The Best Lima Restaurants for Eating Dairy-Free
Lima, Peru is known for its abundant culinary landscape, full of local specialties like fresh ceviche and zesty lomo saltado and rich flavors from around the world. The Peruvian capital, celebrated for its diverse gastronomy, boasts an array of excellent restaurants with dairy-free and allergy-friendly options. From innovative plant-based eateries to traditional establishments offering non-dairy alternatives, Lima has a wide variety of choices that can satisfy any palate. Here are my recommendations for The Best Lima Restaurants for Eating Dairy-Free:
El Mercado
Neighborhood: Miraflores
What I Ordered: Sashimi, Tigre De Leche Ceviche, Sweet Potato Chips, Paloma
One of the friendliest restaurants I visited in Lima, El Mercado was truly a treat! From the moment I walked in the door, staff and even other customers struck up light conversations that made me feel like I was dining with the community rather than dining solo.
From a dairy-free perspective, I didn’t have to worry about much. The restaurant focuses on seasonal Peruvian ceviches and global dishes like gyozas, tacos and curries. In other words, El Mercado had lots of dairy-free options or options were cheeses, creams, and more could be removed.
Rafael
For a truly splurge-worthy dinner, reserve a table at Rafael. Located in an elegant Miraflores mansion, the Michelin star restaurant offers a unique blend of Peruvian, Italian, and Japanese cuisine. I was lucky enough to visit this restaurant with four new friends I had met during a trip to Huacachina. I originally booked a reservation for one, but the restaurant graciously accommodated all of us for this last minute change.
Together, we decided to split all the dishes so that we could each try as much on the menu as possible – allergies allowing, of course. And being the only one with food restrictions in our group, I was incredibly impressed with how the staff handled us.
Not only did they help advise what I could safely eat from the menu, but also what I could modify to be dairy-free. And the allergy accommodations didn’t end there. Our server made sure to point out exactly which dishes we ordered were safe and which were not as they began arriving to our table so I could avoid any potential mix-ups with my new friends. It’s exactly this level of thoughtfulness and service that truly made Rafael stand out as one of my personal favorites in Lima and as an amazing place to eat dairy-free.
Neighborhood: Miraflores
What I Ordered: Tacos, Conch Ceviche, Linguine Seafood and Caviar (with cheese on the side!)
Museo Larco Cafe + Restaurante
Museo Larco is an interesting and unique museum in the heart of Lima’s Pueblo Libre neighborhood. It’s renowned for its collection of Indigenous artifacts from the Wari, Chimu, and Moche civilizations and has particularly gained acclaim for its assortment of erotic ceramics.
And despite being outside the city’s trendy Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods, it’s still easy to find dairy-free eats here as the museum has an onsite cafe and restaurant with a large menu of items.
I had a wonderful time dining alfresco and enjoying Museo Larco Cafe + Restaurante‘s Salmon Tartare, Grilled Asparagus and signature Margarita.
Neighborhood: Pueblo Libre
What I Ordered: Salmon Tartare, Grilled Asparagus, Margarita
Huaca Pucllana Restaurante
Located alongside the magnificent Indigenous ruins of Huaca Pucllana, Huaca Pucllana Restaurante is an easy, fun and elevated alfresco dining space.
After hiking to the top of the clay pyramid and around the historic site, it was wonderful to cool off at the shaded restaurant. Huaca Pucllana Restaurante offers an array of Peruvian and American options that I quickly learned could be modified to fit my dietary needs. I ended up order a typically-dairy-free Peruvian classic: Lomo Saltado. The marinated beef tenderloin, rice and potatoes were delightfully savory, and the perfect meal for a Lima adventure.
Neighborhood: Miraflores
What I Ordered: Classic Fish Ceviche, Lomo Saltado
Merito
Neighborhood: Barranco
What I Ordered: Tostadas Acevichadas, Ceviche (Ceviche no longer available)
A small and trendy restaurant in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood, Merito is a two story powerhouse in the city’s food scene. With dishes that wow in both presentation and flavor, Merito is an excellent choice for foodies looking for dairy-free eats. I normally can’t eat the “prettiest” or the most popular dishes at restaurants, but that was not the case here. Much of the seafood-heavy menu was already dairy-free or quite easy to change-up with my allergy-friendly swaps.
On top of that, the food was so tasty! I’m so happy that I chose the Tostadas Acevichadas as the first ever dish I ate in Lima. It was a perfect example and introduction to the city’s fresh seafood and rich tastes.
Mayta
Mayta is a Lima restaurant with wonderful dish presentations, a gorgeous interior and amazing cocktails. The menu here isn’t huge, but has a good number of vegetable and seafood-focused items that were typically dairy-free.
And while I don’t remember the restaurant having specific allergy indicators on their menus, it was still beyond easy to speak with my server about my restrictions, even receiving notes about which dishes were or weren’t dairy-free right on the spot.
Neighborhood: Miraflores
What I Ordered: Tallarines, Langostinos Melcocha, Humo Punch
Cosme
A Lima-based restaurant that prides itself on Peruvian “comfort food” using sustainable practices and seasonal products is Cosme.
I wasn’t able to visit this one in person due to a last minute schedule change when I was in Lima, but I’m happy to share that Cosme’s menu includes a few vegan, and inherently dairy-free, options.
Additionally, I found only positive allergy-related comments in the restaurant’s online reviews, all of which commended the restaurant for its helpful accommodations and knowledgable staff.
Neighborhood: San Isidro
What I Would Order: Lettuce Wraps and Quinoa Bowl
Popular
Searching for a filling breakfast or brunch recommendation in Lima? Look no further than Popular. Located in Miraflores’ Larcomar shopping center, Popular is a trendy restaurant with an enchanting ocean view.
With lots of classic egg-based dishes, sandwiches and salads, there’s lots of items that can be modified to fit anyone’s tastes and restrictions. I loved their classic scrambled eggs – cooked with olive oil – and their enormous fruit salad made of strawberries, blueberries, kiwi and other fruits!
Neighborhood: Miraflores, San Isidro
What I Ordered: Omelette, Side of Toast, Fruit Salad
Secret Tip
Looking for a more hands-on Lima foodie adventure? Sign-up for a cooking class and create your own Peruvian dishes while enjoying a great view like the one I had at Sky Kitchen!
