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!
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