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If you’re ready to taste your way through Latin America’s hottest food destination, you’ve come to the right place!
When we first arrived in Lima, we were overwhelmed by the countless options of where to eat and what to try, which led us to go on multiple food tours around the city. Not only did we get to sample everything from gourmet Peruvian dishes to local street food, but we also learned so much about the city’s rich culture and history along the way.
With so many food tours available, we want to make sure you’re picking the absolute best one for you, which is why we’ve created this guide. So I hope you brought your appetite because we’re about to dig into all of the BEST food tours Lima has to offer!
Quick Pick: Our Top Choice
If you’re ready to book a tour right now, this Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour is our top pick! It includes 15 delicious food and drink samples and also explores the bohemian Barranco neighborhood so you can do some sightseeing while learning about Lima’s history!
It’s a walking tour, so it feels like you really get to know Lima while also enjoying tasty treats like fresh fruit, chocolate, and Lomo Saltado (a dish with marinated sirloin and grilled veggies over French fries and rice – kind of like Peruvian poutine!). Plus, you’ll get to try out making your own ceviche and Pisco Sour!
We think this tour is a great way to explore Lima and eat incredible food along the way. It only costs $89 USD and includes all your food, drinks, and a wonderful guide. It also runs multiple times throughout the day and offers free 24-hour cancellation, making it a very flexible option! If you aren’t convinced, check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews here!
You can book our favorite Lima food tour here!
What are the best food tours in Lima?
1. Evening Gourmet Food Tour
We absolutely loved this small group evening gourmet food tour through Lima. Not only did it bring us to 3 top-notch restaurants for a variety of delicious dishes, but it also included a walking tour through the bohemian Barranco district, highlighting Lima’s history and culture as well.
Our first stop was at an upscale lounge overlooking the beach where we tried the famous Pisco Sour cocktail while enjoying some delicious seaside bites. I had a hard time pulling myself from the gorgeous beach view and tasty cocktails to move on to the second stop – but it was well worth it.
We then headed to Huaca Pucllana, a restaurant housed in a pre-Incan archeological complex over 2,500 years old! At night, they lit up the surrounding ruins and pyramids to create an ambiance like no other while we indulged in an array of traditional Peruvian dishes. The tour finishes off with a walk through the Barranco neighborhood en route to dessert prepared by a private chef. It was the perfect end to a magical evening!
This is one of our favorite tours because it not only provides a fantastic experience but it also includes everything! All food, drinks, and transportation are included in the $145 USD cost per person, which we think is worth every cent, and so do the hundreds of other people who have given it a 5-star review (read some of the reviews for yourself here!). The tour runs every day except for Sundays with hotel pickups starting around 4 pm and the experience lasting about 5 hours.
Reserve your spot here for this popular 5-star gourmet tour!
Related Read: We also recommend keeping up the food theme and taking a cooking class as part of our 2-day itinerary for Cusco, Peru!
2. Daytime Gourmet Food Tour
This 5-hour daytime food tour is operated by the same company as the previous tour, so you can expect the same high quality with a different twist! While the night tour captivated our hearts, this tour actually takes you to more places and gets a little more in-depth. You’ll still stop in Barranco and Huaca Pucalla, but you’ll also visit a Peruvian coffee roaster and learn how to make ceviche and a Pisco Sour!
The adventure starts in the Barranco neighborhood where we stopped for an organic Peruvian coffee before embarking on a walking tour around the beautiful colonial streets. It was one of the best coffees I’ve ever had!
My favorite part of this 5-hour tour was our visit to the Miraflores neighborhood. Here, we went to a traditional market, where we tried some fruits and learned all about the local food before heading to a local restaurant to learn how to make our own ceviche and pisco sour! It was a truly authentic Peruvian experience!
Our final leg of the tour took us to the historic Huaca Pucalla Restaurant. They gave us more even more Peruvian dishes plus 4 different desserts and yet another round of pisco cocktails. I was ready for a nap by the end of this tour!
This tour is truly inclusive. For $145 USD per person, all of your food, drinks, tastings, activities, tour guide, and transportation are included! The tour will pick you up from your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco around 9 am for the ultimate daytime foodie tour in Lima!
Read the fantastic reviews and book your spot here!
3. Barranco Peruvian Food Tour
This tour is aptly named Lima’s Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour because it includes 15 different food and drink tastings! Not only will you experience Lima’s food and drink scene, but you’ll also visit many historic and cultural sites in Barranco as you walk from place to place with your guide.
Make sure you come hungry because this 4-hour walking food tour is sure to leave you full! You’ll not only try a variety of Peruvian dishes, but you’ll also get to participate in workshops to learn about making some yourself.
In between all of the delicious tastings, you’ll get a tour of the trendy Barranco neighborhood, and enjoy cultural sights such as the Bridge of Sighs. While we were certainly here for a food tour, we really liked these additional activities. They help break up the eating portions so you can build up that appetite!
One of my favorite dishes I tried on this tour was causa rellena, which is a delicious layered potato casserole that I washed down with some Andean punch. I also loved the lomo saltado, a typical Peruvian dish with marinated sirloin and grilled vegetables over french fries and rice. It’s like the Peruvian version of poutine, so the Canadian side of me felt right at home!
This tour has multiple start times throughout the day at 9:30 am, 11 am, 3 pm, and 5 pm, making it super flexible and easy to fit into your schedule. It costs $89 USD per person which includes all of the food and drinks, plus your wonderful guide. This food tour has hundreds of 5-star reviews for good reason, so make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out!
Book your spot on the Ultimate Food Tour here and enjoy FREE 24-hour cancellation!
4. Central Lima History and Street Food Tour
Here we have yet another epic half-day walking food tour. This one’s unique because you’ll sample 13 different dishes and visit some of the oldest taverns in all of Peru. This tour could also be called “Lima’s history tour” because of all the historic places you’ll be seeing such as the Gran Hotel Bolivar and the Jiron de La Union, Lima’s famous boulevard full of historical buildings!
One of my favorite stops on this 4-hour tour was Mercado Central. This bustling market is full of incredible smells, fresh fruits, and local vendors – it’s an experience in itself just walking inside! Some other highlights included a visit to Chinatown to try some Cantonese-Peruvian fusion dishes, a stop at the Pisco Museum, and a visit to Alameda Chabuca Granda to try some unreal street food!
There are honestly so many amazing dishes you’ll try on this tour that I can’t even fit them into this blog post. While I love the array of delicacies this tour includes, one of the best parts was our local guide, Evelyn! She grew up in the area and loves food, as well as sharing it with others. We had such a good time simply walking through the neighborhood with her as she explained what life was like in Lima.
This affordable tour includes all of your food, beverages, and any additional activity fees for only $64 USD per person. Tours have a maximum of 10 people and are offered Monday through Saturday at 11 am and 4:30 pm – so it can be either your lunch or dinner!
Booking this tour in advance here before it sells out!
5. Food and Art Walking Tour
Our final tour on this list is certainly different from the others. This food and art tour focuses on the local markets and vibrant colors of Lima, in addition to its wonderful food! You’ll get to explore Agua Dulce Beach, the Chorrillos and Barranco neighborhoods, and beautiful street art. I always enjoy seeing the more local side of a city, it makes the experience feel more authentic and less touristy.
The tour starts out by picking you up from your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco. However, once you get to the central area, it will be a walking tour! To start, you’ll head to Agua Dulce Beach, before tasting your way through markets in the Chorrillos and Barranco area. Walking through marketplaces is one of my favorite ways to experience the local culture of a city. And luckily, this 4-hour tour is packed with them!
Afterward, you’ll explore Barranco’s vibrant, art-filled streets – the reason this is also an art tour! You’ll also get to see some of the area’s highlights including the Bridge of Sighs and local art galleries.
We think this tour is perfect for anyone wanting to combine culture, art, AND delicious food! It starts at 9 am and lasts four hours. Plus, it only accommodates up to 10 travelers, keeping it small and personal. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as well as all of your food, drinks, and your amazing tour guide! You get all this for just $60 USD per adult, but the price drops the more people you book for – so what are you waiting for?
Check availability and book it online with Viator right here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Why do a food tour in Lima?
Peruvian food has been influenced by a melting pot of cultures that have made their way through the country – with culinary traditions dating back to the 15th century! It includes ancient Incan traditions, influences from Spanish settlement, and, finally, a modern flair. With all these elements combined, Peru has figured out how to make some of the best food in the world.
In Peru, Lima has become the hub for gastronomy. After all, it’s a bustling metropolis of 10 million people and has drawn some of the finest chefs in the world. In fact, three of the world’s 50 best restaurants are in Lima!
Taking a food tour here is one of the absolute best things you can do in Lima. I know that whenever I am in a new city, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to go and what to eat. Luckily, food tours skip the tourist traps to show you the best local culinary hot spots and let you taste a variety of dishes so you’ll have some new favorites that you can try over and over again. Food tours will also teach you so much about Peruvian culture and Lima itself.
Have we said enough to convince you that Peru’s food scene is worth visiting? If so, we definitely recommend joining one of the food tours we mentioned above!
Click here to learn more about our favorite Lima food tour!
Related Read: If you want to head to a Peruvian oasis, read about the town of Huacachina, Peru. This tiny village is surrounded by sand dunes and makes a great getaway!
Is the street food in Lima safe to eat?
Yes, the street food is safe to eat! Lima has high food standards. Even if you’re trying street food outside of a tour, you should be fine.
Tours will take you to the most reputable food stands because they certainly don’t want you to get sick! Lima understands the importance of food safety, especially when they are serving foods such as ceviche.
I recommend bringing hand sanitizer any time you do a food tour because you’ll likely be walking around the city and coming into contact with a lot of things. It’s best to minimize risk and use hand sanitizer before trying any of the yummy foods!
Related Read: If you want to head to a Peruvian oasis, read about the town of Huacachina, Peru. This tiny village is surrounded by sand dunes and makes a great getaway!
Is a food tour in Lima suitable for children?
While children are allowed on most food tours, I’m not sure kids would necessarily enjoy the tours. You’ll be trying some unique dishes that would entice a foodie but will likely be off-putting for kids. Many of these tours also include Pisco tastings, which children obviously can’t try. The prices of these tours don’t change much (or at all) for children, so you’d be spending more money than necessary.
However, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a tour that would work for kids! In fact, this Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour would be my top recommendation for those traveling with children. It offers more familiar dishes that kids would like, including lomo saltado, a dish that is based on french fries! It’s a 4-hour walking tour through Barranco, and you’ll get to see some cultural sights as you go.
It costs $89 USD for adults or kids, including all the food, drinks, and your friendly guide. If you’re traveling with family, we recommend booking the Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour in advance.
We realize not all kids are the same. If you have a child with adventurous taste buds, they’ll really enjoy a food tour in Lima!
Do you need to book a food tour in Lima in advance?
Yes! Food tours are a very popular activity in Lima and the tours we mentioned above are the absolute best ones, so they do tend to book up quickly, especially in peak tourism seasons.
One of the main reasons we love booking through Viator is because of their 24-hour cancellation policy. It allows you to book a tour and still gives you flexibility in case you need to change your plans. They also have a buy now, pay later policy that allows you to reserve your spot and not pay a cent until closer to the tour date. And with their lowest price guarantee, you know you are getting the best deal out there!
Are there vegan and vegetarian options available?
There are vegan and vegetarian tours available! The first three tours listed can all provide vegan or vegetarian options, but you must give prior notice after booking.
Without notice, they won’t be able to accommodate this request. Both gourmet tours are the best option for this, and some of the foods you’ll be trying are already vegan! The tours want you to have a good time and enjoy your experience, so they will do whatever they can to accommodate your needs.
As a shortcut, I’ve linked to each of the vegetarian and vegan-friendly tours below. Just make sure to shoot them a message with your dietary requests after booking!
This nighttime gourmet food tour takes you to a beachfront cocktail bar for pisco sours with a view. You’ll also get to eat tasty Peruvian cuisine at a historic restaurant overlooking ancient ruins. Then, you’ll head to the art district for a leisurely evening stroll.
This daytime tour is a more in-depth experience. You’ll explore a traditional market followed by a local coffee roaster, where you’ll learn all about local coffee production. And don’t worry – you’ll also try your hand at a pisco sour (before reaping the benefits of your labor).
Lastly, Lima’s Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour has nine different stops! You’ll get a solid overview of Lima’s food and drink scene. Plus, you’ll also visit some of the city’s historic and cultural sites.
The Best Cooking Classes in Lima
Yes, there are some great cooking tours available. Lima is an excellent place to do a cooking class, as it takes this already impressive culinary scene to the next level! This way, you can take this knowledge home with you and relive your Peruvian food experience time and time again. Read on to learn about my top two cooking tours in Lima.
Lima is an excellent place to do a cooking class, as it takes this already impressive culinary scene to the next level! This way, you can take this knowledge home with you and relive your Peruvian food experience time and time again. Read on to learn about my top two favorite cooking tours in Lima!
Peruvian Cooking Class Including Local Market Tour
This half-day cooking tour seriously immerses you in Peruvian cuisine! The whole experience feels authentic, from buying the ingredients at a local market to savoring the meal you cooked. The guides do a great job of teaching you each recipe and making the whole experience super enjoyable.
You start by heading to a market to collect all the necessary ingredients. The market itself was fascinating as it’s just so different from what we’re used to back home. We wandered from stand to stand, learning all about the various Peruvian products they sold.
Then, your guide and personal chef will take you to the kitchen to prepare your choice of fish, beef, or vegetarian dishes. When we went, ceviche and Lomo Saltado were on the menu (and they were equally delicious). Our passionate and hilarious chef instructed us the entire time so we never felt lost in the cooking process.
This small-group experience costs $65 USD and operates daily at 8:30 am and 2 pm. It includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel, all necessary cooking equipment (including ingredients bought at the market), snacks while you cook, and the meal you prepare, of course! This was such a fun and unique experience – we still make Lomo Saltado to this day!
Reserve this market and cooking tour online here!
Peru’s Most Popular Dishes Cooking Class
This 3-hour cooking tour is great for those wanting to learn traditional Peruvian dishes. You won’t have to go to the market, simply show up to the kitchen and start cooking!
The chef will teach you to prepare Lomo Saltado – one of my faves! It’s a simple but flavorful dish of sauteed beef and vegetables on rice with french fries. You’ll also make causa limeña, a mashed potato dish stuffed with eggs, olives, avocados, and other things. You can wash it all down with chicha morada (a corn-based beverage).
This tour has a max of 8 people, so you can have a more personalized experience with your chef! They have such an easygoing vibe, which really makes you feel confident in the kitchen. Plus, they teach you how to use traditional cookware as well as local cooking techniques. I won’t give too much away but trust me – you’ll want to take some photos of the process!
Tours are offered daily at 9:30 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm. The $47 USD price includes all ingredients and equipment for cooking, as well as your wonderful chef! You get to eat the food you’ve prepared and have snacks throughout. Please note that hotel pick-up is offered, but the tour doesn’t provide return transportation.
Book this hands-on Peruvian cooking class right here!
Is a Food Tour or Cooking Class in Lima Worth It?
Yes, a food tour or cooking class in Lima is absolutely worth it! In my opinion, you can’t visit Lima without taking part in the incredible culinary scene. If you’re following our 2-day Lima itinerary, you’ll already know how food-focused this city is. It’s what Lima is known for and this is the ideal place to do a food tour in South America.
I love food tours because they immerse you in the culture and help you experience a city in a completely new way. It’s also a great way to learn where the best restaurants and markets are. I highly recommend taking a tour on your first few days so you can get your bearings!
Honestly, you can’t go wrong booking a food tour in Lima! And the ones I mentioned are the best I’ve come across in the whole city – believe me, you won’t be disappointed!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Lima
Taking a food tour is one of the best things to do in Lima – but it’s not the only fun activity! There’s plenty more to keep you occupied. Here are a few more ideas for you:
- Take a city tour – Another awesome way to get your bearings and see top sites is to take a city tour! This Panoramic Bus Tour is an open-top double-decker bus offering tours of several neighborhoods. For a more personal experience, I like this small-group walking tour, which gives you an in-depth look at the historical center. And if you’re on a budget, try this free Lima Walking Tour.
- Swim with sea lions – This isn’t the first thing you think of when visiting Lima, but it’s one of my favorite experiences in Peru! Sea lions are such playful creatures and are happy to swim right up alongside you. On this tour, you’ll hop aboard a boat to a sea lion hot spot! You’ll also see penguins and loads of other sea birds.
- Go paragliding – Lima is actually well-known for paragliding. I mean, what better way to see the city?! This tour company offers tandem paragliding right on the Malecon in Miraflores. On a seated paraglider, you’ll take off from the beach and fly high over Lima’s beautiful coastline.
- Hang out with cats in Kennedy Park – Cat lovers, this one is for you! Kennedy Park in the Miraflores neighborhood is home to dozens of stray cats. People come here just to chill and visit these friendly fur babies. The park is also a pretty place to walk around and explore, with many shops and restaurants nearby.
- Visit ancient ruins – Huaca Pucllana is a 1,500-year-old archeological site located right in Lima! It’s one of several stops on this guided bike tour. If you prefer a day trip from Lima, check out the Pachacamac Ruins, an enormous Incan settlement with pyramids, temples, and buildings. To make it easy, this tour of Pachacamac provides roundtrip transport plus a knowledgeable guide.
Where to Stay in Lima, Peru
If you’ve already chosen a food tour in Lima, you’ll need a place to stay! Lima is a big city with many accommodation options. However, I definitely have my favorite spots and am happy to share those with you. Keep reading for my top hostels and hotels for each budget range.
Luxury – $$$
JW Marriott Hotel Lima is located in the Miraflores district right behind the Larcomar shopping center, with amazing views of the ocean. The location is perfect! The rooms are luxurious and have everything you’d expect from a Marriott Hotel, including a fitness center, pool, restaurant, and super helpful staff. Guests also rave about the hotel’s breakfast!
Rooms start at around $200 USD, but you can find the best rates on Booking.com.
Mid-range -$$
Larq’a Park Rooms is a beautiful hotel with amazing reviews. The hotel is in a heritage building right next to Parque Kenedy, and the rooms are modern, clean, and comfortable. They have a nice common area where you can enjoy the complimentary continental breakfast. Although we’ve included it as mid-range, it could easily be considered a budget option because rooms start as low as $36 USD. Click here to snag this awesome deal!
Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro is my top pick in Miraflores, Lima. The hotel has a 9.2 on Booking.com, and it’s no wonder since the staff are so attentive and sweet! It’s perfectly located in a quiet and safe area within walking distance of many restaurants, cafes, and shops. Rooms are super clean and come with either a king bed or two singles. Stays here include breakfast and cost only $70 USD per night. You can book your stay at Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro online here.
Budget – $
Selina Miraflores is part of the well-established Selina chain. They have hostels all over Latin America, and I’ve personally stayed in lots of them. The Selina in Miraflores is a beautiful hostel with a modern, colorful aesthetic and super clean rooms and bathrooms. The whole place has a nice, easygoing vibe that makes it easy to meet people.
It’s also in a great location, with prices starting at $10 USD for a bunk and $45 USD for a private room. You can book Selina Miraflores on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Pariwana Hostel is the most popular and famous party hostel in Miraflores. It’s the perfect hostel to let loose and meet other travelers. Plus, prices are super reasonable, with dorms costing less than $20 USD and private rooms less than $70 USD.
If you want to party and have fun in Lima, you can book the Pariwana Hostel on Hostelworld. Or, if you’re booking well in advance, you can also do so on Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Peru is a foodie’s paradise, and Lima is the capital of it all! I think the best way to delve into the culinary scene here is on a guided tour. There are so many awesome eateries all over the city, and the tours we mentioned take you to some of our favorite spots. Ultimately, we hope you find a tour you like, and you enjoy Peruvian food as much as we did!
If you found this guide useful, read our other blogs about Peru here. We’ve also written about several other destinations in South America. To help you out, I’ve linked to some related articles below.
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