Did you know that Peru has 3,000 types of potatoes? We didn’t either and we sure were on the path to find out – there are potatoes in ceviche, all over breakfast, in salads—everywhere. I myself am a fan but the rest of the familia was not sharing my excitement. Lima is known as a culinary paradise so we were all eager to get there – eat something not – potato-y and breathe. The cab driver told us that it is never sunny in Lima so get used to the cloudy weather which was a little disappointing as Max thought – beach/sun – fun. Not so fast.

Our hotel Marriott – first chain hotel besides the airport – had an awesome breakfast which is something the kids absolutely live for – it also had a gym and was right next to a shopping center. Back to civilization as we know it. Our first trip was to an Italian restaurant to get something else than potatoes and rice. It seems that everyone was glad to be in a city environment – we are city people after all.

Food tour

I was personally super excited for this and it didn’t disappoint. We got picked up for some strong coffee with ham sandwich as a first stop – a cafe in a beautiful Barranco quarter followed by an ice cream from lucuma, very filling. First two stops and I was getting pretty full – this will be interesting. We walked through artsy neighborhoods of galleries and boutiques and off to our next stop.

Market was next – as any local market – full of things you don’t know, at least I didn’t. Lots of tasting and hopes that noone is allergic to anything as it was all new. We each got a tasting box of fruit, mango and passionfruit was the only thing I recognized.

Then things got serious – fancy restaurant of Japanese origin called Limana – beautiful design, artsy menu. We first got seated at the bar where we were all served some serious pisco and shown how to make pisco sour. Noone was too concerned about 2 underaged children at the bar who got shots too – sleepy time.

Then seating and eating some amazing decomposed food – I think we made our own ginger salad and other amazing pieces that I don’t recall by name.

Our last stop was Huaca Pucllana restaurant, this place was buzzing in the middle of a day. Huge, right next to an Incan clay pyramid site in the middle of a city – which is oddly out of place, we were seated at a huge roundtable and the food just kept coming.

There were at least 20 plates of food that we just moved around while trying to remember what we are eating. I could see it from the kids’ eyes that they were full but the food looked amazing and we all tried everything. Have to say – the Lima food made up for all the other food we had in the country. No wonder they have 3 out of the top world restaurants here. All and all – highly recommend the tour, really fund, LOTs of food and variety and you get to see the city.

We ended our last day walking around the city, tiny shopping, kids went to see a movie – seafood restaurant, just a leisure day. Definitely a city you could live for a few days and explore – feels like tons to do. Adios Peru, llamas, potatoes and lack of oxygen – we enjoyed you!