Itineraries for Your Trip to Lima
3 Days in Lima for Foodies
In Lima, ramshackle street food stalls exist in harmony with world-renowned, Michelin-starred restaurants. When I was in Lima, I extended my stay from one day to 10 due to the city's culinary scene, which is characterized by fresh seafood and ancient grains that were staples of the Inca diet.
But there’s so much more to Peruvian cuisine than just freshness and flavor—ingredients and dishes are steeped in mythology and tradition, which only adds to the dining experience. Here’s how to sample the best of Lima’s culinary offering in three days.
Lima’s high altitude means it can get cold, so stay warm with a steaming bowl of chupe de camarones.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Miraflores, a tony district with plenty of good food.
Kick off your tasting tour in Miraflores, where you’ll find the city’s swankiest restaurants and best street food stands. Try a sandwich at La Lucha Sangucheria, famous for its roasted pork, before wandering over to Manolo. Established in 1968, this café serves some of the city's best churros.
As one of the world’s top producers of coffee, Lima has a big coffee culture and you'll want to spend some time getting your caffeine fix. Perk yourself in the afternoon by exploring the hipster district of Barranco, where cute cafes abound—top picks include Caleta Dolsa Coffee and Camerino Caffe.
Get up early to experience the bounty and bustle of the colorful Mercado de Surquillo, a farmer’s market in Miraflores that sells everything from fruit and vegetables to herbs and seafood. Sample native Peruvian fruits such as camu camu,aguaje, and granadilla, and see some of the 4,000 types of potato native to Peru.
No visit to Lima would be complete without sampling ceviche, a seafood dish said to have been invented in Peru. This afternoon, head to the lesser-known Chorrillos neighborhood, a fishing district around 30 minutes from the historic center by car. Here, you can feast on variations of the fish dish and soak up seaside vistas.
Now learn to master Peruvian staples in a cooking class. There are many choices, with some taking place in family homes or restaurants, but most include a market tour and focus on signature dishes such as lomo saltado (beef stew), rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers), and aji de gallina (chicken stew).
Lima is hailed as the culinary capital of Latin America, and for good reason—it’s home to some of the world’s best restaurants. Regularly in the top 10 is Central by Virgilio Martinez, a Michelin-starred restaurant with tasting menus that represent Peru's biodiversity. Secure your reservation early—it's booked up months in advance.
