If there is one thing you must not miss in Peru, it is a meal at one of the restaurants of the father of the Peruvian gastronomic revolution, Gaston Acurio.

Gaston created a network of unbeatable establishments where you can dip into the crucible of cultures that make up Peru’s national cuisine. Here are 7 can’t miss restaurants by Gaston Acurio.

1. Madam Tusan

Try Chinese breakfast snacks at Madam Tusan. Our favorites? The quinoa tamales, Peking duck rolls and meat-filled rice and pumpkin balls.

Madam Tusan has 6 locations in Lima.

Check out Travel & Living in Peru’s feature, “Madam Tusan: The Innovation of Fusion.”

2. Tanta

If you are looking for something more classic, then there is Tanta for sandwiches and good coffee. Tanta also has the complete Melate Chocolate range of puddings by Astrid Gutsche, Gaston Acurio’s wife.

Tanta has 11 locations in Lima and is also in Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires and Chicago.

3. La Mar

At mid-morning, try La Mar for fresh flavors and an emphasis on seafood.

La Mar hasn’t moved from its original location in Lima, and can also be found in San Francisco.

4. Panchita

Panchita is the place for lunch: savor creole food by Martha Palacios, one of the most respected exponents of this style in Peru.

Panchita has two locations in Lima.

Check out Travel & Living in Peru’s feature, “Gaston Acurio’s Panchita: A Reinterpretation of Peruvian Criollo Favorites.”

5. Astrid & Gaston

The internationally recognized Astrid & Gaston has a sample menu: tasty samples of traditional Peruvian cooking prepared in a contemporary style.

Choose one of the 2 Panchita locations.

Check out Travel & Living in Peru’s restaurant review of Astrid & Gaston.

6. Papacho’s

At the end of the day, Papacho’s is a friendly place for a good hamburger made using beef from carefully reared cattle. Our favorite is the Miraflorina burger.

Enjoy Papachos at one of their 6 locations.

Check out Travel & Living in Peru’s restaurant review of Papacho’s in Miraflores.

7. Chicha

Chicha offers traditional Peruvian cuisine with a touch of Gaston Acurio’s signature flair at a fraction of the cost of his more expensive Astrid & Gaston. This is the only restaurant by Acurio that was originally established outside of Lima.

You can find Chicha in Arequipa and Cusco.

Check out Travel & Living in Peru’s restaurant review of Chicha in Cusco.

Credit: Ultimate Journeys.

Cover Photo: Astrid & Gaston

This post has been updated with location information from its original publication on June 26, 2018.