Central Restaurante

#1 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants.

  • Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco 15063
  • District: Barranco
  • Cuisine: Peruvian tasting menu, ingredient-driven by altitude/ecosystem
  • Chef / group: Chef Virgilio Martinez

Central is chef Virgilio Martinez's flagship, built around Mater Iniciativa, his research project cataloging Peruvian ingredients by ecosystem and altitude -- from ocean depths to high-Andean plateau. The tasting menu moves through courses organized by elevation rather than a conventional structure. It has been ranked #1 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. In the same building complex as Kjolle, chef Pia Leon's restaurant.

Why we chose it

  • Ranked #1 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants -- the region's top table.
  • The tasting menu is organized by altitude/ecosystem, a genuinely unique way to experience Peru's biodiversity through food.
  • Chef Virgilio Martinez's Mater Iniciativa research project is one of the most influential forces in modern Peruvian cuisine.
  • Chef Virgilio Martinez was profiled in Netflix's Chef's Table (Season 3, 2017) and in the 2023 Netflix documentary 'Virgilio' -- widely recognized by US audiences.

Highlights

  • Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants: #1
  • Tasting menu organized by altitude/ecosystem
  • Built on the Mater Iniciativa ingredient-research project
  • Featured in Netflix's Chef's Table (2017) and the 2023 documentary 'Virgilio'

Ideal for

  • a special-occasion tasting menu
  • travelers interested in Peru's biodiversity and ingredients, not just the food

Practical information

Hours
Evenings, closed some days -- confirm exact schedule when booking
Price
$250-350 per person (tasting menu only)
Reservations
Essential, well in advance
Payment
Major credit cards accepted
Tips
Book as early as possible; consider pairing with dinner at Kjolle (same address) on a different night of the trip.

Frequently asked questions

What makes Central different from a typical tasting-menu restaurant?

Central, chef Virgilio Martínez's flagship in Barranco, organizes its tasting menu by altitude and ecosystem rather than a conventional course structure -- moving from ocean-depth ingredients up to high-Andean plateau ingredients, built on his Mater Iniciativa research project cataloguing Peru's biodiversity.

How highly ranked is Central?

It's ranked #1 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, and chef Virgilio Martínez was profiled in Netflix's Chef's Table (2017) and the 2023 documentary 'Virgilio.'

How far ahead should I book, and can Lo Mejor de Perú help?

Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance -- this is one of the hardest tables to get in Lima. Let us know your travel dates as early as possible and we can help you try to arrange it, since availability tightens the closer it gets to your trip.

Is this a casual meal or a special-occasion one?

Definitely special-occasion -- it's a multi-hour tasting menu at the high end of Lima's dining scene, best planned for one standout night of your trip rather than a quick dinner.

Is Kjolle related to Central?

Yes -- Kjolle, chef Pía León's restaurant, is in the same Barranco building complex as Central. Many travelers pair the two on different nights of the same trip.

What should I wear?

Smart-casual to elegant is appropriate; it's a formal fine-dining setting, though not a strict jacket-required dress code.