The Table· 9 min read·21 July 2026
The Best Restaurants in Lima 2026: Ranking and How to Book Them
Central, Maido, Kjolle, Mayta — the six in the world top and the twelve orbiting.
By Kada Travel Editorial
Lima has been Latin American gastronomic capital for ten consecutive years. In 2024, Virgilio Martínez's Central was named the world's best restaurant by The World's 50 Best (William Reed list). In 2026, six Lima restaurants are among the world's fifty best, making Lima the only capital with such concentration outside Tokyo. This guide covers the current top with reservation data, prices and specialties.
The global top: the six in 50 Best
Central (Virgilio Martínez, Barranco). Position #1 in 2024, #6 in 2026. "Mater" menu of 16 courses based on Peru's altitudinal tiers —from below zero to 4,350m above sea level. USD 380 per person. Three-month reservation.
Maido (Mitsuharu "Micha" Tsumura, Miraflores). Position #5 in 2024, #4 in 2026. Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) cuisine in its most rigorous version. 14-course tasting menu. USD 320 per person. Two-month reservation.
Kjolle (Pía León, Barranco). Position #16 in 2026. Contemporary Peruvian cuisine centred on female-curated produce by Pía León (Virgilio Martínez's wife and partner). 12-course tasting menu. USD 280 per person. Six-week reservation.
Mayta (Jaime Pesaque, Miraflores). Position #28 in 2026. Contemporary Peruvian cuisine with coastal emphasis. 10-course tasting menu. USD 240 per person. Four-week reservation.
Mérito (Juan Luis Martínez, Barranco). Position #45 in 2026. Peruvian-Venezuelan fused cuisine. 8-course tasting menu. USD 220 per person. Three-week reservation.
Cosme (Israel Laura, Miraflores). Position #50 in 2026. Contemporary Peruvian cuisine with emphasis on lesser-known Peruvian wines. 9-course tasting menu. USD 200 per person. Two-week reservation.
Second tier: the tables not in the ranking but should be
Six additional restaurants we recommend without such tight reservations.
Astrid y Gastón (Gastón Acurio, San Isidro). The historic contemporary Peruvian-cuisine restaurant, in the seventeenth-century Casa Hacienda Moreyra. Tasting menu or à la carte. USD 180-280.
La Mar (Gastón Acurio, Miraflores). Luxury cevichería, lunch by reservation, no dinner. USD 80-120.
Rafael (Rafael Osterling, Miraflores). Classic Peruvian cuisine with French technique. Formal dining room, recommended for anniversary dinner. USD 200-280.
Maras (Westin Lima Hotel, San Isidro). On the 30th floor with Lima's best panoramic view. Contemporary Peruvian cuisine. USD 160-220.
El Mercado (Rafael Osterling, San Isidro). Informal Peruvian cuisine in restored market. USD 80-120.
La Pescadería de Lobito (Central Lima). Fresh fish with traditional preparation, no-pretension setting. USD 60-90.
How to book (the reality)
For Central, Maido and Kjolle, reservations open three months ahead on their official websites. Demand exceeds supply. The day reservations open (the 1st of each month for three months ahead), premium slots fill in the first two hours. Weekend slots and peak hours (8-9 PM) sell out in minutes.
For our travellers, we handle reservations as part of the package. The difference from direct booking: we have restaurant relationships and obtain slots reserved for premium clients. The handling is part of the service.
How many top tables in a week
The common mistake is planning three top restaurants on three consecutive nights. Contemporary Peruvian cuisine is dense: each tasting is a three-hour journey with Andean, marine and jungle produce. Three consecutive nights saturate palate and stomach. We recommend one top table per night, alternating with brief lunches (La Mar for ceviche, El Mercado for informal) or hotel dinners (Tragaluz at Belmond Miraflores Park, Maras at Westin).
For a week in Lima, we recommend: two global-top tables (Central + Maido or Kjolle), two second-tier (Astrid y Gastón + Mayta), one informal dinner (La Mar at lunch, Cosme at dinner). Total five gastronomic experiences in seven nights. The maximum the standard traveller can absorb without overdoing it.
The 50 Best ranking is a tool, not a programme. Lima's best table depends on the traveller, the night, the palate state. The six in the ranking are exceptional —but sometimes the best dinner of the week is at Mayta, not Central.
Kada Travel
Details that matter
Dress: Central, Maido and Kjolle are smart casual (dark jean and shirt). Astrid y Gastón is semi-formal (jacket for men). Rafael is formal. Picanterías and markets have no dress code.
Allergies and restrictions: the six global-top can adapt menu for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free. Notify 48 hours before by email. Picanterías and informal restaurants have less flexibility.
Language: in the six global-top, sommelier and chef speak English. In the second tier, guaranteed at Astrid y Gastón, La Mar, Maras. In picanterías, mainly Spanish.
Written by Kada Travel Editorial
Frequently Asked
Reservations open three months ahead on their site. For our travellers, we handle via direct restaurant relationship. Without us, requires persistence and sometimes time flexibility.
For lovers of contemporary cuisine, yes. A unique experience. For general travellers seeking good taste without formality, Mayta or Astrid y Gastón are more comfortable alternatives almost as memorable.
Five tables (two top, two second tier, one informal): approximately USD 1,200-1,500 per person, no pairing. With wine, USD 1,700-2,200.
Yes, all six global-top offer vegetarian and vegan menu (notifying 48h before). Kjolle has the most sophisticated for vegetarians.
Three to four hours at the six top. If reservation is at 8 PM, leaving approximately 11:30 PM or midnight.
Confirmed reservations are not unilaterally cancelled. In force majeure, restaurants offer rescheduling with 24-48h notice.
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