A taste of Peru
Brimming with top-class restaurants and creative chefs, Lima is fast becoming the tastiest capital in the world
Most people head to Peru with the main aim of visiting the ancient wonder of Machu Picchu, but skipping Lima and the city’s outstanding food offering would be a serious injustice. As well as typical Peruvian eateries serving a whole range of distinctive dishes, you’ll also find top-class restaurants with super-creative chefs. Alongside its unrivalled restaurant options, Lima also has some fascinating food markets where you can pick up fruits and vegetables you’ve probably never heard of, alongside superfoods like Maca root powder and chia seeds.
What to do?
For a little bit of history and to work up an appetite, Pachacamac, a fascinating archaeological site just outside of the city, is worth a stroll. Here you can visit pyramid and sun temple ruins and learn all about the ancient ceremonial centre of Lima, from Wari through to Inca civilisation. Back in Lima city centre, the pretty bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco is home to street art, colourful mansions, kooky shops and restaurants. Look out for the unusual shaped pink library in the main square and hold your breath when crossing the ‘bridge of sighs’ to make your wishes come true.
On Sundays, from 9am to 3pm, be sure to find the farmers’ market Feria Ecológica de Barranco, where you can buy a whole selection of delicious homemade cakes, fruits and vegetables and organic and natural beauty products, made using some of Peru’s finest ingredients. From Barranco, walk down the steps leading to the seafront for views right along the coast. On clear days you might be able to spot the fearless paragliders that jump from the cliffs above in neighbouring Miraflores.
FOOD FOR ALL
Whatever budget you have, there’s an amazing foodie experience to be had in Lima. Don’t miss these four very different but very tasty restaurants…
✱ SPLURGE AT KJOLLE Restaurants don’t come much slicker than Kjolle, a light and spacious place filled with plants and wooden furniture that gives off a Scandi vibe. The nine-course tasting menu with wine pairing is a real highlight, with interesting, innovative dishes made with native Peruvian ingredients that are hard to find outside of the country.
✱ SPEND AT ISOLINA
Creole and offal dishes are the stars of the show at Isolina in Barranco. This super relaxed restaurant is always full of locals, and the huge sharing plates will ensure you won’t leave feeling disappointed. Don’t miss the lomo laltado (wok-fried steak with onions and tomatoes) or the capitana isolina cocktail, made with pisco, vermouth, a splash of red wine and bitters.
✱ SAVE AT LA LUCHA AND POLLERIA PRIMOS Home to some of the friendliest staff in the city, La Lucha is famed for its tasty and cheap sandwiches. Try Pavo a la Lina (chicken and onion) over in Miraflores. Or, in the cute neighbourhood of San Isidro, you’ll find the best wood-fired rotisserie chicken around. Filling and cheap, this meal is a traditional Peruvian dish that families all over the country enjoy on a regular basis.
Sleep here
Aloft Lima Hotel in Miraflores is the ideal place to stay due to its perfect location, right in the middle of all the best foodie hotspots. Rooms are modern, spacious and comfy and the breakfast is pretty great too, doubles start at £59 a night.