The distinct and tasty local Peruvian food is a real highlight of a trip to Peru!

Just reading our Peru Restaurant Guide below will get your taste buds going. So, after some shopping for unique Peru souvenirs, relax in beautiful surroundings and taste a variety of dishes from the restaurant of your choice. For further local food and cuisine information in our current destinations, visit our individual restaurant guides:

- Cusco
- Arequipa
- Sacred Valley
- Lima
- Colca Canyon

Food & Cuisine in Peru

These days, with the transportation having greatly improved, moving fruits and vegetables from the flat jungles to the main country is not quite as difficult as it once was. However, though fresh fruit juices and tropical fruits are extremely popular, vegetables still seem to be regarded as something that merely garnishes the meat. While vegetarian restaurants do exist, especially in the cities, they are more often the exception than the rule.

If you have been hoping to play it safe by sticking to the intercontinental chains of fast food restaurants in Peru, you're likely to be sorely disappointed. Except in the largest cities, they are a rare phenomenon and the prices are extremely intimidating.

Perhaps the best option would be to experiment with the excellent Peruvian offerings. Those with delicate stomachs would be wise to go slow, as the extremely heavy and spicy dishes can wreak havoc on your stomach.

In the colonial port of Lima, you'll find that the dishes are a fascinating blend of Spaniard, Amerindian, Asian, African and Italian influences. Little wonder then that the Creole dishes (platos criollos) always seem to taste so unique!

Rice

Since rice is the staple diet, you can expect a lavish slathering of rice in many dishes. In the region of Sierra, you'll find that the most popular dishes are potatoes and corn. In the jungle region, yuca is common.

Meat Dishes

Meat eaters will find Peruvian cuisine extremely interesting. In fact, meat is a key ingredient in much of the Peruvian food. Pork, beef, sheep and chicken (pollo) are the most common meat items served. Alpaca, being rather tough, is usually used for its wool rather than its meat. A typically Andean non-vegetarian delicacy is the meat of the cuy or guinea pig.

A speciality of Peruvian meat dishes is its tendency to incorporate various animal organs. For instance, the cau-cau served with potatoes floating in a yellow sauce is made from the stomach of the cow, while the anticuchos is a kind of spicy beef kebab that has been strongly marinated. It is typical street fare and while it is definitely palatable, it would be a great idea to go slow and ensure that it has been made under hygienic conditions.

Seafood

Fish is found all along the coast; in the jungles, the large numbers of rivers ensure that there is an abundance of fresh fish. However, it would be a great idea to remain alert while consuming fish, especially in the area called selva alta or high jungle. Cocaine, chemicals and mining pose significant health hazards.

You'll find that the Sierra is popular for its truchas or trout, which are bred in several places. Also in demand is the ceviche - raw fish that has been marinated in lemon juice. Sometimes, shellfish and sea urchins too are used in its preparation. In fact, the actual recipe and style of preparation tends to vary across regions. This spicy dish is most definitely worth a try, especially during summer. However, the hygiene and cleanliness used during preparation is a crucial factor and it would be wise to be extra cautious when eating it at a street stall.

Potato

Potato seems to be a hot favourite in Andean cuisine. All over Peru, you'll find an exciting range of scrumptious potato fare. These are generally different from the Spanish patatas. The Papa a la Huancaina is an extremely palatable dish made from sliced potatoes and boiled eggs. The topping generally consists of a creamy, thin yellow sauce. Sometimes, lettuce and olives are added to give the dish that extra punch. A variation of the dish consists of serving it with potatoes or yuca, topped with a green Ocopa sauce.

Papa rellena is yet another potato delicacy - mashed potato rolled into a potato shape and filled with vegetables, meat and spices. Causa is yet another dish made from mashed potatoes; this dish also consists of layers of mayonnaise-based tuna salad tossed with hot peppers.

If you have a hankering for something spicy, try the Aji de gallina - shredded chicken and sliced potatoes served in a bed of spicy, thick, cheese-based sauce and often accompanied by a wedge of hard-boiled egg and olives.

Desserts

The Peruvians, especially those in Lima, take great pride in their desserts. Here again, you may want to proceed with caution as they tend to be really sweet and are usually overloaded with egg yolks, sugars and other equally rich ingredients.

Purple custard or mazamorra morada, which is made from purple corn (usually used in making the chicha morada drink), tastes great when taken with the arroz con leche (rice soaked in sweet condensed milk). You may also want to experiment with the Picarones, a kind of doughnut made from fried yams. It is usually served with extremely sweet sugarcane syrup called chancaca. If you're desperate for a quick glucose fix, try the suspiro limeño - supposedly the sweetest Peruvian dessert.

Alcohol

If you enjoy wine then you'll definitely love hanging out at the Piso-Nasca area, famed for its wine cultivation. Though the prices are on the higher side, these vintages are much better than the cheaper Chilean imports. You'll also find that Peruvian beers are quite different from those you are used to - much stronger than the typical American brands, but not quite as rich as the European ones. Most beers are from Backus, which is currently under the ownership of SAB Miller.

If you are drinking at a bar or restaurant, keep in mind that in Peru, the concept of "Happy Hour" is quite different. The cost of each drink is posted on the wall and it will be only slightly cheaper than the usual rate. But the great news is that for the price listed, you'll get two drinks rather than one! Giving a whole new meaning to the concept of "half price," this would be a great way to spare your pocket if you are travelling in a group. However, if you aren't careful, it could also turn out to be disastrous and get you quite drunk. So keep within your bounds and be cautious!