Wheels up – lets do this! Those were the thoughts rolling though my head as I took off from Los Angeles toĀ Lima with my best friends Matt + Adam on our LAN airlines flight.
We were hitting the road/air for a Peruvian adventure. This was my 4th #onlyinsouthamerica adventure and I was over the moon to be hanging out with my 2 partners in crime. Youāre probably virtual BFFās with Matt + Adam already. Theyāve been all over WGC, and they have epic insta accounts that I obsessed over on the daily. We work together on the regular as they are the geniuses behind all the photos on this site. Matt is my all time favorite photographer and Adam my all time fav food stylist. They are are majorly dynamic duo and I love them to the moon and back. Weāre the three musketeers no matter where we are, be it Los Angeles, Peru, Belize or any other exotic location. They are some of my favorite travel buddies and I was PUMPED to hit the road with them for a major culinary exploration of Peru. Plus we all live by the motto that if you donāt instagram it, it didnāt happenā¦ so thereās never any judgement for instagramming before eating š First stopā¦. Lima.
Letās kick this onlyinsouthamerica adventure off with one of my favorite kinds of postsā¦Gabyās Guide to Lima. Get your appetites readyā¦ lets do this!
1. Weāll start at the top of the map with La Mar by Gaston Acurio. Quite possibly my new favorite restaurant in the whole wide world. Endless plates of ceviche and seafood paired with the most delicious pisco based cocktails. I could have stayed here all day long. Itās the perfect place for lunch and we all know how much I love a leisurely lunch.
2. Astrid y Gaston – itās absolutely not to be missed if youāre looking for the best service / best food / and best atmosphere. So basically if you like fabulous things and Peruvian-Mediterranean style cuisine, you need to go. We had an incredible 30 course meal that seriously blew me away. Everything is inventive, crazy delicious and even after 30 courses, you won’t be ready to leave!!
3. Lima Gourmet – the perfect company to team up with for a walking tour of Lima. We roamed the streets of Lima and tried our hands at Pisco Sour bartending, ceviche making and coffee drinking! They were so fun, super knowledgeable plus they speak perfect english!
4. Panchita Sazon CriollaĀ – while we didn’t have time to swing by Panchita Sazon Criolla, I have it on good authority that it can’t be missed if you have a little more time in Lima! Especially if you’re looking for unpretentious Peruvian food that will leave you with a giant smile on your face!
5. Heladeria La Fiorentina – whoa whoa whoa. the best ice cream in all of Lima and run by my new favorite person Carlos. After turning 72 he decided to follow his dreams and sold his family farm to open an ice cream shop. The flavors were out of this world. Promise me youāll try the mixed berry + chocolate ones!!
6. Surquillo Market – one of the best markets in all of Lima! Itās where all the chefs shop and itās BURSTING at the seams with everything you could possibly imagine! Get ready to see some cool new produce and tons of crazy meats/seafoods!
7. La PicanteriaĀ – we’ve already established my love for all things ceviche, so this is a MUST if you’re out for a ceviche tour like me!!
8. Bisetti – looking for a great cup of coffee? Look no further! Bisetti will make you something delicious, even if youāre a beginner coffee drinker like myself and can only handle a mocha!
9. Central – now this is how you should start every trip. Fresh off the plane from LAX we went to Central – the most famous restaurant in all of Peru (and the 4th best restaurant in the WORLD)Ā and ate and drank until our hearts content. The tasting menu paired with corresponding wines was EVERYTHING and something that canāt be missed for anyone who loves a fine dining experience. Can’t miss dish – the octopus!!! Yessssssss.
10. Maido – Itās a shame that I went 22 years without eating sushi, so Iām making up for it now! We went to Maido on our last night in Lima and were treated to an extraordinary meal with all sorts of delicious Japanese and Peruvian fusion! It’s absolutely a meal that I’ll never forgot – and a restaurant that I’d jump at the chance to go visit again!
11. Punto Organico – just a few feet away from La Mar, this is the cutest little organic grocery store that carries all sorts of different quinoa, sauces and vegetables! Pop in for a quick look unless you have a kitchen, then by all means pop in and stock up!
12. El Pan de la Chola – if I lived in Lima you could bet that Iād set up shop at El Pan de la Chola on the regular. Between their freshly baked breads, their avocado toast and their tomato burrito situation – thereās really nothing more you could ask for from your neighborhood cafe!
And there you have it!! My favorite food places in Lima!! Granted we were only there for a few days so I’m sure there are other incredible eateries! If you have suggestions, feel free to shout them out in the comments as I know I’ll be back one day!
A HUGE/GIANT thank you LAN AirlinesĀ for putting together another unforgettable journey and for Gray Line Tours for taking us around!! Next up we’re going to the Sacred Valley where I fell in love with my new favorite hotel!
Photos by none other than the famously talentedĀ Matt Armendariz
Wow! This looks like an incredible experience. I’m looking forward to your next stop!
xx Sydney
Oh My Gosh!! We have a trip in the planning stages to Peru in 2016! This is so helpful – not just for the food but for the travel help as well! I can’t wait to see more. Sounds like LAN is the way to go.
Cannot wait to try some of these places next month! Where did you stay in Lima?
we were at the Hilton Miraflores which was super easy and really nice
Love the travelogue as well as the photos.!
Peru is so on my wish list, and this is making me think it needs to be sooner rather than later. Your photos are gorgeous. I never knew Peruvian food was so appetizing and beautiful.
Uh-mazing! I’m jumping in your suite case next time.
Next time you can include “Rafael” restaurant and “Mercado”
These photos are INCREDIBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I love Peruvian food! Just pinned so many of these. Yum!
We’ve been wanting to visit Peru forever! These photos are simply gorgeous and lots of great tips, thank you!
Oh wow! Everything looks amazing! I am such a HUGE ceviche fan too. š And a 30 course meal?? I think someone would have to be rolling me out after all that! š
Looks delicious!!!!!! And so colorful! Peru is on my list of places to see. Will definitely be bookmarking your guide for tips on where to eat. š
I have been waiting for this post!! I miss the SnapChat llama!! Wow – wow wow wow!! What a dream come true and crazy adventure!! I would LOVE to visit South America one day! Definitely adding it to my travel bucket list!
Man, this trip looks soooo amazing! And the food! Oh my, it looks good!
I went to Peru last summer and love some of the authentic dishes! I miss Ceviche, Chicha Morado, and Tamales Verdes so much! Seeing all of your delicious food makes me miss it all over again.
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