Eating on a Budget in Lima

Peru is a great place to travel for foodies, with its innovative cuisine recently becoming a hit with chefs around the world. When you’re in the capital, Lima, you can eat at some of the finest restaurants. However, many travelers don’t have the money to eat at Central or Maido, and need something more affordable.

The top tip for eating on a budget in Lima is to have your main meal at lunchtime. Cheap set menu deals are ubiquitous around the city, and the food is usually of a good quality. A meal of soup, main course and drink can be had for as little as $3 in many parts of the city. Even in the tourist areas of Barranco and Miraflores, there are set menu restaurants catering to office workers.

In the evening, stick to sandwich shops. Some are cultural institutions, such as El Chinito in the center of Lima, and there are often long queues. Other top choices include La Lucha Sangucheria in Miraflores and Sandwich Monstruo in Barranco. These sandwich places tend to be open late as well, so they’re perfect for a snack on the way home.

Other budget eats include chifa restaurants, which serve Chinese food with a Peruvian twist, and shawarma and falafel restaurants.