Must‑Try Peruvian Dishes for Travelers: a Complete Food Guide for Peru

If you're visiting Peru, then you better be excited, because it has one of the best cuisines in the world. There are so many must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers to try, and we're here to get your ready.

Whether you're looking for simple street foods or hearty meals, Peru has something for everyone, and is bursting with flavor.

In our Peru food guide we're sharing the top Peruvian foods to try, what drinks to have, and everything you need to know in order to eat your way through this incredible country.

Peru Food Guide: a Brief Intro

Before diving into the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers to try, we want to give you a bit of an overview of what Peruvian cuisine is like, and what to expect when eating and drinking your way around the country.

 Why is Peruvian Food So Good?

Peruvian food is known as being one of the best in the world? But why is that exactly? Unlike its neighbors, this country has something a little special, and it's the integration of other cultures in the food scene.

Due to the multiple fusions like Japanese and Chinese, you'll find a blend of unique flavors in Peru, that'll make your tastebuds burst with joy.

What is Typical Peruvian Food?

Typical Peruvian food is all about fresh ingredients and bold flavors. You’ll find fresh fish in a variety of forms, hearty stews, grilled meats, corn in many forms, and a crazy variety of potatoes. These staples are the building blocks for many of the must‑try Peruvian dishes for travelers.

Is Peruvian Food Spicy?

Overall, Peruvian food isn't super spicy. A bit of heat usually comes from ají amarillo or ají panca, which add color and a gentle warmth rather than overwhelming fire. Most dishes are more tangy, savory, or smoky than purely spicy., with the exception of Rocoto relleno, which has quite the kick.

What is the National Drink of Peru?

The undisputed national drink is the Pisco Sour. It’s a cocktail of Pisco brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and a few drops of Angostura bitters. It's refreshing, frothy, and perfect for toasting your food adventures in Peru.

 Can I Drink Tap Water in Peru?

It’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water. Tap water in Peru quality varies by region, and locals almost always opt for sealed bottles or water treated with portable filters or purification tablets.

We'd recommend getting one massive jug of water and refilling your bottle, as this is a bit more of an eco-friendly approach to getting tons of smaller water bottles.

 Does Peru Have Good Coffee?

Peru's neighbor is much more popular for their coffee, but Peru does have some pretty good coffee! Espresso and drinks like cappuccinos can really only be found in more commercialized establishments and bigger cities, while the smaller towns will typically only have filtered coffee.

Peru Food Guide: Must Try-Peruvian Dishes for Travelers

Now that you know a bit about Peruvian cuisines, let's dive into the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers! We're going to break it down into dishes, street food, desserts, and beverages for you to try while you're visiting.

Must Try Peruvian Dishes for Travelers

First things first, let's dive into the top Peruvian foods to try in restaurants! These must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers can be found all over, whether you're in a low-key eatery or high end establishment, and are ones you truly can't miss out on while visiting Peru.

Ceviche 

An absolute classic- and the reason I could probably live in Peru - ceviche truly is a love language, and no one does it better than Peruvians.

Fresh, cured fish in Leche de Tigra, this is typically served Andean corn nuts, lettuce, and sweet potato. Along the seaside you'll find fish from the ocean, while inland you'll find ceviche made with trout. It's DELICIOUS everywhere, and you can find it for as cheap as $2!

Honestly, we ate ceviche a few times a day, and would highly recommend you to do the same. Do eat it earlier in the day though, as this is when it's freshest.

Tiradito

If you're visiting one of the coastal towns in Peru, you'll notice that many lunch menus offer either ceviche or tiradito as their first course to choose from, and it's the perfect blend of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine.

Tiraditos are sashimi-style cuts of raw fish with a tangy sauce on top. Honestly, other than ceviche this has to be one of my absolute favorite dishes in Peru.

 Aji de Gallina

This is another one of the most popular dishes in Peru, and the ultimate comfort food. Aji de Gallina is a hearty chicken stew that is creamy and typically served over rice.

 Sopa Criolla

On a cool day, this has been my absolute go-to comfort food in Peru. The creamy, tomato-based soup has ground beef, vegetables, and angel hair pasta, and is finished off with a poached egg on top.

Lomo Saltado

A perfect blend of Peruvian and Chinese flavors, this stir-fry mixes tender beef, onions, tomatoes, and fries tossed in soy sauce, usually served over rice. It’s one of the most iconic must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers and a great intro to the country’s fusion cuisine.

 Causa Limena

This layered potato dish looks like a cake but eats like comfort food. Made with mashed yellow potatoes, lime, and ají amarillo, it's filled with tuna, chicken, or avocado and served cold. Light, bright, and surprisingly satisfying, this is a definitely one of the best dishes to try in Lima.

Rocoto Rilleno

A spicy favorite from Arequipa, this dish features a rocoto pepper (that looks like a bell pepper but packs serious heat) stuffed with spiced meat, cheese, and egg, then baked to perfection. It’s fiery, filling, and totally unique to Peru.

Arroz con Mariscos

Peru’s answer to seafood paella, this dish combines rice with shellfish, ají amarillo, and a splash of white wine or beer. It’s rich, vibrant, and a coastal must-try if you’re traveling near the sea.

Visiting Paracas? We'd recommend doing a lunch deal on the promenade - a lot of them include the choice of a dish, many of them having arroz con mariscos.

Chaufa

This is another rice dish that has become increasingly popular in Peru! Chaufa is the dish that perfectly represents the Chinese infusion into Peru's culinary scene. It's a fried rice dish with veggies, a protein, and cooked up with soy sauce.

Chicharron

Chicharron is a dish of crispy chunks of deep-fried pork, often served in a sandwich with sweet potato and salsa criolla. It's greasy in the best way, especially when eaten fresh from a market stall for breakfast or brunch.

Alpaca

We feel kind of awful for recommending this one, but locals in Cusco did tell us there are too many alpacas in the area, so cooking them has become one of the solutions for their overpopulation. It's incredibly tasty, and can be found all over the region of Cusco.

Cuy

Cuy is a Peruvian delicacy, but is where we personally draw the line for trying new foods. Guinea pigs are often served whole on a stick. It's not something we're particularly interesting in trying, but if you're looking for something super traditional and different, then this is the top one you'll find in Peru.

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Must Try Peruvian Dishes for Travelers: Street Food

Now you know all of the incredible must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers to try in restaurants. But let's check out some of the fun eats you can find on the streets!

Tamales

Peruvian tamales are corn-based parcels of dough (called masa), typically filled with meat, wrapped in banana leaves (or sometimes corn husks), and steamed. Unlike Mexican tamales, the Peruvian version tends to have a softer, more moist texture and can be either savory or sweet.

Empanadas

Each country in South America has their own version of empanadas. Peru's empanadas are typically deep fried and softer than the empanadas you'd find in Argentina for example.

The most traditional empanada is with ground beef, onions, olives, hard-boiled eggs and cumin - but you'll find a variety of other options sold as well. They're usually very big and affordable, making them the perfect snack while you're on the move.

Papas Rellenas

This is the ultimate comfort food - think mashed potatoes with ground beef, and then mixed with raisins, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. It's then deep fried, making it an easy food for on-the-go.

Picarones

Also known as "Peruvian donuts", picarones are a popular street dessert. They're simple, deep fried, and easily found on the streets for just a few soles.

 Must-Try Peruvian Dishes for Travelers: Desserts

Now that you've tried all of the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers and the different street foods, let's crave that sweet tooth!

Mazamorra Morada

One of the most traditional desserts in Peru, we tried this for Easter with our Airbnb hosts back in 2019. It is made from purple corn and fruit, with a pudding-like texture. While it certainly wasn't our favorite, it definitely is one of the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers looking for something really authentic.

Suspiro Limeño

Translated to "sigh of Lima" is one of Peru's most popular desserts. The creamy and sweet custard is topped with meringue. It's made from manjar blanco, which is Peru's version of dulce de leche.

Arroz con Leche

Popular all of Latina America, this rice pudding is definitely one of my favorite desserts for you to try. 

Crema Volteada

This is Peru's version of flan, which is essentially a caramel custard which is flipped. It's translated to "flipped cream" and has a light, delicate texture.

Queso Helado

Looking to cool off? Translated to "frozen cheese" this is definitely not what you may think. Queso helado is a frozen treat similar to ice cream that is sweet, creamy, ice cold, and delicious.

Churros

Churros are not originally from Peru, but they've become a beloved street snack across the Americas, and are definitely a great quick way to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Peru's churros are deep fried, rolled with cinnamon sugar, and stuffed with vanilla cream or manjar blanco (similar to dulce de leche).

Must Try Peruvian Dishes for Travelers: Drinks

Now that you know all of the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers, let's help you also drink your way through Peru!

Pisco Sour

If you're going to try one local drink in Peru, then it needs to be the Pisco Sour! This cocktail is made from Peru's national liquor, Pisco, which is a type of brandy popular in both Peru and Chile. (You'll actually hear people argue over which country the Pisco sour is native to).

The cocktail combines Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and whisked egg whites. It's super delicious, and is the perfect addition to any meal, or our favorite cocktail to enjoy on a rooftop.

Mate de Coca

With the altitude sickness in Peru I experienced, mate de Coca essentially became a drug for me (no I promise it's actually good for you).

Made from the Coca leaf (yes - the same plant cocaine is made from), this tea is a natural remedy for altitude sickness, and is extremely popular in the Cusco region.

I absolutely love the tea when the actual leaves are used rather than simply the tea bags, but it actually might not be legal traveling with it - so enjoy it in Peru while you can, and you can always bring the tea bags some with you if you really like it.

Inka Cola

This golden cola was brought by Brit over to Peru, and has become to most popular soda in the country (yes- even more than Pepsi or Coca Cola!). I'm not into soda, but Fede absolutely loves it, and swears it's a must-try.

Chicha Morada

I'd be completely lying to you if I said this was a great drink that you'll love - honestly? It may have been one of the worst drinks I've tried in my life.

I'm not sure if it's because we tried it in a massive plaza of drunk locals that served it warm, or if it's simply foul. Regardless, I'd be doing an injustice to not mention one of Peru's most popular drinks.

Chicha morada is a beverage made in the Andes made from dried purple corn. You can have a non=alcoholic version, but we tried the alcoholic chicha morada which tasted like really bad beer mixed with vinegar. We'd honestly recommend getting the smallest cup possible just to try it! Who knows - maybe you won't hate it as much as we did .

Tips for Finding Great Food in Peru

Alright, so you now know the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers - but how will you find good food and drinks? We have a few tips for you.

Peru Food Guide: Final Thoughts

So now you know all of the must-try Peruvian dishes for travelers to try, as well insight into the cuisine and tips for finding good food. Now, let's do a bit of a recap in case you missed anything.

• Peruvian food is unique because of its influences from other countries and fusion foods.
• Food in Peru is super affordable, and you don't need to go to a fancy restaurant to eat well.
• Pisco is the national liquor, and you can find some fun Pisco-making classes!
• Peru has some similar foods to other Latina American countries, but they always have their own twist.
• Mate de Coca is not just a great tea, but is great for preventing altitude sickness in Peru.

What's Next?

Now that you have read our complete Peru food guide, you'll probably want to learn more about visiting! Here are some of our top guides we recommend to help you getting acquainted with this incredible country:

🤢 Preventing altitude sickness in Peru: Tips for a Healthy Adventure

❣️ The Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Peru

 12 Unbelievably Unique Experiences in Peru

How to Get Around Peru

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to eat and drink your way through Peru? We hope our food guide has helped you learn all about this incredible cuisine, and the must-try dishes Peruvian dishes for travelers to add to your bucket list.

Want to learn more about traveling around Peru? We have plenty of other Peru travel guides, as well as new guides coming up each week. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for article updates, as well as exclusive content we send out.

Ready to start planning the most unbelievable trip around Peru? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning services, bringing you affordable flights, unique hotels, and comfortable transportation for the perfect getaway. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for a free consultation!

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