LIMA FOOD GUIDE
Welcome to the called “Food Capital of Latin America! – Lima. You want to find out what and where to eat in Lima? Our Lima Food Guide is perfect for your inspiration and every recommended place was tested by ourselves!
While there are many things to do in Lima, there’s one other aspect that deserves its own spotlight: the food scene. Food is an important part when it comes to experiencing Peru, and where better to start than in the culinary capital of whole Latin America?
We’ve summarized our top restaurants, bars and markets, from Miraflores to Barranco and more districts.Â
Whether you’re a budget focussed traveler and looking for $3 three-course lunch or you are a luxury traveler looking for the sixth best restaurant worldwide in 2023 – Restaurant Maido. You might wonder how budget friendly eating in Lima can be.
Buen provecho!
OUR TOP 6 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN LIMA
- Barra Maretazo: Located in the center of Miraflores, we always loved coming here! Fantastic seafood, beautiful ambiance (both indoor and outdoor seating).
- Tanta: Tanta is our go-to spot for Lomo Saltado. Our favorite one is the "De lomo fino de res" (thin beef loin).
- Madam Tusan: There's a reason why we chose this place for our anniversary. We adore the fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine!
- Maido: The sixth-best restaurant in the world in 2023, and for that the prices are "okay". It gets really expensive if you book the Maido experience.
- Cala: Looking for the restaurant with the best view? Here, you can sit as close to the water as nowhere else. Plus, it offers the best of Peruvian cuisine.
- Shimaya: You probably don't associate Peru with ramen, but we love coming here because they offer great combination deals, and we were always greeted loudly by all the staff
MUST TRIES
WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN LIMA
Gourmet
Barra Maretazo: Seafood​
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Calle Alcanfores 373, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
12:00 – 10:00 pm
Price: $$ – $$$
Menu: https://barramaretazo.com/en/menu/
Website:
https://barramaretazo.com/
Tanta: Peruvian Criolla Cuisine
Tanta has several locations in Lima, including one at the airport before the security check, but the most beautiful location is in the Larcomar Mall. From here, you have a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. Vicky introduced me to Peruvian cuisine for the first time at Tanta, and according to her, you can find the best Lomo Saltado of Lima here. If you want to pair it with a typical alcoholic drink, a Pisco Sour is a great choice.
If you’re looking for a restaurant specialized in traditional Peruvian criolla cuisine, Tanta is the place to go. Peruvians often prepare criolla dishes at home, and at Tanta, you can try this culinary tradition. From Papa Rellena to Anticucho and much more, new flavors are waiting for you!
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Mal. de la Reserva 610, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening hours:Â
Monday – Sunday
09:00 am – 11:00 pm
Price: $$ – $$$
Menu:
https://tantaperu.com/tantaqr.pdf
Website:
https://tantaperu.com/en/
Madam Tusan: Chifa
Madam Tusan also has several locations in Lima, but unfortunately none with a waterfront view. Chifa represents Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine, and it truly stands out with its unique flavor profile. Madam Tusan is also known for attentive staff and high-quality food. The Chaufa platter and an appetizer are definitely sufficient for two people.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Av. 28 de Julio 1045, Miraflores 15047, Peru
Opening hours:Â
Monday – Sunday
09:00 am – 11:00 pm
Price: $$ – $$$
Website:Â
https://www.madamtusan.com.pe/
Maido: Nikkei
Yes, we had the privilege of dining at Maido, ranked as the sixth-best restaurant in the world in 2023. The head chef, born in Lima but with roots from Osaka, Japan, once said, “There is no such thing as Nikkei cuisine in Japan. Nikkei is Peruvian; Nikkei belongs to the world.” Maido stands with its Nikkei cuisine for the Peruvian-Japanese fusion. It’s important to note that we chose the Ă la carte menu, which offered impressive culinary delights as well. However, for those seeking the full Maido experience, it’s important to note that prices are much higher.
Maido Experience:
$240.00 per person *Excludes beverage pairing
Maido Experience with Non-Alcoholic Beverage Pairing:
$335.00 per person
Maido Experience with Beverage Pairing:
$415.00 per person
Additionally, reservations are essential and should be made well in advance, preferably at least two months ahead. Occasionally, last-minute options may arise due to cancellations, so it’s worth checking shortly before. While the dress code is very basic, and we observed people in shorts, we recommend dressing appropriately for the ambiance of such a renowned restaurant.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the Ă la carte prices are surprisingly affordable. Cocktails cost around $20.00, and a sommelier introduces themselves at the table and recommends various options. In the end, we paid approximately $90.00 for a cocktail, a small Coke Zero, a large bottle of water, an appetizer, and the two main courses.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Ca. San MartĂn No. 399, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday
01:00 – 10:00 pm
Price: $$$$
Website:
https://www.maido.pe/?lang=en
Cala: Peruvian Criolla Cuisine
Cala is arguably the restaurant in Lima with the best view. You’ll sit downstairs right by the water and can watch the sunset. In addition, they serve superb drinks and very good food. It may not be the most affordable option for dining in Lima, but here you’ll experience excellent service and high quality. We shared an appetizer and then enjoyed two more dishes. The menu primarily features seafood and other Peruvian specialties. After your meal, you can take a seat on high stools and in front of you is a small beach where the waves break. Meanwhile, you can enjoy your drink. We can recommend Cala. For a slightly more affordable option with a beautiful view, Tanta is a great choice.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Cto. de Playas, Barranco 15063, Peru
Opening hours:
Thursday – Saturday
12:00 pm – 03:00 am
Sunday – Wednesday
12:00 pm – 01:00 am
Price: $$$ – $$$$
Menu:
https://cala-restaurante-lounge.cluvi.pe/english-menu/subcategories?maincategory_id=5521
Website:
https://calarestaurante.com/en/
Villa Chicken: Pollo a la brasa (Grilled chicken)
When our friend Daniel from Rio de Janeiro visited us in Lima, he asked us what and where to eat in Lima. Of course, we made sure to take him to some good restaurants. Firstly, we went for Lomo Saltado at Tanta, and secondly, we visited Villa Chicken near Plaza de Armas. Villa Chicken is also a chain with many locations in Lima. We shared a whole chicken, served with plenty of fries and a large salad. The ambiance reminded us of a German beer hall and it’s always bustling. When we left, there was a long line outside the restaurant. Our waiter took the opportunity to practice his English, and he was visibly proud that we could understand him. Overall, it’s a great spot for grilled chicken and other grill specialties like blood sausages.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
JirĂłn Ica 157, Lima 15001, Peru
Opening hours:Â
12:00 – 09:00 pm
Price: $$ -$$$
Website:
https://villachicken.com.pe/villaweb/
Kaikan: Nikkei
Just like at Maido, Kaikan cooks Nikkei cuisine. The restaurant is decorated in Japanese style, and we were seated on the terrace on the second level. From here, we could watch the hustle and bustle next to us at the roundabout and enjoy the sunshine. For the starter, we decided for Makis. Did you know the difference between Makis and Nigiris? Makis consist usually of rice, fish, and vegetables and are usually rolled with a sheet of Nori seaweed, while with Nigiri, the fish is placed loosely on top of the rice. The portion was great for sharing and very tasty.
All in all, the food was good, and we really enjoyed the Makis. However, when we consider that Maido potentially offers the best Nikkei cuisine in the world, we can’t wholeheartedly recommend Kaikan. Of course, there is a price difference between Kaikan and Maido, but there’s also a significant disparity in quality. For instance, we didn’t appreciate how the crispy chicken became soggy when drowned in sauce.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Av. Sta. Cruz 825, Miraflores 15073, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Tuesday
12:00 – 10:00 pm
Wednesday – Sunday
12:00 – 12:00 am
Price: $$ – $$$
Website:
https://kaikanrestaurante.com/
Antigua Taberna Queirolo: Traditional Peruvian Cuisine
Located in the safe, non-touristy neighborhood of Puerto Libre, this local spot is where you’ll mainly find locals and won’t see many other tourists. We took an Uber there and had a great evening with Vicky’s sister. The atmosphere is very relaxed, with locals ordering entire bottles of Pisco for their tables, and everyone is enjoying some food. If you want to leave here a little tipsy, no one will stop you. The house specialty is the sandwich with homemade ham. As for drinks, Calientito is a great option, which reminded us to white mulled wine. In addition we ordered Picarones.
Afterward, you can walk over to El Bolivariano. This restaurant has a large hall in the back with communal long tables and loud music, giving it a vibe similar to a German beer hall.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: Av. San MartĂn 1090, Pueblo Libre 15084, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday
08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday
08:00 am – 12:00 am
Sunday
08:00 am – 04:30 pm
Price: $$
Website:Â https://antiguatabernaqueirolo.com/
International Cuisine
Shimaya: Ramen
We’re big fans of eating local cuisine when traveling. However, there are days when you might not feel like having Ceviche or Lomo Saltado. That’s why we want to provide you with some international alternatives. We’ve already introduced you to Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine, but what about just Japanese food?
Shimaya (with multiple locations in Lima) immediately convinced us. As soon as you enter, you’ll be warmly greeted in Japanese. For food, we opted for either ramen, makis, or gyoza. The ramen comes in three different sizes: S, M, L, and they range in price from 6,00 USD to 13,00 USD. For 12,00 USD, you can get a special offer that includes a small ramen and 10 makis. It’s an unbeatable price! If you ask, they’ll also provide you with a knife and fork, and we recommend asking for a bit of spice too.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Av. Almte. Miguel Grau 393, Barranco 15063, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
12:00 – 10:00 pm
Price: $$
Tierra Santa: Arabic Food
Arabic cuisine in Lima? We weren’t expecting it, but we were too curious to just pass by. It was always busy, and the other guests seemed satisfied too. The food platter comes with four different dips and pitas, and the hummus was excellent. However, the service and ambiance could use some improvement. It’s not really cozy here.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
C. Schell 354, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday
10:00 am – 11:45 pm
Friday – Saturday
10:00 am – 12:45 am
Sunday
11:30 am – 22 pm
Price: $$
Slice: Pizza
Excellent pizza and great value for money. Quick service, cold drinks, and a place we would go back to anytime. It’s small, but perfect for delicious pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. There are also two tables outside. The only downside is that there’s no air conditioning (just a fan) and they only offer pizzas. A small selection of salads would be great.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Calle Alcanfores 350 c, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday
12:00 – 11:45 pm
Sunday
03:00 – 11:45 pm
Price: $$
Street Food / Takeaways
Imperio: Shawarma
If you’re out in Barranco in the evening and looking for takeaway food, this is the place to go. We stumbled upon it by chance and were surprised to see so many people waiting. Right next to the Metro supermarket, you’ll find this shawarma stand. We had to wait for about 15 minutes, but it was worth it. The meat is juicy, and the sauce is amazing. The opening hours aren’t always reliable. Unlike in Germany, you can even pay by card there.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: Esquina de Metro de Grau, Pierola 106, Barranco 15063, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday
04:30 – 10:30 pm
Price:Â
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawarmasimperio/?hl=de
Chicharron
What do you think of when you read about a sandwich with slow braised pork and sweet potato topped with a crisp red onion relish? Probably not breakfast. It was therefore more surprising for me when Vicky told me that chicharron is traditionally eaten for breakfast. The good thing is that the restaurants are open from early in the morning until late at night and can therefore also replace the “after-partying kebab”. During our time together in Lima, we tried three different places (the chains have their restaurants all over Lima).
EL CHINITO - MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Av. Almte. Miguel Grau 302, Barranco 15063, Peru
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Wednesday
08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday
08:00 – 00:00 am
Friday – Saturday
08:00 – 02:00 am
Sunday
08:00 am – 03:00 pm Â
Price: $
Locations:Â
https://elchinito.com.pe/nuestras-sedes/
Website: https://elchinito.com.pe/
Our favorite is definitely El Chinito. Even though it is the most expensive chicharron of the three, it convinced us the most in the overall package. Both the size and the meat were great and the bread was very crispy. If you’re not too hungry, you can share a chicharron and fill full.
Price: 4,00 USD
LA LUCHA - MORE INFORMATION
Address: Av. Sta. Cruz 825, Miraflores 15073, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday
08:00 am – 00:00 am
Friday 08:00 – 02:00 am
Sunday 08:00 – 03:00 am
Price:
Website: https://lalucha.com.pe/
La Lucha Sangucheria Cirolla is probably the most visited of the three because it looks a little more inviting and the locations are in absolute top locations. However, we personally think that the price-performance ratio is not right and we have had bad experiences with the Mayonaise.
Price: 4,00 USD​
CHICHARRONES DEL INCA - MORE INFORMATION
Address: V2C9+87X, Av. Caminos del Inca, Santiago de Surco 15039, Peru
Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday
07:30 am – 02:00 pm
05:30 – 10:00 pm
Sunday
07:30 am – 01:00 pm
Price:
Website: https://www.chicharronesdelinca.com/
Chicharrones del Inca is more of a place for the locals and fewer tourists come here. This could be seen as a sign of quality and we have to say that there is hardly any difference between El Chinito and Chicharrones del Inca.
Price: 5,00 USD​
Anticuchos (Cow Heart) & Choripan
Anticuchos are marinated cow hearts on a skewer that are served either in restaurants such as “Anticucheria El Tio Mario” or at street food stands. It takes some getting used to at first, but if you don’t necessarily think about what you’re eating, it’s really delicious. It usually has a strong garlic flavor and is grilled spectacularly on the barbecue and marinated regularly with the marinade, causing high flames to rise.
We tried anticuchos after a football match. By the way, it’s worth going to a soccer match only for the culinary experience. There we also tried Choripan which is a grilled chorizo sausage (chori) served on a crusty bread roll (pan).
Chinatown
We both love the Asian culture and especially the food. In Chinatown, you’ll find both street food stands and restaurants that invite you to sit down. It’s noisy, crowded, and sometimes smells a bit strange. But that’s what makes it so exciting. One Chifa restaurant is next to another, and on weekends, there are long queues outside all the restaurants – so be prepared to wait for your meal. On the streets, you’ll see men pulling heavy carts to supply the restaurants and small shops. Specialties you should try are Siu Mai, Pork Belly, Wan Tan soup, and Min Pao.
Combining a visit to Chinatown with the Central Market is a good idea because it’s on the way to Plaza de Armas. However, you should only go in if you have a strong stomach…
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Jr. Ucayali, Lima 15001, Peru
Markets
Central market
The Central Market is not for the faint-hearted. Sheep heads, unrefrigerated meat, and skinned guinea pigs are shown for sell. The atmosphere is somewhat chilly, likely due to the smell, but nevertheless, the market is worth a visit. There are also various food stands, but we didn’t dare to try anything to eat.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:Â
Jr. Ucayali 615, Lima 15001, Peru
Opening hours:
07:00 am – 07:00 pm
Magdalena market
Magdalena Market, named after the district where it’s located, is, in our opinion, somewhat more hygienic than the Central Market. The market is spread across various buildings, some more hygienic than others, and offers a great insight into culinary diversity. The fruit we bought was very juicy and delicious, and the Lomo Saltado and Papa Rellena were definitely worth the money. It’s also interesting to simply observe the hustle and bustle of the market.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:Â
Jr. Bolognesi 504, Magdalena del Mar 15086, Peru
Opening hours:
04:00 am – 06:00 pm
Sweat Treats
Beso Frances - Crepes & More
Vicky’s favorite place? Possible! Even before I visited Vicky in Lima for the first time, I wondered why she regularly goes out for crepes in Lima. Well, “Beso Frances” has stores in beautiful locations, a French interior and the staff wear a French outfit. The crepes are excellent and we can also recommend the milkshakes. We like most the stores right on the Pacific , because you can see the beautiful sunset behind the Pacific ocean from here.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Beso FrancĂ©s CreperĂa, Mal. de la Reserva 131, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Opening hours:Â
Monday – Thursday
07:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday – Sunday
07:00 am – 12:00 am
Price: $ – $$
Locations: https://besofrances.com/pages/tiendas
Menu
https://besofrances.com/pages/besomenu
Website:
https://besofrances.com/
Anticucheria El Tio Mario
The Anticucheria El Tio Mario is located in the heart of Barranco. Please note that there are two locations. We recommend the one linked here under “More information”. This restaurant has several floors and from the top you can see the church in Barranco and also the ocean! You should try here the anticuchos and especially picarones.
MORE INFORMATION
Address:
Jr. Zepita 214, (frente, Puente de los Suspiros, Barranco 15064, Peru)
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday
04:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday – Saturday
12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Price: $$ – $$$