomatoes served with rice and fries.
aji de gallina - a delicious, creamy chicken dish served with rice
pollo a la brasa - the best chicken you’ll ever have, slowly cooked on rotisserie and marinated with some delicious flavors
chifa - given Peru’s significant asian population, we have had a long tradition of Chinese food with a Peruvian twist. We call it Chifa.
butifarras - a delicious snack while on the go, a marinated pork sandwich
anticuchos - you need to have the traditional anticuchos made of cow heart, it’s delicious trust me.
picarones - a delicious snack you can find on the street, it’s like a fried doughnut made of squash and sweet potato drizzled with syrup.
sushi - the strong Japanese influence has made Peruvian sushi some of the best in the world
If you do hope to dine at one of the top restaurants in Lima, definitely try to get reservations as far in advance as possible; many restaurants only start taking reservations 60 days out.
And here are some restaurants in Miraflores that you could check out, they range from affordable to pricey.
Pardo’s Chicken (pollo a la brasa)
Panchita (traditional Peruvian)
La Picanteria (ceviche)
Punto Azul (ceviche)
Madam Tusan (chifa)
El Pan de la Chola (breakfast, brunch, coffee)
Al Toke Pez (ceviche)
Beso Francés Crepería (sweets with a great view of the Pacific)
K.O. Asian Kitchen (sushi)
Mercado 28 (urban food market)
La Lucha Sangucheria (delicious sandwiches)
Tanta in Larcomar (traditional Peruvian, great view of ocean)
to do
Circuito Magics del Agua (aka Parque de Aguas) – one of our favorite nighttime activities in Lima, an elaborate fountain and light show! If you’re headed this way, get lunch at nearby Mi Barrunto for some delicious ceviche.
Parque Kennedy – if you’re staying in Miraflores, this is a great place to stroll through and enjoy world-famous picarones – the piping-hot fried dough covered in honey that the park is known for.
Parque del Amor – enjoy the ocean breeze in this scenic park along the Peruvian cliff in Miraflores. (for any daredevils, you can paraglide off the edge!)
Museum circuit – Lima is home to a suite of great museums, ranging from Museo de Art de Lima (MALI) where you can experience 3000 years of art in Peru to one of the oldest catacombs in South America. Pro tip: on Sunday admission to MALI is just one sol
VISITING BARRANCO
Barranco is the artsy / bohemian neighborhood of Lima. It has many great restaurants and bars, and places to stroll around and run into cool street art. You can start by visiting the main square in Barranco and then stroll around nearby park and find el “Puente de suspiros”, a small old wooden bridge built in 1876. The bridge will connect you to another set of parks, or you can walk down the “Bajada de los Banos”, a walkway that connects Barranco to the Pacific Ocean. This is a great place to stroll and even better place to catch the sunset. As far as food, Isolina Taberna Peruana is the place to go for some traditional Criolla Peruvian food, while Amoramar and La Canta Rana are great for Peruvian ceviche and seafood. For authentic drinks like a pisco sour or chilcano, head to Juanito de Barranco, a beloved 1930s bar. The space is small, with walls covered in posters advertising local art shows and theater performances. For a hopping nightlife scene, sip cocktails at Ayahuasca, a bar and restaurant located in the 19th-century Berninzon Mansion.
Getting around
Stick to Ubers. unless you speak Spanish, are familiar with taxi prices, and love to haggle – then take your chances on negotiating a price with a local taxi.
WHERE to stay
Favorite neighborhoods: Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro. there are plenty of hotel options (including familiar chains) and Airnbnbs.
Here are a few options to consider in Miraflores:
Aloft Lima Miraflores $
Casa Andina Premium Miraflores $$
AC Hotel by Marriott Miraflores $$
