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Mérito

Lima

A sophisticated exploration of Peruvian and Venezuelan flavours

Tell me all about it: Combining produce from the surrounding area with flashes and memories of his country of origin, chef Juan Luis Martínez unites the cuisines of Peru and his native Venezuela at Mérito.

What's on the menu? On the tasting menu, you'll find dishes like the Andean curry; beef, arracacha (a starchy root vegetable) and mango; and cocona (an Andean fruit) with mashua (a local tuber) and lemon verbena.

A note on the chef: Martínez, who hails from Caracas and studied at La Casserole du Chef, opened Mérito in 2018. The two-floor restaurant is set in the heart of the coastal Barranco neighbourhood and is a favourite with locals.

Topped with a tipple: To enjoy a meal with a little extra panache, browse Mérito's bespoke cocktail selection: favourites include the cinnamon spice, a concoction of pisco macerated with cinnamon and apple liqueur, and the coconut anise, made with rum, coconut liqueur and passion fruit.

Other ventures: During the pandemic, Martínez created Demo, a delivery initiative serving some of the restaurant's most popular dishes. In late 2020,Demo evolved into a casual café serving coffees and baked goods and remains open today. In 2023, Martínez continued to expand his offering, opening Clon, a more casual restaurant with a sleek, once again located in Barranco that features on the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 extended list at No.66.

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