Lima, Cusco, Puno Food recs?

[phillyrunner]

Since eating is my absolute favorite part of traveling, and you all have always given me good restaurant advice in the past, I'm looking for great places to eat in Lima, Cusco, and Puno. We leave this Thursday! Thanks!

[librarygirl]

I'm not going until September but I'm anxious to try out Huaca Pucllana (overlooks ruins) and Astrid y Gastón by Peruvian chef (Gaston Acurio) in Lima. I don't live remotely near to any Acurio restaurants and would just like to try one out. Also am intrigued by Chez Wong. And I definitely want to go to Xocolatl for the chocolates.

In Cusco, Pacha Papa and Limo seem to get good reviews.

Have a great trip, will be anxious to hear your thoughts when you get back!

[emilyinchile]

Lima is a GREAT food city, good enough that I want to go back again after our trip last August even though I think that in terms of sightseeing it's relatively boring. Mercado is delicious and was our favorite meal on a recent trip - make reservations or go early for lunch because it gets packed. Central is one of the top 50 restaurants in the world and lives up to that ranking (obviously $$$). I didn't love Amaz primarily because of the service - it's Amazonian food, and we really could have used more explanation and advice from our server even with two fluent Spanish speakers - but I wouldn't tell someone to stay away because the food itself was good. Malabar is Amaz's older brother (same chef, more expensive) and gets good reviews. Don Fernando is good northern food but kind of out of the way, so if you go to the Larco Museum go have lunch at Don Fernando in the same trip. Maido is supposed to be good fusion sushi, and any of the Gastón Acurio restaurants are usually a good bet. La Mar is my favorite of the ones I've been to, but I haven't tried Astrid y Gastón (also a top 50 restaurant).

For Cusco, check out this blog post by a woman I know who runs tours focused on food and wine: eatwineblog.com/2012/08/15/destination-cusco/ She may have something on Puno as well, not sure. Enjoy!

[phillyrunner]

Thanks! WIll definitely let you know where we go once we return. We leave tonight.