Eating my way around Miraflores! Where To Eat In Lima, Peru?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Lima is a destination for food lovers! Most of my outings in the city revolved around restaurants, cafes, or street food stands, and since I spent 3 weeks there, this gave me plenty of time to get to know some of the local hot spots.

For this post, I decided to focus on the district of Miraflores since it’s where I spent the most time, but let me assure you, you’ll find great food anywhere in Lima! Now on to some of my favourite eateries in Peru‘s capital:

Miraflores Food Guide: What To Eat and Drink In Lima, Peru on a DIY Food Tour

Anticuchos Grimanesa

I have to say, I had some reservations about trying anticuchos (cow hearts on a skewer!), but this is a local dish and I kept hearing rave reviews from my relatives, so off I went to eat cow hearts.

Mrs. Grimanesa Vargas started out selling anticuchos out of her pushcart on the street. Over the years she built up quite the clientele and it became well known that she prepared the best anticuchos in town. She eventually moved into her very own restaurant, and now she’s cooking hearts for an even larger crowd. When I went there on a weeknight the place was packed!

I ordered a double portion of cow hearts (2 skewers) for 18 soles, and a giant white corn on the cob for an additional 5 soles. There was a bit of a mental barrier to surpass knowing what I was eating, but that being said, if you had taken me there and told me we were eating steak on a skewer I totally would have believed you. The anticuchos are very well seasoned and the first thing you detect is a hint of garlic.

Address: Felipe Barreda 475

El Punto Azul

I can’t talk about food in Lima without mentioning ceviche! In case you haven’t heard of it, ceviche is a seafood dish where the fish is cured in lemon or lime before being served. It comes with onions, white corn, and sweet potato, and it is one of the tastiest things I have ever tried. I got to eat this several times during my stay and one of my favourite meals was at El Punto Azul. I daresay it might be better than sushi!

I ordered the ceviche de pescado at the restaurant (the portion was large enough for two!), with a side of causa (a yellow mashed potato dish served with avocado, corn, cheese and seafood), and that was paired with a large pitcher of chicha morada (a purple corn juice). One of the best meals I had in the city!

Address: Calle San Martin 595

La Rosa Nautica

This is one of the most famed restaurants in Lima and for good reason! The setting is simply stunning; La Rosa Nautica is built on a pier out over the Pacific Ocean, and it really feels like you’re out at sea. Sometimes they have their windows open so a gentle salty breeze blows in. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the views of the surfers catching waves not too far off in the distance. I recommend that you come around sunset for some wonderful views.

The menu at La Rosa Nautica features a lot of seafood, and my personal favourite is their tuna steak. I ate that dish a few years ago and no tuna steak has been able to top it since. Seriously, my mouth waters whenever I think back on that meal. The food is delicious and the setting is magical, so I’d say it’s well worth the splurge.

Address: On the 4th pier in Miraflores.

Manolo 

There are so many reasons to come to Manolo, but what brought me here were the churros. A reader had told me about this place when I was first planning my trip, so when I arrived I made sure to pay the place a visit and sample every type of churro available – chocolate, vanilla and dulce de leche.

I then came back to try their Pijama Sandwich, which just so happens to be the biggest sandwich I have ever set eyes on. Seriously, it included things like hot dogs, chicken breast, sweet potato, avocado, egg, ham, cheese, olives, tomatoes, and I’m probably still forgetting a few ingredients.

Of course, the biggest sandwich in the world needs to be paired with the biggest dessert in the world, which is why I ordered the Lemon Merengue Pie – the merengue was so tall that it looked like spires on a church.

Address: Avenida Larco 608

Pardos

Pardos is a chain restaurant that specializes in rotisserie chicken. It’s not exactly one of a kind, but neither is Nando’s and people still love it. Their pollo a la brasa (grilled chicken) is succulent and it comes with a spicy ají sauce that’s just perfect. They also offer delivery, which is great if you’re having one of those lazy nights where you just feel like staying in.

Address: Throughout the city.

Edo Sushi Bar

I really like this place because it has the classic rolls you’d expect to find at a sushi restaurant back home, however, they also have some interesting creations that are a fusion of sushi and ceviche. If you want a roll that combines Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, I’d order the Acevichado. I also enjoyed the Salmon Skin Maki with cream cheese and asparagus and the Furai Maki with smoked trout and avocado.

The only thing I was left wondering is, where’s the miso soup? I’m starting to think it’s not common in Lima because out of the 2 Japanese restaurants I went to, miso soup never made an appearance on the menu.

Address: Calle Berlin 601

Sra. Buendia

This is a great spot to pick up some Peruvian sweet treats. Sra. Buendia specializes in tejas and chocotejas. A teja is a confection that’s filled with caramel and nuts or fruit and then coated in a layer of white sugar. The chocoteja is much the same except that it is coated in a layer of chocolate rather than sugar. My favourites were the lemon tejas (surprisingly sweet, not sour) and pasas borrachas (literally ‘drunk raisins’ because they’ve been soaked in alcohol).

The shop is quite small with only a couple of tables where to sit, however, you can get your sweets boxed up and enjoy them at a nearby park.

Address: Avenida Ernesto Díez Canseco 306

Cremolada Curich

Cremolada Curich is one of the oldest establishments in the neighbourhood and it draws a loyal clientele wanting to cool down with something sweet. Their specialty is cremolada, which is a lot like flavoured shaved ice. 

They have all kinds of tropical fruit flavours like aguaymanto (Peruvian ground cherry), guanábana (soursop), and lúcuma (there’s no English name for this one – it looks like a yellow avocado when you crack it open, but it’s a fruit).

Address: Calle Bolognesi 759

Street Food at Parque Kennedy

So this last one isn’t a restaurant, but there are plenty of great food stands where you can enjoy a snack in Parque Kennedy. So what exactly can you find? You have picarones (fluffy donuts made from squash and sweet potato and then coated in honey), churros (fried dough sprinkled with sugar), mazamorra y arroz con leche (a combination of purple corn porridge and rice pudding), chicha morada (purple corn juice in case you get thirsty), tasty popcorn and more.

Address: Parque Kennedy between Diagonal and Avenida Jose Larco.

Practical Notes: Visiting These Spots Today

I first published this post years ago, and these places have since become the spots I keep recommending to anyone passing through Lima. Most of them are still very much alive and well — a couple have even grown into something bigger than when I visited. Here’s what I’d want you to know before you go.

Anticuchos Grimanesa is still the real deal — over 40 years in business and considered by many (including chef Gastón Acurio) to be the definitive anticuchos in Peru. One thing worth flagging: the address I originally noted may be outdated, as the restaurant has been associated with Calle Ignacio Merino 466 in more recent listings. Double-check before you go, and be prepared to wait — the space is small, it fills up fast, and the queue is part of the experience. Open Monday to Saturday, evenings only.

El Punto Azul has become even more popular since my visit, which is saying something. Expect a wait even at off-peak hours — I’ve seen reports of groups queuing at 3pm on a weekday. Worth every minute. The ceviche is still the star.

La Rosa Náutica underwent a significant menu refresh in late 2023 under a new chef, so the experience is more elevated than the one I described. The setting hasn’t changed — it’s still that stunning pier over the Pacific — but it’s now firmly in special-occasion territory. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for sunset. The classic seafood is still there, but the menu has been reworked around sustainable fishing and seasonal ingredients.

Manolo has been open since 1968 and shows no signs of stopping. The churros are still legendary and the café gets packed, particularly on weekend mornings. Hours run roughly 7am to 10pm on weekdays, a little later on weekends.

Sra. Buendía is still at the same little shop on Díez Canseco — bring cash, as they don’t always accept cards. If you fall in love with the tejas (and you will), they now have a second location in Surco and are apparently eyeing Arequipa and Cusco next.

Cremolada Curich has been scooping since 1942 and is still going strong at Jr. Bolognesi 759, open daily from 9am to 10pm. The flavour selection has only grown — somewhere between 40 and 50 options depending on the season. Lúcuma is always a good call if you’ve never tried it.

A Note on Prices

The prices I mentioned throughout this post are from my original visit, and Lima’s dining costs have shifted considerably since then. As a rough current guide: street snacks and park food still run just a few soles, a sit-down lunch at a neighbourhood spot is roughly S/.40–60 per person, and somewhere like La Rosa Náutica is now firmly in the S/.150–200+ range for a full dinner with drinks. The good news is that the value at the mid-range spots — El Punto Azul, Edo Sushi, Manolo — remains genuinely excellent. And ceviche for “one” at Punto Azul still feeds two.

Getting Around Miraflores

The good news is that most of these spots are walkable from each other. Parque Kennedy is your anchor — Manolo is right on Avenida Larco nearby, Sra. Buendía is a short walk away on Díez Canseco, and El Punto Azul is a few blocks further. Cremolada Curich is on Bolognesi, also within easy walking distance. Grimanesa is a 15–20 minute walk from the park (or a quick taxi), and La Rosa Náutica is down the cliffs at the Costa Verde — most people walk to the Malecón first for the views and then descend. It’s a compact neighbourhood and one of the most pleasant places in Lima to just wander between meals.

Getting to Miraflores

If you’re flying into Lima, Miraflores is one of the easiest districts to reach from Jorge Chávez International Airport — the drive typically takes around 40 minutes depending on traffic, and Uber works reliably well in Lima. It’s honestly the option I’d recommend over a random street taxi, especially if you’re arriving for the first time. Official airport taxi counters are also a safe choice if you prefer booking on the spot before you exit arrivals.

From Lima’s historic centre, Miraflores is about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or Uber. The Metropolitano bus connects the two areas at a fraction of the cost if you’re comfortable with public transport and have a bit of time — it’s not complicated once you’ve done it once, but for a first visit I’d just take the app.

Once you’re in the district, almost everything in this guide is walkable. Parque Kennedy is the natural anchor point and most of these restaurants are within a 15-minute stroll of it.

A Few Questions I Get Asked a Lot

When’s the best time to eat ceviche in Lima?

Midday. Peruvians eat ceviche at lunch — it’s a cultural thing as much as a freshness thing — and most cevicherías are at their best between late morning and mid-afternoon. Many scale back raw fish service in the evenings. If you’re going to El Punto Azul, aim for the lunch rush and be prepared to wait.

How spicy is Peruvian food?

Flavourful more than fiery, in most cases. The heat comes from the sauces on the side — ají amarillo is fruity and medium, rocoto is the one that’ll surprise you. If you want to dial it down, just ask for “sin ají, por favor” and you’ll be fine. The anticuchos at Grimanesa come with a rocoto sauce that’s genuinely spicy — use it sparingly until you’ve got the measure of it.

Any menu terms worth knowing?

A few that come up constantly: palta is avocado, choclo is the large-kernel Andean corn (the kind that comes with your ceviche), mariscos is seafood, leche de tigre is the ceviche marinade (often served as a shot on the side — very good), and menú del día is the set lunch — usually a starter, main, and drink at a fixed price, and one of the best ways to eat well without spending much.

Is the street food at Parque Kennedy safe?

Yes, if you follow the usual logic: busy vendors, high turnover, eat things hot. The picarones and churros are cooked to order right in front of you, which takes care of most concerns. I never had any issues eating my way around the park, and I went back more than once for the mazamorra morada.

Where to Stay in Miraflores, Lima

Miraflores is the most convenient base for eating your way around Lima — most of the restaurants in this guide are walkable from anywhere in the district, and you’re never far from the Malecón for an after-dinner stroll. Here’s how I’d break it down by budget.

Luxury

The Belmond Miraflores Park is the one that gets mentioned first for good reason — it sits right on the Malecón with ocean views, only 82 rooms, and the kind of service that justifies the price tag. The 11th-floor observatory breakfast with Pacific views is worth getting up for. The JW Marriott Hotel Lima is the other big name, oceanfront and well located, with 156 rooms and the full Marriott offering. If you’re celebrating something, either of these is a strong call. The Pullman Lima Miraflores rounds out the luxury tier and is consistently one of the best-rated properties in the district — popular with couples especially.

Mid-Range

The Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores has a rooftop bar with great views and a pool, which earns it a lot of loyalty — well located and reliably comfortable. The AC Hotel by Marriott Lima Miraflores is a short walk from Larcomar and offers good value for a contemporary mid-range stay. The DoubleTree by Hilton Lima Miraflores El Pardo is down near the Costa Verde and has a rooftop fitness pool — handy if you want to feel virtuous between meals. Casa Andina Premium Miraflores is a solid Peruvian chain option that balances comfort and price well.

Boutique & Budget-Friendly

If you’d rather stay somewhere smaller and local, WasiPai Boutique Hotel gets consistently fantastic reviews and has that personal feel that the big properties can’t replicate. Casa Suyay is an affordable option with a traditional Peruvian character — good value if you’re keeping an eye on costs. And if you just need something clean, well-located, and no-fuss, ibis Styles Lima Benavides Miraflores is the best-reviewed of the budget options in the area.

Food Tours Worth Joining in Miraflores

I’ll be honest — I did most of my eating in Miraflores solo, following tips from relatives and a healthy amount of wandering. But if you’d rather have a guide take you straight to the good stuff, these tours are the ones I’d point people toward.

Miraflores Trending Flavors Walking Tour

This is the most Miraflores-specific option and the one that gets the warmest reviews. It starts at a local coffee shop, works its way through a traditional pork sandwich stop, a local bakery, a neighbourhood market where you’ll try fruits you’ve likely never seen before, and finishes with ceviche and a pisco chilcano. Half a day, entirely on foot, and it takes you to the kind of spots that don’t turn up on the first page of Google. I’d do this on day one to get your bearings before going back to your favourite stops independently.

Lima Gourmet Food Tour: Daytime Experience

A longer, more wide-ranging option that covers both Miraflores and Barranco in a small group setting. The guides consistently get praised for their local knowledge and the tour covers more of Lima’s culinary range — including a market visit and multiple neighbourhood stops. Good choice if you want to understand Lima’s food scene beyond just Miraflores.

Lima Food Tour: Local Markets & Barranco

This one digs into the market side of Lima’s food culture — starting at Surquillo market (just next to Miraflores), working through the fish market at Chorrillos, and finishing in Barranco with causa rellena and picarones. More variety than the walking tours above, and a great choice if markets are your thing. Come very hungry.

And there you have it! This is by no means a complete list of all the places where to eat in Miraflores — there are so many highly acclaimed spots that I simply didn’t have enough time for! — however, I hope it gives you some ideas. If you have been to Miraflores and have some restaurant recommendations, feel free to add them to the comments below. I’d love to hear your suggestions and I’m sure other foodies would too. 🙂