The capital of Peru is a destination of flavors and colors, where the past coexists with the intensely lived present. From its pre-Hispanic architecture, which is part of the urban network, to its world-class cuisine, Lima is a constant discovery.

Gastronomic Capital

Peru is a global gastronomic benchmark, and Lima is an ideal destination for lovers of good food and drinks. The capital city is home to four of the restaurants included in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, but the offering is as wide-ranging as the flavors themselves.

Savoring the City

Lima is a world capital of gastronomy and an excellent destination for exploring the diversity of Peruvian cuisine. In 2023, Virgilio Martínez’s Central ranked first on the influential list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants: it was the first time a South American restaurant had reached the top of this prestigious ranking. In 2025, another Peruvian restaurant achieved the same when Maido, run by chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, was voted the best in the world.

Maido, in Miraflores neighborhood, focuses part of its offering on a fusion with Japanese cuisine and the other part on exploring the essence and recipes of Peru. Its tasting menu includes more than ten courses and may feature dishes such as a reinterpretation of the classic Lima sandwich with avocado, egg, tomato, and pork belly; squid ramen with Amazonian chorizo; duck dumplings; or nigiri with Peruvian and Japanese ingredients. Without a doubt, it is a visit that every foodie will appreciate.

Other recently recognized restaurants in Lima include Mayta, also in Miraflores, and Mérito and Kjolle, both in Barranco. Mayta is based on respect for local produce, combining indigenous ingredients —such as muña, rocoto, cacao, and mashua— with haute cuisine techniques. Mérito, on the other hand, is a fusion of Peruvian and Venezuelan cuisine: its contemporary style maintains a strong link to its roots and seasonal produce, which has made this small, minimalist restaurant a must-visit for foodies and food critics. Kjolle is run by Pía León, who was named Best Female Chef in the World in 2021. There, Peruvian biodiversity is explored and celebrated through food that connects with the ecosystems of the coast, the mountains, and the jungle.

Outside of the coveted list, there are many other essential restaurants on a gastronomic tour of the city. One of them is Maras, the restaurant at the Westin hotel in San Isidro: the perfect place to discover and taste the best of Peruvian haute cuisine in a cozy and elegant atmosphere. Its culinary offering focuses on the quality of the product and technique, combining tradition and modernity. At the end of 2024, it was included in Wine Spectator’s prestigious Award of Excellence list, becoming the only restaurant in a five-star hotel in Peru to achieve this award. On the other hand, a unique experience that not only brings us closer to Peruvian flavors but also gives us a unique perspective of the city is Insumo, on the rooftop of the AC Hotel Lima Miraflores. With a varied menu, ranging from meat to seafood, this space allows you to enjoy the sunset with cocktails and signature dishes that make you appreciate the sea of Lima even more.

Pre-Hispanic Lima

Modernity in Lima coexists with its pre-Hispanic past. The Peruvian capital has several archaeological remains immersed in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. According to the General Directorate of Archaeological Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, there are 431 huacas —ceremonial buildings of pre-Columbian cultures— in the city. Here are some of the ones you can visit.

Pachacamac

The best-known archaeological remains in Lima belong to the Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary, just over thirty kilometers south of Lima. Built between 200 AD and the arrival of the Incas, this was the main sanctuary on the central coast for over a thousand years, as the cult of Pachacamac was the center of all religion in the area. Today, visitors can explore its impressive pyramids, temples, and adobe and stone plazas, such as the Temple of the Sun, Acllawasi, and the Painted Temple. Its site museum, designed by the Peruvian architecture firm Llosa Cortegana, was nominated for the Mies Crown Hall Americas Award.

Huaca Pucllana

Located in the middle of the residential and tourist district of Miraflores, it is known for the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant, which, in addition to traditional Peruvian cuisine, offers one of the best views of the city, especially at night when the huaca is illuminated. The archaeological remains are the work of the Lima culture, which developed between 200 and 700 AD and occupied Huaca Pucllana in its final stage, between 400 and 700 AD. The site is a “truncated pyramid” with interconnected plazas, courtyards, and platforms at its base. Today, the huaca is surrounded by a concrete lattice that allows visitors to glimpse what is happening inside. Visits can be made by appointment.

Huaca Huallamarca

The adobe brick pyramid was built by the Pinazo coastal civilization in 200 AD but was later used as a cemetery by other pre-Inca cultures, such as Sicán, Lima, and Chincha. Until the early 20th century, it was known as Pan de Azúcar, as it was located within the estate of the same name. Today, it stands in a residential area of San Isidro, just a step away from the main financial center of Lima. It is one of the most special sights in Lima. Huallamarca is surrounded by a small botanical garden and also has a site museum where ceramics, textiles, and other objects found during excavations are on display. It is also worth visiting at night, as its lighting is quite a spectacle.

Maranga Archaeological Complex

This is a complex of 53 archaeological monuments, including administrative buildings, temples, palaces, walls, irrigation canals, and more, which are connected to each other by plazas and roads. Currently, this National Cultural Heritage site is located within the Parque de las Leyendas, the zoo of Lima. This makes it more accessible to visitors.

Whether it’s a gastronomic tour, a pre-Hispanic route, a visit to its galleries and museums of traditional and contemporary art, or a tour of its shops, Lima is a dynamic capital that excites you as you discover it. That is why the Westin Lima and the AC Hotel Lima Miraflores have formed a partnership with Larcomar Traveler to offer certain promotions to their guests —with deals on taxi apps and at shops and restaurants in the Larcomar Shopping Center—, making their stay even more enjoyable and convenient.