Lima: The 5 Best Street Markets to Enjoy Authentic Local Food
Home to the unique Amazon rainforest and majestic Machu Picchu, Peru is one of the most popular South American tourist destinations. Full of gorgeous beaches, breathtaking colonial towns, and the endless mountain ranges of the Andes, Peru is a country that attracts millions of enthusiasts each year. Besides joining tours in Lima to visit historic locations and learn about intriguing traditions and customs, you can enjoy a rich cuisine palette. In this article, we will introduce you to the top five street food markets in Lima where you can explore local food vendors alongside exceptional artists, shamans, and craftsmen.
Translated to Independent Fair of Barranco, La Feria Unión de Barranco is a Lima-based community of local retailers, artists, designers, food vendors and other creatives. You can enjoy a local chocolate tasting, discover eco-friendly products, try on traditional clothing and purchase authentic Peruvian jewelry. The fair has a large variety of local food vendors where you can taste Peruvian dishes alongside foreign meals.
Additionally, the fair hosts regular events which you can find in their calendar as well as on the entrance signs. For example, you might get a glimpse of a Peruvian cuisine workshop, listen to local live music or watch an artist create their masterpieces in real-time. The fair is open three days a week, Friday to Sunday, and offers a huge range of fun activities. Check out current events and upcoming experiences on the fair’s Facebook page.
Address: Jirón Unión 108, Barranco
Opening hours: Friday from 12 pm to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm.
Phone: +51 965 165 689
Launched in 1999, the Bioferia market in Peru operates as a farm-grown food attraction. With the world shifting its focus toward sustainable and organic resources, the market has been gaining more and more traction in recent years. Every Saturday morning, locals and tourists can enjoy an open-air Lima food market with an array of vendors who offer fruit, vegetables, and ready-made dishes at an affordable price.
Peruvian food like goat cheese and coffee is by far the greatest attraction of the Bioferia market. Visitors can peruse the stalls and taste virtually anything before purchasing. A fun and exciting activity, the market lures in hundreds of people each week by hosting local bands and musicians. Explore upcoming events on the market’s Facebook page to not miss out on anything.
Address: Parque Reducto No. 2 Av. Benavides y Via Expresa, Miraflores
Opening hours: Saturday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Nestled in the center of the Peruvian capital city, Mercado Central (Central Market) is a massive shopping location. You will find anything from food vendors, clothing, art, kitchenware and books to live animals. Built in 1967, one of the largest markets in Lima is situated on a 12,000 square meters area and accommodates almost a thousand stalls.
Mercado Central is not a typical tourist destination and offers a glimpse into the authentic and local culture and cuisine. If you want to immerse yourself in the Peruvian spirit, this market will open a door to traditional foods and items. Check the Facebook page to get in touch with the hosts and learn about special events.
Address: Jirón Ucayali 615, Lima
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Phone: +51 991 888 647
Another popular Lima destination, Mercado Modelo caters to tourists and offers local farmers’ produce, Peru cuisine, clothing items, electronics and much more. However, the most appealing attraction is the so-called Witches section (“Brujos”). This is where you will find medicinal plants, powders and remedies as well as ritual objects based on pre-hispanic traditions. Local shamans and other native doctors provide their services to anyone interested.
Mercado de las Brujas is the most intriguing section of the market where you can find items that you will never see anywhere else. For example, local herbalists and shamans offer whale bones, various amulets, snake skins, hallucinogenic cacti, endless healing herbs, and ritual items made from dried animals like armadillos and llamas.
Address: Av. 28 de Julio 475, Lima Central
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm
Phone: +51 986 838 393
Located centrally, Mercado Surquillo is another farmer’s market where you can try all kinds of foods at a reasonable price. If you are particularly curious to taste local fruits and vegetables that are exclusive to the region, this market will surprise you with camote, morada, rocoto, camu camu and much more. If you speak Spanish, use your skills to converse with the sellers and learn more about street food in Lima.
The market is famous for its variety of fresh fish and seafood. You can try ceviche made on the spot and enjoy a plethora of other delicious fish meals. Come early to purchase fresh produce and taste the local gastronomy. To keep up with current events, check out the market’s Facebook page.
Address: Paseo de la Republica block 53, Surquillo
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm.
Peru is a heaven for foodies from anywhere in the world. If you are a true gourmet and aren’t scared to try a guinea pig, visit this wonderful coastal country. You will be shocked and surprised by the local culture, intrigued by authentic shamanism, and completely amazed by versatile and unique cuisine.
La Feria de Barranco
Translated to Independent Fair of Barranco, La Feria Unión de Barranco is a Lima-based community of local retailers, artists, designers, food vendors and other creatives. You can enjoy a local chocolate tasting, discover eco-friendly products, try on traditional clothing and purchase authentic Peruvian jewelry. The fair has a large variety of local food vendors where you can taste Peruvian dishes alongside foreign meals.
Additionally, the fair hosts regular events which you can find in their calendar as well as on the entrance signs. For example, you might get a glimpse of a Peruvian cuisine workshop, listen to local live music or watch an artist create their masterpieces in real-time. The fair is open three days a week, Friday to Sunday, and offers a huge range of fun activities. Check out current events and upcoming experiences on the fair’s Facebook page.
Address: Jirón Unión 108, Barranco
Opening hours: Friday from 12 pm to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm.
Phone: +51 965 165 689
Bioferia Market
Launched in 1999, the Bioferia market in Peru operates as a farm-grown food attraction. With the world shifting its focus toward sustainable and organic resources, the market has been gaining more and more traction in recent years. Every Saturday morning, locals and tourists can enjoy an open-air Lima food market with an array of vendors who offer fruit, vegetables, and ready-made dishes at an affordable price.
Peruvian food like goat cheese and coffee is by far the greatest attraction of the Bioferia market. Visitors can peruse the stalls and taste virtually anything before purchasing. A fun and exciting activity, the market lures in hundreds of people each week by hosting local bands and musicians. Explore upcoming events on the market’s Facebook page to not miss out on anything.
Address: Parque Reducto No. 2 Av. Benavides y Via Expresa, Miraflores
Opening hours: Saturday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Mercado Central
Nestled in the center of the Peruvian capital city, Mercado Central (Central Market) is a massive shopping location. You will find anything from food vendors, clothing, art, kitchenware and books to live animals. Built in 1967, one of the largest markets in Lima is situated on a 12,000 square meters area and accommodates almost a thousand stalls.
Mercado Central is not a typical tourist destination and offers a glimpse into the authentic and local culture and cuisine. If you want to immerse yourself in the Peruvian spirit, this market will open a door to traditional foods and items. Check the Facebook page to get in touch with the hosts and learn about special events.
Address: Jirón Ucayali 615, Lima
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Phone: +51 991 888 647
Mercado Modelo
Another popular Lima destination, Mercado Modelo caters to tourists and offers local farmers’ produce, Peru cuisine, clothing items, electronics and much more. However, the most appealing attraction is the so-called Witches section (“Brujos”). This is where you will find medicinal plants, powders and remedies as well as ritual objects based on pre-hispanic traditions. Local shamans and other native doctors provide their services to anyone interested.
Mercado de las Brujas is the most intriguing section of the market where you can find items that you will never see anywhere else. For example, local herbalists and shamans offer whale bones, various amulets, snake skins, hallucinogenic cacti, endless healing herbs, and ritual items made from dried animals like armadillos and llamas.
Address: Av. 28 de Julio 475, Lima Central
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm
Phone: +51 986 838 393
Mercado Surquillo
Located centrally, Mercado Surquillo is another farmer’s market where you can try all kinds of foods at a reasonable price. If you are particularly curious to taste local fruits and vegetables that are exclusive to the region, this market will surprise you with camote, morada, rocoto, camu camu and much more. If you speak Spanish, use your skills to converse with the sellers and learn more about street food in Lima.
The market is famous for its variety of fresh fish and seafood. You can try ceviche made on the spot and enjoy a plethora of other delicious fish meals. Come early to purchase fresh produce and taste the local gastronomy. To keep up with current events, check out the market’s Facebook page.
Address: Paseo de la Republica block 53, Surquillo
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm.
Conclusion
Peru is a heaven for foodies from anywhere in the world. If you are a true gourmet and aren’t scared to try a guinea pig, visit this wonderful coastal country. You will be shocked and surprised by the local culture, intrigued by authentic shamanism, and completely amazed by versatile and unique cuisine.
