Discover the best restaurants. Experience the tradition and creativity of Lima’s cuisine.
For food lovers visiting Peru, Lima is a must-see destination. Its cuisine, one of the most renowned in the world, is a unique blend of traditional flavors and global influences. Discovering Lima’s gastronomy allows tourists to immerse themselves in a complete cultural experience.
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Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes such as ceviche, a national dish made with fresh fish marinated in lemon juice, and anticucho, a popular street food consisting of grilled meat. They can also try causa limeña, tacu tacu, nikkei dishes, and chifa dishes, which reflect the history of Japanese and Chinese immigration to Lima.
The city offers everything from local markets and street stalls, where you can sample authentic cuisine at affordable prices, to haute cuisine restaurants helmed by internationally recognized chefs. Additionally, gastronomic tours guide tourists through the best flavors of Lima, showing them not only the food but also the history and traditions behind each dish.
In short, gastronomy is one of the best ways for tourists to experience Peruvian culture and enjoy its fresh and varied flavors steeped in history.
The Best Restaurants in Lima
Maido is a restaurant in Lima
Recognized worldwide for its innovative Nikkei cuisine, which fuses Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions, Maido is one of Lima’s most prestigious restaurants. Headed by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, Maido was highlighted as number one on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2025.
Address and contact information:
Address: San Martín 399, Miraflores, Lima, Peru.
Telephone: +51 (01) 313-5100.
Website: maido.pe
Gastronomic Experience: Offers a tasting menu called the “Nikkei Experience,” consisting of more than ten dishes that blend Peruvian ingredients with Japanese techniques.
Maido’s tasting menu, the “Nikkei Experience,” consists of more than ten dishes that combine Peruvian ingredients with Japanese techniques. Among the most outstanding dishes are:
The Triple: avocado, egg, tomato, and braised pork belly (chashu).
Caracoles al sillao: snails with yellow chili foam and Nikkei sauce.
– Squid ramen with Amazonian sausage, duck meatball, and nigiri.
Maido also uses ingredients from the Amazon rainforest, such as paiche and yucca, to provide a unique and authentic culinary experience.
Prices and Options:
Tasting menu: approximately 559 soles (about US$140) per person.
The tasting menu with wine pairing costs around 948 soles (US$240) per person.
Vegetarian menu: 350 soles (US$87) per person.
There are also à la carte options with varied prices.
Opening hours:
Lunch: Monday to Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dinner: Monday to Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Reservations:
Due to high demand, reservations are recommended and can be made in advance through the official website. You can also call to check for availability or cancellations.
Read diners’ opinions.
Maido is highly praised for its creativity, the quality of its ingredients, and its service. Some customers mention that the saltiness of certain dishes may exceed expectations, but the overall experience is very positive.
Kjolle is Pía León’s restaurant
Kjolle is the personal restaurant of Peruvian chef Pía León, which opened in 2018 in Lima’s Barranco district. The restaurant’s name comes from an Andean flower known for its resilience and vitality — qualities that reflect Kjolle’s philosophy of vibrant, diverse cuisine connected to the land.
Kjolle’s mission is to showcase Peru’s biodiversity, from the coast to the jungle to the Andes. The ingredients are presented authentically, without excessive manipulation, to highlight their natural flavors. Additionally, Kjolle prioritizes sustainability and waste reduction, making the most of each ingredient.
One of its most notable dishes is “Many Tubers,” a combination of olluco and oca on a cañihua base that showcases the richness of Andean tubers. Other notable dishes include lobster with coconut, cecina, and crab; and beef ribs with corn, tumbo, and ají mochero.
The restaurant primarily offers a seven- to nine-course tasting menu, though à la carte options are also available. The prices reflect the high quality of the cuisine and ingredients, establishing the restaurant as a notable international gastronomic destination.
Kjolle has a modern yet warm atmosphere, with a design that incorporates local materials like wood, stone, and handmade ceramics. The natural-toned decor with yellow accents—the chef’s favorite color—reinforces the restaurant’s identity.
MÉRITO: Latin American haute cuisine
Mérito is a restaurant located in Barranco (Lima) founded in 2018 by Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez, who had previously worked at Central. His concept consists of a fusion of Venezuelan cuisine and Peruvian ingredients, with the aim of creating a unique identity that celebrates the biodiversity and tradition of both countries.
The restaurant is located in an old adobe mansion that retains its rustic character. On the ground floor, diners have direct access to the kitchen, creating an intimate and sensory experience, while the upper floor offers more relaxed and cozy spaces. The décor combines wood, clay, and earthy tones, conveying warmth and simplicity.
The menu is varied and creative, with dishes that are constantly being reinvented. Highlights include grilled corn with mature cheese and huacatay, conchas with sanki and jalapeño, octopus with yacón and cachushuros, glazed pancetta with arepas, and for dessert, grilled cherimoya or the iconic “chocolate rock.” There is also a tasting menu that sums up the restaurant’s philosophy. The cocktail bar offers original combinations such as Cinnamon Spice (pisco, cinnamon, and apple) or Coconut Anise (rum, coconut, and passion fruit), as well as a carefully selected wine list.
In just a few years, Mérito has carved out a niche for itself in the world of gastronomy. In 2024, Food & Wine magazine named it the Best International Restaurant. It ranked eighth on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list that year and reached 26th place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025. These accolades reflect the impact of its innovative approach and the commitment of its team.
With its intimate, creative, and welcoming atmosphere, Mérito has become an essential destination on Lima’s and Latin America’s gastronomic scenes, ideal for those seeking a unique experience that combines flavor, identity, and contemporary style.
Mayta: Contemporary Peruvian haute cuisine
Mayta is a restaurant owned by Peruvian chef Jaime Pesaque. It opened in 2008 and is currently located in Miraflores, Lima. Its name, which means “noble land” in Aymara, reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of serving contemporary Peruvian cuisine that is based on local ingredients and modern techniques with an innovative take on tradition.
Mayta offers tasting menus that showcase Peru’s biodiversity, with an emphasis on products from the coast, mountains, and Amazon region. Mayta’s culinary approach seeks to convey a journey through Peru with creative flavors, careful presentations, and pairings of wines and piscos.
Since reopening in Miraflores in 2018, Mayta has received significant international acclaim. The restaurant’s design combines contemporary elegance with warmth, offering a sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere. Its cocktail bar, where pisco takes center stage, completes the dining experience.
La Mar Cebichería Peruana — Lima
La Mar Cebichería Peruana is one of the most iconic restaurants of chef Gastón Acurio.
The main restaurant, located in Miraflores, Lima, is characterized by its modern, lively, casual atmosphere that constantly evokes the sea. Designed for enjoyment in company, the restaurant offers attentive service and an open kitchen that conveys energy and freshness.
The menu revolves around fresh fish and seafood.
A cocktail bar showcases pisco in various preparations, as well as a selection of wines and beers, complementing the offerings.
It is a vibrant and bustling place, perfect for enjoying with friends or family. The freshness of the ingredients and the quality of the cuisine justify its international fame.
Isolina Taberna Peruana
It has a warm, bohemian, and lively atmosphere, perfect for enjoying with family or friends. There is also a second location in Surco.
Isolina’s cuisine is characterized by generous portions and a homemade flavor.
These dishes are accompanied by a selection of piscos, cocktails, wines, and beers.
It is located at 101 Prolongación San Martín Avenue in Barranco, and it is open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
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