A food lover’s guide to Peru

Daniel Chavez chef-owner of Canchita Peruvian Cuisine in Singapore takes us to his favourite dining spots in Peru

Central has just been named World’s Best Restaurant 2023. Helmed by married chefs Virgilio Martinez and Pia Leon, their restaurant, located in the Barranco District, serves up tantalising Peruvian cuisine. On top of Central, Peru’s Maido has also been ranked number six on the prestigious list.

From this year’s rankings, it’s clear that Peru is making waves in the culinary world with no plans on stopping anytime soon.

When it comes to food, Peru has so much to offer. Apart from fine dining restaurants, Peru also has a range of swanky bars and mouthwatering street food.

What better way to explore Peru’s vibrant gastronomic scene than through a local’s eyes, right? Below, local Peruvian and chef-owner of Singapore’s Canchita Peruvian Cuisine, Daniel Chavez, shares his favourite spots to visit for food and drinks.

Read more: A food lover’s guide to Taipei

Dig into Peruvian seafood fare at La Picanteria

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Seafood fans can head to La Picanteria for a taste of fresh seafood dishes. Standouts include Ceviches (thinly sliced fish and shellfish), Tiraditos (raw fish slices glazed in a spicy sauce) and Sudados (Colombian-style stew). Chavez shares that the best way to savour these dishes is with an “ice cold beer”.

Treat yourself to a meal at Maido

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At Maido, look forward to Nikkei cuisine, a combination of Peruvian ingredients defined by Japanese techniques. Go for the Maido experience, featuring dishes such as bluefin tuna belly marinated in a zesty ponzu sauce and torched until aromatic.

Grab a pick me up at La Mora Patisserie & Cafe

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Peru is home to an array of cafes that serve up high quality coffee. Chavez enjoys heading to La Mora, in Miraflores, for a fragrant cup of Joe. If you’re visiting, complement your cup with a pastry or sandwich too. Those with a sweet tooth can opt for the Lucuma Bruselina, an indulgent creation featuring layers of crisp chocolate biscuit, creamy lucuma mousse and chantilly.

For Northern Peruvian fare, head to La Paisana

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Located in Magdalena, La Paisana is a casual restaurant offering Northern Peruvian fare. Here, you’ll find authentic plates such as Seco de Cabrito and Ceviche de Conchas Negras, all of which are Chavez’s favourites. The former is a traditional Peruvian stew comprising goat meat tossed in hot peppers, peas, carrots and cilantro sauce. The latter is ceviche made from juicy large black clams.

Don’t miss out on having a meal at Isolina

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Take a trip to Barranco and explore one of Lima’s most popular neighbourhoods. While you’re here, have a meal at Isolina, a quaint restaurant offering a modern take on old Peruvian taberna (old-school dishes). Chavez recommends the Tacu Tacu, a Peruvian rice and bean dish; Lomo Saltado, an aromatic stir fry of sirloin, onions, tomatoes and French fries; fried stuffed potatoes (Papas Rellenas); and Can Can, a Peruvian tripe stew.

Head to Country Club Lima Hotel for a tipple or two

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Chavez shares that while he doesn’t go to bars much, he does appreciate Bar Ingles’s Pisco sour. Located in Country Club Lima Hotel, this bar offers a wide range of local and international cocktails, including the Pisco Sour Country Club. This concoction has been on the menu since 1927 and uses Quebranta, a unique Pisco strain. If you’re not a fan of Pisco Sour, classic cocktails are available too.

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Topics

Peru Central Maido Canchita Peruvian Cuisine Daniel Chavez