Discover the top 9 restaurants in Peru that encapsulate the country’s rich culinary traditions. From Lima to the Andes, explore authentic dishes, sustainable dining, and hidden gems recommended by local experts.
Peruvian cuisine is a tapestry woven from centuries of indigenous traditions and diverse cultural influences. From the coastal cevicherías of Lima to the Andean picanterías of Arequipa, the country’s landscape is so varied that the food it offers contains the story of its people.
At Cerca one of my favorite things is sharing food experiences and I think Peru is one of the most interesting places in the world to eat right now. There are outstanding restaurants with incredibly creative chefs and there are one-of-a-kind native ingredients that you can’t find anywhere else, plus one of the most delicious street food cultures on the planet. And Peruvians have a special appreciation for their roots and the indigenous Incan tribe, and there is a lot of attention given to paying homage. It’s very thoughtful, and very delicious.
Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Peru, the places you should plan your trip around visiting:
1. Central Restaurante, Lima
Season 3 episode 6 of the Netflix series Chef’s Table featured this Miraflores district restaurant in Lima. Helmed by chef Virgilio Martínez, Central was named the best restaurant in the world in 2024, and is renowned for his innovative approach to traditional Peruvian ingredients.
He is known for traveling to the far corners of the jungle to forage for ingredients. The restaurant’s tasting menu takes diners on an altitude-inspired journey, showcasing the biodiversity of Peru’s ecosystems. Central’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of endemic ingredients and support for regenerative farming methods, aligning with eco-friendly travel principles.
What to Order:
Mater Elevations Tasting Menu: This multi-course experience features dishes crafted from ingredients sourced at varying altitudes, from the Amazonian rainforest to the Andean mountains.
2. Maido, Lima
Maido, meaning “welcome” in Japanese, is a testament to Peru’s Nikkei cuisine—a harmonious fusion of Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura masterfully blends these culinary traditions, earning Maido a spot among the world’s top restaurants.
Maido, under the leadership of Chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura, has garnered significant accolades in the culinary world including No.1 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023.
It also earned Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2024 and Latin America’s Best Sommelier 2023 award, honoring Florencia Rey, Maido’s head sommelier.
What to Order:
Nikkei Experience Menu (starts at $985 pp): A tasting menu that includes dishes like Nigiri de Pez Amazonico, showcasing Amazonian fish with Japanese flair. The Nikkei cuisine at Maido reflects the history of Japanese immigration to Peru, highlighting the seamless integration of Japanese culinary techniques with Peruvian ingredients.
3. Picantería La Nueva Palomino, Arequipa
If you want authentic, this is it baby! Here you order a traditional (back to Incan times) dish of guinnea pig (Cuy) served whole with head and paws still attached. Located in the historic city of Arequipa, Picantería La Nueva Palomino is a family-run canteen with recipes passed down through the generations. To drink, try a chicha de jora (a type of beer made with maize that was traditionally brewed by chewing corn before spitting it out to ferment). Don’t worry, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting.
Picanterías are traditional eateries integral to Arequipa’s social fabric, serving as communal spaces where locals gather to enjoy regional dishes. La Nueva Palomino’s dedication to preserving these culinary traditions offers visitors an immersive cultural experience
What to Order:
Rocoto Relleno: A spicy red pepper stuffed with a savory mix of minced meat, cheese, and spices, baked to perfection.
Adobo Arequipeño: A hearty pork stew marinated in chicha de jora (fermented corn beverage) and local spices.
The restaurant sources ingredients from local farmers, supporting sustainable agriculture and the local economy—a practice that aligns with regenerative travel principles.
4. Isolina Taberna Peruana, Lima
Nestled in the bohemian district of Barranco, Isolina Taberna Peruana pays homage to traditional Peruvian home cooking. Chef José del Castillo founded the restaurant in 1981 to recreate classic Peruvian recipes, offering hearty portions ideal for sharing. Isolina’s menu reflects the essence of Peruvian “criollo” cuisine, showcasing dishes that have been staples in Peruvian households for generations.
What to Order:
Seco de Cabrito: A succulent goat stew marinated in cilantro and chicha de jora, served with beans and rice.
Chicharrón de Panceta: Crispy pork belly chicharrón, a beloved Peruvian comfort food.
5. El Albergue Restaurant, Ollantaytambo
Nestled in the Sacred Valley, El Albergue Restaurant is a true farm-to-table dining experience. The restaurant is part of a historic hotel and features an on-site organic farm that provides fresh, local ingredients for every dish. Dining here offers an opportunity to engage with the land and the traditions of the Andean people.
Pachamanca is one of the most sacred and ancient cooking traditions in Peru, a technique used for centuries by the Andean people. At El Albergue, visitors can even participate in a Pachamanca cooking demonstration, making it a truly immersive experience.
What to Order:
Pachamanca – A traditional Incan cooking method where meat, potatoes, and vegetables are buried and slow-cooked with hot stones.
Trout Ceviche – Freshly caught trout from the Andean rivers, marinated in lime and Andean spices.
6. Mil Centro, Moray
Located near the ancient Incan terraces of Moray, Mil Centro is the brainchild of Virgilio Martínez, the chef behind Central. This exclusive dining experience explores the high-altitude ecosystems of the Andes, sourcing ingredients from the surrounding region. Mil Centro is an exploration of the Andean way of life, where communities have cultivated crops at extreme elevations for thousands of years. The experience connects diners with ancestral agricultural knowledge.
The immersive experiences that come along with tasting menus are more than simply a night out for dinner. To get to MIL you’ll need a car – there’s no public transportation that will take you deep into the Sacred Valley 50km outside of Cusco. There is also no heat (intentionally) inside the restaurant. But no other experience will connect you closer to the ancient land here.
What to Order:
MIL Immersion Tasting Menu (starting at $620 USD)– An 8-course journey through the ingredients of different elevations, from tubers and grains to high-altitude cacao.
7. La Patarashca, Tarapoto
For an authentic taste of the Peruvian Amazon, La Patarashca in Tarapoto is a must-visit. This restaurant specializes in traditional Amazonian dishes, using fresh jungle ingredients.
La Patarashca keeps these traditions alive by sourcing directly from local fishermen and farmers. Unlike the seafood-rich coast or the hearty, grain-based dishes of the Andes, the Amazon’s food culture revolves around exotic fruits, freshwater fish, jungle meats, and fragrant herbs, all sourced from one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth.
Amazonian cuisine remains one of Peru’s least internationally recognized yet most fascinating gastronomic traditions. Many of its flavors are shaped by indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with the rainforest for centuries, creating a food culture that is not only delicious but also deeply sustainable.
The Patarashca, the restaurant’s namesake, is a dish that involves wrapping fish, sometimes with yuca (cassava) or hearts of palm, in a bijao leaf and grilling it. The leaves impart a unique, slightly floral taste to the fish, creating a simple yet flavorful dish.
What to Order:
Juane – A dish made with rice, chicken, and Amazonian herbs, wrapped in a bijao leaf and steamed.
Patarashca Fish – Fresh-caught fish grilled inside a banana leaf with native spices.
8. Kjolle, Lima
Led by chef Pía León, Kjolle is an award-winning (World’s Best Female Chef 2021) restaurant that showcases Peru’s native ingredients in innovative ways. Unlike its sibling restaurant Central, Kjolle allows diners to order à la carte, making it a more flexible experience.
At Kjolle, the focus is on highlighting native Peruvian ingredients sourced from diverse ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest, Andes mountains, and coastal regions. Chef León crafts a menu that reflects the country’s culinary heritage while introducing contemporary techniques and presentations. The restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and an eight-course tasting menu.
What to Order:
Camu Camu Sorbet – A refreshing dessert highlighting a tart Amazonian fruit packed with vitamin C.
Squid and Kiwicha – A dish that highlights the diversity of Peruvian seafood and ancient grains.
9. Cooking Class at Marcelo Batata, Cusco
For travelers who want a hands-on culinary experience, a cooking class at Marcelo Batata in Cusco offers the perfect opportunity. This immersive experience teaches participants how to prepare classic Peruvian dishes while providing insights into their cultural significance.
A few of the classes on offer:
Pisco Tasting: Learn to craft Peru’s signature cocktail.
Andean Cooking: Learn to prepare Pachamanca, which is cooked in a clay pot, and Andean tamales.
From the bustling cevicherías of Lima to the high-altitude kitchens of the Andes and the lush Amazonian jungles, Peru’s culinary scene is as diverse as its landscapes.
Responsible travel isn’t just about where you eat—it’s about how you engage with the culture, support local businesses, and ensure the traditions of Peru continue to thrive for generations to come.
