Lima - Restaurant Recommendations

[Boone]

While in Miraflores for a week I ate at several restaurants I would recommend:

Mezze. 1155 Av Larco, I wanted a salad and the only thing that fit the bill for me on the menu was the grilled octopus salad, octopus is not my favorite but I tried it and the grilled flavor was great, all in all I was very pleased with it.

Punto Azul, there are 4 or 5 locations in Lima, I ate at the one on San Martin and I would recommend it, it is also the only one open in the evening. The first time I tried to eat here it was at 1:30, and the wait was 50 minutes, other days I went earlier and had no trouble getting in. I had the ceviche, which was great and another time I tried the fish causa, which I really liked the flavor of but it was too salty for my taste. I also tried the rice with seafood which to me was only ok.

The Corner Sports Bar and Grill, on the corner of Larco and Juan Fanning, had the fish and chips which were better than just about any I have had in the states.

Barcelona 360, 699 Alcanfores, I am a sucker for paella so when the wait to get in to Punto Azul was 50 minutes I went across the street to Barcelona and while it was not like a Spanish paella it was good and I was quite satisfied.

[MrBeaver2013]

As someone working closely with the food and gastronomy industry, I have to say that Carnal in Miraflores is by far the best steak house in Peru. Astrid why Gaston (#14) and Central (#50) are on the world's top 50 list. And Maido is the place for Sushi fusion and some of the finest cocktails you can find.

Now having said that, all those places are top dollar places. I much prefer the hole in the wall joints and have a fine list of places that I have tried loved. Peru has the fastest growing cuisine in the world (which is why I'm here) and truly has so much to offer that you will fall short of days to try all the great places.

PM me to know some of my favorites if you like.

Provecho!

A group of us spent last week comparing various "Steak Houses".

The contenders were:

La Carretta. Top 10 Peru restaurant in a recent survey.

El Rincon Gaucho- Almost got knocked down for its views.

La Tranquera= A long time favorite of the regular crowd.

El Hornero (sp) Hooker and Narco fave.

I do not think I can eat another steak and I told Polvo the other day that I think I gave birth to a calf. But minor variations in pricing aside (Steaks are about $25 in Peru) the Hooker's know "good meat" and Hornero was the clear favorite with.

La Carretta a fairly distant second.

El Hornero is on the Malecon in Chorillos and if you come out with a "gaggle of birds" at 1:30 am be prepared to hoof it down to wireless to catch some cabs.

[Steven Jones]

Thank you, I am definitely going to astrid y gaston and perhaps el mercado for lunch tomorrow (if it is open)

I concur, astrid why gaston is a fantastic place, though don't just stick to the high end places, the street food is amazing too Especially the sea food.

Oh and if you like wine, check out the local Peruvian wine, you won't find it in the high end places, but it is available in the supermarkets.

[Member #4244]

Hi all,

Life is Lima is not all about sex right? Lima is also a foodies paradise.

It's really expensive by Lima's standards but if you love spectacularly creative and tasty food then Astrid why Gaston is fantastic. Rated one of the best restaurants in the world, you would never get food of this quality at this price in most countries in any developed country in the world.

Another great place that was mostly ceviche was called El Mercado. This place is only open at lunchtime and gets pretty busy so you'll need to book.

I don't have the addresses on me so you'll need to Google them.

Thank you, I am definitely going to astrid y gaston and perhaps el mercado for lunch tomorrow (if it is open)

[Member #4244]

I have been a few places here, pretty much eating one big meal and one light meal a day. I will share some impressions.

I went to La Mar as it was recommended to me for ceviche and general seafood. The selection is ostensibly rather wide, however practically everything that appealed to me on the menu was not available. This was midweek at peak time for lunch. I found that strange. At any rate, I did enjoy some dishes there including two ceviches (conchas negras and fresh tuna) as well a sort of platter I had the chef fix for me that included lenguada, salmon and bass. I also tried a small plate of causas. Literally everything was excellent. The service was respectable, especially for the hour, though service and ambiance overall was just OK for the pricing. This place s in Miraflores, easy to get to as well.

I had planned to check out Punto Azul but it was so packed. They told me ten minutes for a table, after a half hour I bailed. Right there on 28 de Julio there is some sushi place. They offer all you can eat maki for 50 / S, a good value but honestly the place was bleh. I also ate at another place (three letters, much fancier) that had a nice variety but still didn't really deliver. Sushi here is an overpriced waste. You can get sashimi quality fish in larger portions elsewhere. Their rolls are not like a place with Japanese people (which is surprising) , they rice you to death and it all has a very dry feel to it. It's hard to get the real deal anywhere in Latin America, but this place has much more to offer from its waters so I don't really miss it.

Punto Azul seemed pretty good, generous portions, fair prices, decent variety and above average quality from the appearance of things. You see a lot standing there for a fucking half hour.

I ate at Tanto a couple times, mainly for convenience but it was good. They have a wide array of pastries and I'd recommend trying something that catches your eye. I had a tiramisu with lucuma, which was a nice local twist on an international classic. I also had a tasty, fresh salad with tangerines and lightly breaded shrimp as well as their spicy chicken sandwich. The bread on the sandwich left much to be desired but otherwise the meal was good. Very fresh and easy to eat. I have noticed they are not much for heavy, artificial feeling sauces and condiments here. They flavor things naturally. That is a big plus to me and, I think, to any traveler. Their juices were pretty good as well, though they are a bit overpriced at 12-14 soles. There are some distinct local fruits in the mix like lucuma, camu camu and aguaymanto, which tasted much like the Colombian lulo (and not like a "cherry" at all). That was refreshing. I went back there with a date, we got some sort of beef egg roll that was tasty but mostly consisted of onions it seemed. She got a steak pasta dish which she enjoyed and I got their classic cebiche, which was fresh and simple with chunks of pass, sweet potatoes, corn, lime, onion and tiger's milk. I would recommend this place, it's sort of an upscale dinner like The Continental in Philadelphia. There is another location that has a bigger menu, according to my date at least.

Strangely with all the fish I have had, maybe the best thing here was a burger from La Republica. Very tender, fresh beef, decent cheese (rare for Latin America) , fresh veggies and a potato bun that really completed this simple but delicious burger. I have never understood why potato bread is not more popular in Latin America. They also have decent juices and good ice cream. This is a nice cheap plate to take a date and watch people stroll by or to grab a bite after you have knocked a few back.

I wish I could have gotten to more food spots but I have had my hands full, which is not a bad thing! I will post some other info after I leave, I hope to try some really nice places in the next couple of days.

[El Lobo Solo]

If you are staying in the San Isidro area, you can't go wrong with the Familiares on avenida Chin Chon. Chin Chon is a street running south east from Arequipa to the financial towers on Ricardo Rivera Navarrete. The best restaurants for a great lunch at a great price are in the block next to Navarrete. There you can get excellent fare for S. 8 to 9. This will include a first course of soup or salad or various typical dishes like papa rellena, etc. The soups are usually almost a meal in themselves. The second course will be a full plate of meat, fish, chicken, or other meat, with a vegetable and rice (or potatoes or camote, etc.) plus a drink, usually an infusion or refresco. I have never gotten sick at any of these restaurants, and I have a delicate stomach.

As many know, Lima and Peru have great food, and in these restaurants you will find lots of variety at a great price point.

Note that these restaurants are the place where many of the local office workers eat their lunches. There is usually a major crush from about 1230 to 1330, and you do not get a great ambiance! What you get is brusque, polite service, with no nonsense, and a complete meal that should make MacDonalds blush, for about $3.00. You also will be shoulder to shoulder with Peruvians in a lively environment that doesn't cater to tourism at all. So someone in your party needs to be able to speak Spanish well.

My current favorite is La Sazon, which charges S. 8 on Saturday and S. 9.50 on weekdays. This restaurant is at number 879-881 Chin Chon.

[Grrrr]

Hi all,

Life is Lima is not all about sex right? Lima is also a foodies paradise.

It's really expensive by Lima's standards but if you love spectacularly creative and tasty food then Astrid why Gaston is fantastic. Rated one of the best restaurants in the world, you would never get food of this quality at this price in most countries in any developed country in the world.

Another great place that was mostly ceviche was called El Mercado. This place is only open at lunchtime and gets pretty busy so you'll need to book.

I don't have the addresses on me so you'll need to Google them.

[Lima Busy]

A group of us spent last week comparing various "Steak Houses".

The contenders were:

La Carretta. Top 10 Peru restaurant in a recent survey

El Rincon Gaucho- Almost got knocked down for its views.

La Tranquera= A long time favorite of the regular crowd

El Hornero (sp) Hooker and Narco fave.

I do not think I can eat another steak and I told Polvo the other day that I think I gave birth to a calf. But minor variations in pricing aside (Steaks are about $25 in Peru) the Hooker's know "good meat" and Hornero was the clear favorite with

La Carretta a fairly distant second.

El Hornero is on the Malecon in Chorillos and if you come out with a "gaggle of birds" at 1:30 am be prepared to hoof it down to wireless to catch some cabs.

[Pennypacker]

This is one of your typical menu places around Lima. For a fixed price you get an appetizer, beverage, meal and desert. The price here at Cortez is S/. 10. It's a tad more than can be had in other places but the quality reflects the price. You'll have about 5 appetizers and 7-8 main courses to choose from ranging from Causa, Sopa Criolla, Palta Rellana, Arroz con Pollo, Lomo Saltado, etc. For about US $3. 50 you can't go wrong and it's in a great location just steps from block 7/8 of Av. Larco. Provecho!

[Lima Busy]

In Parque Kennedy next to Starbucks is a new sandwich place called La Lucha. It's owned by the same New Yorker who owns Shehadi. It's a bright wide open NYC style walk up service. You order and pay for your sandwich at the counter and take a number back to your table and await your meal. The french fries are fresh and they use those purplish Andean potatoes. My favorite sandwich is "La Lucha" with chucnks of roast beef, cheese and onion. Fucking top notch. Fries + Sandwich + Drink not going to run you more than S/. 15. Provecho!

I get take out from there at least twice a week! I go for the wood cooked Pavo with a touch of Aji and a side of gravy! Brilliant and a fucking Gold Mine!

[Pennypacker]

In Parque Kennedy next to Starbucks is a new sandwich place called La Lucha. It's owned by the same New Yorker who owns Shehadi. It's a bright wide open NYC style walk up service. You order and pay for your sandwich at the counter and take a number back to your table and await your meal. The french fries are fresh and they use those purplish Andean potatoes. My favorite sandwich is "La Lucha" with chucnks of roast beef, cheese and onion. Fucking top notch. Fries + Sandwich + Drink not going to run you more than S/. 15. Provecho!

[Samu Ray]

For those on a low budget, there is a supermarket on cuzco av between
Abancay and Union, Wong Supermarket, they have freshly made food, you go by a fountain serving yourself and pay by weight, not too expensive...

[Artisttyp]

Today I was in barrio chino looking for a few things and found this place:


CHINATOWN DE ROSA CHIN CHAU
jr. Andahuaylas 799
tel 4279291

The reason I stopped in here is because it looked like a mid range place. There are several low end chifas in lima as well as expensive but hardly any mid range.

This chifa is located very close to the entrance to barrio chino off avenida abancay( located near the end of abancay heading to rimac). It has a very nice layout and atmosphere for an el centro chifa. You can also watch the mercado down below because it is located on the second floor.

The food was decent but I found the portions to be smaller than normal. I had soup spring rolls and a chicken enrollado dish for 30 soles = $11 with tip.

Not cheap for lima by any standards but decent food good atmposphere in a rather hectic part of town.


If you are looking for eye glass cases or accessories this is a good area to buy things. Also for all sorts of paper products and unusual latin music CD´s.

Just walk around and look at the stalls. Be aware of your surroundings.

[Globe Trotter]

I just heard of the 1st Turkish restaurant to open in Peru called "Istanbul" located at Av Grau 310, close to Plaza Baranco tel: 477-9372.
Going to check them out this week and will post my comments.

[Member #4351]

http://www.omeiperu.com/

Not for those on a strict budget.