Peru’s most important culinary stars are without a doubt the wife and husband duo of Pía León and Virgilio Martínez. Central, which opened in 2008, has gained a steady following for its high-end approach to rare and unusual Peruvian ingredients. Additionally, the team runs Mater Inciativa, a cooperative of culinary types that includes Martinez’s sister Malena. They travel around the country investigating endemic ingredients and working with local producers, many of whom can be seen in the flesh at their Sacred Valley restaurant Mil above the circular terraces of Moray. Many of Central’s ingredients, like Amazonian fish and high-altitude lake algae, make their way onto a phenomenal tasting menu that pairs beautifully with one of Lima’s best wine and cocktail programs. Relocated to Barranco in mid-2018, it’s now set in a beautiful, leafy compound that includes a more casual bistro on-site called Kjolle ★★, as well as a bar that offers snacks. Many consider Central to be the best restaurant in Peru, if not all of Latin America, and one that the prestigious World’s Best Restaurants list has ranked as high as #4. Tables fill up months in advance, so reservations are a must.