Lima Restaurants
Lima Restaurants
Mia Smith
I lived in Lima for a year, and visit often for work trips — and the best part by far, is the food. Peruvians are obsessed with food in a passionate, compulsive, borderline clinical way. It is the base of their culture, their favorite pastime and topic of conversation.
I am a SEAFOOD lover & eat almost no meat —- so this list is heavily seafood skewed, but when in Lima, I think that’s a great bias.
Lima is a great place to stop for a few days before heading to see the rest of the country. It is worth splurging to eat well.
Keywords: South America, Peru, Seafood, Lima, Restaurants, Foodie
Updated ago
17
Share
Must Eats

El Mercado
@miasakuras
If you love seafood, go here. A wonderfully creative modern twist on Peruvian food, with delicious original plates. My boss used to say “their food is poetry”.
Go during the day, as the restaurant closest at 5pm. In Peruvian culture, ceviche is only eaten during the daytime because traditionally it wouldn’t be fresh at night. It’s a beautiful semi-outdoor setting decadent with plants.
I usually sit at the bar, have a glass of wine & order several small plates as I watch the staff artfully create all the delicious plates.
You can’t go wrong. Some of my favorites have been grilled scallops in several different preparations. A plate full of the biggest uni I’ve ever seen in my life. Several unique options for ceviche.
Add to

Details

Tomo Cocina Nikkei
@miasakuras
The best Peruvian Nikkei food. Young chefs who trained at the world famous Maido (along the top 10 restaurants in the world for several years) decided to go for their dream & open their own restaurant.
The prices are better than Maido’s, you can actually get a table, & the food is top notch.
So many delicious Peruvian Nikkei options, including creative sushi rolls, ceviches, and mains like a decadent uni rice.
All the seafood is high quality — fresh fish, scallops, razor clams, uni and more.
Their chefs are top notch & the service is incredible.
Add to

Details

Mérito
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Panchita - Miraflores
@miasakuras
Go here with a group of people and share several dishes.
My favorite dish is the Mancha Pecho — a cilantroy green pasta served with this delicious potato/peanut/pork stew and meat.
This is Peruvian “creole” food — traditionally the food afro-Peruvians invented using the scraps of the higher classes. Try the famous anticucho - skewers of beef hearts. They also have a lot of stews of tripes and innards.
The restaurant is a beautiful experience in and of itself but my guilty pleasure is ordering the Mancha Pecho to my hotel room by delivery (on the Rappi app)
Add to

Details

La Picantería
@miasakuras
This place is a vibe! Definitely go with a group of people. The best way to enjoy is to pick a whole fresh fish and have them prepare it several ways. We had: ceviche, grilled fish (they cooked it so perfectly crispy on the outside and still soft in the middle) and asked them to make a broth with the bones at the end.
To drink you can try a traditional fermented Chicha drink (tastes like a strong earthy kombucha), or a rose petal chilcano!
Add to

Details
Miraflores

Mercado 28 Miraflores
@miasakuras
Fun food court with several options of different restaurants. Kind of a food truck vibe with a shared bar in the middle. Usually pretty busy. Fun place to go to start off a night out.
Add to

Details

Add to

Details

Punto Azul
@miasakuras
Go here to try seafood prepared the traditional Peruvian food, no fusion or flares. If you like shellfish (but the really fishy intense kind)… order the ceviche de conchas negras, I loved it.
Add to

Details

Maido
@miasakuras
Top 10 restaurant in the world for several years in a row. Fancy Peruvian Nikkei food. If you’re willing to splurge, and if you can get a table, it lives up to its hype.
I’ve never actually done the tasting menu, but have had luck getting a table for 2 just dropping by at 8:30/9pm — you can be seated but only order ala carte off the menu. More affordable, and still absolutely delicious.
If you are looking for a more casual version of this restaurant, try Tomo’s — started by two young chefs who were trained here.
Add to

Details

Gianfranco Caffe
@miasakuras
Great authentic Italian food. You know it’s the real deal when the front of the store is a market selling imported ingredients from Italy. Don’t leave without trying their pistachio ice cream.
Right across the street from Huaca Pucllana archeological site if you want to get a bite before or after touring.
Add to

Details

Sabor y Vida
@miasakuras
Simple, basic vegetarian food. Great for a clean lunch to break up all the heavy eating. They have even have a daily vegetarian “almuerzo” (typical Peruvian daily rotating lunch special — famous for being cheap, starting with a soup, and a main dish).
Add to

Details

Veda Restaurant
@miasakuras
Fancier vegetarian option. Beautifully crafted plates & a nice outdoor seating option
Add to

Details

Bao?
@miasakuras
Casual Asian food if you’re craving a quick bite. I love the shitake bao (steamed bun) sandwiches
Add to

Details

Tanta de Miraflores
@miasakuras
Chain restaurant of Peruvian food. There are several of them around Miraflores. Solid option for exploring Peruvian food if you are just arriving, but nothing showstopping, unique, or particularly memorable.
Add to

Details

Add to

Details

Makoto
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

El Jardín De Jazmín
@miasakuras
Add to

Details
Drinks

Ayahuasca
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Santería Bar
@miasakuras
Add to

Details
Barranco

Siete Restaurante
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Canta Rana
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

El Muelle Cevichería
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Isolina
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

La Bodega Verde
@miasakuras
Add to

Details
Other areas

Mercado Nº 1 de Surquillo
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Pasta
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Shizen Restaurante Nikkei
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Al Toke Pez
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

ALADO
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Add to

Details
Restaurants I thought were overrated
Don’t get me wrong I had a DELICIOUS meal at each of these restaurants, but in my opinion, somehow they didn’t stick out. For each, I’ve included a similar restaurant alternative that I enjoyed more

Add to

Details

Astrid y Gastón
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Rafael
@miasakuras
I just found this restaurant totally overpriced.
Good Alternative:
Siete (actually they’re owned by the same owner)
Add to

Details
Restaurants on my to go list

Chifa Hou Wha
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Add to

Details

La Mar Cevichería Peruana
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

El Bodegon de Miraflores
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

De Alfredo
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Maria Mezcal
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Sóngoro Cosongo
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Kjolle
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Amoramar
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Ozu - Asian Peruvian Cuisine
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Paralelo Restaurante Café
@miasakuras
Add to

Details

Brisa braseria del mar
@miasakuras
Add to

Details
* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Smith
📍Ecuador
Originally from Hawaii, but I’ve been living in South America for the last few years. I love exploring all South America has to offer - from hiking up to glaciers in the Andes, river rafting in the Amazon, to surfing deserted beaches. When I’m in the cities I love finding the best restaurants to eat at — especially those that showcase local ingredients and highlight the unique culinary identities of the continent.
Ive been lucky enough to travel Ecuador with my Ecuadorian partner who knows all the best insider tips! Excited to share them with you all
#Galapagos Guides coming soon!!
Send A Tip
Support Mia Smith’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Explore related destinations
Read more about places in this guide
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Mia Smith 2025 • Help • Privacy • Terms • Copyright • Become a Seller • Seller Academy • About • Careers • Blog • Explore Places
Ask ThatchGPT
Ask ThatchGPT
Suggest a local expert to plan my trip
Suggest an unique itinerary for my Surquillo trip
What foods do Surquillo locals eat
What are some true hidden gems in Surquillo
Help me brainstorm trip ideas for Surquillo
Help me plan a family-friendly trip to Surquillo