Delicious Lima: The City of Exceptional Dishes
If you think the only delicious food comes from the United States, Europe, or China, think again. Lima, Peru has some of the most delicious food in the world, rivaling New York and Paris, and even surpassing them in some aspects! In this list of exceptional dishes from Lima that you absolutely must try before you die, we’ll cover some of the tastiest treats in the city and give you tips on where to go to get them. Not only are these dishes absolutely delicious, but they’re cheap too!
Traditional Peruvian Foods

From ceviche to chaufa, there are so many delicious and healthy dishes to try in Lima. Ceviche is a classic Peruvian dish made with fresh fish, lime juice, onions, and chili peppers. Chaufa is a type of fried rice that is popular in Peruvian Chinese cuisine. Other incredible dishes include lomo saltado, a stir-fry dish made with beef, tomatoes, and potatoes; pollo a la brasa, roasted chicken; and papa a la huancaina, boiled potatoes in a spicy sauce. You can’t go to Lima without relishing in these amazing dishes!
In addition to these incredible dishes, there are many more traditional Peruvian foods that you should try. Some of them include picarones, a type of sweet potato cookie; suspiro a la limeña, a sweet and creamy dessert popular in Lima; fritada, or Peruvian fried chicken; chicharrón de pollo, fried chicken with onions and spices; anticuchos, grilled beef hearts marinated in chili peppers; and quesillo, soft cheese similar to mozzarella. There are endless amazing foods to try in Peru!
There are also many other traditional Peruvian dishes that you should try when in Peru. Some of them include humitas, small corn tamales filled with minced chicken or pork; picarones, fried sweet potato cakes; and cuy chactado, grilled guinea pig. All of these delicious dishes are full of healthy nutrients and can give you energy all day long! Try them when in Peru!
The Famous Ceviche

No dish more exemplifies Lima more than ceviche. It is a common dish, in which the seafood is soaked in citrus juice which causes the protein to cook. Ceviche is typically served with onions, chili peppers, and sweet potato, and can be found all over the city. If you’re looking for a truly exceptional ceviche experience, head to La Costanera in Miraflores. This seafood restaurant has an unbeatable view of the Pacific Ocean, and their ceviche is some of the best in the city. No matter where you go, make sure to relish in this classic Lima dish!
Try ceviche if you are craving seafood. This common dish is served as a starter at many restaurants in Lima. You might be surprised to find that it actually resembles more of a salsa than anything else, with fresh fish seasoned in citrus juice and topped with onions, chili peppers, and sweet potato. It’s typically served on top of some type of bread for added texture, but if you find that it’s more food than you can handle alone then feel free to share with your companions! No matter where you get your ceviche from, make sure to savor every single bite—it really is one of Lima’s most delicious dishes!
There are various kinds of typical restaurants in Peru.
Ceviche is a seafood dish that originated in Peru. ceviche was made using fish and spices. During one point, it was even used as an aphrodisiac! However, during colonization there were many attempts to eradicate Peruvian culture, including ceviche.
Lomo Saltado

This dish is a Peruvian classic that is sure to leave your taste buds tingling. It is a stir-fry dish that typically contains beef, tomatoes, onions, and french fries. Lomo saltado is best served with white rice on the side. After you eat it, be sure to enjoy some tropical fruits such as mangoes or pineapples because they go perfectly with this dish. Another popular dish in Peru is Ceviche which has lots of seafood and fresh ingredients mixed together. Some other dishes you should try while in Peru are Arroz con Pato Empanadas de Pollo , and Seco de Res These are just some examples of the delicious dishes that can be found in Peru.
A famous Peruvian dish, ceviche consists of raw fish and shrimp marinated in lime juice and mixed with chili peppers, onions, and tomatoes. The flavor of ceviche is both sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, which is able to accent any meal. Although ceviche originates from Peru it has become very popular throughout Latin America. For example, you can find many Peruvian restaurants in Miami that serve Ceviche.
Chicharron de Pollo

Lima is a city with many hidden culinary treasures, and one of them is chicharron de pollo. This dish is made with chicken that has been marinated in spices and deep-fried, resulting in crispy, flavorful chicken. It’s often served with a dipping sauce or salsa, making it even more delicious. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Lima, be sure to try chicharron de pollo!
La Fonda Restaurante on Calle San Juan de Dios near the Plaza Mayor is a good place to eat this food. They offer good quality dishes at reasonable prices, which means you can get your fill without breaking the bank.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try Chicharra Chorrillana – another dish from Peru’s coastal region – at La Rosa Nautica restaurant on Avenida Arequipa just south of Jirón Lampa. You’ll find an incredible selection of seafood dishes here; anything from fish and ceviche to crab cocktail and tiradito tartare.
Arroz con Mariscos

This dish is a seafood lover’s dream, as it is full of shrimp, calamari, octopus, and fish. The rice is cooked in a flavorful broth with a sofrito base. This is a classic Peruvian dish that can be found in many restaurants in Lima. It is said to have originated in the port city of Callao and spread throughout the country. It is one of the most representative dishes of traditional Peruvian cuisine.
Rice with seafood is called arroz con mariscos. It also contains onions, garlic, cilantro, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, salt, and pepper. All this ingredients are added to create a stew-like consistency for this dish which has been described as being comfort food for those who are homesick for Peru! Aji de Gallina is an iconic Peruvian dish that literally translates to chicken with hot sauce.
Chicken, milk, cream cheese, onion, garlic, boiled eggs, boiled corn kernels and spices like black pepper or red chili peppers make up this rich meal. Aji de gallina was traditionally made on Sundays or other days when there was leftover chicken from the family dinner. Nowadays you will find this meal on restaurant menus all over Lima.
A good example of a popular Peruvian side dish would be Causa limeña (Lima Causa). Typically consisting of mashed avocado mixed with tuna or salmon served over white rice (which also includes boiled eggs), sliced sweet potato and tomato sauce.
Alpaca and Llama Meat Dishes

Alpaca and llama meat are common in Lima. Alpaca meat is considered a delicacy, while llama meat is more commonly used in dishes such as stews. Alpacas and llamas are also raised for their wool, which is used to make clothing and other textile products. The animals are native to the Andes Mountains, and their meat is high in protein and low in fat. Alpaca and llama dishes are often served with potatoes, rice, quinoa, or beans.
Lima’s Empanadas are a Foodie’s Delight One popular dish among Lima’s foodies is the empanada. It consists of bread dough that has been flattened into a round shape and then filled with a savory stuffing before being deep-fried until golden brown. Cheese, beef, chicken, seafood, ground turkey and vegetables are typical fillings. There are many variations on this dish depending on where you go – one notable type includes dried salted fish – but all empanadas can be eaten without utensils (such as forks) because they’re hand-held foods. They can be eaten cold or warm – just wrap them up in aluminum foil so they stay warm until you’re ready to eat them!