Few countries have made the leap from “hidden gem” to global culinary destination as decisively as Peru. For centuries, its extraordinary landscape has shaped a cuisine unlike any other – one where ancient traditions, immigrant influences and some of the world’s richest natural resources converge on the plate. From the icy waters of the Pacific coastline, where some of the world’s best seafood is harvested, to the Andean highlands, home to thousands of varieties of potatoes, grains and native chillies, Peru’s culinary identity is inseparable from its geography.
But it is not just the land that has made Peruvian cuisine so remarkable. Centuries of migration have layered new flavours and techniques into the country’s food culture, with Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and West African communities contributing to distinct culinary traditions that have become celebrated in their own right – from criollo and chifa to nikkei. Then there is the Amazon basin, a vast and often mysterious source of fruits, roots and ingredients that continues to expand the boundaries of what Peruvian cooking can be. Together, these influences have created one of the most biodiverse and exciting culinary landscapes on the planet.
That extraordinary pantry has given rise to a dining scene that has transformed Lima into one of the world’s great food capitals. Over the past two decades, the city has turned its abundance of native ingredients and cultural influences into a globally recognised movement, with restaurants regularly claiming spots at the upper reaches of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and attracting chefs, critics and food-obsessed travellers from around the globe.
A World-Class Backdrop
It is little surprise, then, that when The World’s 50 Best Restaurants went searching for its first-ever South American host city, Lima emerged as the natural choice. The decision reflects not only the city’s remarkable culinary achievements but also Peru’s growing influence on the global dining conversation.
This month, the 50 Best organisation confirmed that its 2026 awards ceremony will take place in Lima on 4 November, marking the event’s debut in South America. It’s a fitting choice given that Lima previously hosted the inaugural Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2013, and the city’s dining scene has only grown louder since. At the 2025 ceremony in Turin, Lima’s Maido was crowned The World’s Best Restaurant – the second Peruvian restaurant to take the top spot in three years, and now retired into the “Best of the Best” hall of fame alongside past winners.
Beyond the awards themselves, the lead-up to the November ceremony will bring the full 50 Best circus to the Peruvian capital – the #50BestTalks forum, the Signature Sessions collaborative dinners, and a Chefs’ Feast – all designed to put Peru’s produce, technique and hospitality talent squarely in the global conversation.
Perth Gets a Preview
However, Aussies don’t need to wait until November, or book a flight to Lima, to get a sense of what all the fuss is about. Instead, Pan Pacific Perth’s signature restaurant, UMA, is marking Peruvian Independence Week from Tuesday 28 July through Saturday 1 August with a limited-run dining experience that brings the coast, the Andes and the Altiplano to Adelaide Terrace.
Helmed by Head Chef Javiera Gomez alongside Executive Chef Xerxes Bodhanwala, the “Journey Through Peru” set menu ($139pp, with an optional $45pp wine pairing) leans on the classics – think ceviche chalaquita and lomo saltado – alongside original dishes built through UMA’s own contemporary lens.
The celebrations peak on the final two nights. On Friday 31 July and Saturday 1 August, UMA hosts live cultural showcases from Wayra Peruvian Rhythms and Andean musicians Huaira, turning dinner into a genuine cultural exchange rather than just a tasting menu with a theme.
The Details
- What: Peruvian Independence Week at UMA
- When: Tuesday 28 July – Saturday 1 August, 5:30pm–11pm
- Where: UMA Restaurant, 207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000
- Bookings: Recommended, reserve here
- More info: umaperth.com.au
Between Lima’s turn on the global stage this November and Perth’s own Peruvian moment this month, it’s shaping up to be a very good year to eat like you’re in South America … No long-haul flight required.
