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THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN LIMA
Our food choices here aren’t your standard cheap eats catering to backpackers on a budget. When in a new country we want to try the very best local cuisine and enjoy it at the same time, so sometimes it’s best to throw caution to the wind, ignore the daily budget and treat yourself, even if it’s just once.
We don’t expect you to visit all of these places but hope that you choose one or two to enhance your overall experience whilst in Lima and Peru in general.
1. El Bodegon (Miraflores)
El Bodegon is a restaurant where you will find food from the old days in Lima, namely traditionally home-cooked food as well as variations on Lima’s multicultural cuisine thrown in for good measure.
The small place has its walls covered with photos, drawings, and memorabilia from decades ago showing Lima’s past.
The hourlong lines at lunch (reservations are accepted for dinner only) already have the owner planning another taverna. An average meal for two, without drinks or tip, is 130 soles, about $40.
2. La Canta Ranita (Barranco)
Probably one of the best places to try ceviche in Lima which will become obvious from the queue that’s constant outside this quaint little cantina.
It’s located down a small market alleyway off the main road, it’s hard to find it, but if you’re lost ask a local, they’ll know where it is.
Grab a beer from the bar as you wait to be seated. If you’re into ceviche, then this is the place for you, but they also do some excellent seafood rice dishes (chaufa) which has east-Asian influence.
For more great things to do in Lima alongside eating, our full backpacker guide has everything you need to know:
THE BEST BARS IN LIMA
1. DADA (Barranco)
The turn-of-the-century mansions dotted around Barranco are the perfect places to convert into a bar and that’s just what DADA has done.
The mansion turned restobar has multiple rooms, each decorated with a different theme, as well as a spacious outdoor patio and terrace for the perfect hangout spot on a warm evening.
2. Ayahuasca (Barranco)
Ayahuasca is another quirky bar located in a stunning 19th-century mansion in Barranco. With a fantastic list of cocktails and an array of pisco-based drinks, it’s a great place to try Peru’s famous cocktail.
Enjoying a freshly made Pisco Sour is obviously one of our many reasons to visit Peru. For more great reasons, check out the post below:
3. Barranco Beer Company (Barranco)
For a great selection of locally brewed beer as well as some great international choices try Barranco Beer Company.
This excellent brewpub has a great atmosphere, solid happy hour specials and lots of TVs if you’re dying to catch some sport.
Check out our expertly planned three-week and 1-month Peru itineraries to get an idea of the best routes and places to stop at:
MICHELIN STAR QUALITY RESTAURANTS IN LIMA
Now we know indulging in a Michelin star meal doesn’t sound very ‘backpackery’.
However, we are big on value for money, and in Peru, you will undoubtedly get this. A Michelin star meal in a large city like New York City, London or Paris is likely to set you back a few hundred pounds or dollars.
However, Lima has some of the best restaurants in the world at a fraction of that cost, literally around £100 ($130). Of course, that’s still not cheap, but if you ever wanted a meal of this quality, Lima is the place to get value for money.
We’ve listed three restaurants which are well regarded in the culinary world, and while they may not all have Michelin Stars, they are worthy of them.
1. Maido
Peruvian cuisine takes significant influence from nations such as Spain, China and Japan following immigration in the past.
This influence is evident in many typically Peruvian dishes. Maido led by chef Mitsuharu Tsumura, is perhaps the pinnacle of Peruvian-Japanese fusion and it has featured as one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.
2. Central (Barranco)
One of the best restaurants to try is Central. Frequently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world, you’ll find Central in Barranco.
The family-run restaurant sources its ingredients from the vast biodiversity found in Peru. The 17+ course menu will take you on a tasting journey through Peru from 20m below the sea in Lima to 4,100 metres above sea level to Cusco.
You can check out “Chefs Table” on Netflix for a whole episode dedicated to it or the video from Munchies below for a shorter introduction:
3. Astrid & Gaston
Opened in 1994, this restaurant is run by Gastón Acurio and his German wife, Astrid Gutsche.
These two are well known as being leaders in their field with Gastón seen as the father of Peruvian fine dining and Astrid once voted the best pastry chef in the world.
Similarly to Central, you’ll be served dishes taking you on a journey through the country with their 30-course tasting menu.
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