Peruvians eat much more than roasted guinea pig although that is considered a delicacy. Almost every major cuisine is represented in Arequipa. Restaurants with fine dining options are available in plenty. Arequipa's well heeled go to the top-end brasseries that line Calle San Francisco and the northern end of Plaza de Armas.
The world-class chocolate in Arequipa is a decadence that you must indulge.
Our Arequipa Restaurant Guide is a handy source of information for all you need to know about eating out in Arequipa. Familiarise yourself with the local cuisine in Arequipa before heading out to one of the many fabulous restaurants in Arequipa to try it for yourself! Check out our Arequipa Shopping Guide for some great gift and souvenir ideas and our Peru Restaurant Guide recommends some great food ideas to look out for as you travel Peru.
Food & Cuisine in Arequipa
The cuisine of Arequipa is one of the most diverse and fine tasting in all of Peru. It is famous all over Latin America and indeed the rest of the world for its typical picanterías, where large and filling meals are served. Meals here are made with fresh traditional ingredients and cooked over willow wood. The kitchens are rustic and generally made of adobe, which keeps them warm for a long time. The smoke from the willow adds its own flavour.
At one time, picanterías would be marked by red flags positioned on their doors, a practice that has now become obsolete. Traditional picanterías have now been modernised and turned into regular restaurants. Nevertheless there are still a few picanterías operating in Arequipa's districts of Tiabaya, Sachaca, Sabandia, Yarabamba, Characato and Mollebaya.
There are a large number of dishes on offer in Arequipa restaurants but the must-tries among the chupes (soups), entrees, desserts and beverages are cebiche, shrimp, cauchi cheese, chicharones, cuy, ocopa, chica de jora, and the ever-popular shrimp soup. Do try the stews, which bear the unique flavour of the Arequipeñan cuisine at its best.
Arequipa has its very own beer that is one of the best in Peru and an anisette liqueur that resembles ouzo. You can also buy good quality chocolates, toffees and bonbons (masapáns) from here.
Even with such elaborate dishes on offer, eating in Arequipa need not be an expensive affair as there are several small cafés and restaurants in Arequipa that serve cheap pizzas, pastries and sandwiches. For those who wish to avoid eating out in Arequipa, there are well-stocked grocery shops near La Merced. If you wish to stick to familiar flavours and ingredients, international chains are a safe bet. Chifas and pollerías are outlets that serve Chinese and chicken dishes respectively. Their service is excellent too.
Arequipa Chocolates
The chocolates in Arequipa match the finest in the world. The chocolates are dark and smooth and have an incredible variety of fillings. Chocolatiers can be found all over Arequipa and Peru. Be sure buy a box before you leave.
