Peru’s capital is Lima, known as South America’s gastronomic capital because of its vast and diverse culinary heritage. The city boasts a wide selection of restaurants, including vegetarian and vegan options. Given the growing demand, the restaurants offer many choices for travelers passionate about non-conventional dishes.
Some Lima districts, such as La Molina, San Isidro, and Miraflores, offer unique and extraordinary options. Peruvian ingredients are undoubtedly the star in their wide range of iconic and reimagined dishes. In this context, this magic country provides a wealth of local vegetables, grains, and legumes that make delicious dishes.
Therefore, the Machu Travel Peru team wants to share Lima’s best vegetarian and vegan restaurants. Consequently, you can enjoy innovative meals and experiences featuring local and international products. This megadiverse country has so much to offer; discover and immerse yourself in delicious Peruvian food.
The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants to enjoy and experience
- Raw Café
- El Jardín de Jazmín
- Armónica Café
- La Recontra
- La Verde
- Seitan Urban Bistro
- Asiánica Street Food
- Sabor y Vida
- Veggie Pizza
RAW CAFÉ
We start our list with Raw Café, a quaint vegan restaurant with an organic produce store. During your visit, you’ll find local Peruvian superfoods and fresh produce used in their dishes. Highlights include fresh salads, tacos, sandwiches, and wraps. However, we recommend their dessert and pastry menu, which includes several gluten-free options.
Their first branch is in one of Lima’s most famous neighborhoods, Miraflores. However, they currently have five locations throughout Peru’s capital. A curious fact is that the chefs and nutritionists at each establishment take great care of each ingredient. They ensure proper cooking temperature and up to 80% of raw food on a plate.
EL JARDÍN DE JAZMÍN
El Jardín de Jazmín is one of Lima’s most popular vegan Peruvian fusion restaurants. The blend of Western and Latin fusion cuisine makes this establishment a place with a menu worthy of tasting. The lentil, chickpea, black bean sandwiches, tacos, and burgers are just a few examples. Although all the dishes are vegan and 100% gluten-free, we recommend paying attention, as some drinks contain honey.
We recommend trying the vegan stone-baked sourdough pizzas, an option not popular in Lima that captivates palates. Chakra Corazon is a dish that stands out for its smoked bell pepper sauce and cashew mozzarella. The establishment is on Av. Benavides, Miraflores, is a strategic location near Parque Kennedy, a beautiful place to visit.
ARMÓNICA CAFÉ
Armónica Café is another must-visit after a few days of traveling in Lima. This place isn’t exclusively vegetarian but has various delicious options. These include vegan pasta dishes and the exquisite quinoa burger with cocktail fries. During your visit, we recommend trying their excellent smoothies with natural ingredients, which are well worth trying.
With a modern and welcoming atmosphere, Armónica Café’s Miraflores location offers many traditional Peruvian gastronomy options. Excellent for enjoying with friends and family, we suggest checking out its promotions and discounts.
LA RECONTRA
La Recontra is unique because of its food court-like concept (several friendly restaurants in one space). Therefore, it’s a viable option for sharing with non-vegan or vegetarian friends. Anyone can order their favorite dish from their favorite restaurant, not exclusively vegetarian food. You must go to the window to order and wait in the shared patio.
Here, you’ll find La Recontra/Oiga, a restaurant specializing in plant-based food. Its signature dish is the delicious Peruvian remake of anticuchos, typically made with grilled beef heart. Replacing these with chunks of seitan seasoned with a unique Peruvian seasoning is a delight. Other options include veggie burgers, pizzas, and many more delicious dishes.
LA VERDE
Located in the heart of Miraflores, La Verde is a vegetarian restaurant in Lima that serves excellent food. This establishment stands out for its inspiring cafe-like atmosphere, featuring various board games. Despite its relatively high prices, it offers multiple salads, quiches, empanadas, calzones, and much more. We recommend trying the incredible vegetarian ramen, spinach empanadas, or eggplant lasagna—all must-try options.
SEITAN URBAN BISTRO
Seitan Urban Bistro is a popular restaurant in Peru. This plant-based restaurant offers first-class cuisine to its guests. You can enjoy creative and sophisticated dishes that combine international influences, Peruvian traditions, and local ingredients in a charming atmosphere. We recommend trying the French-inspired Peruvian dishes, which chefs can suit your dietary preferences.
ASIÁNICA RESTAURANT
After shopping at the Artisanal Market, you can visit Asiánica Restaurant. This vegetarian and vegan option offers incredible Japanese and Peruvian fusion dishes. In addition to a wide range of vegan dishes, they also offer gluten-free options. Their menu offers a variety of tasty and colorful options you’ll want to try.
SABOR Y VIDA
Sabor y Vida is an excellent vegetarian restaurant that offers vegan and gluten-free options. Its many possibilities feature fresh flavors, fresh vegetables, plant-based meals, and other ingredients. We recommend ordering the daily menu, which offers an excellent combination of price and quality. The menu includes two soups, two main dishes, a drink, and a dessert.
VEGGIE PIZZA
Veggie Pizza emerged to meet the growing demand for healthier menus with fresh and low-fat ingredients. Its establishments are in the Miraflores and Barranco districts. With a wide variety of pizza flavors and ingredients, you can enjoy a unique and unparalleled experience. Although they use dairy, you can ask for cheese-free vegan alternatives.
“IF YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, THEN I ONLY WANT TO EAT THE GOOD STUFF”
Lima and Cusco offer various delightful alternatives near the Plaza de Armas, a train station, or another location. Remember, this is just a glimpse into the variety of exquisite options. The Machu Travel Peru team hopes to have given you a small insight into restaurants catering to all tastes.
We recommend checking out our Lima travel guide to learn about other activities in this tourist destination. We look forward to your thoughts on these culinary attractions and the menu features you will love.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
