Food plays an undeniable role in Peru’s culture; they take pride in their dishes and rejoice in sharing it with others. It is no doubt that Peru offers a plethora of thrill-seeking experiences, but its culinary prowess should never be overlooked. Except that it is more than just a meal, it is encountering a taste of Peru and what it means to be Peruvian. They are connecting with any traveler who passes through Peru, because every dish, every ingredient, tells a story. Food connects each and every one of us. Peruvian-born restaurateur Humberto Leon once said that “If you met another Peruvian, you would hug them and immediately start talking about food.” To Peruvian’s, their cuisine means pride; it means taking what was made by their homeland and using it to create something delicious that can be shared with anyone.
PICTURE
While it may have started only among Peruvians, there’s no doubt their cuisine has reached global audiences. They have rightfully earned their place as one of the most diverse culinary destinations through fusion. Dishes reflect the centuries long connections Peru has been able to forge by welcoming influences from various parts of the world and combining it with their own ingredients and techniques. Peruvian dishes are not just food; they are a reflection of the country’s diverse cultural history. Many of Peru’s most popular restaurants draw from this idea of merging cuisines, a notable one being Maido.
In June of 2025, The World’s 50 Best released their best restaurants list. And who was crowned number one? That would be Maido, a fusion restaurant in Lima, Peru. Maido’s head chef is Mitsuharu Tsumura “Micha” , many generations ago, in 1889, Tsumura’s ancestors came from Japan to Peru, where he was born. After having gone through a culinary arts program in the US and then specializing in Japanese cuisine in Osaka, Tsumura opened Maido in 2009, in Lima. From his childhood growing up in Peru and practice of Japanese culinary skills, he was able to seamlessly marry Japanese technique and Peruvian ingredients. Tsumura has used his expertise to create a welcoming environment, starting at the door. The name of the restaurant ‘Maido’, means welcome or thanks for coming in a dialect found in Osaka. This phrase is used as a greeting for customers in many shops or restaurants, one of those being Maido. Winning the title of best restaurant in the world is a very monumental moment not just for Tsumura, but for all of Peru as well.
In recent years, Peru based restaurants have landed on the 50 Best Restaurants and Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The latter list featured eight Peruvian restaurants. It would be an understatement to say that Peruvian food has captured global attention in recent years. This rise can be credited to multiple chefs and their restaurants, like Maido. These awards have helped many travelers start to see Peru as a destination for everyone looking to expand their culinary palette. But that is not to say that you need to visit Michelin-starred or high-end restaurants, no matter which restaurant you visit will provide you with a life changing culinary experience. Some of the country’s most authentic and delicious food can be found in street stalls, local markets, and small family-run restaurants. These places often serve traditional dishes passed down through generations, using fresh, local ingredients that capture the heart of Peruvian cuisine.
For a long time, people may have thought that the only thing Peru had going for it was Machu Picchu, but did you know that there are so many other reasons to travel there, because in truth, you can visit Machu Picchu and experience Peru’s bold flavours.
Peru is home to a unique and life changing experience when it comes to cuisine. Having taken inspiration from many other cuisines while still staying true to its indigenous ingredients and traditions, allows for a once in a lifetime opportunity of tastebud exploding flavours. Peru has birthed many awards winning restaurants each with a unique and inspirational story that only enhances each meal. Whether you’re dinning at the finest restaurants in Peru or a simple cafe serving tradition, a cooking class or a tasting tour, Peru is your one stop destination for everything culinary. See our Taste of Peru tour
