Lima has a claim to being the best food city in South America, and it rests on geography and immigration rather than on tradition alone. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Lima has a claim to being the best food city in South America, and it rests on geography and immigration rather than on tradition alone. The Humboldt current brings cold water and enormous quantities of fish to a coast sitting under a desert. Japanese and Chinese labour migration in the 19th and 20th centuries produced Nikkei and Chifa, two hybrid cuisines that are now fully Peruvian. Add three thousand potato varieties from the Andes and a national obsession with chillies, and the result is a city where the ceviche counter at the market and the tasting menu downtown are drawing on the same larder.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Miraflores
Clifftop and where most visitors stay. Cevicherias, the Surquillo market a short walk inland, and a good number of the well-known restaurants.
Barranco
The old seaside resort turned bohemian district. Smaller kitchens, bars serving pisco properly, and the best walking of any neighbourhood here.
Centro de Lima
The colonial core. Old criollo restaurants and Chifa houses in the Chinatown around Calle Capón, which is the oldest in the Americas.
Surquillo Market
Two blocks from Miraflores and where the restaurants shop. Fish counters, chilli stalls, and cheap cevicherias upstairs at lunchtime.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Ceviche
· Raw fish cured in lime with chilli and onion, served with sweet potato and corn. Eaten at lunch because the fish landed that morning. - 02
Lomo saltado
· Beef stir-fried with onion, tomato, and soy over chips and rice. Chinese technique, Peruvian ingredients, and the clearest example of Chifa. - 03
Ají de gallina
· Shredded chicken in a creamy sauce of yellow chilli, bread, and walnuts. Comfort food served over rice and potato. - 04
Anticuchos
· Beef heart marinated in vinegar and chilli, skewered and grilled over coals. Street food from early evening, sold from smoking carts. - 05
Causa
· Chilled layers of yellow potato mashed with lime and chilli, stuffed with chicken or crab. Served cold as a starter. - 06
Pisco sour
· Pisco, lime, sugar, egg white, bitters. Ordered before the food rather than after, and the subject of a long argument with Chile.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Ceviche is lunch food and traditional cevicherias close by around 17:00 because the morning catch is gone. Dinner runs 20:00 onwards. The famous tasting menus book out one to three months ahead. Tipping is 10 percent. Tap water is not drunk. The coastal fog sits over the city from June to November and the sun barely appears, which surprises people expecting a beach.
All 20 food tours
Updated 2026-09-11The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
City tour with Demonstration & Tasting of Pisco Sour
Lima City Tour, In this City tour you can visit the most historic sites, those that have a beautiful colonial architecture, beautiful temples and churches, residential neighborhoods, admirable landscapes around the sea a
3h - 02
GABRIEL | Peruvian Coffee Tasting Experience in Lima
During this 1 hour activity, you'll learn about the great quality of Peruvian coffee beans. We delve into the culture and journey of a coffee bean, but above all those people who work with effort and affection so that we
2h - 03
Lights, Pisco & Fun: Night City Tour Plus Pisco Tasting
This activity is the best way to learn about the history of Lima with some drinks and street food, just as a normal citizen does. Fun starts at the famous Magic Water Circuit at “Parque de la Reserva”, here you will fee
4h - 04
Ultimate Comfort: Lima to Huacachina, Ballestas and Vineyard
Highlights: - Discover the wonders of the Ballestas Islands, the magic of Huacachina Oasis, and a Pisco vineyard in just one day. -Exclusive travel in an SUV or Minivan for small groups, returning early to Lima. - Person
15h - 05
Lima Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide
Immerse yourself in Lima's vibrant culinary landscape with a food walking tour, led by a knowledgeable local guide. With a flexible start time, this experience can be tailored to fit your schedule perfectly. Stroll throu
3h - 06
Surf and Ceviche in the Lima Bay !!!
If you are ever in Lima visiting the beach it is a must, while there take the opportunity to experience one of Peru's most exciting and famous sport. Surfing is one of Peru's oldest sport. After that, we will go to taste
5h - 07
Oceanfront cooking classes in Lima
It includes fruit tasting in the market, then the ingredients for the Pisco Sour, Causa Limeña and Ceviche fish. The tasting of fruits, ceviche and the cause are equivalent to a full lunch. Restrictions that can be addre
3h - 08
Small-Group Full Day City Tour with Lunch and Show of lights in Lima
Journey through Lima’s rich layers of history—from ancient spiritual centers to vibrant contemporary icons. Highlights: - Pachacamac, Pre-Inca archaeological Complex - District of Barranco - Historical Centre of Lima -
9h - 09
Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson
Enjoy a fabulous Ceviche and Pisco Sour class in Miraflores, Lima where you'll learn to make this delicious dish and traditional drink with an award-winning Peruvian Chef. You will then eat all the food cooked during the
2h - 10
Hidden Miraflores Culinary Experience
Explore the modern district of Miraflores and discover the culinary delights locals have known for generations at six different food stops. Wander the local market for an exploration of new flavors you’ll only find in Pe
3h - 11
Private Gourmet Wine & Cheese Tasting in Lima with Sommelier
What sets this private experience apart from any standard tasting in Lima: • THE CENTRAL CONNECTION: Taste 5 premium Peruvian boutique wines, including 2 exclusive labels featured on the current wine list at Central (Ra
1.5h - 12
Birdwatching at la Punta with local food + Airport Pick up
If you are coming to our city, and have few hours left before you catch your next flight or coming from a cruise ship, this tour is for you. We will pick you up from the airport or port and take you back at the end of th
4h - 13
Private Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market and Exotic Fruit Tasting
Get hands-on preparing some of Peru’s most iconic dishes and shop at a local market during this Peruvian cooking class. First stop by a local market to pick out fresh fruits,coca leafs and other exotic and traditional l
- 14
Private Tour to Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Sand Dunes with sports
Paracas is a national reserve located in the south of Lima, in there is located the “Ballestas Islands” where we will have contact with sea lions, amazing birdlife and tiny penguins, the atmosphere is great with big vari
12h - 15
Peruvian Cooking Class + Airport pick up and Drop off
What makes Lima Airport Kitchen unique? We transform your layover into an unforgettable culinary adventure! Forget the crowded terminal lounges. We provide a seamless experience with complimentary private door-to-door tr
2.5h - 16
Private and exclusive Street Food and Peruvian History
In this tour, you will visit some of our authentic local markets in Lima city. At the same time, you will get immersed in the Peruvian culture trying local fruits, tapas, drinks, juices and the best of all interact with
3h - 17
Peruvian Experience: Interactive, Cultural & Gastronomic Guided Tour
INTERACTIVE TRIP (DARK RIDE): Get on a cart and take a tour full of magic with special effects, learn about the history and secrets of Peru. Take a photo with Machu Picchu one of the seven wonders of the world or with th
2h - 18
Huacachina and Ballestas Island tour from Lima With Pisco Tasting
Discover the stunning beauty of Paracas and Ica on this private full-day tour from Lima. Start early with a visit to the Ballestas Islands, where you’ll encounter vibrant marine life including sea lions and various bird
15h - 19
Lima Gastronomy Tour and Cooking Class
Go beyond the typical tourist experience with this hands-on culinary tour of Peru's gastronomic capital, Lima. Begin the 4 hour experience with a visit to a city market to sample regional specialties, and purchase some t
4h - 20
Larco Museum and Gastronomic Tour
Go beyond the typical tourist experience with this practical culinary tour of the gastronomic capital of Peru, Lima and The Visit to one of the largest collections of crafts in the world the Larco Museum A 5 hour experi
4h