Central Restaurante Review

Excellent food, careful attention and a very pleasant atmosphere.

Excellent restaurant, very good service, very good food, excellent atmosphere

I want to give 4.5 stars, because whilst it was good, I didn't think it was that amazing or particularly Peruvian, except for the ingredients. It reminded me of many other tasting menus from various restaurants around the world. I couldn't see why this restaurant is rated so highly.

Also, I booked the table exactly when the booking opened, but they still tried to seat me in the second floor, probably because I have a Japanese name and thought I wouldn't complain. The front of house claimed it was because I booked late (which was clearly a lie), but she switched tables and seated me in the main area in the end. Not cool to be racist liked this in this day and age, but I guess Peru is still a little behind the times.

Creative, tasty, beautiful. Great service and a great experience. Worth every penny.

A really extraordinary experience. The food, service, and back of house operations were all just flawless.

A highlight of our trip to Peru. What an experience! Friendly knowledgeable staff beautiful and interesting dishes. We left feeling satisfied and educated! The wine list is quite pricey though that is to be expected from a fine dining venue.

Virgilio, what a lovely experience. Thank you for taking us around Peru in just 3 hours. <3

A Chinese Restaurant with Peruvian flavor in Chaclacayo appreciated by locals and visitors.

Pellegrino List 2018: No.6 World's 50 Best Restaurants and Best Restaurant in South America

Excellent food one of the most expensive resaturants, totally overpriced!

Speechless. I am without speech. Just had mind-blowing 3+ hour culinary experience at 3-Michelin Star restaurant, Central Restaurante in Lima, Peru. Thank you to head chef & owner, Virgilio Martinez for everything. Ok, look, even though I m a total foodie, and run my own separate instagram account dedicated to food that I eat in Los Angeles (plugging Instagram @losangelesfoodscene of course), I m no food critic... so please don t expect me to elaborate on the taste profiles of every course. However, this was an absolutely incredible experience each of the 16 courses are organized by elevation of Peru. One meal would feature elements from -25M below sea level, while another would feature elements from 350M above sea level, and so on. The meal was much like an art exhibit. So many different layers to each dish of the entire meal. Each dish is presented in unique ways, and the platings are just spectacular. The food, to the plate/bowl, to the silverware... everything matched. This restaurant was rated #6 of the World s Best Restaurants in 2018, and #2 of Latin America s 50 Best Restaurants. The food was amazing, but I also loved how open and bright the dining room and kitchen are. Could literally see directly into the open kitchen whenever you wanted. The first 13 or so meals progressed from apps to entrees... then ended with an array of desserts. Lastly, each patron gets a book at the end of the meal, which describes the process that Central goes through to develop its menu. This was certainly one of those rare meals that I'll remember for the rest of my life.

Awesome experience
High quality and very surprising.
The price is too high.

A unique experience, unmatched! The best part is that since there are 16 dishes, it takes time and that makes it even more an experience. Explosions of flavors every 8 minutes ... The presentations are works of art and the preparations a work of art for the palate !!

Excellent variety of flavors! The attention is very warm. The price is somewhat high

Bad booking system, lack of feedback. No use being starred if you do not respect the customer, for me grade zero!

Very unique experience!

For 592 sols, you get to taste all the different cuisines from various places in Peru in 16 courses. From coastal ingredients like prawns and fishes (&p piranha!), all the way up to the high altitude of the Andes mountains.

The staff's are extremely friendly to explain everything to you.

The entire environment is bright and clean. All in all, fantastic experience!

Ahh what a disappointment. From all I had read and videos watched I had high hopes for Central.

The decor, ambience, staff and surroundings are top notch. The theatre and anticipation is exquisite, and the backstory of the restaurant and what it tries to achieve is exceptional.

The food is very pretty, crafted by experts and has a tremendous story. And it's 12 courses of the chefs showcasing their technical expertise and knowledge of the indigenous ingredients.

But the taste of the actual food is underwhelming and its style over flavour and balance of flavour. The lamb dish features dehydrated sheep's milk that have no flavour and give brief texture before dissolving as having never existed. The actual lamb is so rich and intense that you are craving for some respite that is never there.

I'd much rather eat at Astrid y Gaston where it is not a tasting menu and the dishes are memorable long after having eaten. All I remember now of Central is the decor...

We meet at the entrance of the Central its chef Virgilio Martinez who welcomes us with a quick welcome and good evening. On the menu, 10 services declined on the basis of altitude.

Big fan of Spritz I choose the cocktail based on aperol, pisco italia. Magnificent, just between the acidity of the grapefruit and the bitterness of the aperitif. Perfect blend.

We start to awaken our taste buds by diving into the ocean. A moluscos de roca (-10m) presents itself to us, between a tartare and an espuma of different molluscs: caracoles , mejillones , sargazo (brown algae), lapa , limpets, sea shells .
In the dish a shade of gray reminiscent of the rocks sinking into the ocean, flavor, iodine and a lot of balance. They are aimed right from the start. First winning service.
On the table, barnacles and seaweed crisps are arranged as decoration.
We then go to Moray (3,500m) near Cuzco where chef Virgilio has just opened his second restaurant, the MIL , an experience based on high mountain products a few meters from the site where the Incas were experimenting themselves. centuries ago, agronomy by simulating different climates.

We descend (just a little, 100m) for the next service which includes Olluco, chincho, cebolla and yuyo de pampa.
Lolluco is a small yellow tuber that resembles a potato. The chincho is a cooked aromatic plant and often associated with others widely used in Peruvian cuisine such as culantro (coriander) and "huacatay" (between mint, tarragon and basil) that I have seen on many markets and many gardens.
The pampas yuyo is a yellow flower reminiscent of the dandelion.



We continue in the high jungle (1900m) with a test around the macambo, copoazu, two plants close to cocoa, "yuca" (cassava) and papa voladora which is a potato but which grows on a tree! All served as an assortment of starchy foods (bread, pancakes, etc.).

Then comes a Suelo de mar (0m) composed of perfect sea urchins decorated with pepino melon (sweet cucumber) and a lemon-based sauce, navajas (sea knives) and an alga called Yuyo .

Black corn, Kculli and morada (commonly called "chicha morada" which is served as a drink on all Peruvian markets, black or purple corn boiled with cinnamon and cloves. Chulpi and piscorunto, two other types of Andean corn. Both the crunchiness and the sauce are perfect.

the coral of mar (-10m) prepared with octopus, crab, squid and an emulsion of sea lettuce. I remember with nostalgia the octopus perfectly cooked and crunchy that we had served at our wedding in Traiguera.

Needless to say, if you have the chance to one day try the cuisine of this inventive young chef who knew better than anyone how to put Peruvian terroir first, go for it!

If you want to see art, extremely nice presentations of dishes and non-edible food, Central is the right place for you!

If you want real food go to Astrid & Gaston, Maido and others.

On top of that, my daughter isn t feeling well just hours after the lunch.... some food intoxication as many others related on other reviews.

Spent 1,000 USD (4 x tasting menu of 16 courses + 2 bottles of wine). Huge regret.

Fantastic!! Amazing!

Number 4 in the world!!

Amazing flavors. Just smelling and tasting and feasting your eyes on the food. You need to have an open mind as some of the flavors are huge whole others subtle. I had the 17 course tasting menu. I am on course 16 and my mind is blown. By far the most amazing meal, no food adventure, that I have ever had. I doubt if I will ever experience it's like again.

It is simply all that is said and said about this restaurant that has been voted the best in South America for 4 years in a row.

Delicious! The presentation was great, some of the staff need to be a little clearer and tell a better story, but it did not take away from the food!

Overrated by marketing and uncultured palates. Cold, grey, ordinary pseudoinventive. Excellent for fashion victims.

Excellent service and excellent quality of food, highly recommended!

The concept of food is quite creative, and the atmosphere and attention are excellent. It is worth living the experience.

Outstanding and modest service. Hate those pretentious waitors.

Excellent signature food with ingredients from all areas of our Peru and an incredible menu of heights! It is expensive compared to other restaurants but the experience is worth it! No. 1 of Latinomerica according to the 50 best.

Informal, very bad attitude, lousy service. With a confirmed reservation at the bar we could not enter since our reservation was given to another group

Wow, what amazing flavor combinations. From start to finish, the 12 course tasting menu and wine pairings was fantastic. The only quibble we had was not with the food, but with the service. The waiting staff brings each course far too quicky and buses the table while you are still chewing. A 12 course meal should take more than 2 hours even when some of the courses are just a bite, so we felt a little rushed. Still, the phenomenal tastes more then make up for that.

Only for those who want to live a gastronomic experience.
Comelones, abstain!

A nice classy place. BOOK AHEAD!!!! Get a nice table for the night and bring a date. The Duck is amazing.

I had the 16 course menu, I was extremely dissappointed with the food.
I don't care about the presentation of the dishes or the "experience" they try to sell you, I don't care about taking a photo of every dish and showing it off on social media, I don't care about the artistic representation of the different origins of the dishes.
The restaurant focuses so much on showcasing exotic ingredients and showing off their artistic skills, that they forgot that, in the end, food should taste good.

It was a great restaurant to try because it's currently ranked #4 in the World Best Restaurants. I was so stuffed and the meal was a fun journey through Peru.

I can see how those place earned its top ranking in the world of food. You really do get to taste Peru.service was amazing. Food was amazing and the drinks were amazing. Definitely bucket list for foodies. The website did Say $160, but came out to $190. I can only assume that was tax. Also remember that this place is more about unique food. There s a good chance that the flavors will be so different to you that you won t even know if you like it or not.

It was a very nice experience and we enjoyed our dinner. Nevertheless, I was a bit disappointed which could be linked to the high expectations of the restaurant. For sure the largest disappointment was the wine pairing which I personally absolutely didn t like and thought was more than overpriced for what it was.
The food creation is the reason why I am giving 4 stars but just because it is art to create such dishes. Nevertheless, I personally missed a bit of flair as well as a better wine pairing.

High expectations. Low execution. Food looked good.. certainly didn t taste good. Not only were we left with a sour taste in our mouths after a majority of the courses, it left a sour feeling in our stomachs. Your money and time are better spent elsewhere in Lima, a city with wonderful food that won t burn a hole in your wallet or stomach lining.

Perfect in every way. We lucked out by nabbing a lunchtime cancellation. If you didn't reserve in time, don't give up!

Amazing representation of the Andes and Peruvian cuisine

Amazing place, very special food, very good service. The restaurant is beautiful is a place that inspired me a lot I want to have something like that one day

Best dining experience I ve ever had. Was fortunate enough to get lunch reservations. Preferred dinner but they were unable to do both meat and vegetarian at same table, therefore the others went elsewhere while we enjoyed a fantastic lunch.



I recommend watching the episode of Chefs Table (Netflix) prior to dining to better understand the elevated dining experience you will receive!!

A must-do for culinary aficionados. The classic "Elevations" tasting menu consists of 17 courses, with the ingredients listed alongside the altitudes that they were grown/caught at. Definitely make a reservation beforehand.

Go. Go and be open. Allow yourself to be uncomfortable and overwhelmed with discovery. This is one of my favorite memories and food experiences. It is for the adventurous. So don t cheat yourself of enjoyment and don t go expecting it to be something it isn t. It s just raw and beautiful.

Hello ,
unfortunately only three stars,
This has nothing to do with the cooking skills of the kitchen or the excellent selection of drinks. My problem is that you have to stick to the speed of the kitchen as a guest and in my opinion this can not be a meal, especially in the price range. The waiter / buzz around the entire time like a swarm of bees and worry about it with further unrest. Unfortunately, you did not have the time to enjoy the food as you wish, at times the new dish came and you had not even drunk the wine from the process. Table was reserved at 20.00 o'clock, one has taken place and then the machine began to run, no possibility to order an aperitif but ready to go on the squares. At the end of 22.30 o'clock then, 16 courses in 2 hours 30 minutes there were then the bill, we were lucky that we could order an espresso. Conclusion Food Top, Drinks Wonderful, but to enjoy food the wrong location, I know it from other starred restaurants that the chef at least once a short look at the table, but that was not in Central. Too bad, for us not among the 10 best restaurants

We made a reservation online. Then we arrive at the time to be told that was just for a waiting list. There was no mention of a waiting list on the site, it just said we had the reservation. Maybe dodged a bullet since last time I got super sick after eating here

Great restaurant, must visit if you only have a few days in Lima.
Expect to make a reservation at least 1 month in advance.

What a dining experience! Worthy of its rating among the breast restaurants in the world.

Easily the best meal I've ever had. No comparison. If you get the chance, go.

For me the best restaurant in Peru, its dishes mix flavor, texture, aroma and color. The attention is first, the wine list is good and varied, they advise you for the perfect pairing. You have a good time, enjoy every minute.

Terrible experiment I do not recommend it at all I do not know how they have given it the terrible rating because of how bad the experience is not recommended

I loved the presentation, quality and flavor of each of their dishes, it is amazing to learn more about the use of our country's products.

The concept is to use local ingredients at an altitude of -10m to 3700m to combine appetizers, seafood, meat, desserts, and precise flavor balance. Each dish bursts out wonderful flavors. It is very exciting to take a wine road together.

Get ready for a Peruvian roller coaster of flavors, smells, textures and more.

Netflix Chef s Table episode really put this place on my radar, but I think the documentary, and expectations of coming here, were better than the meal itself. Sigh. The very, very high concept meal is indeed a journey or experience , as every detail of this restaurant will remind you. Yes, it felt like a foodified tour of a Peru. Quite unique and fun. Some of the 16 courses were delicious, others curiosities, and a few just seemed to be visual pieces with an edible component. I found the dinning room to be very poorly lit with harsh cold 5000k lights that resembled hospital waiting room. The decor lacked any hues almost entirely grey and metal and cold stones no warmth; the dishes similarly were of muted colors, creating a altogether desaturated visual experience at odds with many delightful tastes and aromas. We ate at the chef s other project, Mil, up in the sacred valley earlier in the week; if you are choosing between the two I would go with Mil visually warmer, equally delightful food, and the remote Andean location felt like the right place for the occasion. I recommend... just wasn t flawless.

Had the 17 course menu after eaten again. An absolute life experience and after a 3 week tour through Peru the perfect culinary conclusion. Here you will find all the impressions of the country in a menu. Thank you :)

This is simply one of my finest dining experiences. Every meal on the degustation menu brought something new and exciting and the wine matching was excellent. The presentation and taste of each dish will be forever imprinted upon my palate. The service was also extraordinary and we were made to feel very welcome amongst the very modern and trendy design and decor. If you ever plan to visit Lima then it is IMPERATIVE that you eat at this fine restaurant.

Firstly, the prices are exorbitant, especially the drinks, including the water.
It is a type of experimental cuisine, and very strange.
I have visited many restaurants in the world, and this is one that I consider I would never return to
I do not understand how he won the position of one of the best in the world ..........

A totally different experience. 16 incredible steps

They only offer tasting of exotic snacks. To know is fine, not to return.