What to Eat in Peru: 15 Iconic Dishes & Foods to Try (2026)

Peru is one of the world’s great food destinations — Lima alone has several of the planet’s top-ranked restaurants, and even a simple market lunch can be extraordinary. Peruvian cuisine blends Indigenous Andean ingredients with Spanish, African, Chinese and Japanese influences, giving you everything from world-famous ceviche to Andean comfort food you won’t find anywhere else.

Here are the dishes and drinks to seek out on your trip.

Quick Answer

The Peruvian foods every visitor should try: ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, causa, anticuchos, rocoto relleno, cuy (guinea pig), alpaca, and chicharrón — washed down with a pisco sour, chicha morada or an Inca Kola. In Cusco specifically, look for Andean specialties like cuy, alpaca steak and quinoa soup.

Savory Dishes to Try

Ceviche. Peru’s signature dish and a national icon: fresh raw fish “cooked” in lime juice with onion, chili and cilantro, served with sweet potato and corn. Eat it at lunch, when the fish is freshest.

Lomo saltado. The definitive Peruvian-Chinese (*chifa*) stir-fry: strips of beef with onion, tomato and soy sauce, served with both fries and rice. Comfort food, everywhere.

Ají de gallina. Shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spicy yellow sauce of ají amarillo chili, bread and cheese. Rich and beloved.

Causa. Chilled layers of mashed, ají-spiked yellow potato filled with chicken, tuna or avocado — a cold starter that shows off Peru’s potatoes.

Anticuchos. Marinated, grilled beef-heart skewers — a smoky street-food classic that’s much better than it sounds to the squeamish.

Rocoto relleno. An Arequipa specialty: a spicy rocoto pepper stuffed with seasoned meat, olives and cheese, then baked.

Chicharrón. Crispy fried pork, often served with corn, mint and onion — a weekend favorite.

Andean & Cusco Specialties

Cuy (guinea pig). A traditional Andean dish for special occasions, usually roasted whole. It’s a genuine cultural experience in Cusco and the highlands, even if the presentation surprises first-timers.

Alpaca. Lean, tender and flavorful, alpaca steak appears on many Cusco menus — a sustainable Andean meat worth trying.

Also look for quinoa soup, choclo con queso (giant Andean corn with cheese), and papa a la huancaína (potatoes in a creamy chili-cheese sauce). Peru has thousands of potato varieties, and the Andes is where you taste why.

Drinks

• Pisco sour — the national cocktail: pisco (grape brandy), lime, syrup, egg white and bitters.
• Chicha morada — a sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn.
• Inca Kola — the bright-yellow, bubble-gummy soda Peruvians love more than cola.
• Coca tea (mate de coca) — the classic Andean remedy for altitude; you’ll be offered it everywhere in Cusco.

Where to Eat It

• Markets (like Cusco’s San Pedro) for cheap, authentic *menú* lunches and juices.
• Cusco restaurants for Andean specialties — see our guide to the best restaurants in Cusco.
• Lima for world-class fine dining and the freshest ceviche.

A quick food-safety note: at altitude, ease into rich food, drink bottled or purified water, and be sensible with raw dishes on your first day — see our altitude sickness in Cusco guide for settling in.

How It Fits Your Trip

Food is one of the best reasons to slow down in Cusco between adventures. Build a market visit or a cooking-focused evening into your days — see how many days to spend in Cusco and the top things to do in Cusco.

How to Book

At Viajes Peru Tour we can add food experiences — market tours, cooking classes, and the best Andean restaurants — to your Cusco and Machu Picchu itinerary. Tell us your dates and your tastes.

[Add a food experience to your trip →]

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Peru famous for?

Above all ceviche (Peru’s national dish), plus lomo saltado, ají de gallina, causa, anticuchos and, in the Andes, cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca. The national drink is the pisco sour.

What should I eat in Cusco specifically?

Andean specialties: cuy, alpaca steak, quinoa soup, choclo con queso and papa a la huancaína, plus hearty soups that suit the altitude. The San Pedro market is great for authentic, affordable lunches.

Is Peruvian food spicy?

Some dishes use ají chilies, but Peruvian food is more flavorful than fiery, and heat is often served on the side. You can easily eat mild.

Is it safe to eat ceviche in Peru?

Yes, at reputable places — eat it at lunch when the fish is freshest and busy restaurants have high turnover. Be a bit more cautious on your very first day while you adjust.

What is Inca Kola?

Peru’s hugely popular bright-yellow soda, with a sweet, bubble-gum-like flavor — a national institution that outsells global cola brands locally.

*Last updated: September 2026 | Written by the Viajes Peru Tour team*