Central

Peruvian Altitude Cuisine · Lima · Barranco · Chef Virgilio Martínez

Named the World's Best Restaurant in 2023 by The World's 50 Best, Central in Lima is led by chef Virgilio Martínez. The kitchen explores Peru's biodiversity through altitudinal ecosystem tasting menus. Dishes in the 12-moment Mundo en Desnivel experience range from sea level marine life to high Andean crops.

Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Lima 15063, Peru, Lima

  • Best of the Best (Hall of Fame)
  • #1 World's Best Restaurant 2023

Menu

Wines

  • Amazon Waters — House Ferments, Mater Chicha Collection (50) — Mater Iniciativa's living fermentation library: chichas (fermented corn, potato, or fruit beverages) developed through the research programme and aged in clay. Available as individual pours alongside the tasting menu, each chicha corresponds to an ingredient from the altitude menu. The fermentation programme documents indigenous fermentation knowledge that Mater researchers gather from Andean and Amazon communities.
  • Alturas Wine Pairing — South American Altitude Wines (50) — Central's wine pairing focused on South American wines grown at altitude — Argentine Mendoza high-altitude vineyards, Peruvian highland wine (from the Ica region at 400m), and Chilean Atacama desert wines — chosen to mirror the menu's own altitude progression. The pairing reflects the same thinking as the food: altitude as the organising principle.
  • Nectars Pairing — Non-Alcoholic Altitude Beverages (50) — Central's non-alcoholic pairing developed by the Mater Iniciativa team: fermented juices, highland herb infusions, chicha macerations, and altitude water (from glacial Andean sources) paired with each ecosystem course. The beverage pairing follows the same altitude logic as the food — each drink sourced from or inspired by the same elevation zone as its companion course.

Cocktails

  • Equilibrio Mater / Ferments / Spirits / South American Wines (130)
  • Equilibrio Mater (Ferments, Spirits & South American Wines): S/ 454 (~ (114)
  • Terroir Wines of the World: S/ 424 (~ (107)
  • Terroir Wines of the World is 424 soles (~ (107)
  • Terroir Wines of the World (123)
  • Equilibrio Mater (Ferments, Spirits & SA Wines) (130)
  • Terroir Wines of the World is 424 soles (about (107)
  • Non-Alcoholic (Nectars, Extracts, Infusions) (70)

Dishes

  • Mundo Mater (14)
  • Territorio En Desnivel (12)

The Experience

A minimalist room with garden or terrace dining. The meal is structured around a tasting menu and a wine pairing.

  • Atmosphere: Minimalist
  • Format: Tasting menu, Wine pairing
  • Setting: Garden / terrace

Phone: +51 1 242-8515

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