It doesn’t matter if the restaurant that you choose has a Michelin star or not, in the peruvian capital you will always find somewhere good to eat. But so you are absolutely sure, at Let’s Visit Peru we will show you how to enjoy Lima in a three course meal.

There is a saying that goes “if you have eaten and danced, no one can take that away from you”. Well, this phrase certainly fits well for Lima. Since Peru won the prize of Best Culinary Destination in the World from the Word Travel Awards (considered the Oscars of the tourism world), its principal city has only confirmed why it is considered the gastronomic capital of Latin America.  

The best part about Lima is that whatever place you choose, you will always eat well. From large scale restaurants with award winning chefs, to more low-profile spots, you will always find a menu complete with peruvian classics. The neighborhoods Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro and the historic quarter are full of good options. 

According to our humble opinion, there are some key pieces in the gastronomy in Lima that all foodies must try. So that you won’t even have to think about it the moment when you enter a restaurant, we have made a menu that all food lovers should not miss during their stay in the peruvian capital. 

But first, the most important: the cocktails. Your table would not be complete without a pisco sour catedral, the iconic cocktail of Peru, made with pisco, lemon juice and simple syrup; or you can also try a refreshing chilcano, that combines peruvian pisco with lemon juice, ginger ale and a citrus bitter. If you prefer something without alcohol, a glass of cold chicha morada will be perfect. 

The appetizer 

Enjoy this trip of flavors with the always delicious, causa limeña. This pie of mash potato mixed with yellow ají pepper adds the perfect freshness to its layers of avocado and tuna. We know that you will want to have seconds, but wait, because there's more. 

There is no doubt that the culinary line-up continues with ceviche. Highlighted by fresh fish, thinly sliced red onion, corn, sweet potato and cilantro and the perfect touch of leche de tigre. Does anything more perfect exist?

Lastly, how could you leave meat out of the menu? Once you try kebabs of corazón de res on the grill, you can say that you have enjoyed the three most delicious appetizers in Lima. Are you ready for the second course? 

Main course

Imagine this: finely sliced fillet seasoned with the most exquisite flavors of red onion, tomato, pepper, ají and cilantro. All of this accompanied with french fries, or as in the classic peruvian way, white rice. What do you get as a result? The unmissable lomo saltado

We know that at this point, you are already salivating in your mouth. Sorry for this, but we must continue. What better way to do so than with ají de gallina this indescribable stew of chicken breast in an ají sauce, milk and bread, accompanied with white rice, slices of hard boiled egg and black olives, perfect to balance the spicy flavors of this dish. 

“And where is the seafood?”, you will ask yourself. It turns out it is quite difficult to choose only one plate, but if we must, we recommend you order pasta con salsa de mariscos (pasta with a shellfish sauce), with shrimp, oysters and the best ingredients of the peruvian coast.  

It is impossible to ignore the enormous influence that China has had on peruvian gastronomy, making way for the famous cuisine “chifa”. Here, on the Limeña menu we highlight the dish chaufa rice, a delicious mix of white rice fried in soy sauce with chives, egg, chicken and pork.

Dessert

We believe in the theory that the human body has two stomachs: one for savory and the other for dessert. Because despite all the one has eaten, there is always space for this final sweet treat. 

Not looking too far, the king is the suspiro limeño. Pay attention: its base is manjar, a caramelized condensed milk, made with milk, sugar, egg yolk, then covered with a generous portion of merengue prepared with a touch of port wine. Forget asking for two spoons to share it, because it would be impossible. 

If you prefer something more refreshing, just look for the word “maracuya” in any menu and you will be safe. Whether it be mousse, pie or cheesecake, this small fruit is delicious in any preparation. 

And well, how can you not leave room for the famous crema volteada? This flan prepared with eggs, condensed and evaporated milk, will bring the best of homemade flavors to your palate. 

Finally, we only want to give you two pieces of advice: if you are thinking about travelling to Lima, whether it be for a brief escape or for a long vacation, don’t stress about calories and prepare your palate to enjoy some of the best dishes in the world. Your body will recuperate upon your return. 

If you want to live the best gastronomic experience in Lima, review our tours or get a quote of a personalized trip, write to us at sales@letsvisitperu.com.