Over a span of ten days, we were in awe and wonder exploring parts of Lima and Cusco in Peru. We visited the famous Museo Larco, which boasts a wide collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art and where Anthony Bourdain went in an episode of Parts Unknown.

We fed grass to cute llamas and chased roaming alpacas for photo ops, explored the majestic mountains of Machu Picchu, and learned how indigenous Peruvian groups use ingredients found in nature to create arts and crafts. 

And oh—all the women in our travel group got Traveler’s Diarrhea. Maybe it was the altitude that leaves you winded after a few flights of stairs or the empty restaurant Mr. Sweet’s mom signaled she didn’t want to eat at during our first day in the city. Whatever the cause, I missed out on fully enjoying a couple of meals.

Restaurants in Peru are always included in the World’s first 50 Best Restaurants. I felt lucky to experience two of them while we were in Lima, even if I wasn’t able to enjoy most meals because of a weak stomach..

We ate at the following restaurants. They’re worth checking out after strolling around the vibrant neighborhoods of Barranco or Mira Flores, and most definitely before or after being mesmerized by the incredible beauty of Machu Picchu in Cusco.

Here are three restaurants to check out in Lima

Central 

Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco 15063 | Website | World’s 50 Best

Featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Central’s fine dining offerings boast ingredients from the Amazons. 

We did a seventeen-course meal WITH wine pairings. I was overwhelmed by the ninth course and didn’t think I could make it until the end. I asked if I could have my food packed to-go but the wait staff explained how no one has ever asked a question like mine before. 

I vowed to never do a seventeen-course meal again. Some of the food that came out was purely decorative, like the fish heads…thankfully.

La Mar Cebichería

Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores 15074 | Website

The ceviche dishes at La Mar are as bright as their flavors. The restaurant was filled with working professionals out for their lunch hour and by the looks of their sneakers and bags, a good amount of tourists were there too.

Isolina

Av. San Martin 101, Barranco 15063 | Website | Latin America’s 50 Best

We went on a Sunday evening, just before the restaurant was about to close. We were one of the last guests in the restaurant and glad we didn’t get to miss out on meat so tender, it fell off the bone. No wonder this was Mr. Sweet’s favorite meal in Peru (and ever).

Cusco’s ancient archeological ruins, most especially Machu Picchu, give you a sense of wonder of your place in our big splendid world. At the same time, the food is amazing, to say the least.

One day I’ll be back to wholly taste everything I had to miss out on while sick to my stomach during my first time in Peru. But hey, sometimes being sick is part of the full travel experience.

Thanks for reading!

With glamour,

Rizzy