Lima
Just blocks from the famous Surquillo market, diners share two long tables to feast on sea urchin omelette, stuffed rocoto peppers and stewed osso buco…
Must-see restaurants in Peru
Cuzco
A Gastón Acurio venture serving up haute versions of Cuzco classics in an open kitchen. Its riff on anticuchos (beef skewers) is a delectable barbecued…
Ayacucho
Not all of the culinary stars that shine in Ayacucho shine in the center. This pizzeria twinkles in a galaxy all of its own out on Av del Ejercito …
Iquitos
Take a boat out to this floating foodie paradise in the middle of the mouth of the Río Itaya to sample some of the city’s best food. The emphasis is on…
Cuzco
This retro-cool Peruvian Chinese restaurant is inviting on all sensory levels. It's also very popular; unfortunately, the dining experience, with clumsy…
Trujillo
You can spot this place by the near-constant lines snaking around the corner in summer as locals queue for the drool-inducing juices. But don’t leave it…
Northern Highlands
One of those comfortable ‘Gringo Trail’ cafes that offer everything necessary to keep a peanut-butter-deprived backpacker happy – vegetarian omelets,…
South Coast
It's a bit of a walk out of the center but this local institution is the best place in town to enjoy traditional dishes. It knocks out good ceviches and…
Lima
Venerated Japanese superchef Nobu Matsuhisa once co-owned this sushi bar. Its new location is posh and atmospheric. Diners come to try some of the most…
North Coast
This retro-pop pub cranks out the hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s, and serves up plentiful seafood favorites such as ceviche and chupe de cangrejo (crab…
Northern Highlands
Serving up truly excellent coffee (including frappuccinos), Bet-el is affiliated to a small hotel. A large coffee roaster greets you at the door (always a…
Ayacucho
This bustling and stylish hangout advertises Peruvian food but what it serves is almost fusion cuisine. Get ready for the likes of the house lomo saltado …
Piura
This excellent restaurant looks unremarkable from the outside, but the interior is set up like a traditional country house, complete with adobe walls,…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
This gourmet bistro with checkered tablecloths and colorful blackboard menus is a respite from the usual suspects. It serves up interesting sandwiches (as…
Cajamarca
A casual place for lunch or a light dinner, 10 Luces is located in Cajamarca’s emerging hip quarter and sports high tables, cool stools and a straight-to…
Urubamba
The gorgeous smells wafting in from the kitchen will lure you into this unassuming restaurant serving hearty country-style Andean dishes in the warm…
Amazon Basin
Maggy whips up pizzas nothing short of superb, and from a wood-burning oven. The flavors play up to their names: an 'Amazónico' for example comes with…
Cuzco
You can't go wrong with the authentic crepes in this Marseillaise-owned cafe, crafted with fusion ingredients like caramelized onions, Andean cheese,…
Máncora
There’s nothing silly about this Dr Seuss–inspired breakfast spot, which counts a battalion of gringo fans for its homesick-remedy breakfasts (pancakes,…
Amazon Basin
Formerly dealing in just teas, coffees and light snacks, this enterprising German-Peruvian-owned establishment now combines a first-class butchers with,…
Central Highlands
Simply the best for local grub, whether that is trucha (trout) from a local lake or pachamanca (various meats and tubers cooked with hot stones in the…
Iquitos
This chilled atmospheric place does a little bit of everything and does it well: Thai, Greek, Indian, vegetarian, Peruvian, cocktails. It offers a 'make…
South Coast
Set in a refurbished old house, this modern bistro is about as chic as it gets in Moquegua. It combines one of the most diverse menus in town with a…
Piura
With an excellent list of several daily menús (set meals), this local favorite has been around as long as its middle-aged waiters. It gets the double…
Cuzco
Sometimes you just want a huge bowl of soup. Serving fairly authentic udon curry, Thai tom kha ( coconut soup), Andean quinoa soup and others, this tiny…
Tarapoto
New coffee bar with a strong emphasis on vegetarian and vegan food where you can enjoy fresh porridge (not common in Peru) and vegan muffins alongside gap…
Puerto Maldonado
A pleasing and popular little spot that charges above-average prices for way-above-average Amazonian food, with a few surprises such as the divine ceviche…
Nazca & Around
One of the best eateries on the main strip, La Kasa Rustika has a wide menu of Peruvian flavors and international dishes served on an inviting open…
Iquitos
This gets our nod for first prize in the keenly contested battle for number one in the city's cevichería (ceviche restaurant) contest. An air-conditioned…
South Coast
Tacna’s stab at novoandina (Peruvian nouvelle cuisine) avoids too many pretensions, if you can get past the (admittedly photogenic) photos of the food on…
North Coast
There is often a line outside this popular local restaurant with fantastic typical food and good service. When we were there one diner said that the…
Northern Highlands
Let's cut to the chase: Apu serves the best coffee in Jaén using beans plucked from the nearby hills. The cafeteria is a jolly good place to imbibe it,…
Amazon Basin
Whilst quiet outside of prime hotel guest eating hours, the hotel restaurant at Casa Andina Select is a slick, modern eatery offering delicious ceviche…
Amazon Basin
This parrilla (grill) place does grilled meat every bit as wonderfully as it claims to: its smoked chicken and pork are particularly divine. That's what…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
Proper artisan pizzas made by a local Italian religious mission in a space next to the church. It's only open on weekend evenings (alas!), but the sizable…
Hacienda La Florida Restaurant
Central Highlands
This courtyard restaurant serves divine homemade Peruvian-German food that you can enjoy in a peaceful farm setting. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner,…
Iquitos
Taking on the big boys in town and beating them hands down as far as caffeine fixes go, this agreeable little air-conditioned place will do anything from…
Ayacucho
The closest central outlet stocking the delicious CREAM'Z ice creams and really unusual hard candies. Doesn't look much from outside, but let your taste…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
If you are a pollería connoisseur (easily done in Peru), check out Mikey’s Pollería on the plaza for some of the best grilled chicken south of the equator.
Central Highlands
The best coffee and cakes in town. Sometimes also open in the morning on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
