Lima Travel Guide

Peru  #2 in Best Places to Visit in January
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Courtesy of Azureus70/Getty Images/iStockphoto

What to Eat in Lima

Thanks to Lima's coastal perch, this city is a hub of culinary inspiration. It's also arguably one of the best gastronomic hot spots in the world right now. From street vendors to five-star restaurants, you'll find incredible eats at every turn. Traditional fare combines staples from the Incan culture with Spanish flavors and even Asian influences. The unofficial national dish born from this juxtaposition is ceviche – bite-sized pieces of fresh, raw fish marinated in lime juice and tossed with onions, peppers and spices. You'll find this dish everywhere, but foodies recommend heading to the Miraflores district to places like El Mercado and La Mar Cebicheria for the best sampling. If you're in the mood to indulge in something heavier, try causa. This dish combines mashed potatoes, avocado and mayonnaise, which is then mixed with a number of other ingredients, such as peppers, onions, chilies and even hard-boiled eggs or shrimp. Meat lovers are sure to gravitate toward anticuchos – skewers of marinated, grilled meats similar to kebabs that are typically inexpensive and sold by many street vendors.

Peru can also claim the origination of Asian-fusion cuisine, thanks to an influx of Chinese and Japanese immigrants starting in the late 19th century. One of the most famous examples of this mash-up of cultures is lomo saltado, a stir-fry of beef, tomatoes, peppers, onions and pan-fried potatoes served with white rice.

You'll find many of the best restaurants clustered in the Miraflores district, but delicious eats can be found throughout the city. A must-try for first-time visitors is the long-standing sangucheria (Peruvian sandwich) spot, El Chinito (not too far from the Plaza de Armas), which has been serving fried and roasted pork sandwiches (known as chicharrón and chanchito asado) since 1960. Meanwhile, Asian influences shine through at chifas (Chinese-Peruvian restaurants), such as Salón de la Felicidad and Chifa Wa Lok, in the historic city center and Madam Tusan in Miraflores.

Find the Best Restaurants in Lima

  • #1
    Nanka
    #1 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 198 reviewsTripAdvisor (198)
    $$ | Peruvian, Fusion, Healthy
    Manuel Banon 260, San Isidro San Isidro, Lima 15073 Peru
    Read More »
  • #2
    Embarcadero 41
    #2 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 388 reviewsTripAdvisor (388)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Seafood, Latin, Spanish, South American
    Jr. Ucayali 149, Lima 15001 Peru
    Read More »
  • #3
    Bao!
    #3 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 291 reviewsTripAdvisor (291)
    $ | Fast Food, Asian, Bar, Fusion, Healthy
    Calle Manuel Bonilla 105 A media cuadra del Parque Kennedy, Lima 15074 Peru
    Read More »
  • #4
    Bistro 400
    #4 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 361 reviewsTripAdvisor (361)
    $ - $$ | Bar, Peruvian, Contemporary, Fusion
    Schell 400 Inside the Courtyard LIMA Miraflores, Lima 01 Peru
    Read More »
  • #5
    SOCIAL.
    #5 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 770 reviewsTripAdvisor (770)
    $$ | Peruvian, Contemporary
    Avenida La Paz 1099 Miraflores, Lima 15074 Peru
    Read More »
  • #6
    La Locanda
    #6 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 919 reviewsTripAdvisor (919)
    $$ | Peruvian, Latin, Seafood, Mediterranean
    Av. Santo Toribio 173-Via Central 150 Centro Empresarial Real, Lima 15073 Peru
    Read More »
  • #7
    Maido
    #7 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 3640 reviewsTripAdvisor (3640)
    $$ | Japanese, Peruvian, Seafood, Sushi, Asian, Fusion
    399 Calle San Martin Street Corner Calle Colon Street, Lima Lima 18 Peru
    Read More »
  • #8
    Nanka
    #8 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1469 reviewsTripAdvisor (1469)
    $$ | Peruvian, Latin, Mediterranean, South American, International, Fusion
    Jr. Bambues 198 La Molina, Lima 15024 Peru
    Read More »
  • #9
    Mar y Selva Cocina Amazonica Fusion
    #9 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 83 reviewsTripAdvisor (83)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, South American, Fusion
    Avenida Tomas Marsano 1195 al costado del estadio municipal de Surquillo, Lima 01 Peru
    Read More »
  • #10
    Sushi Cage
    #10 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 254 reviewsTripAdvisor (254)
    $ - $$ | Japanese, Seafood, Sushi, Asian
    Av. Santo Toribio 173 _ Via Central 150 Centro Empresarial Real Swissotel Lima, Lima 15073 Peru
    Read More »
  • #11
    La Plaza Bar & Grill
    #11 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 216 reviewsTripAdvisor (216)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Fusion, Latin, Bar
    Calle Schell 452 Casa Andina Select Miraflores, Lima 15074 Peru
    Read More »
  • #12
    Osaka Pardo y Aliaga
    #12 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 670 reviewsTripAdvisor (670)
    $$ | Japanese, Peruvian, Seafood, Sushi, Asian
    Av. Pardo y Aliaga 640 1er piso, San Isidro, Lima Peru
    Read More »
  • #13
    Museo Larco Cafe Restaurant
    #13 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1926 reviewsTripAdvisor (1926)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian
    Avenida Bolivar 1515, Lima 21 Peru
    Read More »
  • #14
    Barra Maretazo
    #14 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 506 reviewsTripAdvisor (506)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Latin, Seafood
    Calle Alcanfores 373 casi esquina con Av. Schell, a 1 cuadra de Larco y 2 cuadras del Parque Kennedy, Lima 15074 Peru
    Read More »
  • #15
    BLU: il gelato del barrio
    #15 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 855 reviewsTripAdvisor (855)
    $ |
    Jiron 28 de julio 202, Lima 04 Peru
    Read More »
  • #16
    Costazul Seafood
    #16 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1688 reviewsTripAdvisor (1688)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Latin, Seafood, International
    Jr. Berlin 899 Miraflores, Lima Lima 18 Peru
    Read More »
  • #17
    Rigoletto Lima
    #17 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1126 reviewsTripAdvisor (1126)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Peruvian, Seafood, Contemporary, Fusion
    Calle Colon 161 Miraflores Miraflores, Lima 18 Peru
    Read More »
  • #18
    Peru Cacao
    #18 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 206 reviewsTripAdvisor (206)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Cafe, International, Contemporary
    Jiron Junin 250 Costado de la Catedral principal de Abancay cerca de la plaza mayor., Lima Peru
    Read More »
  • #19
    Ventarron Restaurante Chiclayano & Barra
    #19 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 254 reviewsTripAdvisor (254)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Seafood, Gastropub
    Grau Avenue 276 In front of the Main Square, Lima LIMA04 Peru
    Read More »
  • #20
    Le Cafe
    #20 of 3,452 Places to Eat in Lima
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 170 reviewsTripAdvisor (170)
    $ - $$ | Peruvian, Cafe, International
    Avenida Santo Toribio 173 Swissotel Lima, Lima 15073 Peru
    Read More »

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