Named the world's best restaurant. Chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía Leon's flagship restaurant, Central, is an ode to Peru in all forms. We highly recommend the testing menu where you can experience 12 of Peru's ecosystems through delicious dishes, paired with ferments, spirits, and South American wines. This will be an unforgettable experience, just make sure to reserve with many months in advance!
Recognized as the 6th best restaurant in the world. Chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura introduces diners to Nikkei cuisine, a mix of Pervivan ingredientes and Japanese techniques. This is one of our favorite restaurants. Make sure to book early!
For a traditional Peruvian meal, head over to Isolina in the heart of Barranco. Isolina serves large portions of classic peruvian dishes. This is one of my personal favorites. I highly recommend to order their papa rellena, arroz tapado, and arroz chaufa. We recommend to make a reservaron ahead of time, as walk-ins may need to wait well over an hour.
Looking for ceviche? Try Pescados Capitales for a typical Pervivan seafood restaurant. The name is a play on the term "pecados capitales" which means "cardinal sins" but subs "fish" in for "sins". Make sure to order a pisco sour to go with your ceviche!
Are you a sushi lover? This restaurant is JP’s personal favorite in Peru. It is a Peruvian-Japanese fusion that combines the best of both cuisines, presenting a great variety of makis and nigiris. JP highly recommends the “Harajuku" maki (his favorite) as well as the "Seiji" and "Acevichado" flavours. You can also combine sushi with the teppanyaki experience.
This restaurant has a splendid view of the Huaca Pucllana, which in the 5th century served as a significant commercial and administrative hub. The chef, Mariulú Madueño (awarded as best female chef at the Summun Awards) is focused on discipline and respect for tradition. Her philosophy centers on using Peruvian flavors as a base, by offering completely renewed Peruvian cuisine dishes.
A contemporary Peruvian food restaurant. The menu presents a series of Peruvian dishes recreated with a modern touch. Their flagship dishes are their ceviches and tiraditos; however, they also have classic Peruvian dishes such as "arroz con pato" and "lomo saltado" (MP's mom and JP's favourite dish).
Highly recommended by MP. It's a place where you will find the best of Nikkei food, which combines Japanese food and technique with Peruvian cuisine. You can find a wide variety of options from sashimi, nigiri, makis and cocktails. The atmosphere is nice and casual. We suggest you reserve their terrace on advance!
One of the most romantic and emblematic restaurants in Lima. It has a very privileged location in the city, perched over the sea, a concept that makes it unique. The food options are diverse and they offer excellent pisco sours.
Another one of the most famous Peruvian food is called "Chifa". It's a Peruvian-Chinese fusion with dishes that you can only find in Peru, such as tallarín saltado, arroz chaufa, and wantan frito. This restaurant belongs to the renowned chef Gastón Acurio, ensuring its quality.
MP's father favourite restaurant in the whole world. If you're a seafood enthusiast and would like to try traditional Northern Peruvian cuisine, Fiesta is the best choice. True to its name, each dish is a celebration of unique flavors and presentations. One of its most distinctive and popular dishes is "ceviche caliente".
There's usually one bar credited with kickstarting a city's cocktail culture, and in Lima, that's Carnaval. It is the first Peruvian bar to be included in the list of the 50 Best Bars in the world, offering a unique and conceptual approach to each creation.
A "speakeasy" was an establishment that illegally sold alcoholic beverages during the prohibition era in the United States. Sastrería Martinez is a bar that pays homage to that era. Upon entering, it has the facade of a tailor shop, and after passing through a secret door, it teleports us to a bar inspired by those years.
In case you haven't heard, "pollo a la brasa" is an iconic dish in Peru. La Granja Azul is the pioneer and creator of this dish, which has become a tradition. The chicken is accompanied by extra crispy french fries (MP and JP agree they are the best), salad, and an amazing house mayonnaise. While their countryside location is the most famous, it’s distant, so we recommend the one in San Isidro, and also getting the unlimited chicken option.
The best Peruvian fast food. A restaurant chain that offers different varieties of sandwiches, which you can accompany with native Peruvian potatoes. All sandwiches and juices are completely artisanal, meaning they are prepared directly by them.
One of the best proposals for authentic Italian cuisine in Peru. It's not fusion; it offers traditional food with modern twists. Just over a month ago, Troppo was recognized as the best Italian restaurant in the city, according to the Summum gastronomic guide.
If you're looking for stakehouse, this is one of our favorites. Located in the historic Montero Bernales mansion in the Barranco district. We recommend booking a spot on their terrace and trying some anticuchos as an appetizer.
Perfect for a morning run or to see the sunset, the Miraflores board walk runs for six miles along the Pacific Coast. You can take a short walk by either of the parks, or if you're up for a longer route you can start by Maria Reiche Park and end in Barranco. You can take any path down to the Beach to enjoy the ocean (surfing is available too!)
One of the most stunning shopping centers in Lima due to its location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The mall is built on an excavation on the top of Lima's cliff, and most of its spaces are suspended over the void, giving it a floating character. Located in the heart of Miraflores, features a selection of exclusive shops and restaurants. We recommend: KO, Mangos, and Tanta.
Would you like some adventure? Dare to experience Lima from the sky. Soar through the air on a paragliding adventure over the Pacific Ocean, enjoying a view of the beautiful stretch of beaches and green cliffs along the coast, known as the Costa Verde. The aerial tour is guided by a pilot and the entire journey lasts approximately 10 minutes. At the end you get a video of your experience.
One of the main attractions in ancient cities is the visit to their historic center, and Lima is no exception. The center preserves various monuments of Spanish architecture. We recommend starting the visit at the Plaza Mayor, where you can find the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace (you can witness the changing of the guard at noon), the Archbishop's Palace, the Casa de Pizarro, etc. Also, consider visiting Plaza San Martín, the Magical Water Circuit, and the catacombs of San Francisco. The wedding ceremony will be held in this area.
Every great city has a bohemian and artistic neighborhood, and in Lima, that's Barranco. With its distinctive architecture, vibrant street art, and old mansions transformed into bars (such as Ayahuasca or Victoria Bar), Barranco exudes a unique charm. One of the most touristy spots is the Bridge of Sighs. This ancient bridge comes with a legend: if you make a wish and manage to cross it while holding your breath, your wish is said to come true. Go ahead and give it a try!
The Larco Museum is located in an 18th-century colonial mansion, surrounded by beautiful gardens. This space houses a collection of pre-Columbian art comprising more than 45,000 pieces, inviting visitors to explore 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history.
In the display cases of the museum, important expressions of pre-Hispanic art from various cultures such as Moche, Chimú, Lambayeque, and Vicus, are exhibited. Additionally, you can observe uniforms and different items used by illustrious figures from the history of Peru.
Four hours from Lima, we find the Huacachina lagoon, located in Ica. It is one of the few oasis still remaining in America. For those who enjoy adrenaline, we recommend desert rides in dune buggies and sandboarding. If you're looking for something more relaxed, we suggest visiting pisco cellars and vineyards in Ica. If you have time, you could also visit the Canyon of the Lost, but make sure to book in advance as early morning departure is required.
This ancient Inca city is one of Peru's biggest treasures. Built in the mid-15th century, it is believed to have been one of the residences of the 9th Inca of Tahuantinsuyo, Pachacútec, although it also contains the remains of a sanctuary. It is considered one of the Seven New Wonders of the Modern World and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are planning to visit, please let us know so we can provide you with all the recommendations.
The options for tourism in Cusco are endless. You must not miss the historic center. Additionally, you can explore important archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, and Ollantaytambo. If you enjoy adventure, we recommend climbing the Vinicunca mountain or taking a hike to Laguna Humantay. If you have enough time and want to experience incredible Andean landscapes, a great plan is the 5-day Salkantay trek. Finally, another fun activity is exploring Moray and the Maras Salt Pans on ATVs. Moreover, for those seeking a unique stay, we recommend the Mountain View Experience, and for the more adventurous, the Skylodge Adventure Suites.
A Peruvian brand highly esteemed by tourists for its pieces crafted from soft and delicate natural fibers such as alpaca, vicuña, guanaco, cotton, and silk. Everything you can find in these stores is of the highest quality. Moreover, the brand contributes to the preservation of these South American camelids and the culture of Andean communities.
If you like surfing and the beach we recommend to visit Mancora. For more traditional peruvian sites you can visit Arequipa or Puno (Lake Titicaca). Other great options if you are seeking for more adventure is travelling to the jungle. We suggest: Gocta, Iquitos, or Tarapoto.