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71°F / 21°C
(Overcast. Mild.)
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One of Lima's main attractions is its delicious cooking; quality food is found everywhere and it is not necessary to only go to the most expensive restaurants to enjoy a good meal. Lima's cuisine has managed to incorporate many influences and has made many traditions of its own. Its cuisine is exemplified by a huge diversity: Native American, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Arab, African and a great variety of flavors from other parts of Peru.
To sample the unique taste of exquisite traditional food, choose from well-seasoned dishes like the delicious Ají de Gallina (shredded chicken in spicy cream sauce), Rocoto Relleno (stuffed Peruvian hot pepper), Lomo Saltado (stir-fried beef with rice and chips) or Carapulcra (sun-dried potato stew). The renown Pisco Sour, prepared with pisco (a potent spirit distilled from grapes), lemon juice, sugar and egg-white is very popular, as is the refreshing drink made from boiled purple maize, the Chicha Morada.
San Isidro
There is a wide range of restaurants in Lima, from highly economical to very expensive. To sample Peruvian cuisine, the José Antonio in San Isidro and El Señorío de Sulco are wonderful places to eat like the natives. If you prefer French and Mediterranean cuisine in general, we recommend Le Bistrot de Mes Fils which boasts a extensive wine list, or La Bonbonniere styled after the "Salons du Thé" in France. The fusion of Peruvian-Mediterranean food can be savored at MYO, where they also serve Algarrobina, a drink made with brandy, cinnamon and egg. For lovers of Japanese food, Lima offers renowned restaurants like Matsuei, Sushi Ito and Ichiban at the Hotel El Olivar. If what you want is Italian food, the best choices are Al Dente and San Ceferino Trattoria.
Miraflores
Miraflores contains the largest amount of restaurants in the entire Lima metropolitan area and the visitor will no doubt find what he or she is looking for, one place to try a local dish is Las Brujas de Cachiche (specialists in tacu-tacu, a creole combination of rice and beans),go to A Puerta Cerrada to try some ceviche, a spicy mix of shrimp, tilapia and potatos marinated in lime juice. Another restaurant that specializes in criole food is Zeño Manué, where the food is made as it was hundreds of years ago. A less expensive option, close to Parque Central de Miraflores is Tasca Bar offering savoury dishes and friendly service.
The fertile waters of the Peruvian Sea boast one of the greatest diversities of fish and shellfish in the world. Consequently, the country has developed a whole range of delicious fresh dishes, such as the celebrated Cebiche de Pescado (fish in lemon-juice marinade) or Cebiche Mixto (fish and shellfish marinade). In addition, there are a variety of main courses to choose from, such as Escabeche de Pescado (fried fish with onions), the ever-present Arroz con Mariscos (shellfish and rice) or Chicharrones de Pescado y Calamares (batter-fried fish and squid). Along with restaurants specialising in seafood, there is the well-known cebicherías throughout the city. In this district, there is a wide range of seafood restaurants like La Mar where the fashion conscious meet, and for the freshest seafood, go to Punta Sal,El Pez Amigo or La Rosa Nautica which are all good choices. For those looking for a beer and some sports, go to The Corner which is located in a busy area of Miraflores and for a pint of Guiness go to Murphy's Irish Pub, the oldest irish pub in Lima. The renowned Calle de las Pizzas (Pizza Lane) in Miraflores, is a tourist attraction just for its number of pizzerías and their picturesque environment. Naturally there is plenty of italian restaurants here like the Antico Ristorante Italiano di Porto Rotondo, the Trattoria di Mambrino owned by a local celebrity and the ever popular Don Rosalino, where the pizzas are made with the freshest ingredients. This area also has a myriad of French restaurants, two of the best are Café Voltaire and Le+Bon+Bakery+Cafe, a place to enjoy amazing pastries. More restaurants with a Peruvian flair and somewhat economical are Astrid y Gastón, Señorío de Sulco and Mangos.
Chorrillos
The Chorrillos district is one of the best known for traditional cebicherías like Sonia. Another one of the best restaurants in the city is El Salto del Fraile located along some cliffs with the most spectacular views of the ocean, and after dinner, enjoy a cocktail while dancing to the sounds of the sea. Another place similar to this one found on the outskirts of Lima, is the legendary Granja Azul where they serve chicken peruvian style.
City Center
Chinese food has fused with Peruvian cuisine, with the result of an extensive new range of flavors that can be enjoyed at the popular Chifas (Chinese restaurants), many of which are in Lima—a very good option for cost-effective, wholesome food; but if you want to try excellent Chinese food, then head for Chifa Wa Lok in the central Chinatown district. Another restaurant worth mentioning is Los Escribanos, frequented by locals and tourists alike. The restaurant L'Eau Vive is run by a convent of nuns and serves simple, yet tasty cuisine. If you're looking to shoot some pool and have a beer, go to the Brewing Corner and for those looking to people watch, there is the Cordano, where all types go for the amzingly strong Pisco Sour.
Barranco
The Costa Verde highway along Barranco offers a spectacular array of restaurants, such as the classic La Canta Rana and De Rompe y Raja, a seafood paradise is also found in Barranco at El Muelle. Two criole restaurants in this area are Manos Morenas and Rustica which has a buffet set with a wide range of dishes. Peruvian style Charcoal-grilled chicken, a popular dish, is popularly served throughout the city and well worth tasting here. A couple of dives that are very popular with the younger crowd and offer both drinking and dancing are the Bierhaus, where you can enjoy some Peruvian beer and Juanito’s.
For desserts, Lima's cuisine offers some quite succulent alternatives some of the more widely known include: Arroz Zambito (rice pudding with brown sugar), Arroz Con Leche (rice pudding), Suspiro a la Limeña (a creamy, sweet, lemon meringue with a delicate name: Limeñan Sighs), Mazamorra Morada (made from purple maize), Pie de Limón (lemon meringue pie), Cheesecake de Saúco (a native Andean fruit), Huevos Chimbos (a type of flan with a caramel and triple-sec coating), higos rellenos con manjar blanco (figs stuffed with blancmange), Mousse de Lúcuma, Picarones (local variety of doughnut). Try these desserts at Punto Blanco, and some of the least expensive carretillas (food carts) on Alameda Chabuca Granda.
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