Ceviche is Peru’s national dish: raw white fish “cooked” briefly in lime juice with red onion, chilli and salt, served with sweet potato and corn. In Lima it is a lunch food, eaten at a cevichería between about noon and 4pm, when the fish is freshest. A plate costs roughly 25–45 soles (PEN) in a neighbourhood cevichería and 50–90 soles in well-known restaurants such as La Mar in Miraflores (2026).
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | Fresh fish marinated for minutes in lime with onion and ají chilli |
| When to eat it | Lunch; most cevicherías close by late afternoon |
| Served with | Camote (sweet potato), choclo (large-kernel corn), cancha (toasted corn) |
| Typical price | About 25–45 PEN locally, 50–90 PEN in upmarket places (2026) |
| Don’t miss | Leche de tigre, the spicy marinade served as a drink |
What makes Peruvian ceviche special
Peruvian ceviche is fast and fresh. The fish is cut into cubes and marinated for only a few minutes in lime juice from small, sharp Peruvian limes, with thinly sliced red onion, salt and ají limo chilli. The citrus firms up the outside of the fish while the inside stays soft. The leftover juice, leche de tigre (“tiger’s milk”), is so prized that it is served on its own in a glass.
Ceviche is officially part of Peru’s national heritage, and 28 June is celebrated as National Ceviche Day.
Types of ceviche to try
- Ceviche clásico – white fish such as sea bass or flounder, lime, onion and chilli. Start here.
- Ceviche mixto – fish with shellfish such as squid, prawns and octopus.
- Tiradito – thin slices of fish, sashimi-style, in a spicy sauce and no onion; shows Peru’s Japanese influence.
- Leche de tigre – the marinade served in a glass, often with a few pieces of fish.
Where to eat ceviche in Lima
- La Mar (Miraflores) – Gastón Acurio’s famous cevichería, a polished introduction to Peruvian seafood. Popular at weekends; lunch only.
- Neighbourhood cevicherías in Barranco, Surquillo and Callao – simpler, cheaper and full of locals at lunchtime.
- Surquillo Market (Mercado N° 1) – market stalls serve fresh ceviche near Miraflores.
Opening days and hours change; check before you go, and remember most cevicherías do not serve dinner.
Useful Spanish words
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Un ceviche clásico, por favor | A classic ceviche, please |
| Poco picante | Not too spicy |
| Un leche de tigre | A leche de tigre |
| Una chicha morada | A purple-corn drink, great with ceviche |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
Food safety: choose busy places where fish turns over fast, and eat ceviche at lunchtime, not late in the day.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Peruvians eat ceviche only at lunch?
Because fish is bought fresh in the morning and ceviche is best eaten the same day. Many cevicherías close in the afternoon.
Is ceviche raw?
The fish is not heated, but the acid in the lime juice changes its texture and colour. It should always be made with very fresh fish.
How much does ceviche cost in Lima?
About 25–45 soles in local cevicherías and 50–90 soles in famous restaurants (2026 prices).
More in Latin America: arepas in Bogotá, Argentine asado and empanadas across South America. Browse all Latin America food guides or estimate your food budget for Peru.
Sources
- Peru.travel (PromPerú) – official tourism site.
- Ceviche – history and variations.
