A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Lima
- Lima Information
- Eating & drinking in Lima
- Things to do in Lima
- Where to stay in Lima
- Lima street map
Lima is one of the most vibrant cities in the whole of South America, with a special atmosphere that's very much its own. And, as is so often the case, one of the best ways of soaking up this atmosphere during your stay is through eating and drinking.
'Comida criolla' is the name for traditional Peruvian cuisine. Heavily influenced by geography, dishes contain plentiful amounts of seafood and chiles. And nowhere is this more the case than in Lima, where coast and desert meet.
These authentic flavors can reliably be found in one of Lima's 'cebicherias' - restaurants that usually specialize in fresh seafood and form an essential part of the city's day-to-day life.
Their names comes from the dish 'cebiche' (also ceviche or seviche), which many consider to be Peru's national dish. Raw fish are marinated in citrus juice, seasoned with chillies, onions, garlic and salt, and served with cold vegetables such as sweet potatoes or corn-on-the-cob.
The nightlife in Lima is very much one of its trump cards. If you're not sure where to begin on a night out, Barranco is arguably the most lively place. This old town-style neighbourhood includes the municipal square and is the home of not only some attractive 19th century architecture, but also the city's contemporary arts and entertainment.
Music is, of course, a major staple of the after-dark scene and comes in a wide array of shapes and sizes. Traditional folk music, travelers will be pleased to hear, is plentiful and easy to happen upon.
One of the best known local styles is Peruvian Creole. Its combination of European musical forms with native Peruvian music's structural freedom (alongside the addition of Spanish and African rhythms and instruments) makes it a sound that captures the essence of the city's diversity and composite nature.
