Must-see restaurants in North Coast

  • Mar Picante

    Trujillo

    This hugely popular place has recently undergone an overhaul and is now all polished concrete and industrial metal beams, but the food remains…

  • Restaurante Mococho

    North Coast

    This tiny place sits secluded in a walled garden where the legend of chef don Victor is carried on by his widow and son, Wen. It’s not cheap, but it’s…

  • El Celler de Cler

    Trujillo

    This atmospheric spot is the only place in Trujillo to enjoy dinner (coupled with an amazing cocktail) on a 2nd-floor balcony – the wraparound number…

  • Donde Teresa

    Máncora

    Before Gastón Acurio there was Teresa Ocampo, Peru’s most recognizable celebrity chef (famous before Peruvian food was even famous). She lives in Texas…

  • La Sirena d’Juan

    Máncora

    Local boy done good Juan has turned his intimate little main-drag seafooder into northern Peru’s best restaurant. Yellowfin tuna fresh from Máncora’s…

  • Restaurante Big Ben

    North Coast

    This sophisticated seafooder at the far north end of town specializes in lunchtime ceviches and is the best place in town for top-notch seafood. Though…

  • Jugería San Augustín

    Trujillo

    You can spot this place by the near-constant lines snaking around the corner in summer as locals queue for the drool-inducing juices. But don’t leave it…

  • Mar & Luna

    North Coast

    This retro-pop pub cranks out the hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s, and serves up plentiful seafood favorites such as ceviche and chupe de cangrejo (crab…

  • Green Eggs & Ham

    Máncora

    There’s nothing silly about this Dr Seuss–inspired breakfast spot, which counts a battalion of gringo fans for its homesick-remedy breakfasts (pancakes,…

  • El Cantaro

    North Coast

    There is often a line outside this popular local restaurant with fantastic typical food and good service. When we were there one diner said that the…

  • Umi Sushi

    North Coast

    Many of Huanchaco's better restaurants close early, but fortunately this great little sushi place, tucked away on a quiet road at the southern end of town…

  • El Mochica

    Trujillo

    With bow-tied waiters and art scattered throughout, this place is aiming for high end, but the fancy seat covers and tablecloths thrown over plastic…

  • Restaurant Demarco

    Trujillo

    An elegant choice, with veteran cummerbund-bound waiters who fawn over you like in the 1940s, this tableclothed classic offers a long list of…

  • Casona Deza

    Trujillo

    Expect excellent espresso, house-made desserts and tasty pizzas and pasta, often sourced organically, at this spacious, atmospheric cafe that occupies one…

  • Dulceria San Martín

    Trujillo

    This simple family-run affair pulls a crowd for its traditional local desserts, including mazamorra (made from boiled purple corn with dried fruits),…

  • Cappucino Panes & Mas

    North Coast

    At first glance this flash corner place near the Plaza Bolognesi looks like just a posh bakery, but up on the mezzanine it serves some of the best gourmet…

  • Las Terrazas

    North Coast

    A little bit out of the town center, this popular place is well worth the S2 mototaxi ride. Packed with hungry diners daily, it serves up heaping plates…

  • La Esquina

    North Coast

    This split-level modern corner restaurant a block back from the malecón specializes in whole barbecued fish, which is cooked just right on the grill out…

  • El Tío Sam

    North Coast

    Offering big plates of delicious regional cuisine, this is your best bet in Casma. The menu is diverse, but go for one of the seafood options, which are…

  • Restaurante Jasuzi

    Máncora

    It's a bit of a mission to reach this bright little family-run restaurant in front of a busy school on the northern edge of town, but it's well worth it…

  • El Caribe

    North Coast

    This local favorite, tucked away off the main strip, is a fair bit cheaper than the other quality seafood places, but is no also-ran in quality. It serves…

  • Picanteria Palma

    North Coast

    This great little family-run restaurant in town looks unremarkable, but serves a couple of dozen different seafood plates, all of which are delicious. It…

  • Angela’s Place

    Máncora

    Angela the Austrian bread wizard started selling her delicious sweet potato, yucca and wheat breads from her bicycle years ago. Now you can get them at…

  • Patio Rojo

    Trujillo

    You wouldn't expect to find it in this part of town, but this hip, healthy cafe serves great snacks, sandwiches, main meals and desserts with plenty of…

  • Ají

    Máncora

    Away from the honks and exaust of the main drag, this friendly retreat serves up ample Mexican dishes and a smattering of standard pub fare such as hot…

  • Hnos Lama

    Máncora

    There used to be several Lama restaurants in town, all owned by different family members, but this one, owned by Orlando, is the only one that remains. It…

  • Restaurante El Mero

    North Coast

    For great seafood prepared in classic Peruvian ways, go no further than this humble little family-run diner on the main strip. It's right across from the…

  • Gran Chifa Central

    North Coast

    While ostensibly a chifa (Chinese) restaurant this busy place, a couple of blocks from the plaza, also serves up some topnotch traditional Peruvian plates…

  • La Bajadita

    Máncora

    This is the place to sink your sweet tooth into some great cakes, including tiramisu, pecan pie, brownies and the ever-popular apple pie. It also does…

  • La Piramide

    North Coast

    This funky bar-restaurant right on the sand serves up some of Punta Sal's best seafood in uber-relaxed surroundings. It also has vegetarian options and is…

  • Restaurant Paola

    North Coast

    This popular bright corner bistro is decked out in smart red and black motifs and serves sandwiches and light meals, in addition to more filling…

  • Sunset

    Máncora

    With a short menu of excellent Italian food, this is the most gourmet restaurant in town when the Italian chef is on, but disappointing when he isn’t. It…

  • Restaurant Venecia

    North Coast

    A local institution, this corner restaurant is the place to go for chunks of grilled meaty goodies, seafood and breakfasts.

  • El Rincón del Pato

    North Coast

    This place gets the thumbs-up from locals who descend en masse to enjoy good ceviches, grills and regional specialties.

  • Restaurante Hueso de Ballena

    North Coast

    On Isla Hueso de Ballena, Restaurante Hueso de Ballena is pretty ideal, right on the sand with a few hammocks and aquatic inflatables to keep young…

  • Otra Cosa

    North Coast

    This Dutch-Peruvian beachside pad is Huanchaco’s requisite travelers' hub, serving up yummy vegetarian victuals such as falafel, crepes, Spanish tortillas…

  • Sí Señor

    North Coast

    On a quiet corner of the plaza, with pleasant streetside tables outside and quixotic, slow-turning fans inside, Sí Señor is the long-standing staple doing…

  • Moka

    North Coast

    This modern cafe is so wildly out of place in Tumbes that it turns heads. You’ll find loads of scrumptious cakes, flavored frappuccinos, juices,…

  • Chan Chan

    Máncora

    This Italian eatery has a cozy atmosphere and lots of bright, white, curving adobe walls smartly decorated with tasteful art. The food is great, the…

  • Classic Restaurant

    North Coast

    Small, quiet as a funeral home and dignified, Classic Restaurant is a wonderful place to escape torrid Tumbes and relax with a long lunch, as many of the…