Lima: 12 Peruvian Snacks Food Tour & Central Market

Twelve snacks across Lima's neighborhoods, from ceviche in Barrios Altos to pan con chicharrón downtown

You taste twelve Peruvian snacks across four neighborhoods with a certified guide who gets you past the lines at the Central Market. The tour includes ceviche, anticuchos, picarones, pan con chicharrón, emoliente, and seasonal fruits. You finish with free time in Plaza San Martín, and the whole thing moves at a pace that lets you actually eat instead of just walk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Taste 12 Peruvian snacks in Lima

• Start at Jirón Cusco tasting snacks
• Continue through Barrios Altos tasting ceviche
• Explore Chinatown tasting Siu Mai and Min Pao
• Visit Central Market tasting anticucho and picarones
• Visit Chinitos Restaurant for Pan con Chicharron
• Relax at Plaza San Martín
• Optional: Enjoy Pisco Sour at famous bar

The experience

The tour starts at Jirón Cusco 400 with choclo con queso, chicha morada, and papa rellena. Three snacks before you've been walking for ten minutes. Your guide, certified in English or Spanish, moves you through the neighborhoods at a pace that lets you actually taste things instead of just rushing past them. You get a VIP line pass at the Central Market, which means you're not standing behind everyone else waiting for anticuchos and picarones. You order, you eat, you move on.

The route takes you through Barrios Altos for ceviche, then into Chinatown where the food history shifts: siu mai and min pao show up because Chinese immigrants shaped Lima's kitchen as much as Peruvian ingredients did. At the Central Market itself, you'll see the lucuma juice being made, taste seasonal exotic fruits that don't have names in English, and understand why Peruvians are particular about their snacks. Each stop is a neighborhood, not just a stall, so you're learning how Lima eats, not just what it eats.

The day ends at Chinitos Restaurant downtown with pan con chicharrón (the pork sandwich that locals argue about), and an emoliente, a warm herbal drink that tastes like someone's grandmother decided what you needed. After that, you have free time in Plaza San Martín. If you want the pisco sour at Lima's most famous bar, that's optional and separate, but the guide will point you toward it if you ask.

What’s included

• Your day includes a certified tour guide in English or Spanish, VIP line pass at the Central Market so you skip the regular queue, and all twelve snacks: choclo con queso, chicha morada, papa rellena, ceviche, siu mai, min pao, anticuchos, picarones, jugo de lucuma, pan con chicharrón, emoliente, and seasonal exotic fruit.
• The route covers Jirón Cusco, Barrios Altos, Chinatown, the Central Market, and downtown Lima, ending with free time in Plaza San Martín.
• The pisco sour at Lima's famous bar is optional and not included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:20

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Meet your guide in Jirón Cusco N 446, Lima Downtown https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wrj87gcobFvxMfZ59?g_st=iwb Meeting Time: 13:20 PM”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lima Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand Lima's food culture through its snacks and neighborhoods rather than sit in a restaurant: the VIP line pass and guide who knows which stall to hit first means you taste more and wait less, and the route is built for walkers comfortable with several hours on foot through crowded markets.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How long is the food tour?

The itinerary covers multiple neighborhoods and market stops, but a specific duration isn't listed. Plan for a full morning or early afternoon based on the number of stops and tastings.

What's included in the 12 snacks?

Choclo con queso, chicha morada, papa rellena, ceviche, siu mai, min pao, anticuchos, picarones, jugo de lucuma, pan con chicharrón, emoliente, and seasonal exotic fruit.

Is the pisco sour included?

No. The pisco sour at Lima's famous bar is optional and costs extra. It's offered after the main tour ends.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

No. The tour involves walking through neighborhoods and markets, and it's not suitable for wheelchair users or those with strollers due to the route and safety considerations.

What documents do I need to bring?

You must carry your passport, a clear photo of it, or the official entry document you used to enter Peru. Driver's licenses are not accepted. Travelers without valid documents must pay an additional 18% VAT.

Can I bring a baby on the tour?

Infants can sit on an adult's lap, but strollers are not suitable due to the nature of the walking route.

Are there any dietary restrictions I should mention?

The tour includes meat (anticuchos, pan con chicharrón), seafood (ceviche), and various other ingredients. Let your guide know about allergies or dietary needs when you book.

Is this tour rated highly?

Yes. It's rated by TripAdvisor as the Best Market Food Tour and one of the Top 10 Tours in Peru for 2025.

What happens if I'm not hungry?

The tour is built around tasting twelve snacks, so appetite is essential. Each stop is small, but there are many of them across several hours.