Our guide to the best food to eat in Peru will help you choose what to eat in Peru and where to find it.
Peru is one of the world’s hidden foodie destinations. Those who are in the know can find Peruvian food throughout the world, but those who haven’t experienced it yet are often left in the dark about what food to eat in Peru.
Peru is home to some of the world’s top Michelin starred restaurants, including Central the flagship restaurant of famed chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz, which holds the coveted number one position on the list. It has also been crowned the World’s Best Culinary Destination for 11 straight years, so the word is getting out about Peruvian food and the taste sensations that are erupting from this South American nation.
What Is Food In Peru Like?
Food in Peru has roots from around the world. Large cities such Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco are cultural melting pots that include immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Africa. These global culinary styles blend with traditional Peruvian dishes that have evolved over millennia within the local Indigenous populations.
Locally, the unique landscape and wide collection of micro-climates in Peru have led local cultures to adapt and innovate their agricultural engineering over thousands of years. These techniques have evolved from the Norte Chico Empire, which is the sixth-oldest cultural civilization in the world, through the famed Inca Empire, which came to an end in the late 1500s.
The unique and fascinating agricultural engineering can be found throughout the country in terraced fields in places like the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. And the style of food in Peru varies dramatically from the seafood-heavy menus of seaside towns such as Lima to historic mountain strongholds like Cusco.
But one thing you’ll find throughout the country is potatoes. Potatoes have been a huge part of the Peruvian economy for millennia. In fact, there are over 4,000 varieties of this root found throughout the country.
There is a vast array of food styles in Peru, this is part of what makes it such a fascinating destination for food lovers. From native dishes to the best fusion foods, I’ve laid out the best food to eat while exploring Peru.
What Locals Eat in Peru?
The typical Peruvian diet, which you’ll see loosely followed in the major cities, but sworn by once you travel to the small towns throughout the country, is centered around potatoes, corn, quinoa, and vegetable. Many dishes are dressed up with a little spice and color through the use of varying shades of potato as well as spicy yellow aji and rocoto peppers.
Traditional Food In Peru: What To Eat In Peru To Experience Local Flavors.
Traditional food in Peru is incredible. There are dishes that have evolved over millennia that take advantage of the variety of landscapes, shorelines, and mountainous terrain of Peru. And many of these dishes are a big part of the reason that world-class chefs flock to Peru to expand their culinary skills. Here are some of the must-try food in Peru that every visitor should seek out.
Ceviche
Ceviche may be the most popular food to eat in Peru. This dish, which is famous throughout the world is quite different from ceviche found in other countries. In fact, the dish is so central to Peruvian culture and identity that it has been declared to be part of the country’s national heritage. It even has a holiday named in its honor.
Traditional Peruvian ceviche involves marinating chunks of raw fish in a mixture with a base of key lime, bitter orange, or both. The marinade is combined with sliced onions, chili peppers, and salt and pepper. The dish was traditionally made with sea bass, however, it’s more common these days for it to be made with white fish such as Sole, Fluke, Flounder, or Grouper.
This classic Peruvian dish is typically served with corn-on-the-cob along with slices of cooked sweet potato. Although there are a number of regional variations to the dish throughout the country.
If you’re looking for the best Peruvian ceviche in the country, you may have to dine around. This dish is a national treasure and can be found nearly everywhere. But the seaside capital of Lima is particularly well known for having ultra-fresh and delicious servings.
One of my favorite places to eat Peruvian ceviche in Lima is La Cantarana. This restaurant is tucked away in a side street in Barranco. The restaurant specializes in ceviche, although it also has a broad seafood menu. Guests often line up for 30-45 minutes for the chance to be seated. But those who are willing to sacrifice their time are treated to one of the best dishes in all of Peru.
Hoping to taste this dish before you visit? You can check out our authentic Peruvian ceviche recipe here.
Cuy (Guinea Pig)
I’ll be honest, discovering that cuy was one of the most popular foods to eat in Peru took a little getting used to. I actually had a couple of these chubby rodents as pets when I was young. But fond memories aside, guinea pig is a sustainable, easily raised, and tasty source of meat in Peru. In fact, climb through the Incan-era ruins of many villages and you’ll often find neatly arranged pens with small doors that were, in fact, used for raising these furry creatures.
It’s not uncommon for families in the Andes to keep cuy in their homes. Rarely are they are raised as pets. More often they are reared as a delicacy for special occasions. The meat is usually roasted on a spit and served whole. Although many restaurants in Peru serve up portion sizes rather than the whole animal.
Cuy has a flavor that is somewhere between chicken and rabbit and has a deep, fatty flavor. The meat is dark and can be delicious when cooked well, however, if it’s not cooked well it can come off as greasy and a bit gamey.
Some of the best cuy in Peru are served up in Cusco and Arequipa. If you have the chance to taste the cuy al horno chef Gaston Acurio’s restaurant Chicha in Cusco, you won’t be disappointed. Another fantastic option is Pumachayoc Horno Colonial on Avenida Frederico Zamalloa in Pisac.
Aji Gallina
One of my favorite local dishes in Peru is Aji Gallina, or “Spicy Chicken.” This Peruvian comfort food has been a staple since the 1600s when it is believed that African slaves introduced the recipe to Peru when they were brought over by the Spanish.
The dish pairs parmesan cheese, milk, and walnuts with traditional Peruvian ingredients such as mild Peruvian Aji peppers and shredded chicken to create a recipe that’s cheesy, nutty, spicy, and creamy. A perfect combination for chilly mountain nights.
You’ll find Aji Gallina throughout Peru, however, if you’re looking to taste some of the best, I’d suggest checking out El Rincon Que No Conoces on José Bernardo Alcedo in Lima.
You can find our incredible Peruvian aji gallina recipe right here.
Alpaca Steaks
Cuy isn’t the only adorable animal on the menu in Peru. Both alpaca and llama can be regularly found on the menu throughout Peru. Llamas and alpacas are used as pack animals throughout the country. They are also known for their fabulous wool which is made into blankets and clothing throughout Peru.
Among their many uses, these animals are also used for their meat, which has a texture similar to beef, but with a lighter flavor similar to pork. The meat is typically served in stews or with a rich gravy. I’ll be completely honest when I say that I didn’t want to fall in love with alpaca meat, but it was among the most enjoyable meats I’ve ever eaten.
While alpaca and llama are on the menu of many restaurants throughout the country, the best dish that I experienced was at Pachapapa on Carmen Bajo in central Cusco.
Lomo Saltado
If you ask locals what food you should eat in Peru, you’ll almost always have lomo saltado included on the list. This dish, which is second only to ceviche for the most popular food in Peru is a fusion of Chinese stir-fry and classic Peruvian spices.
At the heart of every lomo saltado are strips of beef, alpaca, or llama, which are marinated in soy sauce and served with onions, tomatoes, aji peppers, and a mix of herbs and spices. These are mixed together in a stir fry until the sauce reaches a gravy-like consistency. The dish is typically served with potatoes (typically french fries) and rice.
Lomo saltado will be on the menu at nearly every cantina throughout Peru. But if you’re looking for one of the best servings check Tres Keros on Av Torrechayoc in the Sacred Valley town of Urubamba. Chefs from across Peru visit to taste the dish and find inspiration for their own recipes.
Anticuchos
If you’re anything like me, exploring the street food scene is one of your ultimate goals when visiting a new destination. Well, the Peruvian street food scene is incredible. And one of the dishes that you’ll find throughout the country is anticuchos.
Traditional Peruvian anticuchos are marinated slices of beef heart which are skewered and barbecued, typically over charcoal. The end result is a scrumptious snack perfect for meat lovers. However, if beef heart isn’t your thing, you can often find anticuchos made with beef meat or chicken.
Anticuchos are best eaten fresh off of the grill. You can find them in plazas in most major cities including Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa.
Oven-Baked Sweet Plantains
Plantains are cooked up in an amazing array of styles. But Peruvian oven-baked plantains have become one of my favorites. Sometimes I whip up a batch from my own Peruvian-style oven-baked plantains recipe just to relive my travel memories through the country.
The Peruvian method for creating oven-baked plantains results in a crispy outside and a moist, flavorful inside that no other country has been able to match.
This must-try food to eat in Peru involves thickly-sliced plantains that are baked at high temperatures to create the perfect mixture of crisp, caramelized outsides and soft interiors. The result is an addictive gluten-free snack that is often enjoyed with salsa, chocolate, dulce de leche, or even topped with ice cream.
This tasty Peruvian food to try is often available on the dessert menu and ice cream shops in major cities such as Lima.
Peruvian Picarones
Picarones are another favorite Peruvian street. You can often find them at food stalls in markets and plazas. Spots serving them can usually be identified by a long line of people waiting in line with their tongues hanging out.
Traditionally, this Peruvian donut is based on recipes passed down from generation to generation with Abuela (grandmother) serving it up whenever the grandkids are around. The dish can be complicated to make for those who haven’t made it before, but it is absolutely wonderful to enjoy.
Peruvian picarones are typically made with butternut squash, pumpkin, or sweet potato, deep-fried, and served with a rich fig syrup.
I won’t tell you where to find the best picarones in Peru, because I’ve never tasted a bad one. It is definitely one of the top foods to eat when in Peru, especially if you want to try a dish that locals swear by.
Chocolate
Peru was the home of the Incan Empire, which introduced the world to one of the most magical foods in existence when they were invaded by the Spanish. Since then, chocolate has made its way around the world. Yet Peru is still the center of the chocolate universe. In fact, Peru continues to win most of the major awards for chocolate production.
The Indigenous people in Peru would consume cocoa in a kind of hot chocolate form. They even fermented it into an alcoholic beverage. One of the best ways to experience the history and flavors of this South American superfood is by taking a class at the ChocoMuseo in Cusco where you’ll learn everything from the history of the world’s most famous bean to the many different ways that it can be crafted.
Pisco Sour
Originating from the town of Pisco, about four hours north of Lima on the Pacific coast, Pisco sours are the national spirit of Peru. This fantastic concoction is made by distilling fermented grape juice, similar to wine, but the resulting finish is closer to a clear brandy with a unique flavor of its own.
A Pisco sour is made by combining Pisco, lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white, and angostura bitters. The mixture is stirred well and served over ice and can be found at bars and restaurants throughout the country.
Where To Find The Best Food In Peru
If you’re looking for the best food to eat in Peru, we have you covered. These must-try dishes and where to find them will delight your flavor senses as you explore one of the most fascinating countries on Earth.
If we missed a dish, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below and I’ll be sure to check it out on my next visit to the country.
Pin This Post for Later
This post may contain compensated links. Find more info on our disclaimer. Flavor the Globe is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
