This Latin American City Just Became The Ultimate Destination For Foodies

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One of the best parts of traveling to a new destination is trying new flavors and foods that you have never experienced before.

There are places where even common and popular dishes taste different, better and richer in flavor, and you just can’t get enough of it.

By trying traditional dishes, travelers also learn about a culture and its history, and there is a new city in Latin America that is getting a lot of attention from culinary experts and travel foodies.

Lima, in Peru, has just been recognized as one of the best destinations in the world for foodies for having the best restaurants and gastronomy.

Aerial view of the coastline in Lima, Peru

The Peruvian restaurant Central won first place in The 50 best restaurants in the world this yeara prestigious organization that rewards world-class restaurants since 2002.

This spacious restaurant, run by Virgilio Martínez and Pia León in the Barranco neighborhood, offers visitors one of the best culinary experiences in the world.

View of the Barranco neighborhood in Lima, Peru

And that’s not all, 3 more restaurants in Lima, Maido, Kjolle and Mayta, ranked in the top 50, making Lima a must for foodies.

The Most Prestigious Restaurants In Lima

Lima consistently ranks among the top destinations for foodie travelers, only this time it landed in first place.

Peruvian cuisine combines local autochthonous ingredients and has a strong influences of Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and African culinary cultures.

In Centralguests can taste local food “through 15 different Peruvian ecosystems” with a fascinating concept that considers altitude, from the Pacific Ocean to the top of the Andes, to include new products and flavors.

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In sixth place, another restaurant in Lima stood out: Maido.

Restoration It is described as a “Japanese restaurant with a Peruvian heart”. Chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura combines Peruvian ingredients and Japanese techniques to create 10 to 14 Nikkei cuisine dishes.

Guests will be able to enjoy a creative menu with exotic flavors and products —such as edible stones— and seasonal experiences.

The talented chef Pía León won a second prize for her restaurant Skirtalso from Lima, which reached number 28 on the list.

Photo of Peruvian dish served at Kjolle restaurant in Lima, Peru

At Kjolle, visitors can sample the most beautiful and colorful creations of this renowned chef while working alongside local artists.

And, at position 47, another Peruvian restaurant in Lima made the cut: mayta.

In the Miraflores neighborhood, this restaurant run by Jaime Pesaque offers its clients a twelve-course experience of Peruvian cuisine with a sustainable concept.

In Mayta, travelers can taste Amazonian fish paiche —one species endangering others—into tasty dishes.

Plaza San Martín in Lima is a large open square with a statue in the center and historical buildings in the surrounding streets

These four Peruvian restaurants are making Lima a more attractive destination for travelers from all over the world.

What to see and do in Lima

Although most travelers arrive in Lima simply because it is the capital and has more flight connections to international destinations, there is a lot to see here before arriving at Machu Picchu.

There are more tourist destinations in Peru, such as Cusco or Arequipa, but Lima is definitely worth exploring, and not just for its delicious restaurants.

There are fascinating museums in this city, such as the Larco Museum of pre-Columbian art that brings together more than 5,000 years of history.

The Huaca Pucllana pyramid is a must-see archaeological site, especially if you’re near the Miraflores district to eat at Mayta or Maido.

The historical center of Lima, known as the « City of Kings », is a UNESCO-listed historical center and is home to important monuments such as the Government Palace, the Cathedral and the main square Plaza de Armas.

UNESCO world heritage site of the historic city center of Lima, Peru

Those who visit the Barranco neighborhood —perhaps to eat at Kjolle or Central— can enjoy a bohemian atmosphere with art galleries, shows and colorful streets. This district is known as the Soho of Lima and is home to another popular landmark, the Bridge of Sighs.

And yes, there are great cities for foodies in the United States, but Lima should also be on your bucket list.