Peru captivates travelers with its ancient Incan heritage, including the iconic Machu Picchu, diverse landscapes from Amazon rainforest to Andean peaks, and vibrant culinary scene. This South American gem offers world-class hiking, rich indigenous cultures, and colonial architecture in cities like Cusco and Lima.
Peruvian cuisine is ranked among the world's finest, earning Lima eight consecutive 'World's Best Culinary Destination' awards from the World Travel Awards. The cuisine blends indigenous Andean ingredients (quinoa, potatoes, ceviche) with Spanish, African, Chinese (Chifa), and Japanese (Nikkei) influences brought by waves of immigration. Peru has the world's largest potato biodiversity with 3,000+ varieties, and its geographic diversity — coast, Andes, Amazon — creates dramatically different regional cuisines.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Peru.
Ceviche Clásico
Raw fish cured in fresh lime juice with red onion, cilantro, and ají amarillo (yellow chili). Peru's iconic dish should be eaten at lunch when fish is freshest. The leche de tigre (tiger's milk) broth remaining is considered a hangover cure.
Where to try: La Mar Cebichería, El Mercado, any good Lima cevichería
Price: S/30-60 ($8-16)
Lomo Saltado
Stir-fried beef with tomatoes, onions, yellow pepper, and soy sauce served with French fries and white rice. This Chifa (Peruvian-Chinese) fusion dish is Peru's ultimate comfort food found everywhere from street stalls to fine restaurants.
Where to try: Any Peruvian restaurant nationwide
Price: S/20-60 ($5-16)
Ají de Gallina
Tender shredded chicken in a creamy sauce of ají amarillo pepper, bread, and walnuts served over rice with boiled potatoes and olives. A distinctly criollo Lima dish showing Spanish and African culinary influences.
Where to try: Traditional Lima criollo restaurants, home cooking
Price: S/20-45 ($5-12)
Rocoto Relleno
Arequipa's signature dish: a whole rocoto pepper (fiercer than jalapeño) stuffed with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and melted cheese then baked. Essential when visiting Arequipa and not available in the same quality elsewhere.
Where to try: La Nueva Palomino, El Leño restaurants in Arequipa
Price: S/20-40 ($5-11)
Anticuchos
Marinated beef heart skewers grilled over charcoal, Peru's most beloved street food originating from African culinary traditions. Served with boiled potato, choclo (large corn), and various ají pepper sauces from street vendors every evening.
Where to try: Street carts everywhere after 6PM; Anticuchería Grimanesa Lima
Price: S/5-15 ($1.50-4)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Central
Ranked among the world's best restaurants, Central showcases Peruvian biodiversity through innovative tasting menus organized by altitude zones. Chef Virgilio Martínez sources ingredients from coast, mountains, and jungle to create state-of-the-art culinary experiences. Reservations required months in advance.
Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco, Lima
La Mar Cebichería
Gastón Acurio's casual cevichería serves Lima's best ceviche in lively atmosphere. Fresh seafood prepared daily with creative variations on classic dishes. The restaurant fills quickly for lunch with locals and tourists. Excellent cocktails and casual but quality service.
Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores, Lima
El Chinito
Local favorite chifa serves generous portions of Chinese-Peruvian fusion at low prices. The menu includes fried rice, noodles, and sweet and sour dishes with Peruvian twist. Busy, no-frills atmosphere. Great value for quick satisfying meal.
Av. José Larco 1295, Miraflores, Lima
Anticuchos Doña Pochita
Famous street cart serves Lima's best anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) marinated in spicy sauce. Operating for decades, Doña Pochita attracts long lines of locals and tourists. Arrive early as they sell out. Cash only, outdoor eating.
Av. Brasil 860, Pueblo Libre, Lima
Café del Museo
Beautiful cafe in courtyard of Museo Larco in Lima serves excellent coffee, teas, and light meals. Surrounded by gardens and museum collections. Perfect for afternoon break. Quality pastries and sandwiches.
Av. Bolívar 1515, Pueblo Libre, Lima
Maido
Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura's flagship restaurant consistently ranks among Latin America's best, blending Japanese technique with Peruvian ingredients. The Nikkei experience tasting menu showcases this unique fusion through creative dishes like sea urchin causas and tiraditos. Reserve well in advance.
Calle San Martín 399, Miraflores, Lima
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
Popular Miraflores restaurant offers creative Peruvian dishes with international influences at reasonable prices. The menu features excellent ceviches, causas, and mains. Modern casual atmosphere with good cocktails. Consistently good quality and service.
Av. Gral Parra 184, Miraflores, Lima
Jack's Café
Beloved Cusco breakfast spot serves huge portions of pancakes, sandwiches, and all-day breakfast. Popular with travelers for hearty meals and good coffee. Expect waits during peak morning hours. The portions are enormous and shareable.
Choquechaka 509, Cusco
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Contemporary Peruvian
Central
Astrid y Gastón Casa Moreyra
Rafael
MAP Café
Seafood/Ceviche
La Mar Cebichería
Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian)
El Chinito
Anticuchos
Anticuchos Doña Pochita
Cafe
Café del Museo
Café Café
Juanita Cafe
Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian)
Maido
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Anticuchos
Marinated beef heart skewers grilled over charcoal on street carts. The most iconic Peruvian street food served with choclo, potato, and ají sauce from evening vendors across Lima and Cusco.
Find it at: Street carts from 6PM onwards in any Peruvian city; Anticuchería Grimanesa near Surquillo Market Lima
Picarones
Deep-fried sweet potato and squash doughnuts served with chancaca syrup (raw cane sugar), a classic Lima street dessert. Sold from open-air frying stations in markets and near churches.
Find it at: Near Lima's Convento San Francisco, Parque de la Exposición, and major markets
Tamales
Corn masa stuffed with pork, chicken, or olives wrapped in banana leaves and steam-cooked. Eaten for breakfast with a chicha morada drink — classic Lima morning street food sold from baskets.
Find it at: Lima street vendors in the morning, especially in La Victoria and Callao districts
Choclo con Queso
Oversized Andean corn (choclo) boiled and served with a slice of fresh local white cheese. Simple and satisfying highland snack found everywhere from Cusco markets to roadside stalls in the Sacred Valley.
Find it at: Pisac Market, San Pedro Market Cusco, any Andean market
Salchipapas
Sliced hot dog sausage fried with French fries, served with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. Peru's ultimate fast food found at ubiquitous street stalls — beloved comfort food especially popular with students.
Find it at: Street stalls and small eateries throughout Peru, especially near universities and markets
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercado Surquillo No. 1 (Lima)
Lima's best market for food lovers where professional chefs shop daily. Fresh Peruvian produce, exotic jungle fruits, dried herbs, fresh fish, and excellent prepared food stalls serving authentic lunch.
Hours: 6AM-3PM Mon-Sat
Mercado 28 (Miraflores, Lima)
Upscale food market in Lima's tourist district with the best street food options in a clean setting. Multiple stalls serving ceviche, lomo saltado, anticuchos, and juices from quality vendors.
Hours: 11AM-9PM daily
Mercado San Pedro (Cusco)
Cusco's main covered market where local Quechua vendors sell produce, dried herbs, traditional textiles, and prepared foods. Cheap chicha, fresh fruit juices, and alpaca meat available daily.
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Mercado San Camilo (Arequipa)
Arequipa's central market covering two blocks with excellent produce section, fresh river shrimp from the Colca River, and food stalls serving the city's unique chupe de camarones and ocopa.
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12-3PM) is the main meal in Peru — best value menu del día sets and peak quality at seafood restaurants
Reserve Lima's top restaurants (Central, Maido, Astrid y Gastón) 4-8 weeks ahead or they'll be fully booked
Tip 10% in mid-range and upscale restaurants in Lima; service charge sometimes included (check bill for 'servicio')
Menu del día (set lunch) is the best value: S/12-25 ($3-7) for soup, main course, and drink at local restaurants
Street food from busy carts with high turnover is generally safe; avoid food that's been sitting out
- Vegetarian
- Lima has good vegetarian options especially in Miraflores; Cusco improving; rural areas challenging with mostly meat-based menus
- Vegan
- Vegan options growing in Lima's Barranco and Miraflores; traditional Peruvian cuisine uses lots of butter, cream, and lard so always ask
- Gluten free
- Many traditional Peruvian dishes are naturally gluten-free (ceviche, grilled meats); Chifa dishes often use soy sauce with gluten; ask specifically
- Halal
- Limited halal options; some Middle Eastern restaurants in Lima offer halal; outside Lima very limited
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | S/20-40/meal ($5-11) | Menu del día at local restaurant or market stall; includes soup, main, drink |
| Mid-range | S/50-150/meal ($14-41) | Sit-down restaurant with waiter service, pisco sour, and dessert |
| Upscale | S/200-600+/meal ($55-165+) | Lima fine dining at internationally ranked restaurants with wine pairing |