LIMA
Lima is a city that catches you off guard in the very best way. One moment you’re sipping a lúcuma latte in a tucked-away café and the next you’re seated at one of the world’s best restaurants. The Peruvian capital feels deeply rooted in tradition while constantly reinventing itself, where centuries-old recipes exist alongside some of the most innovative dining experiences on the planet. What surprised me most about Lima was how design-forward it felt. Beautiful ceramic studios, charming cafés, thoughtfully designed hotels, and restaurants where every detail, from the plating to the interiors, felt intentional. And then, of course, there is the food. From fresh ceviche and smoky anticuchos to picarones fried to order and tasting menus that left us speechless, Lima far exceeded every expectation.Whether you’re coming for the culinary scene, the design inspiration, or simply to wander through Miraflores and Barranco, this is a city that rewards curiosity.
Check out more images + videos from our trip in my Lima Highlights.
Below you’ll find a curated list of places I’ve truly loved in Lima: spots I’ve tried, tested, and would happily return to again. Think of it as your go-to guide for the city.
STAY
Souma Hotel
📍Miraflores
Instagram: @soumahotel
A beautiful boutique stay in the heart of Miraflores that feels intimate, calm, and well designed. The location makes it easy to walk to many of Lima’s best restaurants and cafés while still feeling tucked away from the city’s bustle. The interiors strike a lovely balance between contemporary and warm, with earthy tones, natural textures, and thoughtful details throughout. It felt like the perfect home base for exploring Lima’s food scene.
EAT
If you want a more detailed take on where to eat, I track and rank every spot on Beli, even the ones not listed on this guide. Think full notes with photos, standout dishes, and honest scores, so you can see how each place compares. Follow along on my Beli Profile @punarvi, for complete lists from cities around the world, where I’ve had the honor of experiencing their culinary scenes.
Maido
📍Miraflores
Instagram: @maido_rest
Currently one of the best restaurants in the world and for good reason. The Nikkei tasting menu was playful, inventive, and deeply memorable, blending Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients in a way that felt exciting without ever becoming gimmicky. The broths and milk based courses were some of our favorite moments of the meal, and the use of textures and temperatures throughout kept us completely engaged from beginning to end.
Central
📍Barranco
Instagram: @centralrest
Of course we had to visit the OG. A culinary expedition that helped place Lima firmly on the global fine dining map, Central quite literally set the table for modern Peruvian fine dining and earned the title of the No. 1 restaurant in the world in 2023. The menu explores Peru through its diverse ecosystems and elevations, creating a dining experience that feels both educational and uniquely Peruvian. The setting is just as memorable, with lush gardens, striking architecture, and beautifully designed large-format dining spaces anchored by monumental stone tables. While the meal didn’t resonate with us in quite the same way after being left absolutely speechless by MAZ (Central’s sister restaurant in Tokyo), I left with a deep appreciation for the restaurant’s influence, its storytelling, and the role it has played in shaping Lima into one of the world’s most celebrated dining destinations.
Osaka
📍San Isidro
Website: https://osaka.com.pe
Instagram: @osakaperu
One of our favorite dinners in Lima. Osaka does Nikkei cuisine exceptionally well, offering beautifully executed sushi, crudos, and hot dishes that are both approachable and refined. The atmosphere is lively, stylish, and perfect for a celebratory dinner.
La Mar Cebichería
📍Miraflores
Website: https://lamarcebicheria.com
Instagram: @lamarcebicheria
If you’re going to have ceviche in Lima, make it here. Bright, fresh, and packed with flavor, the seafood is exceptional and the energy of the restaurant feels quintessentially Lima. Come hungry and order broadly.
Punto Azul
📍Miraflores
Website: https://www.puntoazul.com.pe
Instagram: @puntoazulrestaurante
A beloved local institution known for generous portions of classic Peruvian seafood dishes. Casual, lively, and consistently delicious, this is a wonderful place to try traditional flavors without the formality of a tasting menu.
AWA
📍Barranco
Instagram: @awa.rest
A great lunch spot serving elevated Peruvian cuisine in a striking brutalist setting. The concrete interiors create a clean, modern backdrop, while the menu showcases beautifully executed classics like ceviche alongside creative seasonal dishes. A perfect stop for contemporary Peruvian cooking in a thoughtfully designed space.
Demo
📍Barranco
Instagram: @demo.lima
A must visit café in Barranco and easily one of our favorite stops in Lima. This exciting newer concept is known for its creative, ingredient driven approach to pastries, coffee, and all day dining. We stopped in after exploring the neighborhood and loved every bite. Don’t miss their signature pan de guayaba (which is a guava, marmalade, and goat cheese pastry) The iced apple and black tea was one of the best drinks I had in Lima and something I’ll definitely be recreating at home, while the passion fruit and mango kombucha made the perfect drink to take to go to continue on our walk through Barranco. Demo is a spot you won’t want to miss.
ciclos cafe
Millenaria Cafe
📍Miraflores
Instagram: @millenariacafe
One of those cafés that makes you want to slow down and ease into the morning. We stopped in before a day of exploring Lima and loved the relaxed atmosphere, a delicious breakfast sandwich, and an iced caramel latte that hit the spot. If you’re looking for an easy, unfussy breakfast and a great cup of coffee before a day of sightseeing, Milenaria is the perfect place to start your morning.
Pan Atelier
📍Miraflores
Instagram: @panatelier.pe
An artisan bakery producing some of the most beautiful breads and pastries in the city. The attention to detail here makes even a simple pastry feel special.
Puku Puku Coffee
📍Miraflores & Barranco
Instagram: @pukupukucoffee
One of our favorite coffee stops in Lima. We loved trying local flavors like lúcuma, and the cafés themselves are beautifully designed and incredibly welcoming. A must for coffee lovers.
Picarones Mary
📍Miraflores
Instagram: @picaronesmary
Freshly fried picarones drizzled in syrup and served warm. One of Peru’s most beloved desserts and an absolute must while visiting Lima.
WHAT TO DO
MILIMÉTRICA
📍Barranco
Website: https://milimetrica.pe
Instagram: @milimetrica.pe
A beautifully curated design store filled with objects, homewares, and pieces that celebrate Peruvian craftsmanship. If you love interiors, ceramics, and discovering local design, this is not to be missed.
WALK THROUGH BARRANCO
Lima’s most charming neighborhood is filled with colorful facades, galleries, cafés, and independent design stores. It’s the perfect place to wander slowly and discover beautiful corners around every turn.
VISIT LARCOMAR
An open air shopping center perched above the Pacific Ocean with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Even if you’re not planning to shop, it’s worth visiting for some of the best sunset views in Lima. Take a walk along the clifftop promenade around Larcomar for beautiful ocean views and a front row seat to the city’s most beautiful sunsets.
EXPLORE PERUVIAN CERAMICS
Lima has an incredible ceramic scene. Make time to visit independent studios and shops to discover handmade pieces that beautifully reflect Peru’s artistic traditions.
DRINKS
ETIQUETTE + TIPS
⟡ Stay in Miraflores if it’s your first time visiting Lima. It’s walkable, safe, and close to many of the city’s best restaurants.
⟡ Bring layers. Even during warmer months, Lima’s coastal climate can feel cool and overcast.
⟡ Make reservations for Maido and Central well in advance.
⟡ Don’t leave without trying ceviche, picarones, and anything made with lúcuma.
⟡ Uber is widely used and was the easiest way for us to get around the city.
⟡ Wear comfortable shoes. Between Miraflores and Barranco, you’ll find yourself wanting to wander far more than you expect.
*Every trip I take to a new country, I choose a new fragrance to wear throughout the trip. It becomes intertwined with the places, moments, and memories of that adventure. Whenever I wear it again, I’m instantly transported back to the travel memories. For this trip, I wore Elisabethan Rose by Penhaligon's — a soft, floral rose that felt right for Lima.
