LIMA
Lima is a city that slowly reveals itself. One moment you’re sipping a lúcuma latte in a neighborhood café and the next you’re sitting down at one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants. Tradition and innovation exist side by side here, creating a city that feels deeply connected to its roots while continuing to evolve. What stayed with me most wasn’t a single meal. It was how consistently the city embraced craftsmanship. From the pottery and ceramic studios tucked throughout Barranco to the centuries-old ceramic collection at the museum, there was a clear appreciation for artistry that carried into the dining scene. Restaurants, cafés, and bakeries all shared a similar visual language where thoughtful plating, earthy textures, handcrafted ceramics, and warm interiors created a cohesive experience that felt distinctly Lima. Fresh ceviche, Nikkei cuisine, picarones fried to order, and tasting menus all offered something different, yet somehow felt like they were telling the same story. Lima is a city that rewards you for paying attention.
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.
Check out more images + videos from our trip in my Lima Highlights.
I've put together a Google Maps list with all my favorite spots from this guide, so you can save it to your own Google Maps and easily find everything when you're exploring Lima.
SAVE THE FULL LIMA GUIDE TO GOOGLE MAPSIN THIS GUIDE
EATRestaurants
STAYWhere to stay
QUICK BITES + CAFESSlow mornings & quick bites
DOSee & do
DRINKSCocktail bars
TIPSEtiquette & good to know
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.
FOLLOW ALONG ON MY BELI @PUNARVI
Maido
A food tour to Lima wouldn’t have felt complete without experiencing Maido which was recently named the No. 1 restaurant in the world!! Every course was beautifully executed from the presentations to the warmth of the staff and of course the Nikkei cuisine (the marriage of Japanese technique and Peruvian flavors). It was also such a fun meal to share with foodie friends, comparing notes and reactions bite after bite. The moments that stayed with me most weren’t necessarily individual dishes, but memorable ideas: a fish’s face stamped onto a cracker, powders that slowly transformed into broths and milks before our eyes, and the delicate lúcuma filled mochi that burst in one bite. I’m obsessed with chikoo, so lúcuma immediately felt like its Peruvian sister. The caramel like sweetness was so familiar and left me with a whole new appreciation for the fruit that I’ve already added it to my list of ingredients I want to experiment with back home. I may not be returning home thinking about one particular dish, but I am returning home with new ideas and a deep appreciation for the creativity and craftsmanship behind this meal.
RESERVE WELL IN ADVANCE · NIKKEI TASTING MENU · NO. 1 IN THE WORLD
Central
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.
RESERVE WELL IN ADVANCE · TASTING MENU BY ELEVATION · NO. 1 IN THE WORLD, 2023
Osaka
If you’re a fan of Nikkei cuisine, Osaka is an easy recommendation. Since we already loved the Miami location, visiting the original restaurant in Lima was a must. Osaka has helped shape modern Nikkei cuisine, blending Japanese technique with bold Peruvian flavors in a way that feels both creative and approachable. The menu is filled with an incredible selection of rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and hot dishes, many of which put a fresh spin on flavors you may not have experienced before.
✧ We loved how inventive the menu felt without losing sight of quality ingredients and beautifully prepared seafood. It’s a great dinner spot that I highly recommend.
THE ORIGINAL LOCATION · NIKKEI · GOOD FOR DINNER
La Mar Cebichería
If you’re only visiting one cevichería in Lima, make it La Mar Cebichería. Created by acclaimed Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, this lively lunch spot has become one of the city’s most iconic places to experience Peru’s world famous seafood. I highly recommend visiting on a weekday for lunch, as the restaurant is walk in only and weekend wait times can be quite long. The menu is filled with outstanding ceviches, tiraditos, seafood dishes, and pastas, making it a great place to sample a little bit of everything. If you love seafood, this is one restaurant you shouldn’t miss while in Lima.
✧ Our standout dish was the uni ceviche. I honestly wish more ceviche spots offered uni because it opened up an entirely new genre of ceviche that I know I’ll be craving. The rich, buttery uni paired with those fresh, bright, citrusy flavors was so incredibly delicious.
WALK-INS ONLY · LUNCH ONLY · WEEKDAYS ARE CALMER · BY GASTÓN ACURIO
Punto Azul
Punto Azul is a casual seafood restaurant that comes up often when searching for great local spots in Lima. The atmosphere is relaxed, making it an easy place to settle in for lunch. The portions are very generous, so I’d recommend ordering a little less than you normally would, especially if you’re planning to share a few dishes. I also recommend making a reservation ahead of time during peak lunch hours, as there was a line when we visited.
✧ Beyond the ceviche, this is where we tried chifa style fried rice, a delicious reflection of Peru’s Chinese culinary influence.
CASUAL · GENEROUS PORTIONS, ORDER A LITTLE LESS · LINES AT PEAK LUNCH
AWA
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.
LUNCH SPOT · BRUTALIST INTERIORS
STAY
Souma Hotel
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.
MIRAFLORES · WALKABLE TO RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS · BOUTIQUE STAY
QUICK BITES + CAFES
Demo
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. Demo is a spot you won’t want to miss.
✧ 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.
CAFÉ AND ALL DAY DINING · FAVORITE STOP
Ciclos Cafe
If you love coffee, make time for Ciclos Café. This is much more than your average coffee stop. Their tasting experiences and coffee flights are a fun way to explore the incredible variety of Peruvian coffee. Pair your drinks with one of their savory or sweet bites for an easy, satisfying breakfast before heading out to explore Lima.
✧ We loved how interactive the experience felt, and the staff were happy to guide us through the different brewing methods and flavor profiles. It’s the perfect place to slow down for a couple of hours, learn something new, and gain an even greater appreciation for Peru’s thriving specialty coffee scene.
COFFEE FLIGHTS AND TASTINGS · GOOD FOR BREAKFAST
Millenaria Cafe
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.
BREAKFAST · UNFUSSY
Milimetrica Cafe
Milimétrica Coffee is a great stop if you’re looking for a really solid cup of Peruvian specialty coffee. The space is simple and understated, letting the coffee take center stage. They roast their own beans and offer coffees sourced from different growing regions across Peru, giving each cup plenty of complexity and character.
✧ The baristas are incredibly knowledgeable and happy to talk you through the different origins and brewing methods if you’re interested. If you’re exploring Miraflores and need a quality coffee break, this is a café worth adding to your list. It’s also a great place to pick up a bag of freshly roasted beans to bring home as a souvenir.
ROASTS ITS OWN BEANS · BEANS TO TAKE HOME
Picarones Mary
If you’re looking to try one of Peru’s most iconic desserts, make a stop at Picarones Mary. Located in the middle of the park, this longtime stand is known for serving freshly fried picarones drizzled with warm chancaca syrup. It’s an easy afternoon treat and one that’s even been featured on Netflix’s Street Food: Latin America. Be sure to bring cash.
STREET FOOD STAND · BRING CASH · FEATURED ON NETFLIX
DO
Museo Larco
Museo Larco is one of the best ways to spend a slower afternoon in Lima. Set inside an 18th-century mansion, the museum is surrounded by lush gardens overflowing with vibrant bougainvillea, making it feel just as beautiful outside as it is within. Plan to spend a couple of hours here. It’s a peaceful break from the city and one of Lima’s most worthwhile cultural experiences.
✧ Inside, you’ll find an incredible collection that walks you through more than 5,000 years of Peruvian history, but the ceramics galleries are what truly stole the show for us. The craftsmanship and storytelling behind each piece offer such a fascinating look into Peru’s ancient civilizations. Before heading out, grab a table at the museum café, which overlooks the gardens and is the perfect spot for lunch, coffee, or dessert.
PLAN A COUPLE OF HOURS · MUSEUM CAFÉ ON SITE · GARDENS
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.
WANDER ON FOOT
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.
OPEN AIR · BEST AT SUNSET · OCEAN VIEWS
Dedalo
If you enjoy browsing local art and craftsmanship while traveling, Dédalo Arte & Artesanía is well worth a visit. This thoughtfully curated gallery brings together an extensive collection of Peruvian paintings, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, home décor, and handcrafted pieces created by artists and makers from across the country. It’s a wonderful place to get a feel for Peru’s rich artistic heritage, whether you’re looking for inspiration or hoping to bring home a meaningful souvenir. We loved wandering through the different rooms and discovering so many beautifully made pieces.
GALLERY AND SHOP · SOUVENIRS
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.
Altamar Ceramics
One of our favorite discoveries in Barranco was Altamar Ceramic Studio. It all begins with a beautiful wooden doorway and a tiny window that invites you to peek inside before stepping into a world of handcrafted ceramics. We had the pleasure of meeting co-founder Nagib Zariquiey, who, alongside his mother Diana Morcos, started the studio in 2017. Today, their work can be found on the tables of some of Peru’s most celebrated restaurants, including Central and Maido. The moment we walked in, we found pieces we instantly fell in love with and knew we wanted to bring home. They now have a permanent place in our collection and remind us of Lima every time we use them. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful souvenir or simply appreciate beautiful craftsmanship, this is a stop I wouldn’t miss while exploring Barranco.
STUDIO AND SHOP · THEIR PIECES ARE USED AT CENTRAL AND MAIDO · MEANINGFUL SOUVENIR
DRINKS
Lady Bee
For a memorable nightcap in Barranco, Lady Bee is an easy recommendation. This intimate cocktail bar feels futuristic with a beautifully designed space and a menu that showcases Peru’s incredible biodiversity through inventive, ingredient driven cocktails. It’s easy to see why Lady Bee has quickly become one of the world’s most celebrated bars, earning recognition from The World’s 50 Best Bars for both its cocktails and exceptional hospitality.
✧ Every drink feels thoughtful, highlighting flavors sourced from the Amazon, the Andes, and the Pacific. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated and relaxed, making it an ideal stop after dinner or for a special night out.
NIGHTCAP · WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS RECOGNITION
El Infusionista
If you’re looking for an experience rather than just another cocktail bar, L’Infusionista is absolutely worth a visit. Designed around a medical laboratory theme, every detail is thoughtfully executed, from bartenders dressed in scrubs to surgical lights hanging above the bar, beakers, chemistry equipment, and periodic tables throughout the space. Even the cocktails play into the concept, with one of the most memorable presentations resembling a blood transfusion. While the drinks themselves didn’t stand out as much as the atmosphere, the immersive theme made it one of the most entertaining bars we visited in Lima. We stopped in after dinner, and it was a great place to end the evening with friends.
THEMED EXPERIENCE · GOOD AFTER DINNER WITH FRIENDS
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.
I always give my nails a theme for every trip, and for Lima I leaned into the “Lima light.” Lime green and yellow sequins along the tips were meant to mimic juicy limes catching the light, a playful little nod to the ceviche culture.
Lima is a city that rewards you for paying attention.
I've put together a Google Maps list of all the places featured in this guide, along with a few personal notes. Keep it handy while you're exploring Lima, and I hope you discover a few favorites of your own.
SAVE THE FULL LIMA GUIDE TO GOOGLE MAPS
