Venezuelan and Peruvian flavors dance an exquisite pas de deux at this tiny, brick-walled tavern on a Barranco back street. The choreography is provided by chef Juan Luis Martínez, a Central veteran who renders homage to his Caracas roots while making expert use of Peruvian ingredients, including scallops, huacatay (black mint), and cocona (an Amazon fruit). Among the recent standouts on the ever-changing menu: roasted Peruvian corn in yellow chili and glazed pork belly with arepas.

In just five years, the restaurant of Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez has gone from an obscure indie project to Food & Wine’s Best International Restaurant for 2024. The beautifully plated dishes, like white fish with yacon root and Andean cereals, manage to be both cerebral and exuberant. From left: Chef Juan Luis Martínez of Mérito; Mérito's beautifully plated dishes, like white fish with yacon root and Andean cereals, manage to be both cerebral and exuberant.

Mérito: Chef Juan Martinez may hail from Venezuela, but he’s very much at home in the Peruvian capital, rubbing shoulders with some of Latin America’s finest chefs. His fusion of dishes from his homeland has created some extraordinary results — the barbecued corn is unforgettable — making this one of the very finest restaurants in an outstanding field.

En el barrio más hípster de Lima, entre estudios de artistas, pintores y ceramistas, de tiendas alternativas y de edificios donde el graffitti y los murales decoran las fachadas, se encuentra Mérito, uno de los mejores restaurantes de la capital peruana (y, me atrevería a decir, del mundo). En sus fogones se encuentra Juan Luis Martínez, el chef que ha conseguido posicionar este local en el que sus raíces venezolanas se fusionan con las peruanas, pero también con todas las culturas gastronómicas de Latinoamérica. Su cocina es una búsqueda por tratar de trasladar a los comensales la variedad de productos que se encuentran en esta región del continente americano a través de elaboraciones llenas de sabor, productos locales y mucho gusto por la estética.

Mérito es otro de los restaurantes en Barranco que no se pueden pasar por alto, posicionado como No. 13 dentro de los Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants y con una propuesta de cocina peruana-venezolana a cargo del chef Juan Luis Martínez. Aquí se fusionan las raíces venezolanas del chef con el patrimonio gastronómico de Perú, lo que da como resultado una cocina diversa y en exploración constante; su menú se complementa de una selección de bebidas de la casa creada con el mismo cuidado que sus alimentos, que sin duda alguna será perfecta para llevar cualquier visita al siguiente nivel. Nota: Mérito se encuentra temporalmente cerrado, reanudará actividades el 21 de febrero de 2024.

With little reason to open restaurants in Caracas for the time being, Venezuelan chefs are making waves in other parts of the Americas. Around the corner from the new location of Central, where chef/owner Juan Luis Martínez was once sous chef, along with partner José Luis Saumeo, Mérito is serving a fusion of Peruvian and Venezuelan flavors that you never realized you were missing. The minimalist, two-level space of brick and wood spins ingredients like pez diablo, yacón, and chirimoya into fantastic dishes — many cooked on a Josper grill — that could only evolve out of the current geo-political climate.

Mérito is a restaurant that is located in an old mansion of more than 150 years old which gives it the traditionalist touch that one looks for when visiting a restaurant in addition to its first level has a sensory and close view at the same time so the customer can appreciate how the kitchen works and at the same time how the dishes are prepared step by step, during the whole process natural seasonal ingredients are used allowing the flavor to concentrate even more, this innovative cuisine has allowed him to obtain recognition as they are in the list of the 50 best restaurants in the world.

If we were only allowed to return to one restaurant in Lima, it would be Mérito. Run by two young Venezuelan chefs, who honed their skills in the kitchen of Central, this place in Barranco is the definition of delicious daring. Our meal included ceviche made with tomate de árbol instead of citrus, tender grilled octopus on a bed of mashed oca (a Peruvian tuber) with a dash of ginger, and boiled choclo (corn) cut into ribs before being reassembled inside the husk, grilled, and served with a sauce of ají amarillo (a local yellow pepper) and queso llanero (farmer’s cheese).

If you’re looking for something a little more under-the-radar but just as impressive, Mérito is where you want to be. Tucked into a quiet street in Barranco, this intimate spot punches well above its weight, thanks to Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez (a former Central alum), who’s crafting an exciting cross-cultural dialogue between Venezuelan and Peruvian flavors. The menu is compact but endlessly creative—think arepas made with Andean corn and topped with creamy Amazonian cheese, or glazed sweet potato gnocchi nestled in a smoky Peruvian pepper sauce.

Located in the trendy Barranco district, Mérito Restaurant offers a unique fusion of Venezuelan and Peruvian cuisine, creating a vibrant and innovative dining experience. The menu showcases a blend of traditional Venezuelan and Peruvian ingredients, artfully combined to present fresh and exciting dishes. Guests can enjoy a variety of options, including delicious arepas and empanadas, inventive seafood dishes, savory meat entrées, creative vegetarian options, and delectable desserts that highlight the sweet flavors of both regions.

After working at Central, Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez opened Mérito in 2018, and the Barranco eatery is now regularly judged one of Latin America's best restaurants. Dine downstairs overlooking the open kitchen, and watch Mérito's chefs calmly crafting dishes grounded in both Peruvian and Venezuelan cuisine. Described simply as curry de pez ('Fish Curry'), Mérito's complex version is more Amazonia than Asia, while the tiradito teams cured bonito with citrusy ponzu and fresh almonds.

Ten restaurants made their debut on the 1-50 list this year, including Potong in Bangkok, which was the Highest New Entry at No. 13; Nusara, also in Bangkok, at No. 35; Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler in Brunico, Italy, at No. 20; Mérito in Lima at No. 26; Lasai in Rio de Janeiro at No. 28; Enigma in Barcelona at No. 34; Kadeau in Copenhagen at No. 41; Vyn in Skillinge, Sweden, at No. 47; Celele in Cartagena, Colombia, at No. 48; and Restaurant Jan in Munich at No. 50.

Venezuelan chefs Juan Luis Martínez and José Luis Saume pay tribute to their roots while innovating with Peruvian ingredients at Merito, creating dishes like yucca quesadillas and scallops with ñame (yam). Local studios Ghezzi Novak and Blanco designed the Barranco restaurant, whose natural materials reflect the authenticity of the food. The small space was stripped to reveal its original walls lined with adobe bricks – a traditional material made from mud.

Afterward, we made our way to the spare, earthy dining room of Mérito, one of the newer additions to the Lima food scene, which is headed up by a pair of young Venezuelan chefs. This was hands down the best dinner I have had for this price––for everything, drinks, wine, appetizers, mains, and dessert, we spent less than $60 per person, including tip. This is a meal that in a big city in the US could have easily cost us $250 or more per person.

Venezuelan-born Juan Luis Martínez leads the Mérito team, offering a revealing cuisine which is neither precisely Peruvian nor Venezuela. Having worked under the famed culinary luminary, Virgilio Martínez (owner of Central in Lima), this Caracas-born chef prioritizes great products and technique, admitting that his approach encompasses more than just these two countries. “The food I cook is about the places I have visited”, he acknowledges.

Mérito, led by the talented chef Juan Luis Martínez, offers a unique space in Lima where Venezuelan roots blend with Peruvian flavors, presenting a proposal that encompasses Latin identity. This innovative combination has quickly made Mérito a favorite among foodies. In 2023, Mérito achieved 13th place on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list and 59th place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Chef Juan Luis Martínez previously worked at Central before opening his tiny, two-story restaurant. If you want to watch the action, sit at one of the four counter stools in the open kitchen, and order the whole à la carte menu. There are plays on traditional Peruvian dishes, like a ceviche and tiradito, as well as some nods to Juan's Venezuelan roots as well (pork belly arepas, anyone?).

Mérito is a relaxed, casual fine dining restaurant in Lima’s Barranco district, founded by Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martinez. It blends Peruvian and Venezuelan influences with fresh local ingredients, creating a welcoming atmosphere in a minimalist, two-floor space. Guests can choose seats by the open kitchen to feel close to the action and see how the dishes come together.

In Barranco, you can find creative cuisine like Mérito and Sibaris, as well as fusion offerings like Casona San Martín. This last hidden gem unites the cuisine of the three main regions of Peru: the coast, the Andean highlands, and the Amazon jungle. Finally, if you have a sweet tooth, you have your pick of excellent artisanal gelato experts between Blu and Crem dela Crem.

The name Mérito translates to “merit” and “excellence,” which certainly provides a hint of the deliciousness the menu will offer. In this trendy Barranco restaurant, you’ll enjoy dishes by accomplished Venezuelan chefs Juan Luis Martínez and José Luis Saumeo in a sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere. The menu offers a blend of Venezuelan and Peruvian influences and tastes.

Merito stands out not only as the best Venezuelan restaurant in Barranco but also as a culinary bridge between Peruvian and Venezuelan cuisines. This vibrant eatery offers a unique fusion that celebrates the flavors and traditions of both countries. The arepas, filled with a variety of gourmet ingredients, are a must-order for their authenticity and flavor.

The Peruvian capital is now home to four entries in the 2025 list: besides Maido (No.1) and Central, Kjolle — also helmed by León — came in at ninth, while Mérito and Mayta ranked 26th and 39th respectively. Such concentration of top-tier restaurants in one city is rare and underscores Lima’s transformation into a global fine dining capital.

Sleep in (Lima is not a city that wakes early!) and then head to Dedalo, a local shop with a beautiful garden cafe in the back. Enjoy a coffee or one of their fresh smoothies with your breakfast. Don't forget to walk around the shop on your way out to explore their curated selection of locally made home decor and clothing.

What I Ordered: Tostadas Acevichadas, Ceviche (Ceviche no longer available). A small and trendy restaurant in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood, Merito is a two story powerhouse in the city’s food scene. With dishes that wow in both presentation and flavor, Merito is an excellent choice for foodies looking for dairy-free eats.

Those who enjoy following Mérito on social media often see beautifully plated dishes in a minimalist space. The reality is that its beauty combines with the comfort of flavor and ambiance. His work is recognized in Peru and beyond, with a contemporary proposal that blends his Venezuelan roots with Peruvian ingredients.

El restaurante Mérito, ubicado en Lima, alcanzó el puesto número 8 en la edición 2024 de los Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Reconocido por su enfoque innovador y su habilidad para fusionar ingredientes locales con técnicas modernas, Mérito ha logrado consolidarse como un referente de la alta cocina en la región.

Mérito serves an exciting fusion of Venezuelan and Peruvian flavors, with dishes that are both creative and comforting. The chefs use locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to create a menu that surprises and delights. The atmosphere is casual but chic, ideal for a relaxed yet sophisticated dining experience.

Location: Jr. 28 de Julio 206, BarrancoPrice: $$$Atmosphere: Intimate, stylish. This hidden gem in bohemian Barranco serves innovative Peruvian-Venezuelan fusion in a cozy two-story space. Chef Juan Luis Martínez (formerly of Central) brings bold flavors and meticulous technique to each dish.

However, it offers all the same quality and panache that some of its older peers offer. Mérito is headed by Juan Luis Martinez, a Venezuelan chef who got his start at Central. Soaking up the art of Peruvian food at Central, Martinez opened his Venezuelan-Peruvian fusion spot.

The apartment is located near restaurants such as Central, Isolina, Canta Rana & Merito. Barranco is also surrounded by bars such as Barbarian -specialists in craft beer- & Garito. Also, there are museums such as MATE, the Pedro de Osma Museum and the MAC.

Chef Juan Luis Martínez, who used to work with us at Central, is a great friend and super-talented. He’s Venezuelan and so the food he cooks is a mix of Venezuelan and Peruvian cuisine. It’s really exciting food that you can’t find anywhere else.

Located in Barranco, Merito is a two floor restaurant with great ambiance, decor and food. If you’re looking for a great restaurant in Barranco, I recommend this one. Merito has a couple of great options for vegetarians/vegans.

Located in the trendy Barranco neighborhood, Mérito has quickly become one of the hottest tables in town, offering inventive tapas-style Peruvian dishes in an intimate setting. Jr, 28 De Julio 206, Barranco

Notably, there are national representatives in the ranking of the 100 best restaurants: Merito, by Juan Luis Martinez, secured 55th place, and Mil, by Virgilio Martínez and Pia Leon, came in at 73rd.