Lima
in Peru

Bottega Dasso is a modern kitchen and bar that runs from dawn’s first light to the late-night glow. Although they have a fantastic range of dishes, all the way from Eggs Benedict to scallops sautéed with Pinot Grigio, their cocktail bar and vibrant evenings are what we constantly look forward to. Rub shoulders with the loudest negroni-drinking locals, tipsy first dates and the most cheerful crowd of 50-year-old friend groups who stay until closing. For us, this place is one of the best cocktail bars in Lima.

Across the gorgeous 18th-century royal building that hosts the museum, is a gorgeous garden filled with bougainvilleas. Get a romantic lunch or an intimate dinner on the rooftop of this café. Catch up with your loved ones over classic Peruvian dishes and of course, a Pisco sour to get the gossip rolling. 

For a drink on the rocks, literally and figuratively speaking, Cala boasts the most fantastic coastal views in Lima. Tucked into the shore where surfers catch tubes in Miraflores, bartender Manuel Cigarrostegui creates a fresh selection of drinks with seasonality and sustainability at heart; try the Tesoro Inca made with tumbo (banana passionfruit) and a quina tree bark licor. A busy lunchtime spot for ceviches and tiraditos on the weekend, it's also a perfect sunset spot. Open daily.  

Aaron Díaz’s Carnaval redefined Lima’s bar scene with bold flavours, playful presentations, and a dedicated Ice Room (ask for a peek). The latest Alquimia IV menu is all-Peruvian, from the Amazonian Ayahuasca to the six-cocktail Las Rutas de Lanfranco—a tasting that’s as theatrical as it is delicious.

Casa Bulbo is a funky and alternative bar and venue that guarantees unexpected fun nights. Whether you visit to dance the night away and groove to a DJ set as you sip a vodka tonic or visit them on a relaxed night to enjoy live music, a deep conversation and a dry martini, Casa Bulbo is always an extraordinary option for a late night drink and awaited gathering with the gals. 

Celeste Solar Bar is an eclectic rooftop bar in San Isidro. This place is superb for a fun night out with friends or a rad double-date plan. Enjoy the views and their amazing appetisers as you sip the evening away and aim to try as many cocktails as possible. The vibes, music and drinks here never miss. If you are looking for a groovy night in Lima, this is a phenomenal option. 

Since 2012, Central has been featured in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. After climbing its way to the top, in 2023, they finally celebrated being the best in the world. Central, run by chef Virgilio Martinez, is all about Peru’s varied ecosystems and the ingredients that live on the shores of the Amazon, in the highest peaks of the Andes and the oceanic currents of the coastal region. Central has mind-blowing tasting and drinking menus, inspired by the altitudes that vary in the country. Although it is pretty hard to get a reservation, you should try it all: a table in this life-changing culinary travesty is worth it.

Cordial is the perfect spot to unwind and get groovy within the vibrant nightlife of Barranco. Their cocktails celebrate unique spirits and thus make creative drinks…however, they also advocate for natural wines for those who love to try new flavours. This cool and laidback bar jams to dJs that have fun with vinyl and combining retro and current sounds. A superb bar for a first date or a night on the town. 

When it’s time to diversify from Pisco Sours and Chilcanos, freshen up with a glass of vino at Curador in Miraflores. One of three projects grouped under the same roof at Casa O, which is led by chef and sommelier Andrés Orellana, dip into a selection of wines by the glass that includes Peruvian labels; they are often made with one of the eight designated pisco grapes. There’s also a selection of cocktails: order the lesser-known Peruvian classic, the Capitán made with pisco, vermouth rosso and bitters. Whatever you’re drinking don’t miss the yuca rosti stuffed with a buttery Cajamarcan stracciatella-like cheese. 

This 2024 opening is inspired by spells and infusions, prepared by witch doctors, as per the translation of its name, Curanderas. A basement watering hole located under Parque El Olivar, the centuries-old olive groves in San Isidro, whose roots are visible through the windows, lift your spirits with a cocktail drawing from the four elements of earth, wind, fire and water.  An all-female staff led by Carolina García helms Curanderas: order the The Chalice, whose white vermouth and sherry base is backed up by coconut milk, passionfruit and activated carbon. 

This bar might be just what the doctor ordered, thanks to its witty spin on medicinal cocktails, vigorous tonics and curing infusions inspired by Chinese medicine. With bartender Efraín Naime behind the stick, El Infusionsista is best-known for Transfusión, the much-photographed cocktail with a vodka base, red berries and beetroot. While the blood bag cocktail might not be for everyone, the pretty-in-pink grape-led Somnífero (The Sleep Inducer) inspired by the Japanese siphon coffee technique is more palatable for its elegant pisco, Lillet and Moscatel grape flavours.

Hotel B is a boutique hotel located in Barranco, very close to the sea and very close to all the bohemian cafes and concept stores we all love. Their hip rooftop is perfect for a cocktail afternoon with the girls or a breezy dinner with your partner. However, the highlight of this hotel is the attention to detail in each suite and the phenomenal service. While it is small and often full, they know how to enchant their guests and make their establishment your go-to every time you visit the city. 

With a strictly Peruvian lens on both food and drinks, Lady Bee has set the pace for Lima’s drinking scene – and has justly been appreciated by ranking 16th in World’s 50 Best Bars in 2024. Noma-trained chef Gabriela León works with her bartender husband Alonso Palomino to create a sophisticated seasonal take on their local environment, championing Peruvian products cultivated by smallholders, such as the mashua tuber. Cocktails to order include the 3 Sips Martini, with a garnish of salicornia, sea lettuce and Arapa trout caviar, or the LB Bloody Mary, made with Andean Aqará agave spirit. Currently located in Miraflores, the bar will move to a larger space in Barranco in July 2025. 

Once a hangout for agave purists, Maria Mezcal is now a beloved spot for Margaritas, tequila shots, and late-night quesadillas. Most nights end in spontaneous karaoke, with a largely female crowd belting out Luis Miguel and Maná like group therapy. It’s chaotic, cathartic, and kind of magical. Try the house Piñata de Burrito or a classic Paloma. 

As much as we locals try to gatekeep this gem, I can't recommend this place more. La Noche de Barranco is where all the bohemians, talkative intellectuals, twenty or fifty-year-olds, beer fanatics and salsa at 2 am dancers hang out to unwind, have a good laugh, drink and get serenaded by live music. It is an emblematic spot in the artsy district of Barranco and an iconic Thursday night out for many. Drink some pisco sours on the terrace and talk the night away as some live tribute to Latin rock jams in the background. 

Osaka is a phenomenal Nikkei restaurant, a passionate fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. Its innovative twists and chic ambiance have become a staple of Lima’s culinary scene. Osaka’s exquisite seafood is a hub for food enthusiasts. Due to its growing fandom, Osaka is now a restaurant in Bogota, Buenos Aires, Miami, Santiago, and more cities. You MUST try the Hotate Truffle nigiri, the Carpassion, and the Acevichado makis.

Picnic Club is a comfy but elegant new spot in San Isidro. It has a wonderful bar, excellent service and an impeccable menu. If you go for cocktails and are a devotee of pineapple, go for their signature piña colada. If you go for dinner or lunch and you love seafood, don’t miss out on their Arroz Marino... and if you go for either a full meal or just coffee and dessert, you must order their pillow soft french toast topped with the juiciest berries. 

La Rosa Náutica is an emblematic restaurant in the city of Lima. This staple of elegance stands on a pier, with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and the freshest selection of seafood.  Although their best dishes are Peruvian classics like ceviche and tiradito, they also incorporate international touches onto the menu. Make sure to stay after lunch for a Pisco Sour during sunset or, visit at night, for an intimate romantic evening or a night of celebration. 

Sala Osma is an exuberant bar and venue loved by those in their thirties or older. Visit this beloved place when in need of grooving to some 2000s jams (or some salsa) with a beer in hand. You will love the joyful ambience, the sometimes live music and the crowd. Perfect for an outing with multiple couples or a big group of friends eager to dance the night away. 

Tucked in a Miraflores basement, this speakeasy bar has earned buzz for sharp cocktails and its suave founder, Diego Macedo. Walk into a tailor shop, where you will be welcomed by many tuxes in progress, pins, needles and measuring tapes. Inside, sip to a live salsa band and a menu inspired by Peru’s rich textiles. Try the Kené, an East India-style cocktail with Amazon citrus, cacao mucilage, and macambo bitters. Ask about the secret second bar if you're planning something private.

Siete is a restaurant located in a street that offers plenty of fine dining experiences. This restaurant is a hip place that serves fresh seafood and Peruvian classics. This extraordinary culinary heaven is perfect for an intimate date night or a lunch opportunity to leave visitors completely enamoured by this place and its mouth-watering delicacies.