223 Best Restaurants in Peru

Born in a run-down barrio in central Lima in 1960, this chain of sandwich shops has exploded in recent years to become a Peruvian institution. It's a business that focuses all its energies on a single goal: making first-rate chicharrón (fried pork) and turkey sandwiches slathered with zarza criolla. The result is a shining example of Peruvians' genius for turning humble ingredients into culinary art. Look for other locations in Miraflores and Barranco.

This bustling two-story eatery specializes in comida norteña—northern cooking from the city of Piura. That means delicious grouper cebiche, seco de cabrito (goat stew), and green tamales, all in gut-busting portions. This is a classic example of what Peruvians call a huarique: a hole-in-the-wall restaurant where in-the-know locals go for homestyle cooking, at prices that won't break the bank.

Facing the plaza with a great view of the cathedrals, this smart, intimate café serves vegetarian and vegan fare using organic ingredients, from breakfast platters with avocado toast and healthy waffles to caprese salads, hearty lasagnas, and a smattering of Thai staples such as pad Thai. There is, of course, great coffee poured from an imported Italian espresso machine.

Cebiches and arroces (rice dishes) made with sustainably sourced fish are the focus at this red-hot seafood emporium from Rafael Osterling (of Rafael fame). The open kitchen and interior-patio design complement the lightness of the recipes, which frequently incorporate Asian accents. Don't overlook the cooked dishes: the pulpo a la parrilla (grilled octopus) is ridiculously good.

This artisanal bakery is a perfect spot for brunch, serving an array of organic breads and pastries, along with sandwiches, quiches, and salads, and no shortage of vegetarian options. You can also choose from a range of wines and cocktails in the evening. The bakery has another branch in Miraflores, but it's a bit far from many hotels.

The multiperson parrilla, a grilled-meat apocalypse native to Argentina and Uruguay, is merely the most flamboyant of the specialties at this top-notch steak house on a quiet Miraflores corner. No less scrumptious are Uruguayan platos típicos, such as the pamplona de lomo (beef rolled with ham, bacon, cheese, and peppers) and el chivito (a terrifyingly prodigious mound of meat and eggs heaped atop a plate of French fries). Chef Pablo's hospitality is always on display, whether his guests be international soccer stars or Peruvian locals.

Owner Isabel Álvarez has authored several cookbooks on traditional Peruvian cuisine, which is the specialty here. Start with one of several cebiches or the chupe de camarones (a creamy river-prawn soup) if in season, then move on to arroz con pato (rice and duck with a splash of dark beer) or huatia sulcana (a traditional beef stew).

The doyen of Casma eateries, this local favorite serves just about every type of seafood imaginable. The arroz chaufa con mariscos (shellfish with Chinese-style fried rice) is especially good, but if you're not in the mood for seafood, try the cebiche de pato. This isn't traditional cebiche but cooked duck, served with rice, yucca, and beans. Don't be put off by the cement floor—the restaurant may lack polish, but the cook knows his stuff.

The welcoming off-white walls and wooden floors of this cool and very Instagrammable San Lazaro coffee spot make it a popular brunch option. The quaint plant-filled courtyard is perfect for escaping the city's hum, and there’s a cute little corner where patrons park their pets.

Conveniently located on the Malecón Maldonado, this restaurant specializes in traditional regional specialties such as cecina con tacacho (a smoked pork steak with fried plantain balls) and pescado à la loretana (fish fillet in a mild chili sauce). The restaurant occupies a historic building and has one air-conditioned room, an airy front dining room with ceiling fans, and sidewalk tables on the malecón.

This fully organic restaurant pairs a green menu with an even greener concept—dining is at wooden tables on an open terrace filled with potted plants and garlands of flowers hanging from the ceiling. Tasty options from the healthy menu include cebiche of trout or seasonal mushrooms, vegetarian quinoa burgers, marinated alpaca loin over quinoa risotto, and garden vegetable pizzas.

Although there are plenty of vegetarian options elsewhere, here vegetarians and vegans can order anything with a clear, animal-loving conscience. You can even have your coffee with nut milk. The menu of the day (S/22), which includes salad, soup, main course, dessert, and a drink, is one of the best deals in town and one many nonvegans flock to as well. You can also pick up some of that nondairy goodness to go, as well as a variety of fresh breads.

Conveniently located on the Plaza de Armas, this popular restaurant is a good spot for a light meal, dessert, or fresh fruit drink. The menu includes a selection of sandwiches and salads, tamales, and entrées like chicken cordon bleu, but most people come for the homemade pastries and ice cream flavored with castañas (Brazil nuts) and local rainforest fruits such as aguaje and camu camu. Wooden tables fill the front room next to the display cases, and there is a large patio in back. A Swiss priest known as Padre Xavier opened it, and the profits go to a home for at-risk children in Puerto Maldonado.

A friendly staff serves a wide range of Peruvian and international specialties at this centrally located eatery open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. Pollo a la brasa, sandwiches, grilled meats, arroz con pato: it's all here. There's also an excellent breakfast menu, free Wi-Fi, big corner windows for people-watching, and facilities for big family parties. Prices may have crept up in recent years, but if you're looking for an eatery with something for everyone, this place is unbeatable.

Exotic flavors such as beer, avocado, and lucuma (a popular Peruvian fruit) make this ice-cream shop something special. Ask for a "macho" (two scoops) cone, and then stroll around the town's pretty Plaza de Armas.

This old-world bakery inside a courtyard just off the Plaza Constitución is a Pisac institution and, like the rest of the town, it's had to adapt to the town's growing tourism. The aging cloisters are now filled with trinket shops and even La Waylaca del Horno Colonial, a craft beer shop. Empanadas (S/4, some vegetarian) and homemade breads are delivered from the clay oven and into your hands. Look in the southeastern corner, where a quirky cuy tower holds the critters that, like it or not, are served as food. There's no phone or website.

The empanadas are fantastic, but that's not the only reason to stop by at this classic empanada place. The real hook is a "cuy castle," a sort of Barbie mansion for guinea pigs. But rest assured, there are no cuy empanadas on the menu.

Proximity to the adjacent 1,500-year-old ruins is reason enough to dine at this classic Miraflores eatery, but the sumptuous Peruvian and international cuisine that comes out of its kitchen seals the deal. The best tables are outside, with a view of the huge Huaca Pucllana pyramid, which is spectacularly floodlit at night. The Peruvian-fusion menu includes such treats as Chinese-style pork belly with sweet potatoes and paiche (an Amazon fish) with palm hearts and a spicy cocona (jungle fruit) sauce.

Those who've never tasted la comida amazónica—specialties from the Peruvian jungle—appreciate the cooking at this colorful fusion joint. Traditional standbys include juanes (stewed chicken with hard-boiled eggs and rice steamed in a bijao leaf) and tacacho con cecina (smoky jungle bacon with mashed plantains), but the chefs here also riff creatively on jungle themes, creating plates like Amazonian tacos (Brazilian sausage rolled in plantain "tortillas") and jungle-fried rice with Chinese-style pork char siu. The outdoor patio is an added plus.

This little café is the place to go for pizza, lasagna, breads, desserts, and, of course, coffee. There are some vegetarian and gluten-free options, and they also feature a small selection of organic products.

Stylish contemporary design in an Andean setting has made this large, upscale restaurant near the Plaza de Armas a hit with those looking for a classy night out. It dishes up Mediterranean-Andean fusion cuisine, meaning that traditional Italian favorites are given a twist thanks to the use of Peruvian ingredients and flavors. Wander down the back to the open kitchen, and don't forget to have a look at the original Inca wall on the way.

With an owner-chef who hails directly from Italy, you can be sure to find authentic Mediterranean fare here, as well as house-made pasta and Peruvian cuisine. The large, open space has comfortable seating with a cozy fireplace, and the fair prices, especially on the Italian wines, make this a great value. For those who want something a bit simpler, delicious pizzas are also available. With luck, the dessert offerings will include the chef's fabulous tiramisu.