El Mochica

The one restaurant that everyone in Trujillo recommends is a bit of a surprise. From the outside, it looks to be a pretty sophisticated joint: It's housed within a beautiful colonial building with an impressive carved-wood balcony. Inside, though, the dining room is a little jarring, with white plastic chairs and a large TV blaring videos in the front room. A second room has a bar and a stage for live music on weekends. Despite the inauspicious surroundings, service is good -- waiters are even dressed in black tie. El Mochica also produces well-prepared and good-value criollo cooking and classic dishes such as roasted guinea pig and parrilladas (mixed grilled meats), in addition to fresh fish such as corvina (sea bass).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.