12 Best Restaurants in The North Coast and Northern Highlands, Peru

This exquisite eatery is one of Peru's not-to-be-missed culinary experiences. In 1983, the Solis family began serving modern interpretations of comida norteña (northern Peruvian cuisine) out of their home. The business exploded, leading to a chain of top-shelf restaurants all over Peru. Here, under the aegis of renowned chef Hector Solis, you can try a sumptuous cabrito (kid goat) and arroz con pato (duck with rice), as well as dozens of other local specialties and a long list of trendy pisco-based cocktails.

Born in Chiclayo decades ago, the Fiesta group is widely considered the preeminent dining choice for those looking for modern interpretations of Peru's northern coastal cuisine such as arroz con pato (duck with rice) or suckling goat. This location, a sleek multilevel modern bistro in Vista Alegre, has become the city's top choice for fine dining. Try the creative dishes like grouper cebiche, served hot, and innovative cocktails, nearly all of which utilize pisco. This place is highly recommended.

Chef Juan Seminario rides his motorcycle to local markets every day to find the fish and produce that make this narrow restaurant the rival of many top eateries in Lima. This means Mediterranean and Asian elements find their way into dishes such as a Nikkei-style tiradito (sashimi-style fish with a spicy sauce) and house-made pastas.

Skip the first floor and head upstairs to the terrace for great views of the beach at Huanchaco's largest and most popular restaurant. Enjoy Huanchaquero specialties, including cangrejo reventado (baked crab stuffed with egg) and cebichede mococho (algae cebiche). Only open 11–5:30, this open-air eatery serves lunch and sunset drinks from a special wine list or cocktail menu.

With a breezy terrace upstairs and a cozy bistro downstairs, this French eatery covers a lot of bases. There are couscous and fondue, as well as hard-to-find local dishes such as grilled alpaca. Don't miss the sumptuous dessert crepes and good wine selection. Added plus: after three decades in Peru, chef and owner Patrick Bertrand now offers homemade goodies that you can take with you, including liquors, jams, mustards, granola, and more.

Half a century's worth of tradition has gone into this Trujillo standby. Bustling at lunch- and dinnertime, it's a fun place to eat that specializes in regional cuisine—and does it well. Start with an industrial-size portion of spicy cebiche de lenguado (sole marinated in citrus), followed by rice smothered with camarones (shrimp) or mariscos (shellfish). There are additional locations near the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna in the village of Moche, as well as in Huanchaco.