Lonche: English Tea Time in Lima

Update August 2008: For a more current list of Lima cafés, see this link.

Lonche is a Peruvian tradition that still has many adherents.

Essentially, it is a tea or coffee time in the late-afternoon.

A legacy of English influence in Peru during the nineteenth century, whomever is at home at the time is invited to share a light meal at lonche. Often, visitors drop in for lonche, and it can last for quite a long time as the conversation flows.

Many people also like to go out for lonche, and Lima's landmark restaurants often offer special promotions at tea time.

If you are in Lima, and in need of some pampering, or just a good meal, you might consider visiting some of the places on this list. Many are posh, but often offer different promotions. Some offer discounts for large groups.

It may seems like a splurge, but the quality of the food and the service would cost much more in your home country. I would hazard to bet, that if you can afford it, and decide to do it, it will be one of the culinary highlights of your trip. Happy travels!

Lonche is Tea Time: La República

Taking afternoon tea is the most English of all Peruvian customs. Although it may not be carried out in exactly the same manner, Peruvians enjoy gathering and sharing food at tea time. At tea time, Lima offers a number of different options worth noting, and particularly now during this Christmas holiday season, they are quite popular.

Here is the list of Lima's finest tea rooms for enjoying lonche.

(Since the article's publication, there may be changes in times or items served. Call ahead for information and reservations):

Casa Hacienda Moreyra
Paz Soldán 290, San Isidro
Reservations: 444-4022 / 222-0634
Daily, 12 noon to 12 midnight

The posh area of San Isidro used to be one large agricultural hacienda, and this restaurant is located in what used to be the main house of the hacienda.

High quality sandwiches, almost too large for one person. Choose from: roast suckling pig, with glazed fried sweet potato, and a tomato and onion side dressing; roast beef; or, a Mediterreanean bocatta sandwich (zucchini, eggplant, grilled peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, Dambo and goat cheese). How about the arabito blanco--shredded chicken with marinated sweet celery, tomato, and lettuce--- or, perhaps a Spanish bocadillo (potato omelette, topped with a steak filet, and green peppers marinated in olive oil.) Leave room for dessert.


Country Club Lima Hotel
Los Eúcaliptos 590, San Isidro
Reservations: 611-9000
Lonche Monday to Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In the very impressive Los Vitrales room of the posh Country Club, Tea Time Buffet includes a welcome cocktail (pisco sour or algarrobina cocktail), fresh fruit juices, cold and hot sandwiches, hot side dishes, hams and cheeses, fruit in season, a variety of fine desserts, and hot beverages.


Delicass
Primavera 654, Chacarillo, San Isidro
Reservations: 221-3309
Daily, 8 a.m. to 12 midnight

Miguel Dasso 131, San Isidro
Daily, 6 a.m. to 12 midnight

Bulevar La Plazuela, Jockey Plaza
Daily, 8 a.m. to 12 midnight

At any of the three locations around town, you can find an extensive menu, offering both savory and sweet options. Their specialty are the 'deliwraps'. The 'Tropical' is stuffed with shredded chicken, bacon, sweet corn, pineapple, melon, orange, organic lettuce, and homemade mayonnaise. The 'Naples' consists of pastrami, English ham, peppers, marinated mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, organic lettuce, and mayonnaise. There are all types of other sandwiches, side dishes, salads, and desserts.


Delphos Café at Hotel Los Delfines
Los Eúcaliptos, San Isidro
Reservations: 215-9614
Lonche Monday to Friday,
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.


Beneath the crystal dome of the hotel, home of the dolphins Yaku and Waira, you enjoy a buffet of hot and cold dishes, waffles, canapés, desserts and cakes, beverages, and a welcome cocktail.


Dulcinea Pastelerí­a
Calle Torre Tagle 301, 800 block of Enrique Palacios, Miraflores
Reservations: 241-5684
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A corner locale difficult to forget. An ideal place to treat oneself to brownies, oat crackers with chocolate and chocolate chips, German-style apple cake, orange cake, carrot cake, lemon pie, chocolate and mocha cakes, (with a chocolate mousse base), lucúma (a sweet tropical fruit), chocolate rolls, andmaracuyá.


La Bonbonniere
Calle Burgos 415, San Isidro
Reservations: 421-2447
Lonche, Tuesday to Sunday,
4 p.m to 7:30 p.m

The house specialties include turkey sandwiches on peasant bread with a Waldorf and Roquefort salad, turkey sausages, humitas (sweet tamales) filled with creamy cheese and a spicy sauce, pastries, and the classic hot chocolate beverage.


La Factorí­a
Manuel Bonilla 105-111, Miraflores
Reservations: 241-3898 / 242-9721
Lonche, Monday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This restaurant-bar exudes warmth and offers good value at tea time. Dishes can include mini sandwiches (Thai chicken, vegetarian, light, steak and mushroom, steak and glazed sweet onions, among others,) submarine sandwiches, and canapés. They also offer chocolate, cappucino, tea and sweets (peanut, truffles, and others).


La Rosa Naútica
Espigón 4, Circuito de Playas,
on the wharf, Miraflores
Reservations: 445-0149 / 447-0057
Lonche daily, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tea time with a view of sunset over the Pacific, perched on a pier beneath the cliffs of Miraflores. To begin, a piña colada, pisco sour, or lemon daiquiri. Then, the sandwiches: filet mignon, with thinly-sliced French-fried potatoes or a fresh salad; chicken, with a fresh lettuce and avocado salad in an alioli dressing; the Monsieur, made of English ham and lots of grated cheese; the triple vegetarian, with artichokes, green asparagus, tomato, avocado, and fresh cheese on wheat bread. Finally, the sweet ending: hot pecan pie with maple syrup; mini profiterole ice cream with a bittersweet chocolate sauce; or, a fresh fruit merengue. To drink: soft drinks, frozen lemonade, hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.


La Tiendecita Blanca
Larco 111, Miraflores
Reservations: 445-9797
Daily 7 a.m. to 12 midnight

A Miraflores classic, with a new special offer: a pisco sour, fruit juice, a Tiendecita Blanca sandwich, or two small sandwiches, an empanada, a dessert, and coffee or tea. In addition, there are varied large sandwiches.


La Vista at the JW Marriott Hotel
Malecón de la Reserva 615, Miraflores
Reservations: 217-7000
Lonche, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The best and most varied tea time, with an ocean view. The buffet includes delicacies like salmon and pecan mousse, beet rolls, fusilli and chicken, varied sandwiches (roast beef, turkey and pear, chicken with pecans, ham with apricot), hot dishes (chicken fingers, deep-fried pork chicharrón, lamb brochettes, and ricotta and pasta. For dessert: fruit tarts, clusters, and cheesecake.

Le Café at the Swissôtel
Ví­a Central 150, San Isidro
Reservations: 421-4400, ext. 2106
Lonche
Monday to Friday, 4:30-7:30 p.m.


At this classic Swiss Peruvian locale, every diner is greeted with a glass of complimentary champagne. The delicious buffet includes salty and sweet side dishes, as well as Swiss pastries. There is also traditional Swiss-style hot chocolate.


Mangos Larcomar
Malecón de la Reserva 610,
Larcomar, Miraflores
Reservations: 242-8110, 242-6779
Lonche
Monday to Saturday,
4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

At this ocean-front locale located in the Larcomar shopping center, as you arrive you receive a courtesy pisco sour. The buffet offers you croissant-style sandwiches (chicken, black olive, fresh cheese and artichoke, chicken, or avocado), as well as cold sandwiches (ham, cream cheese, white asparagus, and mushroom). The classic triple sandwich on special bread: roast beef, romaine lettuce, tomato, dijonaisse sauce and avocado.

Hot sandwiches include mini-hamburgers and hot dogs, cheese rolls, cheesy mini quesadillas, chicken in lemon and black pepper sauce, and ham, onion, and smoked mushroom pizza. There is also an egg and potato Spanish tortilla with cured sausage, waffles, various types of bread, marmalades, sauces, and desserts such as: mini-alfajores, profiteroles, and crepes, among others.


Select at the Holiday Inn
Benavides 300 at Colón, Miraflores
Reservations: 610-0700, ext. 7110
Lonche Monday to Friday
from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Specialties include a sandwich selection, a Waldorf salad, turkey sandwiches, preserved fruit sandwiches,and grated mushroom sandwiches. There is glazed cake, hot chocolate, and a crepe table to make a dessert to your individual liking.






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