Peru Food Guide: Ceviche, Pisco Sour & Best Dishes 2025

Complete Peru food guide. Discover ceviche, pisco sour, lomo saltado, and the best Peruvian dishes. Learn about Lima's world-class restaurants and food culture.

Peru is known as one of the world's best food destinations. The country's food mixes influences from indigenous, Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese cultures, creating unique and delicious dishes. Lima has many restaurants ranked among the world's best, and you can find amazing food everywhere in Peru. This guide tells you about the most famous dishes, where to eat, and how to enjoy Peru's food culture.

Ceviche: Peru's National Dish

Ceviche is Peru's most famous dish and the country's national food. It is made with fresh raw fish that is "cooked" in citrus juice (usually lime), mixed with red onions, aji (Peruvian chili peppers), and cilantro. Ceviche is usually served with sweet potato, corn, and sometimes seaweed.

Best eaten fresh, especially in coastal cities like Lima
Usually made with white fish (sea bass, flounder, or similar)
Can be spicy or mild, depending on the aji used
Best time to eat: Lunchtime (ceviche is a lunch dish in Peru)
Price range: $5 to $15 USD at local cevicherías, $20 to $40+ USD at fancy restaurants

Tip: Try ceviche at local cevicherías (ceviche restaurants) for authentic, fresh ceviche. Many are open only for lunch.

Peru.Travel: Gastronomy Guide

Pisco Sour: Peru's National Drink

Pisco Sour is Peru's national drink, made with pisco (Peruvian brandy), lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and Angostura bitters. It is a refreshing, slightly sweet and sour cocktail that is popular throughout Peru.

Made with pisco, a grape brandy made in Peru
Usually served as an aperitif (before meals)
Available at most bars and restaurants
Price range: $5 to $12 USD depending on the place
Try it at: Traditional picanterías, bars, and restaurants

Tip: Pisco Sour is strong, so drink it slowly. It is best enjoyed before a meal.

Famous Peruvian Dishes to Try

Lomo Saltado

Stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, and aji, served with rice and french fries. This dish shows Chinese influence on Peruvian food (called chifa).

Price: $8 to $15 USD at local restaurants

Anticuchos

Grilled meat skewers, usually made with beef heart, marinated in spices and grilled. A popular street food and restaurant dish.

Price: $2 to $5 USD per skewer

Aji de Gallina

Shredded chicken in a creamy, slightly spicy sauce made with aji amarillo (yellow chili), served with rice and potatoes.

Price: $6 to $12 USD

Pollo a la Brasa

Rotisserie chicken, marinated in spices and cooked over charcoal. Served with french fries and sauces. Very popular in Peru.

Price: $5 to $10 USD for a quarter chicken

Causa

Layers of mashed yellow potatoes with aji, filled with chicken, tuna, or avocado. Served cold as an appetizer or light meal.

Price: $5 to $10 USD

Rocoto Relleno

Stuffed spicy peppers (rocoto) filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese, baked with milk and eggs. A specialty of Arequipa.

Price: $8 to $15 USD

Best Restaurants in Lima: World-Class Dining

Lima has many restaurants ranked among the world's best. The city is known for innovative cuisine that mixes traditional Peruvian ingredients with modern cooking techniques.

Fine dining restaurants: Many Lima restaurants are on "World's Best Restaurants" lists. Reservations are usually needed weeks or months in advance.
Local cevicherías: For authentic ceviche, visit local cevicherías in neighborhoods like Miraflores, Barranco, and Surquillo.
Chifa restaurants: Chinese-Peruvian fusion restaurants found throughout Lima. Great for trying lomo saltado and other chifa dishes.
Picanterías: Traditional restaurants serving classic Peruvian dishes, especially good in Arequipa but also found in Lima.

Tip: Book top restaurants well in advance. Many require reservations weeks or months ahead, especially during busy season.

Book Lima Food Tours

Experience Lima's amazing food scene with guided food tours

Food in Cusco and the Andes

Andean Cuisine

Cuy (guinea pig) - Traditional Andean dish
Alpaca meat - Lean, healthy meat option
Quinoa - Superfood grain, used in soups and salads
Pachamanca - Traditional earth oven cooking
Chicha morada - Purple corn drink

Where to Eat in Cusco

Restaurants around Plaza de Armas
Local markets for authentic food
Tourist restaurants with Andean specialties
Budget-friendly menú del día options
High-end restaurants for special occasions

Street Food and Markets in Peru

Street food is a big part of Peru's food culture. You can find delicious, affordable food at markets, food stalls, and street vendors throughout the country.

Markets: Local markets offer fresh food, prepared dishes, and ingredients. San Pedro Market in Cusco and local markets in Lima are great places to try authentic food.
Street vendors: Common in cities, offering everything from anticuchos to empanadas. Choose vendors with good hygiene practices.
Food safety: Look for busy stalls with high turnover, clean preparation areas, and cooked food that is served hot.
Popular street foods: Anticuchos, empanadas, salchipapas (sausage and fries), and fresh fruit.

Tip: Start with cooked foods and avoid raw vegetables or fruits you can't peel if you have a sensitive stomach.

Dietary Options and Food Safety

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Many restaurants offer vegetarian options
Quinoa dishes are common and vegetarian
Vegetable soups and salads available
Vegan options are less common but available in larger cities
Ask for "sin carne" (without meat) when ordering

Food Safety Tips

Drink bottled or filtered water
Avoid ice in drinks unless you know it's safe
Eat cooked food that is served hot
Choose busy restaurants and food stalls
Wash hands before eating
Be careful with raw vegetables and fruits

Experience Peru's Amazing Food Culture

Book food tours, cooking classes, and restaurant reservations. Discover why Peru is a world food destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Peru famous for food?

Peru is famous for ceviche (fresh fish in citrus), pisco sour (national drink), lomo saltado (stir-fried beef), anticuchos (grilled meat skewers), and its world-class restaurant scene. Lima is considered one of the world's best food cities with many top-ranked restaurants.

What is ceviche?

Ceviche is Peru's national dish, made with fresh raw fish that is "cooked" in citrus juice (usually lime), mixed with onions, chili peppers, and cilantro. It is usually served with sweet potato, corn, and sometimes seaweed. Ceviche is best eaten fresh, especially in coastal cities like Lima.

Is Peruvian food spicy?

Peruvian food can be spicy, but not all dishes are. Many dishes use aji (Peruvian chili peppers) which can be mild to very hot. You can usually ask for less spice (menos picante) or no spice (sin picante). Ceviche and many other dishes are not spicy by default.

What is the best city for food in Peru?

Lima is the best city for food in Peru and is considered one of the world's best food cities. The city has everything from street food to world-class restaurants, including several ranked among the world's best. Cusco also has excellent restaurants, especially for Andean cuisine.

Start Your Peru Food Adventure

Book food tours and cooking classes. Experience Peru's world-class cuisine.