If you’re looking for a travel food guide to find the best food in Peru (Lima & Cusco), look no further. Here you will find recommendations for the top Peruvian dishes, restaurants and some great background information.
Peru is one of the top culinary destinations in the world. There are many top 10 ranked best restaurants and Michelin chefs in Peru, such as Central and Maido in Lima and Moray, just outside of Cusco. Peru uniquely blends old-world historical dishes with elevated modern aesthetic.
It’s all about the ingredients in Peruvian cuisine. Peruvian farmers hold integrity and deep reverence for their indigenous foods and sustain traditional organic agricultural practices that their ancestors have taught for hundreds of years.
Peru’s geography is extremely diverse – it has coastline, highlands, lowlands, mountains, desert, and tropical Amazonian rainforest. The coast provides seafood, allowing ceviche to be the number one dish of the country. The rainforest provides an abundance of fruit such as bananas, avocados, papaya, gardenia, chirimoya, passion fruit, mango, coconuts, tons of unique varieties of oranges, and many-many- more.
The mountains are utilized for growing by carving out and building rock retaining walls to create flat-tiered terraces for farming which provide specific microclimates for the growing of different crops. The farming terraces are filled with crushed rocks on the bottom, then sand, grass, and fertile soil on top.
Several staple ingredients that will show up repeatedly on any menu or in any household are a variety of potatoes, quinoa, corn, seafood, meat, spicy peppers, citrus, and fruit. One or several of these ingredients will be in any traditional dish. Peru has over 3,000 varieties of potatoes, all ranging in different color, size, texture, and flavor. There are many different varieties of corn, two of the most famous being choclo – an extremely large type of corn that is starchy and dry and is one main components in the famous Peruvian ceviche. Purple corn is used to make a delicious sweet drink called chicha (which I highly recommend!). The origin of quinoa is South America – specifically, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile – and you will see this in a lot of dishes.
When you think fusion food, you probably think of modern-contemporary cuisine. The reality of Peruvian food is that it has been a fusion of food for hundreds of years. As immigrants from Japan, China, and Africa came to Peru, they brought ingredients and traditions that they fused into a Peruvian style by the using local produce. The most notable examples of this are chaufa: Chinese-influenced Peruvian fried rice, Nikkei: Peruvian sushi influenced by Japan, and the use of many spices to make stews that were influenced by African immigrants.
The current climate in nicer restaurants is a blend of the traditional ingredients and dishes but transforming them to look fancy by adopting certain aesthetics of higher-end cuisine. Such character includes stacking the components high, using flowers and brightly colored garnishes, and embellishing the dish with multiple dollops of different sauces.
Below you will find many recommendations for restaurants and dishes that we enjoyed during our time in Peru.
I hope you enjoy this travel food guide for the best food in Peru (Lima & Cusco).
Best Food In Peru (Lima & Cusco)
Ceviche
The best place to try ceviche is in Lima, you will be able to find the freshest saltwater fish. If you order ceviche or taradito in Cusco, it will be made with river fish such as trout. Peruvian ceviche is unique and differs in the ingredients and main components, while the concept of using citrus to cook the fish remains the same everywhere. The classic components include steamed sweet potato, raw thinly sliced red onion, choclo (large corn), tigernut milk, spicy red pepper, lemon and lime juice, seaweed garnish and cilantro. These components are brilliant together, this dish is a MUST TRY and was my favorite thing out of anything I tried. Go to a strictly ceviche only restaurant such as Barra Mar.
Lomo Saltado
This is the number 2 dish of Peru, an asian fusion beef stir-fry with sautéed onions, red peppers, wedges of potato, and fresh tomato. This dish boasts a smoky soy and vinegar sauce and comes with a side of rice. Any restaurant that has Peruvian food will have this dish and I recommend trying it for sure!
Rocoto Relleno
Rocoto relleno is a spicy pepper stuffed with meat and sometimes cheese or vegetables and is usually served on top of potato. Try this at Panchita.
Peruvian Soups
Peru has some delicious soups for both meat eaters and vegetarians. Above is the purple cabbage soup from Organika in Cusco.
This lentil and vegetable soup from the fully vegan restaurant Green Point in Cusco was amazing whether you are vegan or not! We couldn’t figure how they made a vegan broth taste so good.
Quinoa soup from Kusy Kay in Cusco. This one showed above had chicken but they also have a vegan option. Both were really good and satisfying!
A Fancier Chaufa
Chaufa is a Peruvian fried rice that is influenced by Chinese cuisine that was brought by immigrants hundreds of years ago. There are many chaufa restaurants but you can find it on the menu at any restaurant that serves Peruvian food. Pictured above is the veggie chaufa from Kusy Kay, Cusco.
Alpaca Burger
Alpaca is something interesting to try while in Peru, for the curious or adventurous eaters. Above is the alpaca burger from Kusy Kay, Cusco. You may also find this in the form of steaks, loin and even heart skewers.
Veggie Burger with Homemade Beet Bread
An alternative option to the above alpaca burger for the vegetarians or more simple eaters. This vegetarian burger sits on soft homemade beet bread and topped with guacamole and balsamic drizzle. A fantastic veggie burger at Kusy Kay, Cusco.
Breakfast at Panaderia Cultivo, Miraflores, Lima
Café Panaderia Cultivo was directly across the street from our airbnb and it was my favorite thing about staying in Miraflores. We ate breakfast here everyday and everything we had was incredible. Pictured above is their avocado toast- sumac, olive oil and Maldon salt, served with homemade seed bread. Sandwich- prosciutto, pesto, sun dried tomato and caramelized onion on homemade focaccia. The focaccia was unlike any focaccia I have ever had, the outside was crispy, crunchy and toasty while the inside so light, soft and airy. All of their ingredients are high-quality and everything tasted amazing. We ordered both of these multiple times along with a soft scrambled egg in a skillet with bresaola, manchego, arugula and baguette. Try their delicious fresh squeezed juices such as orange and green detox. They also have fresh baked goods such as breads, cinnamon buns, croissants(plain, almond or chocolate) and many more delicious treats.
Lala, Miraflores, Lima
Try Lala for a nice night out. This restaurant is a unique blend of Italian food and traditional Peruvian dishes. We had scallops(to die!), chicken & shrimp lettuce tacos, paella style rice with amazonian bacon and fried banana, gnocchi cacio de pepe, seafood pasta and several desserts that were all amazing. The atmosphere is gorgeous, plants are growing floor to ceiling, there is an indoor/outdoor feel and the lighting provides nice ambience.
Quinoa Dishes
You can find quinoa centered dishes everywhere. From curry to stirfry’s and chaufa, quinoa is found in most restaurants. Pictured above is curry from Organika, Cusco.
Wood-Fired Pizza, Organika, Cusco
Pictured is the margarita pizza from Organika, Cusco. They have a great list of unique pizza’s. For something more bold try their blue cheese, dried fig, star aniseed and clove syrup with caramelized apples, spinach, sprouts and flowers.
Green Point, Cusco
Green Point, Cusco is a fully vegan restaurant that is worth experiencing whether you are vegan or not. This place is absolutely gorgeous, decorated with plants and lights floor to ceiling and an indoor fireplace. I love Green Point because vegans & vegetarians have the opportunity to taste the famous Peruvian dishes such as ceviche and Lomo saltado. Try the lentil soup, spicy padthai or grill platter – all are great options!
Fresh Juices, Herbal Drinks and Teas
One thing I loved about eating out in Peru is that they have the best non-alcoholic drink options. They are abundant in offering different fresh squeezed or blended fruit juices such as mango, orange, passion fruit, pineapple and other interesting herbal tea blends mixed with fruits.
Picarones For Dessert
Popular Peruvian dessert called “picarones” made from squash and sweet potato and served with “chancaca” (kind of honey) syrup, which is the black sauce (Selective Focus, Focus on the first two rings). You can find these on the streets or in traditional Peruvian restaurants.
Husk Cherries in Chocolate
These brightly orange colored cherries come wrapped in a husk that is pulled away so the cherry can be dipped in chocolate. These are my favorite treat!
I hope you enjoyed this travel food guide for the best food in Peru (Lima & Cusco). Leave a comment below if you would like to share something you found that deserves to be on this list!
