17 Best Lima Restaurants | Where to Eat in Lima, Peru

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Searching for the best places to eat in Lima? I recently spent more than two weeks eating my way through as many Lima restaurants as possible to bring you this list of my favorites.

All of the great options for Lima restaurants overwhelmed me, so I armed myself with a list of suggestions from locals and I set off to try as many as possible. 

Whether you’re looking for affordable street food, fine dining, authentic Peruvian food, or want to branch out, I’ve got you covered.

17 Must Try Lima Restaurants

Mérito

Jr, 28 De Julio 206, Barranco // +51 1 2771628

Merito may be the best restaurant in Lima that I visited, which is saying a lot. I had so many great meals on my trip, but dining at Merito was a standout experience. Merito is the first restaurant I recommend to friends who I find out will be visiting Lima.

The chef is from central Peru and he puts such great detail into all of his food. It’s a cozy restaurant with a simple atmosphere, where the main focus is on the cuisine. 

If you get the chance, order the sweetbreads or the octopus dish. Or, do like I did and order both. You won’t regret it.

Pro tip: You’ll likely need a reservation to get in as the restaurant is small. When you call for a reservation ask for a seat at the bar where you’ll be able to watch the chefs work on preparing your meal. 

Rafael

Calle San Martin 300, Miraflores // +51 1 2424149

Rafael is one of the top restaurants in Lima. Chef Rafael Osterling has a passion for Peruvian cuisine and has worked hard to establish himself as one of Peru’s leading chefs. 

Rafael is located in a republic-style house constructed at the turn of the last century. It’s really such an interesting atmosphere with a great place to relax at the end of a long day, whether it’s at the bar or at a cozy table in the restaurant.

I decided on the 3-course tasting menu which included an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. The menu changes regularly so the only way to be sure what they are offering is to visit them and find out for yourself. 

Rafael has it all from seafood to pasta, to pizza, and even duck. There is a wide array of options on the menu, so you can’t go wrong with anything you order. Everything I tried was delicious and I can’t wait to go back.

OSSO Restaurant

Tahiti 175, La Molina // +51 1 3529915

If you’re a meat lover, look no further than the Osso Restaurant in Lima. Osso Restaurant first started out as a butcher shop and salumeria, where the owner spent time traveling with his wife and taking courses to follow his passion for butchery and crafting savory dishes.

The owner then decided to add a restaurant to his already existing butcher shop, so patrons can sit down and experience some of the best foods cooked exactly to their preference. Word on the street was that their cured meat was a step above the rest, especially the chorizo.

Osso Restaurant not only offers great meat options like steak, BBQ, and cured meats, but they also offer great pasta and other dishes if you’re looking for something different.

You can almost taste the passion and thought that the owner and his wife put into creating the exquisite dishes. I found this Lima restaurant to be a bit on the pricier side but decided it was totally worth it as you’re guaranteed top-quality meats.

La Mar

Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores // +51 1 4213365

If you’ve done any research on the popular Peruvian cuisines, you’ve probably noticed that ceviche is maybe the most popular Peruvian dish. In case you’ve not yet tried it, ceviche is a seafood dish made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices such as lemon or lime and other seasonings such as chilies, onion and cilantro.

If you are looking to try ceviche that will leave you coming back for more, look no further than La Mar. La Mar is an extremely popular Lima restaurant with fresh seafood served straight from the sea. I found the flavors to be very fresh.

This is another restaurant where you’ll have to pay a bit more, but once again if you’re vacationing for the food it’s well worth it. I really enjoyed the dining environment, and all of the fresh seafood dishes the restaurant offered.

I loved the ceviche and sampled other items on the menu like the seafood of the day which was a flavorful catfish. The only downside, if you can call it that, is that due to the popularity of La Mar, finding a table can be hard to come by, as it is one of the best restaurants in Lima, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

Punto Azul

Calle San Martin 595, Miraflores // +51 1 4458078

Punto Azul is a family-owned restaurant that started in 1992 in a small shop and has now expanded over the years into a large and extremely popular restaurant. The family focuses on providing a culinary experience of the best Peruvian foods, with a passion for creating a great experience for its visitors.

When you step inside the restaurant you’ll notice it seems very casual and cozy, making for a comfortable dining experience. Then, when you order your food you’ll understand why it’s been around for such a long time. Punto Azul focuses on serving mostly seafood dishes along with some other Peruvian staples as well.

I ordered the grilled octopus along with the Piqueo Punto Azul, which was a mix of a number of different types of seafood. I had trouble choosing from all the tempting menu options and wanted to try as many things as possible so I felt this was my best option. This dish is a classic dish of fish in parmesan, pesto, and passion fruit, crispy prawns in a delicious Peruvian sauce, and of course, ceviche. This is a great option if you’re with a group of people and want to sample several different dishes.

Siete Sopas

Av. Arequipa 2394, Lince // +51 1 2700002

Translating to “seven soups,” Siete Sopas is the place to go if you want to experience authentic Peruvian soups. Each day of the week has a featured soup, while the menu also has two standard soups and other dishes such as pasta and chicken plates as well.

I learned that in Peru, soup is an entire, hearty, and filling meal. Soups are especially popular when the nights get a little chillier. I went on a Friday and had the oxtail soup- it was delicious with a bit of a kick and very filling!

La Rosa Náutica

Espigón Miraflores, Lima 18, Circuito de Playas, Miraflores // +51 1 4450149

La Rosa Nautica provided one of the best views of the trip while dining. It is an upscale restaurant situated over the sea. While sitting over the water, you really get a feel for what Lima has to offer.

La Rosa offers generous portions of fresh seafood like shrimp served with fresh vegetables inside of an oyster shell, and I couldn’t wait to try it. As you probably guessed I couldn’t go without trying the ceviche, which I was excited to find was one of the best ones I’ve had on my trip.

Looking for what to do in Peru in between meals? Click here to check out my guide to the top things to do in Peru!

Amoramar

Jiron García y Garcia 175, Barranco //  +51 1 6199595

The first thing I noticed about Amoramar were the bright and colorful dishes. There is a whole section on the menu just for different types of ceviche alone!

I opted for the seared ahi tuna with mushrooms and asparagus over black quinoa served while sitting outside on their welcoming patio on a hot day. The fish was fresh and perfectly grilled and this made for a nice, light lunch. 

Panchita

Calle 2 de Mayo 298, Miraflores // +51 1 2425957

Panchita is the place to be for either a quick lunch or a sit-down dinner. The atmosphere is very cozy and laid back, and there were a huge variety of options.

As much as I love seafood, I decided to go for something different and went for the roasted duck with rice dish- I didn’t regret it! This is one place I would definitely recommend if you’re searching for authentic Peruvian cuisine.

La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla

Av. Sta. Cruz 814, Miraflores 

For classic street food, La Lucha is the perfect spot to grab a quick lunch. They have a few sandwiches to choose from and are known for their delicious fruit shakes which are made fresh daily.

I ran into some locals who suggested I try the Chicharrón sandwich, which is a fried pork sandwich with sweet potato- it was so good I’m happy to pass the same recommendation on to you! 

Pescados Capitales

Av. Mariscal La Mar 1337, Miraflores // +51 1 2225731

Pescados Capitales is yet another Lima restaurant where I was told to check it out because of the fresh fish and seafood. This is definitely fine dining- a lot of thought is put into these dishes and the cocktails were one of my favorite parts of this restaurant. My favorite dish was the grilled octopus as the octopus was seasoned and grilled to perfection.

Isolina Taberna Peruana

Av San Martin 101, Barranco // +51 1 2475075

I’ve mentioned a lot of fine dining and great casual food but Isolina was one of the most fun places I visited. This place has more of a bar atmosphere, with a lively environment. It’s a great place to grab a beer,  chat with the locals, and just enjoy the overall Peruvian culture.

Of course, I wouldn’t mention it if the food wasn’t good and trust me when I say it was worth the visit. They serve authentic Peruvian cuisine and you can’t leave Peru without trying the papas rellenas which are a popular croquette, and Isolina’s specialty. The cocktails are also fresh and mainly citrusy, and I would argue that the food is just as good, if not better.

Barbarian

Multiple Locations 

Some days a good drink is just as important as the food you’re eating. That’s why I would recommend Barbarian for their cerveza. Barbarian is a brewery that serves over 20 different types of beers that are constantly changing.

They have great food too, I opted for the hamburger lunch which paired perfectly with my hoppy beer. The atmosphere is laid back and cozy and is a great place for meeting friends for a burger and beers. 

IK Restaurante

Calle Elías Aguirre 179, Miraflores // +51 1 6521692

IK Restaurante is a fine dining experience that is hard to beat. They are known for their fresh seafood such as Amazon ceviche cooked in a deliciously decadent sauce that my table ordered. 

I also had a crispy pork belly with kimchi and Brussel sprouts with roasted sweet potato that was delicious.

The atmosphere was great but be warned, it’s one of the best places to eat in Lima, so you’ll want to book your reservation if you plan on eating here.

El Pan de la Chola

Av. Mariscal La Mar 918 //  +51 1 2212138

In my opinion, Pan de la Chola is the best place to get baked goods in all of Lima. They offer freshly baked bread, sandwiches, pizzas, and homemade desserts along with delicious South American coffee and smoothies. Try any one of the sandwiches to experience their famously delicious baked bread.

Chifa Chung Yion

Jr. Unión 126, Barranco 

I thought it was important to try a number of different cuisines while in Peru, so I knew I had to try the Chinese food. What makes the Chinese food in Peru interesting is that Chinese cooking has a lot of influence on Peruvian food. There is even a fusion type of Peruvian cuisine called chifa that blends Chinese and Peruvian cooking. 

Chifa Chung Yion has been open for 106 years and they offer big portions of food for affordable prices. Try one of the dishes that include roasted duck- I had several and all of them were great!

But get here early- Chifa Chung Yion is popular and it’s not uncommon to find a line crawling down the sidewalk when you arrive! 

Sr. Roos

Av. Almte. Miguel Grau 390, Barranco // +51 1 4879254

Sr Roos offers 2 great things: a 12 soles ($3.60) lunch menu and also a vegan menu, giving you delicious and easy dining options at this cozy restaurant. There are a lot of great options, but for me, my highlight was their homemade bread and lentil dish.

Be sure to check out their other dishes including pastas, burgers, vegan interpretations of local dishes and some desserts that looked seriously mouthwatering!

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Which of these Lima restaurants do you most want to try? Let me know in the comments section below! 

While in Lima don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry while they’re hot!):

• From Lima: Full-Day Paracas and Huacachina Bus Tour
• From Lima: Ballestas, Nazca Lines, & Huacachina Oasis
• Lima: Paragliding Flight Over Costa Verde Districts
• Lima: Panoramic City Bus Tour
• Lima: City Highlights Small Group Tour

How to get to Lima?

You can book your ground and sea transportation with Bookaway, so click here to book your tickets.