The Best Food I Ate in Peru

Out of every meal I had during my time in Peru, these are the ones I still catch myself thinking about and the best food in Peru. From fresh Nikkei sushi in Cusco to cozy cafés tucked away in Lima, every restaurant on this list left a lasting impression for a different reason. This is my complete food guide for you if you’re traveling to Peru. If you’re looking for a guide on things to do and must-sees, check out my post HERE.

Huaca Pucllana

Situated right on the archaeological site of pre-incan ruin fields, dinner is served with a view and experience of immersion. Here at Huaca Pucllana, reservations are almost completely required because of the high demand for a table here. The vibes as soon as you enter the eatery were transformative. The openness co-existing with the seclusion makes you feel invited, and more than ready to dine.

The menu felt like a good mix of Peruvian dishes, with enough other options to suit any of the picky eaters (myself included). For starters, we ordered (multiple) bread baskets that came with a delicious assortment. We followed that with ordering the fried ceviche (“Cebiche frito”) served with “leche de tigre”, a yummy citrus dipping sauce. It truly was impeccable. I say this with full genuinity. Seafood is not at all my cup of tea, and I find difficulty in actually enjoying new foods, but this has been my one true expectation. I highly recommend ordering this here. Not to mention Ceviche is Peru’s national dish, and just like other things, represents more than just tangible food.

The restaurant also had a delicious selection of drinks to choose from, and we landed with The Errazuriz Mac Chardonnay. I would also recommend this if you are interested in by the bottle.

Our choices of entrees differed across the table. Myself, as a picky eater, stuck to a cheeseburger with french fries. However, it was even better than I anticipated. I typically keep my expectations low when I order what I consider “unpopular” menu items in restaurants, but I was wrong here. It was the perfect amount of filling, and exceptionally flavorful. My brother ordered the Lomo Soltado, which is a traditional Peruvian style stir-fry dish. Served with potatoes, that were nothing too special, but with a sauce that was exquisitely rich with flavor. The ingredients and flavors paired perfectly together to create a meal to remember at Huaca Pucllana.

Intro Cafe Bar

The honest truth: sometimes when traveling all you really want is comfort American food. Luckily, we found that here for my favorite meal of the day, breakfast. Located just around the corner from our hotel in Lima, it quickly became one of my favorite breakfast stops. The first thing I noticed was its cozy, quaint atmosphere—something I’m always drawn to in cafés. Pair that with a menu full of breakfast favorites, great coffee, and a welcoming environment, and it made for the perfect way to start a day of exploring the city.

The food here had perfect servings, awesome service, and delicious food. If you want something simple, affordable, and comforting, I would highly recommend this place for you to visit.

I didn’t try any other places in Lima that TRULY stood out to me, but check out these Links to find more recommendations! Click Here. Click here.

Cusco

With Cusco taking the cake as my favorite city in Lima, it’s righteous that it also wins my favorite food spot. All of the food we tried here was nothing far of delicious. I mean truly, delicious.

Carpe Diem Cusino Italiana

If this restaurant is on your list, make your reservation as early as possible. It’s incredibly popular, and getting a table without one can be difficult. Here, classic Italian cuisine meets Peruvian influences, creating a menu full of flavorful pastas, pizzas, and other Italian favorites. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cozy and upscale, making it a great choice for a nice dinner after a day spent exploring Cusco. It’s easy to see why this spot has become such a favorite among both locals and travelers alike.

Upon arrival, the smell of Italian provides the best welcome, exciting you for the food you’re going to enjoy. One of the coolest parts was getting to actually watch them prepare the food. Right in front of the door, literally, is chefs preparing pasta and crafting their art.

For our starters, we got the Napoli Mia, which is a traditional fried pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and ham. We also got the Focaccia Caprese, a classic bread starter served with olives, mozzarella, tomatoes, and Pesto. They were absolutely delicious, I could have eaten all of it. I recommend not doing that, because your’e going to want to enjoy your entree!

For our entrees, we also endeavored in different sorts of pasta and pizza. Each pasta offered its own flavor and sense of uniqueness. I definitely would recommend a pasta dish over pizza, though there was nothing particularly wrong with the pizza. The pasta dishes just felt more special and diverse.

We, of course, had to dabble in some dessert to follow such a delicious meal. We got a pistachio flavored ice cream that suprised us both with display and flavor. It was perfectly creamy and flavorful. I would highly recommend any of the ice cream flavors to cleanse your pallet after dinner.

Three Monkeys Coffee

Traveling with my Dad, means coffee everyday is a must. That’s why when I stumbled upon Three Monkeys Cafe during my research, I knew we had to go. Ranked among the top 25 coffee shops in the world, this café more than lives up to the recognition. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that every cup is crafted with care and passion. Whether you’re a serious coffee enthusiast or simply looking for a cozy place to start your morning, this is one stop in Cusco that shouldn’t be missed.

One of my favorite parts was how unique the coffee was. They serve coffee sourced from different regions across Peru, each with its own unique flavor profile. The baristas were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the coffee they served, making the experience feel just as memorable as the drink itself.

Limo

If you’re craving sushi while in Cusco, make LIMO your first stop. Perched above the Plaza de Armas, the restaurant offers a calm, welcoming atmosphere where you can slow down, relax, and enjoy a meal that feels just as thoughtfully crafted as the setting itself. LIMO specializes in Nikkei cuisine, blending authentic Japanese techniques with Peru’s world-renowned ingredients. The result is a menu that honors traditional Japanese preparation while embracing the bold flavors that make Peruvian cuisine so special.

Before our meal even began, we were served a refreshing cucumber appetizer lightly dressed in citrus and seasoning. It was simple yet incredibly flavorful, setting the tone for the rest of the experience. Alongside that, we enjoyed some delicious gyoza rolls.

For our entrees, the most interesting plate to me was the Wagyu Montado Nigiri. It contained thin slices of wagyu beef, sushi rice, glaze, and finally topped with quail egg. It was the perfect example of LIMO’s Nikkei philosophy—combining premium ingredients with authentic Japanese technique to create something both familiar and completely unique.