A 1-Day Foodie's Dream Tour of Arequipa

This isn’t a Peruvian food tour—this is an Arequipeño food tour. The Andean city, Peru’s second-largest, is known for its traditional gastronomy, which means you’re basically guaranteed to never find these dishes anywhere else in the world. They’re represented by a unique blend of Andean spices and European flair, crispy pork skins, local fruits, spicy peppers, doughy desserts, and potatoes served every way you could imagine. Don’t expect ceviche or lomo saltado on this tour; the goal is to stick to what’s local whenever possible, including historic institutions and mainstay dishes. This simple one-day walking tour will take you through the city’s gorgeously preserved colonial downtown and through the beautiful lookout of nearby Yanahuara, all while making sure you’re eating Arequipa’s best offerings. We also eschew most of the conventional top-rated TripAdvisor restaurants—they’re expensive touristy nonsense, and not really representative of the city’s decades-old purveyors of desserts, coffee, and soups. If you want the real deal, read on. What will you eat in Arequipa? A complete 12-hour itinerary—two breakfasts, lunch, and dinner, with desserts and drinks in between. The best spots for local specialties such as rocoto relleno , chupe de camarones, and adobo. Unique local twists on South American classics, including Arequipeño tamales and lime-spiced empanadas. Hand-rolled tea leaves, acclaimed coffee, craft beer, and the best spots for Andean corn beer, chicha. Desserts abound: clove-spiced ice cream, sugar-dusted alfajores, and freshly fried buñuelos . What does this Arequipa itinerary include? Restaurants and food stalls you won’t find on Lonely Planet—some don’t even have addresses. A good balance of popular (though authentic) restaurants along with places where you’re guaranteed to be the only foreigner. The city’s one restaurant that must not be missed. A guide to local ingredients, meal etiquette, and gastronomic history. The best times to eat to avoid the