Central Restaurant in Peru innovation and culinary tradition

Published: 16 November 2022 | Update: 18 September 2025 | Reads: 4022

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In Lima, gastronomy reaches one of its highest points at Central, a restaurant internationally recognized for its innovation and its respect for Peruvian biodiversity.

This place, located in the traditional district of Barranco, offers much more than a culinary experience: it's a journey through the landscapes of Peru through its ingredients. With a style that mixes modernity, aesthetics, and harmony, Central has become one of the benchmarks of avant-garde cuisine in the country.

Besides being considered among the best restaurants in the world, Central invites you to discover flavors from the Andes, the Amazon, and the Peruvian coast.

Each dish is an exploration that makes the diner taste the natural and cultural richness of the country, making this place an ideal option to enjoy the best of Peruvian gastronomy in Lima.

About the Central Restaurant

Central celebrates the natural richness of Peru with a menu that explores different ecosystems and altitudes of the national territory. Its proposal is based on the use of fresh ingredients, many of them little known, presented in creations that are surprising both for their flavor and their presentation.

The restaurant offers a serene and elegant atmosphere, with rustic and modern details that invite you to enjoy the experience calmly. Among its dishes are unique combinations such as raw salmon with lime and ginger, green olive guacamole, mushroom agnolotti with seafood, and sea bass on rice with prawns. In addition, it has sweet options such as tiramisu with kalhua and amaretto, as well as innovative cocktails, including the "Camu Camu", which fuses vodka, coca, and Grand Marnier. Every detail reflects Central's commitment to innovation, health, and gastronomic enjoyment.

Location of the Central Restaurant

Central is located in Barranco, one of the most traditional and tourist districts of Lima. Thanks to its location, this restaurant is an accessible point for both national and foreign visitors who want to discover Peruvian cuisine at its finest. Surrounded by hotels, boardwalks, and cultural spaces, visiting Central not only means enjoying a unique gastronomic experience but also getting to experience the cosmopolitan atmosphere of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the capital.

Lima Peru Food

Since pre-Columbian times, the ingredients have been obtained from everywhere, from the majestic heights of the Andes to the depths of the Pacific Ocean and the region east of the Amazon.

In addition to taking inspiration from the Incas, modern Peruvian cuisine has influences from Japan, China, Italy and Spain.

The best restaurants in Lima such as Central and Maido serve some of the best dishes in the world, allowing you to taste fantastic gastronomy full of flavor and texture.

RELATED STORY:TYPICAL FOOD IN PERU

Ceviche Catering
Indisputably it is the emblematic dish of Peru. To make the most of the extensive coastline of 2,414 km, the chefs marinate fresh seafood such as pejerrey, sea bass, tuna, octopus, sole, black squid or sea urchin, in lemon juice before seasoning them with chili pepper or hot pepper.
Anticuchos
The heart of beef is seasoned with garlic, cumin, red pepper and marinade of vinegar, and then placed in a brazier as if it were a shish kebab. They are succulent, soft and have an intense flavor ... the anticuchos are usually served with boiled potatoes.
Nikkei Cuisine
It is an exciting and refreshing cuisine that consists of several hybrid dishes. Among the most outstanding we can mention the tiradito, a mixture of sashimi and ceviche, and octopus to the olive, octopus covered with a vibrant olive.
Quinoa Dishes
It is extremely versatile and venerated by people with celiac disease, because it is a tasty substitute for wheat; This superfood occurs in the regions of Puna and the Andes, and is part of many dishes such as tamales, soups, quinoa stews and salads.
Pork Chop Sandwich
This is a fast food option among Peruvians at any time of the day. The perfect chicharrón sandwich is considered succulent and crunchy in a single bite.
American Guinea Pig
This meat was eaten before and after the Inca period; It is a low fat and nutritious option that you could actually enjoy.
Causa stuffed with chicken
This is another dish that dates from the pre-Columbian era; the causes were traditionally prepared by mixing yellow potatoes with chili. They are almost like a sandwich where potatoes replace bread; the causes are filled with chicken or tuna salad and mayonnaise is added.
Picarones
Do you need something sweet that gives you energy? These donut-like rings are prepared with sweet potatoes and pumpkin, seasoned with anise and cinnamon and then bathed in fig syrup, passion fruit or sugar cane. It is a deliciously exotic combination that exceeds simple donut rings.
Suspiro Limeño
It is a two-layer candy that you will probably want to share due to its exorbitant sugar content. The cloying base of the Lima sigh is made of white manjar candy, and then it is covered by a merengue with an infusion of port wine and a touch of cinnamon is added.

Recognitions and prices of Central Restaurant

Central Restaurant continues to consolidate itself as one of the leaders in world haute cuisine. In a recent list made by a prestigious British publication, it managed to place fourth in the ranking of the 50 best restaurants in the world, reaffirming the prominence of Peruvian gastronomy on the international stage.

This achievement has once again sparked the curiosity of travelers and food lovers, who wonder about the prices and gastronomic experiences offered by the place of the recognized Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez, located in the Miraflores district, Lima.

According to the information published on its official website, the prices of the dishes at Central are not so high if you consider the level of excellence, the personalized attention, and the quality of each preparation.

Starters: between 40 and 80 soles. Some outstanding options include spicy ceviche, charcoal purple octopus, lacquered shrimp, and beef sweetbreads.
Main courses: vary between 70 and 80 soles, with recommendations like crunchy sea bass, sado grouper, and stewed paiche.
Desserts: cost between 30 and 40 soles, highlighting the proposals based on combinations of Peruvian fruits.

Besides Central, other Peruvian restaurants also appear in the world ranking: Maido in position 13 and Astrid & Gastón in 30, showing that Lima has become a true epicenter of global gastronomy.

What dishes does Central offer and how much do they cost?

Central is not a conventional restaurant, but a gastronomic experience that invites one to travel through Peru through its ingredients. Each menu is designed as a sensory journey that combines research, creativity, and respect for biodiversity. The cost per person can reach up to 1,250 soles, and includes a tasting that lasts between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the diner's pace.

Beyond the price, what distinguishes Central is the meticulous selection and treatment of each ingredient. From its origin in different Peruvian ecosystems to the final presentation, each dish reflects extreme care and an artistic vision that has positioned the restaurant among the best in the world.

Menu alternatives

Territorio en Desnivel
> Description: A journey through 12 Peruvian ecosystems, exploring the flavors of different altitudes and regions.
> Price: 1,045 soles.
Creatividad del Día
> Description: A unique proposal that changes constantly, based on the kitchen team's inspiration.
> Price: 1,045 soles.
Mundo Mater
> Description: An immersion in 14 Peruvian ecosystems, with a deeper focus on biodiversity.
> Price: 1,250 soles.
Creatividad Mundo
> Description: A gastronomic journey that covers 14 different altitudes, with an innovative and surprising menu.
> Price: 1,250 soles.

Pairing options

Central offers carefully designed pairings to complement each experience:

Territorio en Desnivel and Mundo Mater – Terroir of world wines
> Price: 424 soles for Territorio en Desnivel and 488 soles for Mundo Mater.
Equilibrio Mater
> Description: Includes ferments, distillates, and wines from South America.
> Price: 454 soles for Territorio en Desnivel and 518 soles for Mundo Mater.

Non-alcoholic experiences

For those looking for alternative options, Central offers non-alcoholic pairings, made with equal care and creativity:

Territorio en Desnivel
> Options: Nectars, infusions, and extracts.
> Price: 222 soles.
Mundo Mater
> Options: Nectars, infusions, and extracts.
> Price: 278 soles.

These experiences are possible thanks to Mater, Central's research center, which is dedicated to rescuing little-known ingredients and ancestral techniques, thus creating a unique connection between cooking, nature and the culture of Peru.

What is Central's value proposition?

Central's value proposition lies in its ability to turn Peru's biodiversity into a unique gastronomic story. Each dish is more than a culinary preparation: it is a narrative that connects the diner with Peruvian ecosystems, communities, and traditions.

The restaurant uses ingredients that range from marine products from the coast to tubers from the Andes and exotic fruits from the Amazon. This diversity not only enriches the flavor but also invites reflection on the relationship between human beings and their natural environment.

In short, Central does not just sell food, but an immersive experience that combines research, innovation, and culinary art, positioning Peru as a world reference in high gastronomy.