Looking for a top restaurant experience in Barranco at a comfortable price? Mérito’s latest offering, a set-lunch with rotating plate options, is your best bet.
When I first visited Mérito restaurant it was just a concept of Latin American mestizo food; international culinary techniques with Latin American flavors. Since then it has become a great restaurant for a gourmet—yet unpretentious—dining experience.
Juan Luis Martinez and best friend Jose Luis Saume, both chefs with experience in international kitchens, have created a delicious menu that portrays locally sourced products in a creative and delicious way. Their dishes change seasonally and the flavors and techniques are always spot on!
Cream of corn 
Mahi mahi with sticky rice and salad 
Fried yucca sticks
Located just around the corner from Barranco’s main square, Mérito occupies a small location with two levels. The main level has an open kitchen and a long table right across from the stove where the cooks prepare and plate dishes right in front of you. That table in itself has an amazing vibe: it’s just wood, stone and good energy. If you go to the second floor, where everything is wood, it has a great ambiance to share a table with friends.
Since October of this year, Mérito has been offering a great menu (set-lunch) deal that changes every day. The whole set-lunch can be enjoyed for under USD $10 and includes one drink and a three course meal. The most expensive combination costs S/ 45. This is only available during lunch hours (12pm-3pm), Monday to Friday.
The drinks served during lunch are a take on agua fresca using fruits, herbs and flowers to create a very refreshing, yet non-alcoholic, beverage. Every meal has the option to select from two entrees and two different options of protein as a main course, followed by one of their luscious desserts.
As Jose Luis is vegetarian the restaurant includes a plant based option for lunch (S/ 35).
Mérito is a great place for good food during lunch time or dinner.
Salad with pituca (taro) chips 
Chocolate dessert 
Salty caramel cheesecake
Mérito
Jr. 28 De Julio 206, Barranco
Set-lunch: S/ 35-S/ 45
Lunch: Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm
Dinner: Monday-Saturday, 7:30pm-10:30pm
Closed Sundays
Cover photo: AmaraPhotos
Gallery photos: Daniel Quintero
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