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Triciclo Obrador · Lima
Triciclo
An hour drive from Lima, the beach town of Punta Hermosa is having a moment. Chefs with real skill are heading south to the town, drawn by its slower rhythms and the possibility of kick-starting a food scene with great potential. Leading the way is Triciclo, which, in its first summer season, has quickly become the go-to spot for pizza and natural wine. It’s the kind of place you casually pop in for a quick bite and somehow end up staying at all night. Paula Arbulú, Giuliano Giunta, and Rodrigo Villanueva—the wheels that make this tricycle move—are pros of their craft and, most importantly, perfect partners and friends; the warmth you feel in the room is all theirs.
Mérito · Lima
Mérito
Mérito has been one of my favorite restaurants in the world since opening in 2018. After switching to a tasting menu-only format last year, it also introduced a new lunch option: three courses chosen from a tight menu that Juan Luis Martínez refreshes every two weeks. It was a great idea to keep creativity flowing in the kitchen and locals coming back, and the results are banging; it’s the restaurant’s most mature and assured phase yet. Aesthetically it’s the same as always—poetic and beautiful.
Crudo Cocina · Lima
Crudo
Crudo opened just a few weeks before the end of 2025 and instantly ranked among the year’s best openings. It’s only gotten better in the short time since—more confident in its language and rhythms, with chef Lukas Sifuentes and his team enjoying the playfulness of a well-executed, short menu. The space, designed by Puna Estudio, is set in an old Barranco house that they have wisely kept mostly intact, and it has an atmospheric buzz.
Lady Bee · Lima
Lady Bee
Lady Bee has been around for a handful of years now, but when they moved into their new space in Barranco, there was an expectation to level-up. Now, six months after settling into their new digs, they have exceeded expectations. Alonso Palomino’s cocktails are—as always—undeniable, from perfectly executed classics to personal creations that draw from the Peruvian pantry. Gabi Leon’s cooking is pushing the limits: deliberate and expressive, her bar-food menu is reason to visit even if you don’t drink. And Ale Leon’s front of house team ties it all together, overwhelming you in the best way with a genuine sense of care and connection.
Infopesa
When Alberto Maraví founded music label and recording studio Infopesa over half a century ago, he spearheaded an era of Peruvian and Latin American music that’s now achieved true IYKYK status among the biggest music heads. Since his passing, his son Juan Ricardo has taken over the family business, carefully preserving his father’s gems while ushering them into the present through thoughtfully designed remastering and packaging. The label’s offices are appointment-only and gorgeous: a genuine music treasure trove and a beautiful homage from a son to his father’s legacy.
OTOTO Barra nikkei · Lima
Otôto
For over a decade, Marco Palma led the team of itamae (Japanese-trained chefs) at Maido, the Nikkei temple crowned the World's Best Restaurant in 2025. Now, he’s striking out on his own with an omakase counter that seats less than a dozen and a menu that changes daily depending on whatever’s freshest from the ocean. Sure, there are traces of his old haunt here, but also plenty of his own story and taste, shaped by his upbringing in the north of Lima.
Follow André for more of his favorite spots in Lima and his recs all over the world.
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