South American Feast
Lima – the culinary capital of the Americas.
In recent years, Lima has become highly regarded within gastronomical circles, with no less than three of the top fifty best restaurants in the world located there. It is a source of national pride and indulgence for any visitor here. Peru’s cuisine inherited its innovation and mix of flavours from it’s history and varied cultures. Culinary fusions have developed all over the country from the Peruvian’s take on Spanish tapas, to Peruvian Chinese and Japanese restaurants on almost every road. And now dishes encompass everything from Pachamanca to nutritious pastas and the famed Ceviche.
The varied cuisine is made possible by the sheer range of ingredients available throughout the country. Peru’s Pacific fisheries are the most prolific in the world, with eight percent of the world catch taken in these waters. So ceviche and seafood dishes are fresh, interesting and a delight to eat. Not to mention the exotic fruit and vegetables, grown in the different climatic regions that accompany main meals so excellently. You can discover the ingredients yourself at one of Lima’s bustling markets – gigantic fish, 3,000 types of potatoes and colourful fruit.
The country’s top restaurant, Central, in Lima was number 5 in the World’s Top 50 Restaurant List and Maido, also based in Lima, slightly behind at number 8. The UK’s best restaurants did not even make the Top 20. Central has been pivotal in Lima’s transformation to one of the globe’s must visit dining destinations. Diners can expect a colourful journey through Peruvian cuisine and its ecosystem, taking in some better known dishes like ceviche while presenting many exotic fruits, vegetables and herbs that most customers won’t have heard of – let alone be able to pronounce. Courses on the Mater Elevations tasting menu include Spiders on a Rock with mussel, crab and abalone; Marine Soil with razor clams, sweet lemon, pepino and starflower; and Close Fishing, an octopus dish with yuyo, barquillo and squid. You can enjoy a 28 course (yes 28!) tasting menu at Central – for around $120. Or alternatively enjoy your food on the go, whilst sightseeing around the city. The most popular street snack is the anticuchos – a kebab of skewered cow’s heart. Wash it down with a Pisco Sour – a refreshing cocktail available in many of Lima’s cool bars around Barranco.
Our Experts Recommend
On your visit to discover some of the best cuisine in the world we recommend you stay at Hotel B in Lima. A unique boutique hotel and excellent choice for those looking for an authentic historic atmosphere as well as those wishing to sample the current social and cultural scene in Barranco. Guests can enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea in the tranquil courtyard after their day of exploring the city, and before visiting one of Lima’s many first-class restaurants. Of course a trip to Peru would not be complete without visits to Machu Picchu, Cusco and maybe the Amazon. We can help tailor-make a holiday to suit your needs and interests.