La Trattoria di Mambrino (Manuel Bonilla 106, tel. 01/446-1192, 1–3:30 p.m. and 8:30–11:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 1–3:30 p.m. Sun., US$10–12) is owned by a Roman and may be Peru’s best Italian restaurant. This cozy place serves authentic Italian dishes like gnocchi with pesto genovese, risotto with wild mushrooms, panfried shrimp with wine sauce, and porcini mushroom pizza.

For Middle Eastern food, stop in at Tarboush (Diagonal 358, tel. 01/242-6994, 9 a.m.–midnight Mon.–Thurs., 9 a.m.–1 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun., US$5–6), with sidewalk tables across from Parque Kennedy. Lamb kebabs, Greek salads, tabouli, and falafel are prepared fresh for incredibly cheap prices. Don’t miss the lúcuma juice.

Located at Larcomar mall, Makoto (Malecón de la Reserva 610, tel. 01/444-5030, www.larcomar.com, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun., US$20) is an excellent, though touristy, sushi restaurant with high prices.

Edo Sushi Bar (Berlin 601, tel. 01/243-2448, www.edosushibar.com, 12:30–3:30 p.m. and 7–11 p.m. Mon.–Sat., US$10) is a cool, quiet restaurant for authentic sushi.