Canta Rana

Canta Rana is a classic cebicheria at Calle Genova 101 in Barranco, Lima, Peru, close to the Plaza de Barranco. It is a plain, local dining room that serves fish marinated to order at lunchtime, following the Lima tradition in which cebiche is a midday dish eaten when the catch is freshest. The restaurant has no interest in elaborate presentation, and its appeal is the reliable quality of straightforward seafood at moderate prices, in a district that is otherwise known for galleries, bars and boutique hotels. The signature dish is the cebiche clasico, raw fish cured in lime juice with onion, chili and cilantro, served with sweet potato and corn. The leche de tigre, the citrus-based marinade sometimes served in a glass, is a popular order and is often described as a restorative drink. Other dishes include chicharron de pescado, fried fish pieces served with salsa criolla, and arroz con mariscos, rice cooked with mixed seafood. Prices run at roughly S/ 45 to 90 per person, which places Canta Rana at the affordable end of the Lima cebicheria spectrum. The atmosphere is informal and busy, with local diners, groups of friends and visitors filling the room, and the dining room fills at about 13:00, so noise levels are high at peak. Dress is casual. Drinks include pisco sours, chilcanos, beer and soft drinks. The restaurant serves lunch daily, typically from 12:00 to 17:00, and hours should be confirmed. Walk-ins are accepted, and a phone number, +51 1 247 7274, is available for those who prefer to call. Arriving before 13:00 helps avoid a wait. The location is a short walk from Barranco's plaza and the Puente de los Suspiros, so lunch fits naturally into a day exploring the district. Visitors with seafood allergies should be aware that raw fish and shellfish feature in almost every dish, and those uncomfortable with chili can ask for a milder preparation.