The Best Street Food Markets in Peru
Peruvian markets are lively places of commerce with delicious and cheap food. For a bite to eat, some groceries or just to check out the vibrant and chaotic scene, here is a guide to Peru’s essential food markets.
Mercado Central
Market
Mercado Central
Located in downtown Lima, only a short walk from Plaza de Armas, this market is multi-leveled chaos. After exploring the colonial buildings in Lima’s historical center, grab some groceries at the market or just explore the vibrant and seemingly endless fruit and vegetable displays.
Jirón Ucayali 615, Distrito de Lima, Lima, Peru
Mercado Central | © Gina Power/Shutterstock
Belén Market
Market, Peruvian
Mercado Surquillo
Market
Mercado Surquillo
Located a short distance from Parque Kennedy, score some local treats at mercado surquillo. Surrounded by sandwich stands and “menu del dias” serving Peruvian classics like papas a la huanciana, rocoto relleno and aji de gallina, head to this market ideally with an empty stomach.
Mercado Surquillo, Surquillo, Lima, Peru
Surquillo market | © Sergio TB/Shutterstock
Mercado Modelo
Market
Mercado Modelo
Wash down some traditional food with a unique drink made by a witch in the las brujas (witches) section of this market. While offering similar food to other places in Peru, this market has become a tourist destination largely because of the burjas corner.
Mercado San Pedro
Market
Mercado San Pedro
Cusco’s go-to market offers shoppers cuts of beef, fish, hanging pigs heads and much more. And if you haven’t tried guinea pig (cuy) already, there is no better place to this unusual dish.
Mercado Central Arequipa
Market
Mercado Central Arequipa
This is another large market where you can find just about everything. Shop like the locals do and head to the mercado in Arequipa, if only to grab a quick bite to eat – it’s much cheaper in the market than elsewhere.
Arequipa | © tateyama/Shutterstock
Mercado de Huaraz
Market
Mercado de Huaraz
With caged animals and hanging chickens, this is another market to behold. Chaotic and entertaining, you’ll still find delicious and cheap food at the market – even a live guinea pig if you want to keep it as a pet rather than eat it.
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