The original Lima restaurant located in Fitzrovia, London, named by Time Out as the best Peruvian restaurant in London. It was the first Peruvian restaurant in Europe to receive a Michelin star in 2014, though it no longer holds this accolade.
Diego Recarte is the Head Chef at LIMA in Fitzrovia, London, bringing Peruvian authenticity and international experience to the restaurant. He has been instrumental in unveiling a refreshed menu that celebrates...
Insights
Local ModernLatin AmericanMexicanSeafoodSeafoodUpscaleLunchDinnerFine DiningWine Bar
Last updated: 9/13/2026, 3:15:53 AM
Key Information
LIMA Fitzrovia is one of London's original Peruvian restaurants, established in 2012. It is known for its iconic and inventive Peruvian dishes, and is featured in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant offers an à la carte menu, tasting menu, and set lunch options.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise LIMA Fitzrovia for its fabulous food, incredible quality drinks, and great staff. The dishes are described as full of flavor, with octopus and ceviche being particular highlights. The restaurant is also noted for being fantastic for gluten-free and other dietary requirements. The atmosphere is described as welcoming, polished yet relaxed, and contemporary, making it ideal for couples, friends, and food enthusiasts interested in South American cuisine.
Additional Details
The restaurant is located at 31 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London, just north of Oxford Street and parallel to Tottenham Court Road. It offers a minimal intervention wine menu. The food is prepared in sight.
Evening reservations are recommended to experience the restaurant at its liveliest while still enjoying a relaxed atmosphere. Weekday evenings are also a good option.
Fabulous restaurant, incredible quality drinks and food and great staff. Went with a group of four and had a lovely table indoors yet still in the sun - perfect for London. Every dish was full of flavour but the octopus was definitely a favourite! Fantastic for gluten free / celiac / dietary requirements too. Will be back!
My friend and I visited for dinner on a weekday evening, having heard good things about its reputation and long-standing place in London’s dining scene. As a Michelin-recognised Peruvian restaurant in London since 2012, there is naturally a sense of expectation when you arrive, but the atmosphere remains welcoming rather than formal. We were looking forward to exploring a menu that showcases modern Peruvian cooking, and the experience started on a very positive note from the moment we were seated. It is the sort of place people often recommend when searching for authentic Peruvian food in central London, and I can understand why.
The dining room struck a good balance between elegance and comfort. The lighting was warm without being too dim, and the seating allowed enough space between tables to have a conversation without feeling crowded. Although the restaurant was busy throughout the evening, the noise level remained comfortable and never overwhelmed the room. There was a steady pace to the service and to the flow of the restaurant as a whole. The atmosphere felt polished yet relaxed, which suited the style of the food perfectly. As a Peruvian restaurant in London, LIMA manages to create a setting that feels contemporary while still allowing the cuisine to remain the main focus.
We began with the bread served alongside rocoto and algarrobina butter. It was a simple but memorable start, with the butter bringing a subtle sweetness balanced by gentle warmth from the rocoto.
The White Crab from Cornwall with causa, avocado and barattiere cucumber was beautifully presented and exceptionally fresh. The sweetness of the crab worked well with the creamy avocado and the refreshing cucumber, creating a dish that felt light yet full of flavour. The Bluefin Tuna with white asparagus and mushroom X.O offered a different profile altogether, combining delicate textures with deeper savoury notes.
One of the highlights for me was the Classic Ceviche featuring stone bass, tiger’s milk and sweet potato. The fish was fresh and perfectly prepared, while the tiger’s milk delivered brightness and acidity without overpowering the dish. The sweet potato added balance and a touch of natural sweetness.
My friend Claudia particularly enjoyed the octopus from Cornwall served with smoked chillies and confit potatoes. The octopus was tender, the smoked chillies added depth rather than excessive heat, and the potatoes completed the dish beautifully. Throughout the meal, the quality of ingredients and careful execution were clear. This Michelin-recognised Peruvian restaurant consistently delivered dishes that felt thoughtful, balanced and worth the price point.
Service also contributed significantly to the evening. A special thank you goes to Ezra, who looked after us extremely well throughout dinner. He was attentive without being intrusive, happy to answer questions, and helped maintain a smooth pace between courses. The menu was clearly explained, and we never felt rushed despite the restaurant being busy. The experience felt organised and comfortable from start to finish.
For anyone looking for a Michelin-recognised Peruvian dining experience in Fitzrovia, the combination of knowledgeable service and well-paced dining makes a real difference.
I would particularly recommend LIMA Fitzrovia to couples, friends meeting for dinner, food enthusiasts interested in South American cuisine, or visitors looking to explore something beyond the more familiar London dining options. An evening reservation seems to be the best way to experience the restaurant at its liveliest while still enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.
Overall, this was a genuinely enjoyable meal. Every dish brought something different to the table, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere made it easy to settle in and enjoy the evening. It is easy to see why LIMA Fitzrovia remains such a popular destination. I would happily return and would confidently recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality Peruvian cuisine in London.
5
Lovely Peruvian food , attentive service and good atmosphere.
Loved everything from starters to dessert. The buns with the peanut sauce were so nice, the ceviche and octopus were delicious.
Would definitely recommend this place.
It’s chic and ideal for either groups or dates.
5
Top notch! Service very good and knowledgeable. I had to ask about some of the menu items as didn't know what the ingredients were. Rest assured everything was absolutely delicious. Yes it is expensive but well worth it as a treat for a special occasion.
5
Kudos to the restaurant staff Rey for making us feel welcome, and for explaining the Peruvian menu in great detail! Food was amazing, small plates concept but not small plate size. Quality was there - fresh ceviche and perfectly executed meat dishes! Will definitely go back here again, and highly recommend! Thanks again Rey!
