In Search of the Best Street Food in Lima Peru
Best Street Food in Lima, Peru: What to Eat & Where to Find It
Lima: A Street Food Capital Like No Other
Why visit Peru? Why not? Lima doesn’t just dabble in food—it owns its title as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas. The city’s blend of indigenous, Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese influences makes its street food scene one of the best in the world.
It’s no surprise that UNESCO recognized Peruvian cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, or that so many visitors arrive in Lima with their food bucket list ready. For me, Street Food: Latin America was the perfect pre-trip research guide. Watching that episode, I got my first introduction to anticuchos, and let’s just say I was hooked before I even stepped foot in Peru.
After spending weeks eating my way through Lima, getting local recommendations, and even being personally guided by my new friend Claudia—because bonding over food is how I make friends—here’s the street food you absolutely need to try in Lima.
1. Anticuchos – The Boldest Skewers You’ll Ever Eat
📍 Where to Get It: Anticuchos Betty – Ca. Pazos 99A, Barranco 15063, Lima, Peru
If there’s one dish I owe to Netflix, it’s anticuchos. Watching Street Food: Latin America, I saw the legendary Doña Grimanesa Vargas grill beef heart skewers over an open flame, and I knew I had to try them.
My first taste wasn’t even in Peru—it was in Seville, where I ordered anticuchos de corazón at a Peruvian restaurant, to the amazement of my fellow diners. It was love at first bite, but eating them in Lima, fresh off a smoky grill, was next-level perfection.
For a truly authentic experience, head to Anticuchos Betty in Barranco and drizzle on some ají sauce for that extra kick.
2. Butifarra – The Sandwich You Didn’t Know You Needed
📍 Where to Get It: El Chinito – Jr. Chancay 894, Lima 15001, Peru & Juanito Barranco – Av. Almirante Miguel Grau 270, Barranco, Lima, Peru
Lima takes its sandwich game seriously, and butifarra is a local favorite. Think juicy jamón del país (spiced ham), salsa criolla (pickled onions), and a perfectly crusty roll that holds everything together.
The spot with the longest legacy? El Chinito, serving butifarras since 1960. But if you want a side of old-school charm with your sandwich, Juanito Barranco is the place—a true local institution that keeps things classic with no-frills, just pure flavor.
3. Picarones – Peru’s Golden, Syrupy Doughnuts
📍 Where to Get It: Picarones Mary – Parque Kennedy, Miraflores & Surquillo Market
You cannot leave Lima without trying picarones. These deep-fried sweet potato and pumpkin doughnuts are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and drenched in chancaca syrup, a thick and spiced sugarcane glaze.
At Picarones Mary in Parque Kennedy, I had to fight off bees to get my syrup-drenched picarones. Worth it? Absolutely. But if you’d rather avoid the aerial competition, Surquillo Market offers a less dramatic, equally delicious experience.
And if you’re into fried treats, check out our Colombian buñuelos recipe—another Latin American deep-fried delight.
4. Chicharrón Sandwich – A Breakfast Classic
📍 Where to Get It: La Lucha Sanguchería Criolla – Av. Pardo y Aliaga 664, Lima
This crispy, savory, sweet, and slightly tangy sandwich is what Peruvians wake up for. Imagine perfectly fried pork belly, slices of sweet potato, and salsa criolla, all stacked inside a crusty roll.
The best place to grab this street food staple? La Lucha Sanguchería Criolla, where locals line up every morning for their chicharrón fix—and for good reason.
5. Calle Lhambre – A Taste of Venezuela in Lima
📍 Where to Get It: Calle Lhambre – Pl. Raimondi 397, Barranco 15063, Lima, Peru
One of the most fascinating things about Lima’s food scene is how it reflects the cultures that have shaped Peru. Lima’s Venezuelan immigrant community has brought its own street food influence, and Calle Lhambre is a must-visit spot for arepas, patacones, and tequeños.
6. Ceviche – The Dish That Defines Peru
📍 Where to Get It: Canta Ranita – Mercado de Surquillo, Lima
Lima is the birthplace of ceviche, and while high-end restaurants serve it beautifully plated, the best versions come from humble market stalls.
At Canta Ranita, you get fresh, citrusy, spicy ceviche made with just-caught fish, red onion, and aji limo. Locals know this is the place for no-frills, ultra-fresh ceviche.
7. Chifa – The Best of Peruvian-Chinese Fusion
📍 Where to Get It: Restaurante Huerta – Chinen – Lima (📞 4445406)
Peru’s Chinese influence is undeniable, and Chifa (Peruvian-Chinese cuisine) is everywhere. From arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice) to lomo saltado, the flavors are bold, comforting, and uniquely Peruvian.
For an authentic Chifa experience, locals swear by Restaurante Huerta – Chinen—a true institution of Peruvian-Chinese food in Lima.
Street Food Is Just the Beginning…
Lima’s street food is the soul of its culinary culture, but it’s only the beginning. If you want to cook, taste, and experience Peru’s best dishes firsthand, join our Let’s Eat Peru Culinary Holiday.
And if you’re still hungry, check out our recipe page—we’re adding more Peruvian classics soon! See our recipes.
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