Best Restaurants in Peru: A Culinary Travel Guide

September 27, 2024 | by: Kuoda Authors

Peru’s culinary scene has exploded in recent years, positioning it as one of the most exciting food destinations in the world. From the coast to the highlands and deep into the Amazon, the country’s diverse landscapes contribute to a truly unique dining experience. Home to world-renowned chefs and ancient culinary traditions, Peru offers a perfect mix of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and innovative cooking techniques.

Whether you’re a foodie looking for gourmet experiences or a traveler eager to try authentic local dishes, this guide to the Best Restaurants in Peru will take you on a journey through the country’s top dining spots. We’ll cover must-visit restaurants in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and more, all recommended by Kuoda Travel.

Lima: Peru’s Culinary Capital

Lima has been hailed as the gastronomic capital of South America, and for good reason. The city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean ensures access to some of the freshest seafood, while its cultural diversity allows chefs to experiment with fusion cuisine, blending flavors from Andean, Amazonian, Japanese, and Spanish traditions.

1. Central

Location: Barranco, Lima
Chef: Virgilio Martínez
Why Visit: Central is not just a restaurant—it’s an exploration of Peru’s ecosystems through food. Virgilio Martínez takes guests on a culinary journey from the Andes to the Amazon, focusing on indigenous ingredients and sustainability. Consistently ranked among the world’s top 50 restaurants, Central offers an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the biodiversity of Peru. Dishes are organized by altitude, with ingredients sourced from different elevations, from the sea to the mountains.
What to Try: The tasting menu, which features ingredients like tubers from the Andes, Amazonian fish, and wild herbs.

2. Maido

Location: Miraflores, Lima
Chef: Mitsuharu Tsumura
Why Visit: Maido combines Peruvian and Japanese cuisines in a way that has garnered international acclaim. This restaurant highlights Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese flavors with Peruvian ingredients, creating a unique culinary style. Mitsuharu Tsumura’s creations are intricate, vibrant, and utterly delicious, blending the best of both worlds.
What to Try: The Nikkei Experience tasting menu, which features dishes like ceviche with Japanese flair, sushi with Peruvian fish, and the famous 50-hour-cooked short rib.

3. Astrid y Gastón

Location: San Isidro, Lima
Chef: Gastón Acurio
Why Visit: This iconic restaurant was the birthplace of the modern Peruvian culinary revolution. Gastón Acurio, Peru’s most famous chef, has been instrumental in bringing Peruvian cuisine to global attention. Astrid y Gastón delivers a sophisticated take on traditional dishes, with influences from across the country’s diverse regions.
What to Try: The tasting menu or the famous Peking guinea pig, a playful and gourmet twist on a traditional Andean dish.

4. Rafael

Location: Miraflores, Lima
Chef: Rafael Osterling
Why Visit: Rafael is known for its stylish ambiance and inventive cuisine that blends Peruvian ingredients with global influences. The menu changes frequently based on seasonal ingredients, but the dishes always reflect Osterling’s passion for bold flavors and modern techniques.
What to Try: The ceviche or the duck confit, both signature dishes that emphasize the fusion of local and international elements.

5. La Mar Cevichería

Location: Miraflores, Lima
Chef: Gastón Acurio
Why Visit: As the name suggests, La Mar Cevichería is the place to go for some of the best ceviche in Peru. This casual, open-air restaurant focuses on seafood and offers a wide range of ceviche styles, from traditional to contemporary.
What to Try: The classic ceviche or the tiradito, a Japanese-Peruvian raw fish dish with a unique twist.

Cusco: Andean Culinary Treasures

Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, offers a culinary experience that reflects its rich cultural heritage and access to native ingredients like potatoes, corn, and quinoa. Dining in Cusco often blends tradition with innovation, as chefs explore new ways to present age-old Andean flavors.

6. MAP Café

Location: Museo de Arte Precolombino, Cusco
Why Visit: Nestled inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, MAP Café offers a sophisticated dining experience in a glass-walled setting. The restaurant celebrates Novoandina cuisine, which takes traditional Andean ingredients and presents them in contemporary dishes.
What to Try: The alpaca steak or the quinoa-crusted trout for a modern interpretation of Andean staples.

7. Cicciolina

Location: Cusco City Center
Why Visit: Cicciolina is a well-loved Cusco institution known for its eclectic menu, which blends Peruvian and Mediterranean influences. The restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere and small plates make it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
What to Try: The house-made pasta with Andean mushrooms or the tapas selection featuring local cheeses and meats.

8. Chicha by Gastón Acurio

Location: Cusco City Center
Chef: Gastón Acurio
Why Visit: Chicha is Gastón Acurio’s tribute to the traditional flavors of the Peruvian highlands. The menu celebrates the ingredients and culinary techniques of Cusco and the surrounding areas, with dishes inspired by local festivals and traditions.
What to Try: The aji de gallina, a traditional Peruvian chicken dish served with yellow chili sauce and potatoes, or the Cusco-style lamb.

9. Limo Cocina Peruana & Pisco Bar

Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Why Visit: Known for its fusion of Peruvian and Asian flavors, Limo also boasts one of the best pisco bars in Cusco. The restaurant’s waterfront location offers stunning views of the city’s main square.
What to Try: The seafood dishes are outstanding, especially the tiradito and octopus. Pair it with one of their signature pisco cocktails.

Arequipa: The White City’s Culinary Scene

Arequipa, known for its colonial architecture and stunning volcano views, is also a culinary destination in its own right. The city’s food scene is influenced by its proximity to fertile valleys and a longstanding tradition of picanterías—traditional eateries offering hearty, spicy dishes.

10. La Nueva Palomino

Location: Yanahuara, Arequipa
Why Visit: A beloved local institution, La Nueva Palomino offers a taste of authentic Arequipeña cuisine. This picantería serves traditional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, including an array of flavorful stews and rocotos rellenos (stuffed peppers).
What to Try: The rocoto relleno or the adobo, a traditional pork stew marinated in chicha (corn beer).

11. Zig Zag

Location: Arequipa City Center
Why Visit: Zig Zag is known for its creative use of local ingredients, especially in its meat dishes. The restaurant serves a variety of meats cooked on volcanic stone, a nod to the nearby El Misti volcano.
What to Try: The alpaca, beef, and lamb trio served on volcanic stone is a must for meat lovers.

12. Sol de Mayo

Location: Cayma, Arequipa
Why Visit: A historic restaurant with a beautiful garden setting, Sol de Mayo offers both traditional Arequipeña dishes and modern interpretations of Peruvian classics. It’s a great place to sample chicha morada, a purple corn drink, along with hearty, regional dishes.
What to Try: The cuy chactado (fried guinea pig) or chupe de camarones (shrimp chowder).

Peruvian Amazon: Jungle Cuisine

Dining in the Amazon offers an entirely different experience, where the bounty of the jungle takes center stage. Ingredients like fish from the Amazon River, exotic fruits, and native herbs create a unique and flavorful cuisine.

13. Al Frio y Al Fuego

Location: Iquitos, Peruvian Amazon
Why Visit: A floating restaurant located on the Itaya River, Al Frio y Al Fuego offers a dining experience like no other. Accessible only by boat, the restaurant serves fresh Amazonian fish and jungle produce in a relaxed, tropical setting.
What to Try: The paiche, a large freshwater fish native to the Amazon, or the juanes, a rice dish wrapped in banana leaves.

Sacred Valley: Farm-to-Table Delights

The fertile Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, is known for its farm-to-table dining experiences. With access to fresh ingredients grown at high altitudes, chefs in this region craft menus that celebrate the abundance of local produce.

14. MIL

Location: Moray, Sacred Valley
Chef: Virgilio Martínez
Why Visit: Situated near the ancient Inca ruins of Moray, MIL is a unique dining experience that focuses on ingredients grown at high altitudes. The restaurant works closely with local farmers to source native Andean ingredients, offering a direct connection between Peru’s past and present.
What to Try: The tasting menu, which incorporates ingredients such as local potatoes, corn, and herbs that have been cultivated for centuries.

Peru’s culinary scene is as diverse as its landscapes, offering an unparalleled gastronomic journey from the coast to the highlands and deep into the jungle. Whether you’re dining at one of Lima’s world-class restaurants or savoring traditional Andean fare in Cusco, these Best Restaurants in Peru showcase the creativity, flavors, and history of the country’s cuisine.

Ready to embark on your culinary adventure? Be sure to make reservations at these must-visit spots and enjoy the full spectrum of Peruvian flavors.