There are some restaurants in Lima you want to eat in just because of the views. Some that immediately spring to mind are The Rosa Nautica, Cala, Salta de Fraile, here at the Huaca Pucllana and the Museo Larco restaurant in Pueblo Libre.
The Huaca Pucllana is an ancient historic site in the heart of Miraflores. There are a number of these Huacas dotted around Lima and this is one of the best preserved. Huaca means sacredness in Quechua and there is something very special about these Huacas. The Huaca Puccllana also offers a fascinating guided tour and having lunch here before or afterwards is a nice stop. Getting to eat in such a sacred place is a privilege, and the views, especially at night are excellent.
The restaurant is a popular place, mainly filled with business people and elderly tourists. My first impressions were of a somewhat old fashioned service, but fortunately the service wasn’t quite as slow as my first impressions led me to expect.
I ate a good ceviche here, but it was a remarkably small portion. The size was similar to what you get as a starter in an inexpensive menu, but much more expensive than the better quality fish really justifies. Admittedly the presentation was excellent, but for the price I had expected more than the couple of mouthfuls I got to eat. The price to value ratio was high, but then here you pay more for the view than for the food.
I was in no huge hurry to come back, but I have since been back a few times at night. The service on the terrace outside was much better. The atmosphere is more relaxed and intimate. Almost romantic. The dishes I ate at dinner were also much better than my first lunch. I’m not in a huge hurry to return to the Huaca to eat, but at night overlooking the huaca it is magical and somewhere I would recommend everyone visiting Lima should try and eat in once.
Photographs by Orlando Palma.
For Directions and full details see our directory page for the Huaca Pucllana
