10 Dishes & Drinks You Need to Try
A country of 20+ regions, each with its own culinary identity — here is where to start.
Peru is not just one of South America's great travel destinations. It is, without question, one of the world's great food destinations. With over 20 distinct regions each carrying their own culinary traditions, eating your way through Peru is its own kind of education. Here are the ten things you should not leave without trying.
1.Ceviche
Start here. Always start here. Raw fish marinated in lime juice with red onion, chilli, and cilantro — simple in concept, extraordinary in execution. In Lima especially, ceviche reaches a level of refinement that is hard to find anywhere else. It is usually one of the most affordable things on any menu, which makes it even more remarkable.
2.Lomo Saltado
A stir-fry that tells the story of Peru's cultural fusion — beef, French fries, tomatoes, and onions cooked together with soy sauce and garlic, then finished with fresh parsley. The Chinese influence on Peruvian cuisine, known as chifa, is nowhere more visible than in this dish. It is deeply satisfying and almost always generously portioned.
3.Causa
One of Peru's most elegant dishes — layers of yellow potato mashed with lime and chilli, filled with tuna or chicken, and served with avocado and fresh seafood. It looks deceptively simple. It rarely is.
4.Picarones
Peru's answer to the doughnut, and arguably better. Made from sweet potato and pumpkin, spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, fried golden, and drizzled with chancaca — a dark sugar syrup. Find them at street stalls in the evening and eat them immediately.
5.Alpaca Steak
Tender, lean, and rich in iron — alpaca meat tastes closer to beef than you might expect, with a slightly sweeter quality. It is almost always served as part of an almuerzo with potatoes and vegetables. Worth trying at least once, if only to say you did.
6.Guinea Pig (Cuy)
The national dish of Peru, considered a delicacy and eaten here for thousands of years. It is served roasted or fried, usually whole. I will be honest — I couldn't bring myself to try it. But if you are curious and adventurous, this is your moment.
7.Pisco Sour
Non-negotiable. Peru's national cocktail — pisco (a clear grape brandy), lime juice, egg white, sugar, and Angostura bitters, shaken until frothy and served ice cold. The first sip is refreshing. The second is when you understand why everyone is drinking one.
8.Chicha Morada
Made from purple corn boiled with pineapple, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg — this deep violet drink is sweet, slightly spiced, and completely unlike anything you've had before. It is served everywhere, non-alcoholic, and endlessly refreshing in the heat of Lima or the altitude of Cusco.
9.Cancha
Toasted maize kernels — salty, crunchy, and completely addictive. They arrive at the table before your meal the way bread does in Europe. You will eat more than you intend to. This is fine.
10.Cusqueña
Brewed in the Andean highlands, Peru's most iconic beer is crisp, clean, and best consumed cold at altitude after a long day of walking. It will taste better there than it does anywhere else in the world.
A final note: Peru's food scene extends far beyond this list. Lima in particular has become one of the world's most exciting culinary cities — with restaurants like Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gastón consistently ranking among the best in the world. If you care about food, plan accordingly.
