Amore Restaurante
Calle Atahualpa 175, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Good For: Casual lunch or dinner, big groups
Overview: 8
Service: 7
Ambiance: 8.
Food: 8
Casual, trendy Mediterranean inspired place a few blocks from Kennedy Park in Miraflores. Mostly out doors but when it's cooler they manage with a lot of heat lamps. Good list of drinks, some decent, different entree and shareable appetizer options. Good pizza. Staff is always friendly. Try the Arroz con Pato or Vietnamese Chicken.
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Cafe Museo Larco
Good For: Casual lunch, romantic dinner, drinks before or after museum
Overview: 9
Service: 7
Ambiance: 10. One of the most beautiful settings in Lima
Food: 8
Great restaurant attached to the Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre, Lima. Solid and tasty, if non adventurous, entrees and mains are all delicious but overshadowed by the beautiful, intimate garden setting. Lunch on a sunny day is amazing. After dark, candles and lights create a romantic atmosphere. Stop by for refreshment before or after visiting the [pretty amazing] museum.
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Canta Rana
Genova 101, Barranco 15063
Good for: Foodies, fútbol fans
Overview: 8
Service: 7
Ambiance: 7. Loud but not awful. Gets super crowded and tables are close together. Absolutely fantastic if you are a soccer fan. Big plus if you are an Argentinian fútbol fan
Food: 10. Great Peruvian Creole dishes with heavy emphasis on seafood. Some of the most outstanding ceviches I have tried in Lima.
Firmly on the foodie tourist trail, don't be dissuaded by the heavy North American presence. Can get unbelievably crowded at lunch but persistence pays off with some unique atmosphere and great food.
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Central
Good For: Foodies, popping The question, impressing in-laws
Overview: 7
Service: 8
Ambiance: 7. A bit cold and clinical. Food presentation is beautiful.
Food: 7. Dishes can be a bit hit or miss.
Central has much to be proud of. As the number 5 restaurant on The Worlds Best Restaurants, it is firmly ensconced on the foodie trail. Peru has an amazing depth of ingredients and from many different micro-climates - it is admirable that they would want to showcase all of them. Some dishes loudly sing the praises of the Peruvian gospel. Others seem flat and contrived. Often in their quest to shout out the greatness of the products, the flavor combinations don't quite work and can come off as a bit forced. Also, at these prices, it would be great if they gave you a new napkin when you leave the table instead of just between savory and sweet courses.
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Maido
Calle San Martin 399, Miraflores 15074
Good For: Foodies, impressing your in-laws, popping the question
Overview: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 9. There are tables as well as the sushi bar - we preferred the bar
Food: 10. Some of the best food you will find in Peru in not the world.
Believe the hype foodie friends-this Nikkie gem is the the real deal! Instragramble food that tastes better than it looks. Chef Tsumura uses hyper-fresh ingredients to showcase both Peruvian products and Peru's Japanese heritage. By all means possible, reserve for the tasting menu to get a full appreciation for what they are capable of doing here. A la carte is great as well and may be better suited for those with less adventurous palates. Wine pairings are a must [as are reservations well in advance].
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Osso
Av. Sto. Toribio 173 y Vía, Av. Central 172, Distrito de San Isidro 15073
Good For: Business Dinner, Carnivore Cravings
Overview: 9
Service: 8
Ambiance: 8. Nice room
Food: 10. Some of the best meat you will find in Peru
The beef here is fantastic! There is a reason they are number 12 on Latin America's best restaurants. Sides, wine list and deserts are also of incredibly high caliber. Located in a giant office park [the location in La Molina is probably a bit different], Osso seems more North American - this is not a typical Peruvian restaurant. Prices are higher but are actually reasonable for the quality you are getting.
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Panchita - Miraflores
Calle 2 de Mayo 298, Miraflores 15074
Good for: Foodies, big groups, people who miss mom's cooking
[they also have another branch in San Borja]
Overview: 8
Service: 8
Ambiance: 7. Loud but fun restaurant. Ask for a table towards the back if you are averse to noise.
Food: 8. Very authentic Peruvian Creole dishes. Everything we tried was fantastic. The Aji de Gallina and Causa Limeño are exceptional and enough for several people to share. Large variety of Pisco Sours [or favorite being the passionfruit or maracuyá] means you will find something to suit your tastes.
Menu items are huge [and we are healthy eaters]. While they do accept reservations, walk-ins are always accepted.
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El Parrillón de Pablo Profumo
Av 28 de Julio 795, Miraflores 15074
Good for: Carnivores, wine aficionados and neighborhood dining
Overview: 8
Service: 6. Just a bit disorganized and confused
Ambiance: 7. Nice upscale neighborhood vibe with with table clothes.
Food: 9. Uruguay is neighbors with Argentina and there are similarities in their love of meats and grilling. The menu is extensive with said meats, pastas, chorizo and morcilla thrown in. The wine list features many of your Argentinean favorites. What sets them apart from other parrillas in Lima is their extensive collection of under appreciated Uruguayan wines you can pick from. Give the Tannat a try.
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Popular aquí y de allí
Larcomar, Lima 18,, Malecón de la Reserva 610, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Good for: Tourists, couples, sitting by the ocean
Overview: 8
Service: 7
Ambiance: 10. Cannot beat the seats overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Food: 8. Very solid seafood and Peruvian fare
Large and varied menu. One of the more consistent options in the Larcomar stable of upscale dining locales. A big plus are the window seats over looking the Pacific. Even on the gloomiest day, the view is spectacular. They also have blankets and heaters if its a bit too nippy out for you. Fish and Chips as well as the Ceviche are good bets.
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Taberna Isolina
Avenida San Martin 101, Lima
Good for: Foodies, big groups, people who miss mom's cooking
Overview: 9
Service: 10
Ambiance: 6. Very loud but fun restaurant. Don't plan on having an intimate conversation here.
Food: 10. Very authentic Peruvian Creole dishes. Everything we tried was fantastic. The Tallarin Saltado and Seco de Asado were outstanding. Pisco Sours are some of the best you will have in Peru.
Menu items are huge [and we are healthy eaters]. Many are available in half portions. Reservations during normal eating hours are advised but they are open all day so if you aren't opposed to the "sunset special" dining hours, you can probably do a walk-in.
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