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A Lima Food Tour

My favourite way to get to know a new place is through its food and what better way to learn about Lima than by taking a Lima food tour with a local.

Seafood Platter, Lima, Peru

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A Lima Food Tour

The best way to discover Lima’s food and culture is with a Limeño. A food tour with a Lima local will introduce you to Peru’s vibrant capital on an immersive gastro-cultural tour.

We experienced a fabulous fusion of Lima’s highlights, its quirks, its art, history, neighbourhoods and, of course, a full-on food fest in South America’s gastronomic capital, Lima.

La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla

Our first stop is a Lima institution, La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla, near to Parqe Kennedy. Peru has a massive sandwich culture and La Lucha brings a gourmet touch to it. I’d skipped breakfast so got stuck into a classic ‘butifarra‘ of roast country pork and onion relish with a side of Chicha Morada.

Buttifara and Chicha Morada at La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla

Chicha Morada

If you go to Peru you have got to try Chicha Morada. This luscious drink made from ckolli purple corn, which grows, in the Andes is the deepest ruby colour. It’s boiled with water, pineapple, apples, cinnamon, cloves and sugar.

It’s how I’d imagine blackberry juice would taste and not in the slightest bit corny. Delicious any time of day.

Chicha Morada
Chicha Morada

Tip: If the queues at La Lucha are too long don’t give up hope. There’s a smaller sister shop just opposite where you can get your sarnie fix.

Feeling nicely full and ready to take on Lima we set off for the Barranco district, stopping en-route, at the Love Park.

More like this: Peru on a Plate – Peruvian food and drink you need to try

Parque del Amor, Lima

This little park with colourful mosaics overlooks the Bay of Lima and is a park for lovers. Couples meet here at sunset overlooked by “El Beso” (The Kiss) a statue by Victor Delfín.

The park proved significant as we spent the last couple of days of our trip staying in ‘Second Home B&B’ where Delfin lives and works. We actually got to meet the artist himself. Can’t say the statue is one of my favourites though…

Lima Tour
The Kiss by Victor Delfin

The Barranco, Lima

Barranco sits high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s the bohemian district of Lima which is evident from the colourful street murals and brightly painted colonial houses.

Lima Street ARt
Barranco Street Art

Read more about Lima Street Art in the Barranco

We cross the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de Los Suspiros). The bridge was built in 1876, to cross the gorge and it’s the neighbourhood’s main landmark. Tradition tells that the first time you cross it you should hold your breath and make a wish. If you get to the other side without taking another breath your wish will come true. Can’t tell you what I wished for.

Lima Tour
Puente de Los Suspiros, Lima

Nearby is la Ermita Chapel. Legend has it that an illuminated cross appeared during a storm guiding local fishermen safely back to shore. The church was built on the site in 1750 to give thanks.

Lima Tour
la Ermita Chapel in Lima’s Barranco district

Next we take a short walk to La Bodega Verde for a super food fix to keep our energy levels up. Sitting in the cafe’s walled courtyard we try a Lúcuma smoothie. Lúcuma is native to Peru and looks like a round avocado with a pale orange coloured flesh. It’s sweet and creamy with a hint of caramel. Delicious.

Travelbunny Tip: If you take any kind of tour do it early on in your stay so you can re-visit and spend more time at places you want to see more of.

Lima Food Tour
Lúcuma smoothie at La Bodega Verde, Barranco, Lima

Origen Tostadores de Café

Time for a coffee and we’re in luck because Peru is one of the world’s top coffee producers. Origen Tostadores de Cafe sells delicious Peruvian organic coffee made by baristas devoted to their craft. We enter the shop and breathe in the aroma of freshly roasted coffee.

Origen Tostadores de Cafe

Cajamarca, an Amazonian coffee, and one from Timbuyacu Farm are picked. As well as choosing the bean you can also chose the method used to brew your coffee.  We had one cup of siphoned (the purest way) and the other was a pour-over.

The coffee is amazing. The cafe is buzzing the whole time we are there and there’s a big Star Wars vibe going on. The force is strong in this cafe and the coffee’s excellent. Definitely one of Lima’s hidden gems.

Coffee in Lima
Origen Tostadores de Cafe, Lima

After our coffee fix we hop back in the bus and head to Lima’s historical centre. En-route our guide, David, tells us about his life growing up in Lima and how he’s worked in Cusco and would love to become a Sommelier one day. He’s passionate about food and drink and about sharing his love of Peruvian flavours with visitors to Lima.

Lima’s Historical Center

It’s time to stop eating for a bit and start sight-seeing. The architecture in Lima is eclectic with influences from the Spanish Conquistadors to northern European architects and Churrigueresque.

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Merced below is an example of the latter. Churrigueresque is an elaborate style of architecture where every little space is filled with detail. This is one  of the busiest facades that I’ve ever seen.

Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Lima
Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Lima

Suddenly there’s a buzz in the air and a party bursts onto the streets surrounding us in colour, music and dancing. We didn’t know where they came from, where they were going or why they were there but it was an amazing sight to see. I’ll let the pictures do the talking…

Peruvian Dancers
Peruvian Dancers
Peruvian Dancers
Carnival in Lima, Peru

Plaza de Armas, Lima

The carnival was gone as quickly as it arrived and we moved on to Lima’s main square. The Plaza da Armas. Lining the square on each side are impressive buildings with an air of colonial elegance. Lima Cathedral dominates one side of the square.

Lima Cathedral
Lima Cathedral

Palacio de Gobierno is home to Peru’s president and we were just in time to catch the changing of the guard.

Palacio de Gobierno, Lima
Palacio de Gobierno, Lima

The Archbishop’s Palace is really eye-catching with its Moorish influenced wooden balconies.

Archbishop's Palace, Lima
The Archbishop’s Palace, Lima
Lima Church
Blue Church Parroquia De Los Sagrados, Lima

Cala Restaurant, Lima

After our sojourn into the historical centre of Lima it’s time to get back on the food trail and we head to Cala for a late lunch. Cala has a contemporary edge and is one of Lima’s few beachside restaurants.

We have a fabulous table overlooking the ocean. The sunshine beats down, Pacific rollers break onto the shore and we sip Cumbres Quinua beer and peruse the menu.

Understandably, fresh seafood figures highly on the menu and after an amuse bouche of seafood cocktail we decide on a seafood sharing platter for our starter.

The Barranquito comes with rotisserie octopus, shrimps with mango chutney, nikkei scallops and tuna and salmon brochettes. The octopus is some of the best I’ve had; beautifully tender and full of flavour.

Seafood Platter, Cala, Lima
Seafood sharing platter at Cala restaurant, Lima

For the main course I go for Sea Bass and the boys both choose Lomo Saltado; stir-fried beef with tomato, onion, potato, quail egg, corn and rice. A bottle of Tacama, a crisp Peruvian white wine accompanies.

Sea Bass, Lima Food Tour
Sea Bass main course, Lima
Lima Food Tour
Lomo Saltado, Lima

Dessert was also offer but to be honest there just wasn’t any room for even the tiniest morsel more.

Note: Lunch is no longer part of the tour.

Lima Food Market

A food market is the one place in any city where you get a really insight into the people that live there and the food they eat. It’s our last stop on our Lima food tour and strolled through the stalls watching the locals buy and sell their fresh produce. It was noisy and busy market with loads going on and a lively atmosphere.

Lima Food Tour
Black corn and potatoes in the market – two Peruvian staples
Tamales, Lima
Tamales – stuffed banana leaves at the market

A Lima food tour offers a fascinating flavour of the city with forays into hidden gems and insights into Lima’s vibrant food scene.

Da Taste of Peru

Many thanks to David our new Limeño friend who kindly hosted us on the fabulous Lima food tour

For self-guided walking tours of Lima click here

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Seafood Platter Lima

Thu

Friday 25th of May 2018

I love this post. I am currently in Lima for a few days and although it might be too late for me to book the tour, your post has given me some ideas for my own activities.

Suzanne Jones

Friday 25th of May 2018

You should definitely book it if you can - I can highly recommend it and David is an amazing guide. Enjoy your trip!

Luxury Columnist (@LuxuryColumnist)

Wednesday 19th of April 2017

What a fantastic experience, and the lomo saltado sounds delicious. I love your shots of the carnival too. I've just written about a Peruvian restaurant called Lima in London!

Suzanne Jones

Thursday 20th of April 2017

The carnival was such a surprise - we heard the music and they just came around the corner! I love Peruvian food - I'll have to try Lima in London. Uni is good too, have you been there?

restlessjo

Monday 17th of April 2017

Fascinating! Not a city I know much about and I've never seen black corn before (other than the burnt kind :) ).

Suzanne Jones

Monday 17th of April 2017

That made me smile - you are funny! :)

Planes & Champagne (@planeschampagne)

Saturday 18th of February 2017

I love this post Suzanne! My mum is from Peru and the majority of my family live in Lima. I'm heading back later this year as its been 3 years since my last visit. Lima has become such a foodie hotspot in the last 12-18 months and reading your post has brought back incredible memories :) - I love Chicha Morada! Did you happen to try any Inca Cola while you were there? Maggie xx

Suzanne Jones

Sunday 19th of February 2017

Lima is amazing for food and David's tour really brought that home. Chicha Morada is yummy but didn't try the Inca Cola - the colour looked a bit dodgy!! I hope you have a fantastic time visiting your family in Lima :)

A Lady in London

Friday 17th of February 2017

This brings back such good memories of my time in Lima. You got to see a lot more than I did, so it was fun to explore the city through your story. I'm with you on Chicha Morada, too!

Suzanne Jones

Friday 17th of February 2017

I'm glad you discovered more of Lima through my post and yes Chicha Morada is delicious!

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