Look for our partner right in front of the monumental La Merced Church, located on block 6 of Jirón de la Unión — the most traditional and iconic pedestrian street in Lima’s Historic Centre.

Spotting our guide is easy! They’ll be wearing a black T-shirt or vest with Walking Tour printed on the back, standing next to the statue of Marshal Ramón Castilla.

In 1846, under the government of Marshal Ramón Castilla, it was decided that Lima needed a large food market. Construction began six years later, and at the time, the place was known as the Mercado de la Concepción.

The current Gran Mariscal Ramón Castilla Municipal Market dates back to 1967. Three years earlier, a fire had reduced the old Concepción market to ashes.

Historic, popular, and always bustling, this market is a stronghold of Peru’s agricultural diversity. Here you’ll find produce from every region of the country, as well as typical dishes and true classics of street food.

Remember, our guide will take you to some of the main gastronomic hotspots in old Lima — but in the end, you decide what and how much to eat. Food is not included in the free tour.

riental and Peruvian flavours come together in perfect harmony in the woks of Lima’s Chinatown, where the iconic chifas were born — restaurants founded by Cantonese migrants who cleverly added local ingredients to their traditional recipes.

Today, chifas are found all over Peru, but the roots and soul of Chinese-Peruvian cuisine lie right here in this historic neighbourhood at the heart of Lima.

Here, dishes like arroz chaufa, wonton frito, min pao, and even lomo saltado carry the taste of heritage and tradition.

It all began in the mid-19th century, when Chinese migrants settled in a commercial area of the Barrios Altos district (very close to the Central Market). There, they opened a variety of businesses — including food establishments.

Many things have changed over the years, but the fame of the chifas in Chinatown — especially those along Calle Capón — remains strong. They continue to be a symbol of the diversity and fusion that enrich Peruvian cuisine.

It’s the heart of Lima’s Chinatown — a little piece of an ancient and millenary country nestled in the streets of the Historic Centre of Peru’s capital, where you’ll find all sorts of goods from the Asian giant.

From quirky tech gadgets to medicinal herbs and authentic ingredients used in traditional oriental cooking, you’ll also come across Chinese snacks and sweets on offer. And if you’re feeling hungry, take advantage of the chifa set menus served in many of the restaurants.

Colourful and full of character, the Chinese Market will charm you with its cultural vibe and exquisite flavours. A tip: let yourself be tempted by the roast ducks and pork displayed outside the restaurants. They’re absolutely delicious.

It’s one of the biggest commercial hubs in Lima’s Historic Centre. In the shops of Mesa Redonda, you’ll find a wide variety of imported products at incredibly tempting prices.

Amid the hustle and bustle of this retail hotspot, there’s also room for street food. Urban flavour is served from carts and stalls offering anticuchos and picarones, herbal emolientes and fresh juices, ceviche and crispy broaster chicken, among other irresistible treats.

Would you dare to try street food in one of the most iconic areas of entrepreneurial and commercial Lima? You’ll find out when you join our gastronomic free tour.

Your free food tour ends near the Plaza de Armas, the founding heart of the Peruvian capital.