Lima, the capital of Peru, has been named the world's best city for food in 2026, according to a recent ranking by Time Out. The survey, which polled more than 24,000 people globally and consulted a panel of food experts and critics, placed London in fourth and Barcelona in fifth place.
Top Rankings and Scores
Locals rated Lima's food scene 80% for quality and 85% for affordability, making it the cheapest city on the list for dining out. Time Out noted that many new restaurants frequently open across the city and that Lima rightly has a reputation as one of the world's leading food destinations.
Bangkok, Thailand, secured second place, while Mexico City, Mexico, took third. The top five cities are:
- Lima, Peru
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Mexico City, Mexico
- London, United Kingdom
- Barcelona, Spain
Culinary Diversity and Signature Dishes
Lima is famous for its diverse culinary influences, combining indigenous Peruvian ingredients with Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese traditions. One of its best-known dishes is ceviche, made with fresh fish cured in lime juice and served with onions, sweet potato, and giant Andean corn. Other popular foods include lomo saltado (beef stir-fry with rice and chips), anticuchos (grilled beef skewers), and causa rellena (layered potato dish). Visitors also flock to Lima to try pollo a la brasa, Peru's famous rotisserie chicken, as well as Nikkei cuisine, which blends Japanese and Peruvian cooking styles.
Restaurant Count and Additional Attractions
The city is often said to have around 100,000 places serving food. While official figures suggest there are closer to 35,000 to 40,000 registered restaurants and traditional eateries, the total rises dramatically when street food stalls, family-run cafes, and small neighbourhood food spots are included. Beyond food, Lima offers colonial architecture in its historic centre, the Plaza Mayor, the Barranco district known for street art and cafes, and the Miraflores clifftop walkway overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Other attractions include the Huaca Pucllana pyramid and the Larco Museum, which houses a large collection of pre-Columbian artefacts.
