Foodie Heaven in Peru

Lima, Peru received a first-time honor in 2026 when Time Out Magazine rated it as quote “The Best City for Food.” That comes as no surprise to me since one of my greatest dining experiences ever happened there. Like millions, we booked a trip to Peru for a chance to walk the Machu Pichu area, but my habit of watching bucket list destinations as seen on screen meant taking a look at one of Anthony Bourdain’s programs. That in turn led to booking a seat at a restaurants he featured, Chez Wong in the Victoria District of Lima—hey, we had to pass through the city anyway, so why not add a night or two in Foodie Heaven? Chef Jaime Wong ranked as a world leading ceviche chef and no way should we miss that. Given his reputation, Wong never needed any marketing tools like an online presence or reservation program.  Our concierge at the Hilton Lima Miraflores made the contact. Traffic, accidents, and big-city hassles got us there late and turned us into the very last—and eventually—only customers. Done with his work and smoking at a table with a long term friend, he invited us to join him—what a memory, but one I didn’t video. Much as he loved his work, Jaime decided to close in 2024. But his influence remains in a city that claims ceviche as its own invention—restaurants like Pescado Capitales and La Mar Cervecería maintain the tradition. Or try other parts of the country—for more than a decade, Peru sits in the top tier of Conde Nast’s annual ratings.  Ceviche—absolutely—but other cuisine includes fresh market items with hundreds of potato and corn varieties. And of course, don’t forget the cuy…also known as guinea pig.