Maido Review: Experience the World’s Best Restaurant in Lima

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If you’re planning a trip to Lima and are even remotely a foodie, Maido, the literal number one restaurant in the world, is going to come up, like a lot. Can you get in? Is it worth it? How much is it going to cost?

Before my recent girls’ trip to Lima, I struggled to find clear answers to those exact questions. But worry not, I walk so you can run.

What follows is a report from the food-focused half of our group — not just “it was amazing,” but something more nuanced, and honestly, a lot more useful.

What Maido Is (and Why It Matters in Lima)

Maido is one of Lima’s defining restaurants and emblematic of why the city has become one of the world’s great food destinations.

Led by Mitsuharu Tsumura, it focuses on Nikkei cuisine — a blend of Japanese technique and Peruvian ingredients. That may sound straightforward. It’s not.

The multi-course tasting menu moves through Peru — coast, jungle, Andes — interpreted through a Japanese lens. It’s precise, thoughtful, and intentional in every detail.

How We Got a Table

We were a group of six, but only three wanted to commit to a full multi-course dining experience. The other three were just as happy skipping a multi-hour tasting menu in favor of more shopping — no judgment.

I somehow managed to find one reservation for three people directly on the Maido website about three weeks before our trip. It felt almost miraculous. Timing matters, and we got lucky. 

The Surprise: It Doesn’t Feel Intimidating

Before going, the group expected it to feel formal. Maybe even a little stiff — the kind of place where you’re hyper-aware of everything you’re doing.

It wasn’t that at all.

The space is beautiful — art-forward, slightly moody, with subtle Japanese design elements — but it doesn’t feel cold or inaccessible. People weren’t overly dressed up, and the energy felt comfortable rather than performative. As one of them put it, it was “high-end, but relaxed,” and she never felt like she was going to do something wrong.

For a restaurant operating at this level, that’s actually a big differentiator.

The Experience: Long, Thoughtful, and Yes — Filling

This is a full-tasting-menu experience: 12 courses over roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.

That can sometimes feel like a marathon. This didn’t. It never dragged — and importantly, you actually get full, which, if you’ve done tasting menus before, you know isn’t always guaranteed.

The courses are tied to regions of Peru, and the staff walks you through each dish and the reasoning behind it. At points, they bring out raw ingredients to show you what something looks like before it’s transformed on the plate — immersive without crossing into precious.

The Dishes They’re Still Talking About

Rather than listing every course, here’s what actually stuck:

The Tuna Presentation: A full cut of toro is brought out and sliced tableside. Precise, intentional, and genuinely impressive without being showy.

The “Bacon and Eggs” Dish: “Bacon” made from Amazonian fish. “Egg white” made from squid. Weird in the best way — and a little funny. That balance of technical and playful is where Maido really separates itself.

Service That Feels Human

At this level, great service is expected. What stood out here was how natural it felt.

One of the women didn’t want uni; none of them were interested in organ meats. 

At many top tasting-menu restaurants, that kind of request lands with a thud. Not here. No friction, no attitude — just an easy adjustment that kept the meal feeling enjoyable rather than rigid.

The Details That Quietly Elevate Everything

They all had wine and tried a Pisco Sour, which in Lima feels like one of the Peruvian drinks you should do at least once. It was perfectly balanced and not too sweet.

The tableware is one of those things you don’t think about until you notice it. Each course arrived on something different — plates, bowls, vessels that felt chosen specifically for that dish. Not flashy, just considered. It’s subtle, but it adds up.

A Note on the Wine Pairing

The wine pairing is a serious add-on — both in volume and cost. A couple we met at our hotel had done the full pairing at Maido and their takeaway was simple: it tipped from enjoyable to overwhelming.

If you’re on the fence, consider skipping it and ordering a few glasses instead.

What It Actually Costs

Most people aren’t clear about this, so let’s be direct.

The tasting menu with drinks (but not the full wine pairing) came out to around $475 per person all-in, including tip. That puts it in line with top-tier dining experiences globally.

There’s also a more flexible option worth knowing about: I met a father and daughter on a boat trip who had walked into Maido without a reservation, sat at the bar, ordered à la carte, and spent around $150 per person. A great option if you’re curious, willing to take a chance, and don’t want to commit to the full experience.

Lunch or Dinner?

Our group went for lunch — it was the only reservation I could get. And while two said they’d do dinner next time, as twelve courses at 1 pm is a lot, and dinner might just fit the pacing better, the third liked the lunch option. Truly, to each their own and know thyself.

Would We Go Again?

“I wouldn’t feel like I had to — but if I went back to Lima with my husband, I’d be happy to.”

Part of it is that Maido feels complete. You don’t leave feeling like you missed something. But because the menu changes regularly, returning wouldn’t feel like repetition either. It lands in a specific category: not something you’d automatically go back to, but something you’d genuinely consider.

That’s kind of the sweet spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bigger Picture: Lima’s Dining Scene

Yes, places like Maido, Central, and Kjolle get all the attention. But what Lima also does better than most cities is depth. You can eat incredibly well at every level — from world-ranked tasting menus to casual meals that are just as satisfying.

That range is the real story.

The World’s Best Restaurant: Should You Actually Go?

If you want a bucket-list, world-class dining experience — yes, book it.

If not? You’re still going to eat extremely well in Lima.