cooking tours lima

THE 10 BEST Lima Food Tours

Lima food tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour

2. Lima Gourmet Food Tour: Daytime Experience

3. Lima Gourmet Food Tour: Evening Experience

4. The 10 Tastings of Lima With Locals: Private Street Food Tour

5. Trending Flavors: Miraflores Walking Tour Including Food and Drinks Tasting

6. Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop in ChocoMuseo Lima Miraflores

7. Experience Lima: Gastronomic Evening at Larco Museum with Private Guided Tour

8. Dancing Horse Show & Lunch + Pachacamac Inca Site

9. 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour

10. Lima Food through Local Markets & Barranco Tour

11. Magic Water Circuit with Dinner Show, Dances and Paso Horses

12. Tuk Tuk & Peruvian Food Experience

13. Mini Chocolate Workshop in ChocoMuseo Lima Miraflores

14. Lima Vegan Peruvian Food Tour

15. History of Peruvian flavors (Native fruits tasting & street food)

16. Half Day - Gastronomy Tour by Bike at Barranco

17. Lima Walking Food Tour in Barranco with Secret Food Tours

18. Lima Gastronomy Tour and Cooking Class

19. 5 iconic restaurants of Barranco Lima / guided food tour

20. Foodie Walking Tour in Lima's Bohemian District

21. Private and exclusive Street Food and Peruvian History

22. Half Day - Gastronomy Tour By Bike at Miraflores

23. Small-Group Full Day Walking, Culinary and Shopping Tour in Lima

24. 4 Days Tasty Lima from Lima

25. Half Day Gastronomy Tour: Isidro Market + Pisco Sour and Ceviche + Lunch

26. Half Day Gastronomy Tour: Surquillo Market + Pisco Sour and Ceviche +Miraflores

What travelers are saying.

• Choose Your Tour
• Corporate Events
• 1-1 Trip Planning Call

Flavorful Peruvian Food Tours

Food tours in Lima, Arequipa and Cusco

Authentic food tours and experiences

Our top food tour picks

Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour in Artsy Barranco

• Barranco, Lima
• Price per adult from
• $89   USD

Street Food, Market & Old Eateries Tour in Lima’s Historic Centre

• Historic Centre, Lima
• $59   USD

Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour

• $79   USD

Lima Gourmet Tour: Peruvian Biodiversity Food Experience

• Miraflores, Lima
• $169   USD

Full-Day Lima Food Tour & City Tour – Barranco, Miraflores & Historic Center

• $199   USD

Lima Vegan Peruvian Food Tour in Artsy Barranco

• $119   USD

Browse tours by category and start your adventure

Arequipa tours, cusco tours, not the average food tour, more of a, art, culture & history, incredible peruvian food, local expert guides, seamless & secure online payments.

Tastes  

United States

Hello :) Jen How was the experience?

It was a great way to see the city and eat some fantastic street food, our lima food tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and we got to see parts of the city we hadn't seen. we tried some traditional cuisine that we wouldn't have had an opportunity to on our own. a fun evening with a small group, hello :) joanne how was the experience, this was a wonderful food tour. we have done food tours before in other countries but this was by far the best., we loved understanding the history behind the food we were eating and the places we visited. there was so much wonderful food. our lima food tour guide was excellent and spoke great english. there was four of us and i felt we had all been old friends by the end of it., hello :) daniel how was the experience, everything was perfect, we loved our guide and the food, our guide was delightful, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. it was like getting shown around by a local friend. the food was so great we went back to a few of the spots again later., is lima dangerous safety tips for travelers.

This is a question we often get. Is Lima dangerous? Will I get robbed? What...

Travel tips: best things to do in Lima

We know for a fact that most people come to Peru to visit Machu Picchu...

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

• New Here? Read Me First
• Must Read Articles
• Latest Articles
• This is My Story
• Countries I’ve Visited
• Media Appearances
• Follow the Adventures
• All Travel Destinations & Guides
• South America
• Budget Travel Tips
• Save Money for a Trip
• Best Resources to Book Your Trip
• What is Backpacker Travel Insurance?
• Travel Hacking
• Travel Gear
• Road Trip Planning
• Travel Inspiration
• Truck Camping
• How to Travel Forever
• Browse the Store
• My book: Big Travel, Small Budget
• Truck Camping Gear
• D2D Apparel
• Shop REI.com
• Shop Amazon.com
• Discount Outdoor Gear: Deals of the Day
• Write for D2D
• Work with Us – Media & Press

Guide to the Best Food Tours in Lima (A Gastronomic Paradise)

Sharing is caring!

There are more than a dozen food tours in Lima which isn’t a surprise, considering that it is one of the best culinary destinations not only in Latin America but in the world. Not only is fine dining and food one of the top things to do in Lima , but you could almost spend a lifetime here just exploring some of the best restaurants in Lima and all that the incredible local cuisine has to offer.

So how can you possibly choose the best food tour in Lima with such an overwhelming number of options? I’ll try to help you find the best choice for you, as well as what I ended up choosing.

But regardless of which one you choose, one thing that is nice is that you’ll likely be able to pair a food tour in Lima with a bit of sightseeing to an ancient pre-Inca site or the historic colonial downtown, or maybe get to know the Miraflores or Barranco neighborhood more in-depth, kind of killing two birds with one stone.

Also, if you are more interested in cooking, you can definitely find a cooking class in Lima or tour that will teach you how to make your own traditional Peruvian dishes with a local family, or learn things like how to make ceviche or a pisco sour.

If you’re tight on time, I’d highly recommend doing a Lima food tour while you are in town, that way you can pack in a lot of different places, neighborhoods, and flavors in a short amount of time, since that is all that most people usually dedicate to Lima (unfairly, in my opinion).

In any case, here are a few of the top recommended food tours in Lima so you can see what best suits your next trip and, of course, your palate.

Lima Gourmet Food Tour

The Lima Gourmet food tour is an incredible value for the money and will get you into places like Huaca Pucllana and amaZ, which are considered among the best Lima restaurants. It was almost for this fact alone that we chose this tour above any other because it included a lot of awesome stops, including these “best” restaurants.

The Lima Gourmet Food Tour Company has both a daytime and evening tour which are slightly different, but we did the night tour and had an absolute blast…

We started the evening with pisco sours and snack at La Trastienda at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, then we went to amaZ for some of their incredible jungle-inspired and inventive cuisine.

After that, we went to Huaca Pucllana overlooking the ruins where we sampled dishes representing Nikkei, Chifa, and other prominent influences in Peruvian cuisine, and finally, we capped the night with dessert at a boutique gelateria store in the hip and bohemian Barranco district.

We were absolutely stuffed by the end and had sampled a very incredible and rich range of dishes. While the tour isn’t cheap, it does get you into some awesome places, gives you a lot of food and drinks (various cocktails), includes private transport, and a friendly and knowledgable guide.

You can expect to spend $135 per person on this tour, which is fairly comparable to a tasting menu in one of Lima’s best restaurants but includes history, culture, food, sightseeing, transport, and even a guide. I thought it was a good deal, albeit a splurge for us.

If you opt for the daytime tour, it is in many ways the same, but it includes a make your own ceviche lesson and a hands-on class to make your own pisco sour, which all sounds quite fun as well. I chose the night tour in the end because I really wanted to see the Huaca Pucllana ruins all lit up mysteriously in the dark… Worth it!

We had a lot of good times in Lima during our stay, but the Lima Gourmet Food Tour definitely stands out as one of the most fun and memorable parts of our trip. I would highly recommend it!

Reserve your Lima Gourmet Food Tour Now.

Huaca Ruins and Larco Museum at Night with Dinner

One of my favorite ways to end a day of traveling is to have a delicious dinner and some wine. But Lima offers a better option: visiting some awesome ruins and then heading to a beautiful restaurant on the grounds of Lima’s most famed museum as you drink a pisco sour or chilcano beneath colorful bougainvillea!

On this Lima food tour, you’ll be brought to the impressive archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana to explore these 1,500-year-old pre-Inca ruins where you can learn more about the indigenous people from pre-Incan times, as well as some of the ceremonial rites performed at this great pyramid temple. I’m not sure what’s more impressive, the ruins themselves, or the fact that they stand here in the middle of the modern Miraflores neighborhood…

Afterward, you’ll head to the amazing Larco Museum, where you can marvel at stunning pieces of pre-Columbian art. This museum highlights objects from ancient Peru which ranges from the finest collection of silver, gold, and stonework, to the somewhat bizarre (and massive) collection of erotic pottery.

Strange, yes, but the erotic pottery is a must-do in Lima, haha.

Then you’ll end the night with a meal at the Cafe del Museo on the grounds of the museum as you look out from the terrace to the relaxing and beautiful gardens. This restaurant is brought to you by Gaston Acurio of Astrid y Gaston (long beloved as one of Lima’s best restaurants), so you know it will be one of the most unforgettable dinners in your lifetime.

Book your Huaca Ruins and Larco Museum at Night with Dinner now.

Culinary, Historic & Traditional City Tour

On this tour, you’ll get to visit the largest Chinatown in South America and savor the fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. Eat street food, wander through the little shops, and shop for your souvenirs from the many quaint stores offering local, handmade products.

See for yourself how Peruvian and Chinese cultures merged here in Peru and gain a better understanding of how this mix gives local cuisine a different flavor. Honestly, it is basically because of these Asian influences that modern-day Peruvian cuisine is so delicious… There’s a reason that Peru has the best food in South America, which blows away neighbors like Bolivia or Ecuador.

On this tour, you’ll also get to observe how to make a ceviche, its different ingredients, and taste different kinds of ceviches. Explore the local market with your senses as you sift through all the produce of the region. Get to see some of the many exotic fruits and interesting food that this side of Latin America has to offer.

You’ll also get to walk around the beautiful historic center of Lima and marvel at its monuments and architecture. And then you will also get to visit a local restaurant to taste some picarones, a tasty Peruvian dessert.

Book your Full-Day Lima: a Culinary, Historic & Traditional City now.

Miraflores Trending Flavors Half-Day Walking Tour

Miraflores is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lima and it is also one of the best places to eat your way through town.

You can stay here, never leave, and have an almost endless list of places to enjoy great food, ranging from some of the best restaurants in the world to the best street foods that you have ever tasted in your life. This walking tour of Miraflores will give you the opportunity to experience the different flavors of Peru.

First, you’ll start the day with some great coffee at the Terrua coffee shop near Parque Kennedy with a brief introduction to the coffee scene in Peru.

You will then visit the Surquillo market to try some of the best exotic fruits from this region. You will be amazed at some of the fruits that you haven’t ever seen or heard of in your life.

The next stop is a local bakery called Lucas to indulge in some desserts (you may have been introduced to some of the unique ingredients they use at the market stop).

You’ll make a stop at La Preferida, a traditional ceviche restaurant, where you can enjoy a mixto or some tiraditos for lunch. Finally, you’ll end the tour with some pisco sour at Mercado 28.

Book your Lima: Miraflores Trending Flavors Half-Day Walking Tour now.

Barranco Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour

Barranco is probably Lima’s most attractive neighborhood, even more so than Miraflores, and it also offers an array of interesting meals and drinks in some hip and trendy restaurants.

You’re going to want to make sure you join this tour with an empty stomach because you will be visiting eight different restaurants to taste 16 different local flavors from fruits to drinks to dishes.

Interested in learning how to make your own pisco sour? They’re delicious drinks and it is a skill that you can take with you back home to keep reliving the magic of Peru.

Not only do you get to eat plenty on this half-day tour but you will also get tidbits of historical and cultural facts about the dishes being served.

Book your Lima: Barranco Ultimate Peruvian Food Small Group Tour now.

Home Cooking Class with a Peruvian Family Plus Local Market Tour

Anywhere you go, try to always go local. You’ll get better insights and make better memories that way versus eating at big chains. One of the coolest ways to go local is by experiencing how a typical Peruvian family would prepare their food at home.

First, you will need to shop for the ingredients for the day at a local market. The cooking class with Doña Mechita, a Peruvian mother, will teach you some traditional recipes handed down over generations in her own home in residential Chorrillos.

You will then learn how to make a delicious causa limeña with chilis, lime, and potatoes. Causa Limeña will be the perfect appetizer to your ceviche, Peru’s national dish. You will also make a ceviche with the fresh catch of the day plus a special mix of limes, onions, coriander, and a few other ingredients.

You’ll also get hands-on lessons in how to make a pisco sour using an original recipe. And don’t forget to try the maracuya drink, it is one of my favorite fruit juices and something I consume quite regularly.

Book your Lima: Home Cooking Class and Local Market Tour now.

Vegan Peruvian Food Tour

Vegans, this one’s for you! Lima is a gastronomic paradise for all and in this tour, you’ll get to taste 14 vegan dishes, drinks, and products. This culinary itinerary includes eight different shops and restaurants which have been carefully chosen from different local small entrepreneurs.

Immerse yourself in Peruvian history and culture as you walk with your local hosts around the bohemian and artsy neighborhood of Barranco, where you’ll learn how to prepare a chilcano, enjoy a mushroom ceviche, or enjoy the vegan chocolate tasting.

Your expert tour guide is knowledgeable and will make sure that all food experiences are truly vegan. And as a nice touch, part of your tour package includes a donation to the local non-profit Action Against Hunger Peru.

Book your Lima: Vegan Peruvian Food Small Group Tour now.

More About Visiting Lima

Lima is a must-visit if you are coming to Peru. Aside from the amazing cuisine, they have an incredible history, culture, and art that you can enjoy.

Check out my guide of things to do in Lima or choose from the best Lima tours and activities in and around the city .

Wondering where to stay in Lima? I have also made it easier for you to choose where to stay in the best neighborhoods in Lima along with a guide to the best Lima hostels .

And if Lima is your first stop on that epic trip to Machu Picchu, then I hope my guide to Cusco, Peru can help you out, or read more about how to visit Machu Picchu on a budget . And of course, beyond Machu Picchu, there are plenty of other interesting things to do in Peru like the Cordillera Blanca , Laguna Paron , or hiking to Laguna 69 (any hiker’s dream and of course mine too!).

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do in Lima, Peru

Traveling to other parts of Peru?  Be sure to book your room from Booking.com now to save on the best Lima hostels and hotels. If you are staying for a few weeks, I highly recommend looking into Airbnb units. And don’t forget to purchase international travel insurance for Peru to protect yourself against injury, theft, and sickness. I use and recommend World Nomads .

Did you enjoy this post about the best food tours in Lima ? Take a moment to share it on Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter. Thanks!

• Latest Posts

Desk to Dirtbag

Latest posts by desk to dirtbag ( see all ).

• 8 Best National Parks to Visit With Your Dog - August 10, 2022
• Where to Stay in Bogota: Ultimate Guide to the Best Neighborhoods, Hostels & Hotels - September 26, 2019
• 10 Best Santiago Tours: Activities to Experience in Chile - September 22, 2019
• Volunteering Abroad: 20+ Ways to Travel the World with a Purpose - September 19, 2019
• How to Avoid Cusco Altitude Sickness When You Visit Machu Picchu - September 15, 2019

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Food Tour Lima

Taste authentic and delicious Peruvian flavors!

Food Tour Lima takes place in the diverse capital city of Peru. Lima is a food lover’s paradise, offering a diverse range of dining options and a rich culinary culture. The city’s cuisine is heavily influenced by the indigenous, Spanish, and Asian cultures, creating a unique and flavorful blend of flavors and ingredients. Some must-try dishes include ceviche, a popular seafood dish made with raw fish marinated in lemon or lime juice, and lomo saltado, a stir-fry dish made with steak, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes.

In Food Tour Lima visitors sample traditional Peruvian dishes such as ají de gallina, a creamy chicken stew made with chili peppers, and papa a la huancaína, a potato dish served with a spicy cheese sauce. Lima is also home to a thriving street food scene, with vendors selling a variety of tasty and affordable dishes. With its delicious and diverse offerings, Lima is the perfect destination for food lovers looking to experience the best of Peruvian cuisine.

Why book with us?

Authentic tour

Back in 2017 we were the only company doing tours in Barranco and the first one creating a food tour in this district.

Safe payment

Small group

Food tours in lima.

Street food tour in Market n° 1 from Miraflores

Price: 49 USD

Wake up early to come to the famous Market n° 1 located just next to Miraflores district

3-hour food tour in Barranco district in Lima

Price: 59 USD

Take the guesswork out and join this small group food walking tour through Lima’s favorite district

Private food walking tour in the historic center of Lima

Price: 99 USD

Live an excited time eating foods of your preference while learning about Peruvian culture

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a culinary destination like no other. The city’s unique blend of indigenous, European, African, and Asian flavors has resulted in a diverse and mouthwatering cuisine that has earned international recognition. From street food to fine dining, Lima’s food scene offers something for every taste bud.

Ceviche, the king of Lima’s cuisine

Ceviche is an iconic dish of Peru, and Lima is the perfect place to try it. The city’s location on the Pacific coast provides access to fresh seafood that is essential to the dish’s preparation. The traditional recipe involves marinating raw fish, typically sea bass or flounder, in a mixture of lime or lemon juice, onions, chili peppers, and salt. The acidity of the citrus juice “cooks” the fish, giving it a firm texture and tangy flavor. Ceviche is typically served with corn and sweet potato, which provide a balance to the spicy and acidic notes of the dish.

While ceviche is a classic dish, chefs in Lima are constantly innovating and adding their own twists. Some restaurants serve ceviche with exotic fruits, such as passion fruit or mango, or substitute the traditional fish with seafood like octopus or shrimp. The best way to experience ceviche in Lima is to visit one of the many cevicherias in the city, which specialize in this dish and offer a range of variations to satisfy all palates.

The explosion of flavors in street food

Lima’s street food scene is a cultural phenomenon that offers an explosion of flavors, colors, and aromas. Street food in Lima ranges from the traditional to the exotic, and is served from carts, stalls, and food trucks across the city. One of the most popular street foods is anticuchos, skewers of beef heart that are marinated in vinegar, garlic, and spices, and then grilled over charcoal. The dish has its roots in the Andean region of Peru, and was adopted by the Afro-Peruvian community in Lima.

Another classic street food is tamales, which are made by wrapping corn dough around a filling of meat, vegetables, or cheese, and then steaming the packets until they are cooked. Tamales are typically served with aji, a spicy sauce made with chili peppers and herbs, and can be found in various forms throughout the city. Picarones, a sweet snack made of pumpkin and sweet potato dough that is deep-fried and served with molasses syrup, is another popular street food that is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.

Eating street food in Lima is not only an opportunity to experience the city’s flavors, but also to interact with its people and culture. Street vendors are often friendly and proud of their creations, and will happily share their stories and traditions with curious visitors.

Lima’s fine dining scene

Lima’s fine dining scene has grown exponentially in recent years, attracting foodies from all over the world. The city’s chefs are known for their creativity and passion for using local ingredients and techniques, resulting in a culinary experience that is both sophisticated and authentic. Some of the most acclaimed restaurants in Lima include Central, Maido, and Astrid & Gaston, which have been recognized by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and the Michelin Guide.

The best restaurant of the world is in Lima

Central, led by chef Virgilio Martinez, is known for its use of native ingredients from different regions of Peru, such as quinoa, coca leaves, and Amazonian fruits. The restaurant’s tasting menu is a journey through the country’s diverse landscapes, flavors, and cultures. This restaurant is now the number 1 of the 50 best restaurants of the world, which converts Lima is the culinary capital of the America.

What customers have said about us

We were definitely not wrong in choosing this tour in Barranco because it was honestly great. We ended up so happy and full that we could easily roll down back to our hotel. This food tour is definitely a 10/10.

I had tried Peruvian food before and loved it. This food tastes too good to live without it. On my first day in Peru I decided to take this culinary tour to learn a little more about the history of Peruvian gastronomy.

This food tour was a revelation! From the iconic Lomo Saltado to the rich historical insights, every moment was a delight. A must for foodies exploring Lima’s vibrant culinary scene. Recommend it!

Trusted by established institutions

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

5 Of The Best Lima Food Tours

Want to experience authentic local cuisine without breaking the bank and without the hassle of reservations? Would you like to learn about Peruvian food in a practical way? Are you curious about the culture of Peru and it’s culinary traditions and you’d like some guidance on where to start exploring? Try a Peruvian food tour in the capital city, Lima.

Food tourism in Peru is big business. In 2019 Peru was named the world’s leading culinary destination for the 8th year running . The UN World Tourism Organization says that over 40% of visitors to the country are there to experience the food as their first priority. With attractions like Machu Picchu, soaring mountain ranges, tropical jungle, and surf beaches, as ‘competition’, food tourism has made huge progress in Peru.

Chef Gaston Acurio is often credited with being the person that most influenced the current upward trend in interest in Peruvian gastronomy. In 2014 the Wall Street Journal named Acurio as the person most responsible for the increased popularity of his native cuisine. Acurio is involved in promoting tourism and culinary vacations in Peru and he has laid the groundwork at an international level.

But what options are available to visitors who want an all-in-one introduction to Peruvian cuisine , or who are short on time and possess only a basic knowledge of where to start their food journey? The answer is a ‘Food Tour’, a touristic experience that has really taken off in Lima in the last 5-10 years.

Peru features prominently in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants every year and almost all of these restaurants are located in Lima . On the 50 Best Latin American Restaurants list, positions 1, 2, and 7 are occupied by Lima eateries. Why does Lima have that makes it such a special culinary destination ? The essential gastronomic experience that is Lima, the capital of Peru, is based upon centuries of immigration from countries with important culinary heritages (Spain, China, Japan), incredible indigenous foods unique to this country, and a booming economy.

Peruvians, and especially residents of Lima, are fiercely proud of their cultural heritage. Peru’s ‘gastronomic status’ is a source of national pride. Sure, Paris is the food capital of the world, the Italians have made an art form out of durum wheat and New York and London offer the widest range of food options anywhere. But nowhere will you see such joy and pleasure in the preparing and the eating of local food as in Lima.

We talked to 5 companies that have created a way for tourists to experience a wide range of Peruvian foods in different settings without having to worry about logistics. Lima food tours are fast becoming one of the biggest ‘must-dos’ for tourists visiting the country and we talked to our friendly guides about how they have created and adapted their businesses around this ever-growing trend.

They also give us a few tips on where to find the best ceviche and tell us what their favourite Peruvian dish is.

Lima Food Tour Companies, in no particular order: 1 . Lima Gourmet Company 2. Lima Tasty Tours 3. Delectable Peru 4. Alternative Peru 5. Exquisito Peru

Lima Gourmet Company

Barranco, Colina 107, Lima, Peru | Phone: +51 1 4466829

Coming in at no.1 on Tripadvisor’s list of Lima tours (of any type) is probably enough to secure a solid stream of customers for the Lima Gourmet Company . But team LGC has obviously been busy with its marketing efforts. Securing the top results in Google for the main search keywords is also a sign of a business which understands the market. Positive reviews from The Huffington Post and other publications have helped the brand become one of the most recognized.

The company has focussed on delivering a quality service since 2011 and it has paid off. Samantha Lewis from Lima Gourmet Company tells us how the business is trying to change the image of Lima as just a transition point for tourists on the way to the likes of Cusco and Machu Picchu. One of Lima’s greatest assets is its culinary history and status as ‘food capital’ of Latin America. Many tourists arrive in the country unaware of the amazing range of eateries hidden away in corners of the city. Samantha and her team help improve the city’s image through education about its delightful food and culture.

• How long has the company been in existence? We began running food tours in Lima starting in December of 2011. We are just about to celebrate 5 years in business .
• What was the impetus for starting your food tour business? We started the business as we found that most travelers on their way to Machu Picchu, the Amazon, and other destinations had to spend at least a day in Lima. The idea was to diversify from the traditional tourism circuit and provide an alternative that involved the excellent food that Lima offers at a time when Lima was consolidating internationally as a major culinary capital .
• What has been the biggest challenge in growing your business? As with any new business, getting people to know that you exist and trust your brand was challenging at the beginning. It required a lot of patience and investment both in time and money to get to the point where we are today.
• Which countries represent most of your client base? At the beginning, clients were mainly North American, however, now we have a very diversified clientele from Chile to China and everywhere in between.

Both of our tours in Lima are equally popular, the Day Tour and the Evening Tour. The Day Tour is more popular with people that enjoy markets and cooking classes , whereas the Evening Tour is more laid-back, and about enjoying the foodie experience and like-minded company in a new place.

What are your typical tours like? We offer two tours, both of them are approximately five hours long . The idea is not only to try different restaurants, but also to see different parts of the city. We cover the most iconic dishes, such as cebiche , anticuchos and causas , but also incorporate gourmet, Peruvian novelties such as food from the Amazon.

Are your clients already knowledgeable about Peruvian food, in general? About 50% have had some kind of experience with Peruvian cuisine before reaching us. Latino clients are very familiar with our cuisine, but are always surprised by the freshness, quality and diversity of our ingredients. North Americans and the rest of the world have heard about the reputation Lima has garnered as a foodie haven and are amazed by the quantity and quality of top restaurants in the city .

What’s the most gratifying part of running a food tour business? The most gratifying part of running food tours is that through our work, we are helping to change the image that Lima once had as an ugly, boring city with nothing to do and nothing to see. The way we incorporate food on our tours involves culture, history, and even architecture. It has served as a way to rebrand the city as an exciting, attractive destination . So much has changed in the last five years that we now see people coming to Lima just for a weekend to eat!

What is your favourite Peruvian food? It’s so difficult to pick just one dish when there are such a variety of dishes to be found in Peru. Our favorite has to be adobo , or a type of spicy pork stew, from Arequipa . The stew is marinated overnight so the flavors are out of this world. Traditionally, at the local picanterías where the dish is found, only the chef tending the pot knows the exact recipe. It’s also said to be an amazing hangover cure after too many pisco sours . It’s true Peruvian soul food.

Where can the best ceviche be found? To find the best cebiche, it truly depends on what you have in mind. For a classic take on the dish, respecting traditional recipes, Isolina is the place to go. They serve old-style Peruvian dishes and make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time 50 years to this trendy corner. If, however, you are looking for a bit more excitement, try the Amazonian plantain cebiche at Amaz, or the Japanese Nikkei fusion cebiche at El Mercado . If you just can’t decide, you can always check out Cala for a cebiche tasting platter with different styles.

Lima Tasty Tours

Av. Almirante Grau 1113 Of. 107 Barranco, Lima | Phone: +51 958 313 939

The  Lima Tasty Tours  company was founded by Arturo Rojas, a highly experienced tour guide who has an infectious enthusiasm for the food of his native country. The business started as a hobby to entertain friends but has since come a long way and Arturo’s tours are now a highly sought after experience for foodies.

Lonely Planet describes the business as “Excellent gastronomic tours, with tailored options and insider access to lesser-known culinary treasures, available in English.”

Melissa Salgado and Arturo Rojas, who run the company, told us about their biggest challenge in the business: finding experienced guides. They noted how the majority of their customers are already fans of Peruvian food before they arrive in Lima as tourists. Such is the power of Peruvian food worldwide. In a short period of time, the national cuisine has exploded in popularity internationally , creating a skills gap where local tour guides with experience and passion for the food are hard to find.

• How long has Lima Tasty Tours been in operation? Lima Tasty Tours has been on the tourism market since 2010 but it is a formal company in Peru since 2013.
• Why did you start your food tour business? The founder Arturo Rojas was leading tours all over South America for 7 years and realized that every person he met that had visited Peru talked excitedly about Peruvian food. As Arturo worked in the farming industry from a young age and had an insight into how locals dine he decided to try offering traditional and tasty local food  to people from all over the world, in the form of food tours. Rojas began by creating tours for his friends and then graduated to offering tours to tourists and other locals alike.
• What has been the biggest challenge in growing the business? The biggest challenge is finding the right people for the company with the passion, knowledge, and love for sharing Peruvian food. This form of tourism is still very young.
• Where do most of your clients come from? Most of our clients are from the US, followed by English and Spanish speakers from all over the world.
• What is the most in-demand tour that you offer? Our most popular tour is Que Rico . This tour offers the chance to experience the most touristic areas of Lima and sample different hidden local spots . The most traditional appetizers, desserts, drinks, dishes plus seasonal fruits are found in our visit to the local market.
• How are your tours structured for visitors? Our food tours are made for a maximum of 6 clients, so everyone can enjoy the experience. The tours start and finish in our clients’ hotel. Tours begin by 9:30am when rush hour is finishing. Food samples are chosen in places that are 100% safe and clean for our clients, and the tastes are designed for the Limeño ( someone from Lima )  palate, so muy rico ! The market we visit is where they interact and experience a shopping day with locals. Same for the restaurants. The idea is to walk and eat like a Limeño for a day . At the end of the tour they won’t forget the experience and great taste of Lima.
• Are your clients already knowledgeable about Peruvian food, in general? I would say that 70% of them have already had Peruvian food near where they live, so they are excited for more.
• What’s the most meaningful and enjoyable part of running a food tour business? More than just being a food tour business, we feel like we are part of this new wave of promoting Peruvian food in the world . We don’t doubt that we will conquer every palate. The most gratifying part is the recognition of the whole food chain in this business starting with our lovely farmers, their amazing products, and the market vendors always sharing a smile with us. I love to hear at the end of the tour, “I will look for Peruvian restaurants in my town.”
• What is your favourite Peruvian food? You know that this is one of the hardest questions in my life, but I can answer it like this: arroz con pato in Chiclayo, Saralawa (corn soup) in the andes, ceviche in Trujillo, grilled fish with cocona spicy sauce in the Amazon, anticuchos and picarones at 7 pm in Lima.
• Where can the best ceviche be found? As I said before I get the best ceviche in Trujillo , but here in Lima, the best ceviche can be found in Tia Julia restaurant  in Chorrillos. Lima Tasty Tours organized everything for the documentary about Julia’s ceviche life story .

Delectable Peru

Phone: +51 979 134 542

Delectable Peru certainly has one of the best-named tour companies operating in Lima at the moment. Founder Ericka La Madrid, a passionate foodie, set up the business after living in the USA. On returning to Peru Ericka realized that there was potential for a culinary experience business which highlights one of Peru’s greatest sources of pride and identity, its food. Delectable Peru was born 6 years ago and has been serving visitors interested in Peruvian food ever since. Tours are tailor-made, designed to accommodate the culinary interests of individual clients and groups. And if your luck is in, you might just meet the legend himself,  Gaston Acurio .

• How long has Delectable Peru been serving the tourist market in Lima? I started my culinary tour company 6 years ago when I returned back home from the USA.
• What was the genesis for your food business? I was amazed by the transformation of our food scene and started exploring Lima’s new restaurants and meeting their chefs.
• What has been the biggest challenge in growing the business? In any business, there are always lots of challenges. In our case, we need to stay updated with the new spots in Lima and trying to offer something unique.
• Where do most of your customers come from? Most of the time, customers come from the US due to my network connections, through family and friends. But I have given tours to many people from all over the world, such as the Philippines, Australia, Holland, China, and Japan. Clients include travel reporters , chefs , and restauranteurs looking for wanting inspiration for new culinary offerings. I feel I all can relate to anyone about food in one common language. We are all foodies after all.
• What is the most popular tour and why? Peruvian Classic Experience Tour is probably the most popular as that tour offers most of the Peruvian dishes that people like to try.
• What is the general format of your food tours? We can accommodate groups for either mid-morning or early evening depending on time availability, and depending on what kind of culinary experience desired.

• What’s the most gratifying and enjoyable part of running a food tour business? I am passionate about my country and the promotion of our rising culinary scene.  We are constantly trying new restaurants, meeting new chefs, and traveling around Peru and beyond to stay updated on the various ingredients used and those who prepare them. Recently, I have also been a guest speaker on culinary tourism at Peruvian universities and even at the UN’s World Health Organization International Forum of Food Gastronomy held here last April in Lima.
• What is your favourite Peruvian food? I will give this funny answer from one of my friends who is a chef: “Well my favorite dish is the more profound (or deepest) one because it contains more food”. There are so many to choose from!

Alternative Peru

Av. La Fontana #1109, La Molina, Lima | Phone: +51 971 269 423 (WhatsApp)

The Ceviche preparation display of Alternative Peru ’s Lima food tour is the highlight for most customers, says co-founder Natalie, a Belgian native. The tour introduces visitors to a wide range of meats, cheeses, fruits, and even alcoholic beverages from Peru.

Alternative Peru offers an alternative view of the city of Lima and a socio-cultural tour as part of the full-day package offered to tourists. The attention-grabbing tag-line for the tour is “Eat and Experience Lima in ways you’ve never imagined” and the mix of authentic local food sampling and interaction with locals from the poorest neighbourhoods of Lima is certainly a unique experience.

Alternative Peru’s website discusses ‘responsible tourism’ and the benefits that local communities receive from tours that visit them. If you would like to give something back to the local communities where the market-sellers, cooks, cleaners, and food producers live and help deliver your gastronomic experience, this might be the tour for you.

• How old is your company Alternative Peru? We started in September 2014.

• What has been the biggest challenge in growing the business? Reaching people while on a small budget (competing with the big tour operators) and making sure that they know it’s safe to go off the beaten path in Lima with us.
• Where do most of your clients come from? Most of our clients are from Anglo-Saxon countries with the greater majority from the US, then Australia, NZ, Canada and the UK.
• What is the most popular part of your food tour and why? The ceviche demonstration ! The local lady at the market that prepares the ceviche has a great personality and of course, ceviche is the best known Peruvian dish among visitors (and also because it’s just delicious).
• What is the format of your food tour  ? Our tour consists of 2 parts. At 10:30 am, we meet the tourists at the central meeting point. From there, we walk to a local, authentic market outside of Miraflores. Visitors try all kinds of fruits, cheeses, liquors, juices, sweets, side dishes, and food from the 3 regions of Peru (Costa, Sierra, and Selva) including of course ceviche. There’s plenty of food and visitors are more than satisfied when leaving the market. Our guide gives, of course, lots of information on the different foods as well as some other background information about Peru, its people and its traditions in general. At 1 pm, our private transport picks the visitors up and we’ll go even more off the beaten path . First, we will visit one of the largest, and very authentic, cemeteries in the world. After that, we visit one of Lima’s pueblos jovenes or human settlements, where our local guide shows us around her neighborhood. We meet several locals and we learn more about a local social project that does great work in the community. The tour has been developed to be an off-the-beaten path, intercultural experience that is responsible and respectful towards the locals. In addition, the visit supports the local project that is visited on the tour.
• Are your clients already familiar with Peruvian food? Most of them know at least about ceviche and Pisco Sour. Everyone is still surprised about the incredible diversity of the food with the dishes and fruits from the coastal area, the Andes, and the jungle.
• What’s the most gratifying and meaningful part of running a food tour business? Right now, Peruvian food is really conquering the world , so it’s nice to see visitors’ admiration for Peruvian food. But it’s also really nice to still see them surprised at how many different and diverse dishes we have in Peru. Of course, it’s also always funny to see the reactions when we tell them we eat fried guinea pig .

• What is your favourite Peruvian food? My favorite is definitely the delicious chicken dish, Aji de Gallina, but I really love causa (preferably with palta) too. I love ‘ choclo con queso ’ as well.
• Where can one find the best ceviche? Some of the best and cheapest ceviche can be found on local markets, ‘ huecos ’ (hole in the walls, where the locals go) or street carts. For nicer, but still cheaper than Miraflores restaurants, there are really great restaurants on Playa Herradura in Chorrillos . It has the same quality as the Miraflores restaurants but because it’s further away, it’s mainly locals that go there.

Exquisito Perú

Avenida José Larco 880, Miraflores, Lima | Phone: +51 915 155 430

Jessy Caiado runs one of the newest foodie tours in Lima. We talked to him about his tours, his favourite foods, and how the tour business got started.

How long has the company been in existence?

Exquisito Perú launched in February 2018 but have been crafting our project for almost a year prior to the launch date.

What was the impetus for starting your food tour business?

It all started when my mom came to Lima to visit. As we are both foodies, we went to one of the most famous restaurants in Lima and were surprised that the menu was only available in Spanish and English. As my mother only speaks French, the experience wasn’t that great for her as my level of Spanish at that time wasn’t good enough to translate all the exotic things that were on the menu.

As an entrepreneur at heart, I started investigating to see what the food tourism offer was like for French-speaking tourists in Peru in general and realized there wasn’t much, or it was somehow too difficult to find. Also, I thought that in general, I could offer better experiences, whatever the language. I then remembered the time I spent in Madrid literally right before I moved to Peru (1 day layover), where I took a food tour with the fine folks at Devour Tour and how I loved the experience. They have been a great inspiration for Exquisito Perú.

My own personal and professional experience coupled with my passion for Peru and gastronomy, in general, seemed to be the perfect match to launch a food tourism business that would cater to French and English speaking foodies.

What has been the biggest challenge in growing your business?

Like all new business, it takes time until people get to know and trust you. Navigating Peruvian bureaucracy has also been a small headache at the start. It took us a lot of time, which we would have preferred to invest in other aspects of our business. But that’s part of the game!

Which countries represent most of your client base?

So far North America, UK, Germany, and France, but we plan to diversify mid-term.

What is the most popular tour and why?

• Barranco Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour
• Historic Center’ Street Food Night Tour

So far both are equally popular. Our Street Food Tour in the historic center of Lima tends to be more popular among younger crowds.

What are your typical tours like?

We currently offer three tours but plan to have many more soon. We will start with Lima but we hope that we will be successful enough to develop tours in other regions. Our walking food tours of Barranco and the center of Lima are 4 hours long. While in Barranco tourists can taste the most famous dishes Peruvian gastronomy has to offer ( ceviche , lomo saltado, causa rellena , pisco sour , etc), in the center we focus more on street food (anticuchos, picarones , emolientes drinks ) and things you usually find in tabernas .

We think that these two tours complete each other as tourists can try different types of food while visiting Lima’s most famous districts among visitors. There’s a big cultural and historical component in all our tours, too. We also have a more upscale product where we take clients to dine three different restaurants (one per region!). It also includes a chocolate workshop and a cocktail stop at Carnaval!

And we have pisco, coffee , wine and cheese activities too! Also, it’s important to mention that we partnered with Action Against Hunger Peru to develop our 1 tour = 1 meal program – having an impact, not only on local small businesses, is really important for us. And that’s just the beginning, we will do way more in the future!

What’s the most gratifying part of running a food tour business?

Everyone at Exquisito Perú is highly passionate about Peruvian gastronomy . So, the idea of working hard to show international visitors the richness of this cuisine is very exciting and motivating. The happiness and surprise we generate with our experiences, as self-proclaimed ambassadors of Peru, is what makes us wake up in the morning.

What is your favourite Peruvian food?

It’s a bit boring, but I would say lomo saltado . Not only does it taste so good, it’s also a dish full of history that is for me one of the symbols of the amazing mix of cultures one can find in Peru.

Where can the best ceviche be found?

That’s a hard one! There are so many places with great ceviche! My personal favourite can be found at Barra Maretazo in Miraflores, but every chef has their own touch, which makes it really hard to compare them all. Nanka (La Molina, San Isidro), Al Toke Pez (Surquillo) and Barra Chalaca (San Isidro) are great options too.

Thanks to all of the tour operators that agreed to be part of this blog post. There is enough variety in each of these excellent tours to satisfy the most curious traveler and foodie. If you have time and resources why not check out each one and get the full gamut of Peruvian food tour experiences .

Most of the gastro tours take place in the Miraflores district as this is where the majority of tourist hotels are located.  Most visitors are from the USA with other English-speaking countries making up the majority of the other clients. Tours are bilingual so if you’d prefer the Spanish version then you can request this. Those learning Spanish might avail of the opportunity to learn about something they are interested in while practising their language skills.

Have you taken a tour with any of the companies above? What did you particularly like about the tour? Let us know in the comments below.

Peruvian foodie. I’ve been writing about the food of Peru for over 10 years. Read more about the Eat Peru team here

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Destinations    
• Private Tours
• Historical Tours
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates
• Czech Republic
• Brussels NEW
• Belfast NEW
• Copenhagen NEW
• Palermo NEW
• Netherlands
• Stockholm NEW
• San Sebastián NEW
• Valencia NEW
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Los Angeles
• Philadelphia
• Portland, Oregon
• Washington D.C.
• San Francisco
• Houston NEW
• Mexico City
• Rio De Janerio
• Food Tour Drink Upgrade

Lima Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

Did you know Lima is considered to be the culinary capital of Latin America? We'll share with you the best Peruvian food and introduce you to this unique culture. Our tour focuses on showcasing the diversity of sustainable and delicious food within our country. As an added benefit, we'll show you how to find the best local shops and restaurants, and provide you with many other great local tips to make your experience truly memorable. By booking our Secret Food Tours: Lima, you'll enjoy a variety of local Peruvian favorites.

On our Secret Food Tour: Lima, you'll enjoy a variety of local Peruvian dishes. We'll take you through the small, secret streets of Lima for a Peruvian gastronomy tour in the historic area of Barranco.

• Food Tours lima
• Upgraded Drinks Package
• Book Your Tour
• Photos/Video
• Destinations
• Group & Private Tours
• Read About Us
• San Sebastián
• New York City
• Rio de Janerio

Multiple Destinatios

• Galapagos Islands
• Amazon River
• From Callao Port
• From Salaverry Port
• Transportation
• Lima Hotels
• Cusco Hotels
• Social Projects

Food Tours in Lima & Peruvian Cooking Classes

The best & fun food tours in lima.

We have designed unique culinary experiences for those who want to taste and learn about Peruvian gastronomy. We will take you through  unforgettable experiences. 

Our main purpose is to create local life experiences and affordable tours, which are also beneficial to the local communities and their families. Remember a big percent of the money from the tours go towards helping local families and children of Lima with less resources.

Lima’s Colors & Flavors Tour (Food Tour)

Food History + Local Markets (Food Tour)

Peruvian Cooking Class + Local Market Tour

Cook The Most Popular Peruvian Dishes

Pisco Sour + Maracuya Sour Class

Cook an Authentic Ceviche + A Peruvian Pisco Sour

Tasty Lima: City Tour + Cooking Class + Market Tour

Certifications.

Safe Travels

Haku Tours, owned and operated since 2011 by Inka descendants, seeks to share a true Peruvian experience with all of our new friends from abroad!

Office Hours:

• Av. Jose Larco 724, 9th floor, Miraflores

Phone Numbers:

• +51 924 260 744
• +51 947 142 030
• +51 958 374 028
• +511 320 2422
• For Companies: [email protected]
• Social Projects: [email protected]
• Emergencies: [email protected]
• Privacy policy
• Terms and conditions
• HAKU TOURS S.A.C
• www.hakutours.com

LIMA MARKET FOOD TOUR

•  TIMES 9:00 a.m.
•  DURATION 6 Hours
•  CAPACITY 6 people
•  VEGETARIAN Diet accommodated on this tour
•  COST 115.00 USD

Savor Lima’s local food where Peruvian culture, history, and cuisine all collide.

Lima market food tour highlights.

• Delve deeper into Lima’s food & history scene on a tour
• Visit off-the-beaten-path eateries you may otherwise have missed
• Explore a fun & colorful Market and sample local food
• Get insider tips on Lima’s best cafés, restaurants, and artisan shops
• Small group experience, limited to 6
• Get a Lima Local Market Products Guidebook by email

Tour Overview

We’ll start the morning in a local market where you’ll be the only tourists shopping alongside moms and sous chefs. We’ll sample several fresh fruits, snacks, and other tasty wares we’ll find on the day. Peru is one of the world’s most bio-diverse countries and a producer of an exotic array of the jungle, highland, and coastal foods. The local market will whet your appetite for the day.

Then we’ll walk in Lima’s historic center, checking out the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, the Archbishop’s residence, the Presidential Palace, the bright-yellow Franciscan church, and other historical buildings beautifully rich in architecture to learn more about Lima’s art history. From there, we’ll sample a variety of our proudly Peruvian spirit; “Pisco Sour”. Afterward, we’ll take a break to enjoy Peru’s flagship dish: ceviche. These sublime fish and seafood cocktails, gently marinated in fresh lime juice, are a Lima staple. On top of that tasting other mind-bogglingly Peruvian food options & desserts whose fresh aroma will make your mouth water.

You’ll experience the sights and sounds of the city as you travel on foot and by car to find these hidden places. Eat enough samples to fill you for the day (at least!) and learn about Peruvian culture and cuisine in the process.

What's Included

• Tasting 12 mind-blowing Peruvian flavors.
• Selection of fruits, desserts, drinks, soups, and more tasty treats.
• Bottled water is provided on the tour.
• Sighting of Lima Historic Center’s main attractions.
• Transportation pickup & drop-off (Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco).
• The company of a well-traveled local foodie guide and authentic local insight.
• Personalized email consultancy of your Peru trip before and after the tour.

Cancellation Policy

We know how important flexibility is to planning a stress-free trip. We’ve got you covered if there are any changes to your trip to Peru:

• It’s always possible to re-schedule your reservation with us or may be exchanged for future travel credit.
• If you cancel your booking more than 24 hours before your tour we will refund the cost of your tour minus a 6% administrative fee.
• All bookings canceled within 24 hours of the tour departure are not refundable.

Before you book, make sure you’re comfortable with our cancellation policy.

I’M STAYING OUTSIDE THE PICK-UP AREAS, CAN YOU ASSIST ME IN ARRANGING PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF SERVICES FROM ANY LOCATION?

Sure! Some of our tours include pick-ups from Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco. If you would like to be picked up or dropped off at locations such as Lima Airport, the Callao cruise port, or other parts of Lima just let us know we can arrange transportation for you. Indeed, if you want a private tour just contact us .

MAY I RESCHEDULE MY FOOD TOUR?

Yes. You can reschedule your food tour up to 24 hours before the tour.

DO YOU ACCOMMODATE VEGETARIANS, FOOD ALLERGIES, AND SPECIAL DIETS?

Absolutely! Vegetarians, lactose-free guests, and other special requests can be accommodated. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking as we coordinate all alternative menus in advance.

DO I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO TAKE A FOOD TOUR ON A LAYOVER IN LIMA?

We can arrange your airport transfer with our trusted partners so you can meet up directly with the group tour. They charge $25 each way in a car for up to 2 people and $40 each way in a van for up to 5 people. If you would like to include this service in your reservation, you can add the note in the «comments» field when booking or contact us for a private tour.

HOW MUCH PERUVIAN FOOD DO WE EAT ON THE LIMA FOOD TASTING TOURS?

We recommend not eating anything other than a light snack before our experiences. You will have the opportunity to taste foods from different specialty shops, ethnic eateries, and restaurants. It’s more than enough food for a hearty lunch. Our promise to you is that your bellies will be full by the end of our tasty food tour.

What are people saying about our Lima Market Food Tour?

PRIVATE GROUP FUN EXPERIENCES

Embark on an unforgettable, tailor-made adventure in Peru. Discover and relish everything you desire, at your convenience. Whether you want to customize our existing tours or create a fully personalized experience, the choice is yours. Choose your favorite activities, savor delectable dishes, and ensure you don’t miss any must-visit destinations in Peru. Just send us an email, and we’ll promptly get in touch.

Our expert team will craft a personalized itinerary based on your preferences and our extensive expertise. Rest assured, we can accommodate guests with specific dietary restrictions or preferences, ensuring everyone’s satisfaction.

more tasty tours

Secrets Revealed

Peruvian cooking class & market tour, immerse yourself in this peruvian cooking classes hands-on tour of lima’s stunning oceanside. led by a culinary expert, explore the local market, uncovering exotic ingredients you’ve never seen before..

If you love tasty food, interesting facts, and cultural experiences in a small group setting then this food tour suits you perfectly! Lots of local unique tastes in a neighborhood off the beaten path.

Unforgettable, nazca lines & huacachina experience, fly over the mysterious nazca lines, enjoy a traditional lunch, and get to know the impressive huacachina oasis, ride buggies over the giant dunes, and enjoy the incomparable desert sunset..

5 of the best places to eat in the Trastevere neighbourhood of Rome

Visit this picturesque cross-river quarter known for its vibrant colours, lively nightlife and delicious food scene. Trastevere has something to offer culinary-minded visitors at every hour of the day, from little shops selling artisanal salumi to classic trattorias.

Literally meaning ‘the other side of the Tevere (Tiber River)’, Trastevere is one of the most historic neighbourhoods of Rome. It used to be a working-class district, and although much has changed since those times, plenty of its charm has remained: the tight alleys with fascinating angles, laundry hanging from building to building, old men playing cards in the bars, the smell of tomato sauce wafting from homes and trattorias alike. Its streets abound with historical sights such as churches and palazzos to explore. And at night, you can find the same streets buzzing with huge crowds of young people out for a drink and a bite in one of Trastevere’s many bars, or in its extraordinary piazzas. Here are a few of the best places to eat while in Trastevere.

1.   La Norcineria di Iacozzilli

Near the characterful San Cosimato market, this family-run deli shop has just turned a century old and is still where locals do their shopping. The market itself is well worth a visit, while this old-school deli — with all the retro vibes of a corner shop from the movies — is the perfect spot for a snack or a light lunch. It has a large variety of salami, hams and other types of cured meat, as well as cheeses and a very good porchetta (pork roast), which you can have in the form of a panino, if you want, with the addition of mozzarella.

2. Supplì Roma

It’s traditional to have fritti (a variety of deep-fried bites) before a pizza in Rome and Naples. The classic Roman fritti are deep-fried courgette flowers ( fiori di zucca ) stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies; deep-fried cod fillet ( filetto di baccalà ); and supplì , little rice balls dressed with tomato sauce and stuffed with mozzarella, then breaded and fried. Some compare supplì to Sicilian arancini , but they’re supposed to be different, both in size and in condiment. Supplì Roma in Via di San Francesco a Ripa has gained fame for making its   supplì using other traditional Roman recipes such as cacio e pepe , aubergine parmigiana and even non-traditional options such as pulled pork — the latter two are especially popular. Many locals have these supplì for a workday lunch.

3. Alice Pizza Trastevere

There’s a Roman tradition of pizza al taglio that is quite unmatched in the rest of Italy. Literally meaning pizza by the slice, pizza al taglio is made in large trays, topped with a variety of ingredients that can be quite far from the classic round pizza flavours, and is sold in the quantity you want — so it’s a perfect solution for a little snack, a light lunch or feeding a big crowd at a party. Alice Pizza, born 35 years ago in Rome, is famous for its light and highly digestible pizza dough, which manages to retain its quality across branches throughout the country. Alice’s toppings, however, are locally provided, which means the pizzas in different cities are not quite the same. Go for the classic potato and the amatriciana if they’re available.

4. Taverna 51

This one of Rome's oldest and most classic trattorias, run by generations of trasteverini who have been making the same dishes for more than 70 years. It’s a trusted institution run by generations of trasteverini . They make tonnarelli (a fresh pasta not unlike spaghetti) in house and serve it with amatriciana, carbonara, gricia or cacio e pepe — all the Roman classics to try. Another standout menu option at Taverna 51 is the tonnarelli with mussels and pecorino — an unlikely but very interesting combination. For the main, the meatballs ( polpette ) and saltimbocca alla romana (veal with ham and sage cooked in wine), are highly recommended choices.

5. Fiordiluna

For over 25 years, this small gelateria has been a source of refreshment on cobbled Via della Lungaretta. The pleasantly surprising element about Fiordiluna is its attention to the ingredients; not only does it source them from fair-trade and local producers — many of which are organic — it also takes particular care to use as few ingredients as possible for each gelato flavour. You can also find sugar-free gelato   that’s truly indistinguishable from the conventional kind.

Related Topics

• FOOD TOURISM
• FOOD HISTORY
• STREET FOODS
• FOOD CULTURE

You May Also Like

Where to eat in Bogotá, the Colombian capital taking on Lima's food crown

9 of the best restaurants in Istanbul

A guide to Dijon, Burgundy's wine-soaked medieval capital

A food guide to Barcelona, from historic markets to atmospheric vermouth bars

Liked ‘The Bear’? Eat your way around Chicago with these iconic dishes

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved