The capital of Peru, Lima is a bustling metropolis with a population of over 9 million. Within its city limits, suburban residential neighborhoods lie adjacent to posh shopping centers, and outdoor markets face across the street from tightly-packed apartment buildings. It's a city that's full of sights, sounds, smells, stories, and of course, delicious food. Peruvian cuisine is rapidly becoming a popular choice on the international stage, and its no wonder – Peruvians know how to cook a wonderful meal.

For those traveling to Peru on a Peru vacation, a stopover in Lima is often a standard part of your itinerary, no matter what your final destinations in Peru may be. Although many who travel to Peru opt to move on straight to Cusco or another Peru destination, those who choose to stay in Lima and take a Lima city tour are often delighted with the rich history and culture that they encounter in the capital. Plus, the shopping malls, restaurants, and activities along the beautiful Costa Verde coastline of Lima are the perfect way to kick-off or finish up a Peru vacation.

Many who take a Lima city tour ask where to dine after their tour. There are plenty of first-rate restaurants all across Lima. In the historic district, near the Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, there are plenty of casual restaurants within walking distance, where diners can watch passerby and enjoy the sights. Near Plaza San Martin, the Hotel Bolivar is an excellent choice for drinks and dinner. In the Barranco district, just south of Miraflores, the center of town features a weekend outdoor market, where traditional Peruvian dishes - especially criollo dishes from Peru's Afro-Peruvian cuisine – are available for modest prices.

But for those looking for fine dining, the options include hotel restaurants, Astrid & Gaston's fancy establishments, the Rosa Nautica on the wharf, or one of the coastal restaurants in Larcomar.

Sure, Rosa Nautica, the beautiful wharfside restaurant on Lima's Costa Verde, has one the vote of many a Best Restaurant in Lima list. The cooks seem to just reach out the window and catch a fresh fish to grill at your table. But there's another, even more alluring and elegant restaurant in town that is perfect for those on a Peru tour looking for a romantic evening on the town. 

If you're looking for a romantic restaurant, head to one of the best restaurants in Lima, Peru, called the Huaca Pucllana. It's located in the Miraflores neighborhood, right next to the stunning ruins of a pre-Inca people that set up a temple on these grounds. The fine restaurant adjacent to the ruins serves 5 star meals by candlelight on an outdoor patio that overlooks the adobe bricks of the Huaca Pucllana, beautifully lit up at night. Often, the waiters will carry out small fireplaces and set them near your table, adding warmth and ambiance to this magical dinner setting.

For first-timers who have never been on a Lima tour or visited Peru, a traditional dish such as aji de gallina or ceviche is recommended. Aji de gallina is made from a tender-cooked hen and covered in a rich sauce. Ceviche is raw seafood marinated in lime, served with dried corn, sweet potato, and spicy purple onions. To drink, try a red wine, or a pisco sour (the national drink of lime brandy). Be careful not to combine ceviche and pisco sour, because the lime in both might be a bit too much for your palette.

But no matter what dish you choose, it will be a dinner you'll never forget.