Peru Food and Drink Guide

Ceviche is a zesty seafood recipe made from raw fish marinated in fresh citrus juices and spiked with hot ají or chilli peppers. Lima is a hot-spot for tasty culinary experiences and is the perfect place to try this traditional Peruvian dish. Extend your stay in Lima on our Classic Peru Tour to try it at a market-stall bar in Mercado de Surquilloor or, for a more up-market version of this popular platter, dine in an alfresco restaurant and soak up the vibrant city atmosphere.

Cusco's San Pedro Market is a feast for the senses. Meander past market stalls piled high with a rainbow of fresh produce on our Peru Encompassed Tour. Bunches of plantain hang above ripe mangoes, and it's hard to miss the plethora of Tuna fruit (also known as the Prickly Pear) on offer. Grown in abundance in southern Peru, the spiky appearance of this cactus plant is unappealing at first sight. But inside its juicy flesh is mouthwateringly sweet, and it is renowned locally for its medicinal properties.

The ultimate comfort food of Peru, ají de gallina is a luscious creamy chicken stew made with spicy Peruvian yellow chilis, red onion, garlic and bread, simmered in milk. The origins of this dish are not entirely clear, but some say it is an adaptation of the French dish chicken fricassee dating back to the French Revolution. Others think it was a medieval Spanish recipe, and some historians have linked it to ancient Inca times. Whatever its influence, though, it's safe to say it's a very popular staple of Peruvian cuisine today. 

This unique cocktail of Pisco liquor, lime juice, sugar and egg whites, vigorously shaken into a frothy mixture, has a sharp tang and a sweet aftertaste. Wander through steep winding alleyways of whitewashed buildings with pink tiled roofs and colourful balconies in the old capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, before stopping to sample this popular Peruvian drink. Raise a toast to safe travels with your fellow adventurers on our Simply Peru Discovery Tour and celebrate in traditional Peruvian style.