Top 5 Best Restaurants in Lima

Lima is undoubtedly one of the most exciting cities in South America located in a beautiful landscape. The view from the Andes Mountains stretches to the valleys of the Rímac, Lurín and Chillón rivers, leaving all visitors breathless. There is also an incredible coastline that provides access to the Pacific Ocean. In addition to these natural beauties, Lima has very interesting sites that have been attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world for years.

Also, Lima has a very long and great history as well as cultural heritage so it offers to all visitors an unforgettable experience, and it is almost impossible to visit such a place without tasting some of the specialties of local cuisine that are delicious. Many restaurants have excellent menus and prepare fantastic food with flavors and ingredients characteristic of Peru. We decided to help you choose the right restaurant by recommending great places. Check out the following list and find out the top 5 best restaurants in Lima.

Central

Just two years ago, a restaurant run by world-renowned chef Virgilio Martinez was named Latin America’s best restaurant. In addition, another recognition was a high 5th place in the list of the world’s best restaurants. This clearly indicates it is a place where you can taste the best of Peruvian cuisine.

The flavors you taste at Central Restaurant will remain in your memory forever, because these are fantastic dishes that are in the tradition of the Peruvian people. The foods used by Chef Virgilio Martinez include a mix of ingredients that are characteristic of the coast, the mountain and also the rainforests of Peru. In this way, he combines tradition and modern gastronomy techniques in various dishes.

Astrid y Gastón

The Astrid y Gastón restaurant is definitely one you must visit when in Lima. This restaurant is the project of the owner and chef Gastón Acurio and his wife, Astrid Gutsche. Gastón is one of the best chefs, perhaps the most famous because he is actually the person who initiated the rise of Peruvian cuisine and promotion in the world.

The Astrid y Gastón restaurant is housed in a very interesting building dating back to the 17th century. It is a well-known San Isidro hacienda that has been renovated in a more modern style but still has the spirit of old times. As for the specialties, this restaurant focuses on the use of local ingredients that are characteristic of the Lima area. Therefore, you can try Nikkei stewed beef or for example purple corn crepe mixed with chia pickles and peanut hoisin.

Rafael

According to numerous critics, the Rafael restaurant is one of the best in Lima. The head of the restaurant is Rafael Osterling, who is also the owner. Unlike the previous two restaurants, great influence of European cuisine in this one is visible, but Peruvian is dominant. It can be said that Mr. Osterling combined Italian and Peruvian cuisine and got the perfect mix.

On the Rafael Restaurant menu, you can find specialties that include grilled confit lobster with coral butter, roasted corn ravioli combined with langoustine and mozzarella, Galician roasted octopus with white garlic, grilled confit lobster along with coral butter or yellow potato gnocchi and asparagus. There is no doubt you will experience unforgettable tastes at one of the best restaurants in Lima.

Malabar

Another great restaurant is Malabar, run and owned by chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. He is one of Peru’s most prominent chefs who prepare tasty dishes by combining ingredients from local areas and the Amazon. The menu is dominated by seafood but also vegetables and fruits. We must also say that Malabar is currently one of the best and most respected restaurants in the world.

Maido

Maido is a restaurant focused on Nikkei cuisine that came under the influence of the arrival of Japanese immigrants to Lima. It is a combination of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine that is popular all over the world. Mitsuharu Tsumura is the chef and owner of Maido Restaurant. The flavors created in the Maido kitchen are unforgettable and will give you a unique experience.