The Point Hostels Blog: Top 10 Restaurants Lima

As a foodie and traveller I have been to many places in the world as a food tourist, i have tried cuisine around the world from frogs legs in France to Shitake beef in Japan and eaten in some of the best restaurants around. However I am far from snobby eater, and will happily eat street food with the locals.

I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed with food in South America it seemed a very run of the mill affair with rice, beans a little heat nothing to write home about. That was until i came to Peru, in my opinion Peru has one of the best cuisines in the world with a huge variety of ingredients and techniques, this broad range of ingredients is mainly due to the huge array of climates to be found in Peru (80 of the worlds 120) and the migration of people and customs to Peru.

A Brief History of Peruvian Food

The history of the varied menu goes back to the Incas who harvested many types of potato and corn, then the Spanish came with their slaves and bought all sorts of new animals (cows, hens, rabbit etc) as well as a large array of fruit and vegetables all of which flourished in Peru. Along with the Spanish came the African slaves who had their traditions particularly Anticuchos, Italians and French bought their influence and then more recently the Chinese and Japanese arrive. So now it is impossible to go 1 block in Lima and not see a Chifa.

Good food is everywhere in Peru from street corner to extravagant diner, In Lima in particular you will find some amazing restaurants at pocket kind prices: so here is my top 10 restaurants in Lima from humble lunch menu to 5 star dining.

My Top 10 Restaurants in Lima

1) Edo Sushi Bar: The best sushi in Lima a small chain with great décor and fantastic food. Try the selections for S./98 and you will not be disappointed. This place gets busy for dinner so book in advance or head for there for Lunch. Its on Calle Berlin so easy to find. Directions from The Point, take bus from Grau (2 blocks from hostel) to Kennedy park walk down pizza street and you will find calle berlin.

Top class sushi in Edo

2) Don Kike, lunch menu: I have eaten in more almeurzo restaurants in South America than I can possibly remember, I think I can remember around 4 of them. This is one of them, for 7 soles you get starter, main, juice, bread and strange for an almuerzo friendly service! No grunts and slapped down plates actual service! Maybe it will catch on... The portions are good, they will happily give you extra bread and juice and the food is packed with flavour. All the traditional Peruvian dishes are tasty and portions are generous too, the restaurant is 3 blocks from the Point Lima on a small avenue from Grau, opposite BCP.

3) Rafa: A strange restaurant located in Barranco stuffed full of old antiques and photos of the owner travelling all around the world, it can be hit and miss but the set menu for S./10 can be incredible value one time i had Cream of Vegetable soup, Mushroom Pasta served with Bread and Juice and even fruit for dessert for just S./10 truly epic value. Located just 1 block from The Point Lima this has to be checked out if staying there.

4) Punto Azul: Cheap food, Good portions very good seafood for the money. This place is however always packed and 2 times i have gone and not been able to get a table.

5) La Linterna: I love pizza, but all too often pizza is terrible and expensive. It really is hard to find good pizza in the world, thin base, punchy tomato sauce, fresh basil, good stringy mozzarella, basil, oregano this should be the start then the world is your oyster. Luckily i was recommended this place by a student of mine and it is great all of the above s well as great pasta and very reasonable prices incomparably better than doughy dominoes or greasy pizza hut. Directions from The Point take any bus "Arequipa" from Grau and stop at Angamos S/.1, then bus from Angamos heading right and down Camino del Incas S/.1.

Best Pizza in Lima

6) Astrid y Gaston: The pinnacle of Peruvian gastronomy is Gaston Aculios flagship restaurant it was recently voted one of the best in the world. I was lucky enough to eat here last year and the food is absolutely fantastic, expect to pay 25-40 for a starter and between 50-100 for a main. Located in Miraflores, Take a Bus from Grau for S./1.

5 star dining in Lima

7) San Ceferini: Huge portions and Menu don’t mean poor quality in this traditional looking Trattoria that is packed with interesting artefacts including vintage guns, bottles and farming equipment. Dos de Mayo in Sanisidro, Bus from Grau to Dos de Mayo and then its 6 blocks west.

San Ceferini

8) Arabica Coffee bar: Not strictly a restaurant but gets a mention for its delightful homemade desserts, the cheesecake (baked), carrot cake and pie de mango con chocolate blanco (sure there is a shorter name) are to die for and the coffee isn’t bad either, service is very non plus though.

Carrot cake and Cheesecake in Arabica

9) Any chifa restaurant: I have still not found a favourite chifa I usually go for a menu for around 9 soles which is such good value when i think how much this would cost in the UK. A winner usually seems to be wanton soup and pollo enrollado. I have heard that Gaston Aculio has opened a Chinese restaurant so I will be checking that place out very soon. Location, Everywhere!

10) Pardos Chicken, Polo a la Brasa franchise, great chips, succulent chicken, good salad and nice sauces make this a winner, the basic ¼ chicken is just S./14 drinks are pricey but the chicken and anticuchos are great. Location Various

Honourable mentions

La Gloria - High class dining big on flavour small on portions.

Bembos - The Peruvina Mcdonalds, check out the mushroom burger here.

Dishonourable mention

This is perhaps the worst restaraunt in Lima and certainly the worst chifa in Lima. Bad and rude service, dirty and expensive. Do not go here at any price.It ocupies a prime location just off Kennedy Park (near la lucha and flying dog) and because of this thinks it has to make no effort with its food, do not ever, ever go here!