How to Find Ceviche Restaurants in Lima, Peru

Ceviche, or cebiche, is seafood cooked in lime juice, and the coastal towns in Peru are rich with cevicherias. In Lima, Peru, Cevicherias specialize in Peruvian ceviche, which often includes lime, seafood, onions and cilantro. Most ceviche is only eaten for lunch by the locals of Lima, so finding ceviche for dinner may be more challenging. Finding a cevicherias in Lima takes a bit of hunting and searching, but the rewards will offset the effort.

Instructions

1. Stop by the finest hotels in Miraflores, Lima. Miraflores is the upscale district in Lima that has the best restaurants and cafes. The concierges at these hotels are very open to giving recommendations to their favorite cevicherias. Tell them your price range and the area you are looking to dine and they will give you a recommendation. Make sure you tip that concierge. Even if you are not staying at that hotel, it is polite to tip them for their expertise.

2. Walk along the Costa Verde. There are several cevicherias all along the rugged Lima coastline. They overlook the coastline and provide a dramatic view while you dine on your ceviche.

3. Try the lunch-only ceviche restaurant, Pescados Capitales, a local haunt. (La Mar 1337, Miraflores, phone [phone], open Mondays through Sundays 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Located in the wealthy Miraflores section, it's a very rustic, authentic looking cafe.

4. Dine at Puerto Madero. (Calle Bellavista 231, Miraflores, phone [phone], open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5:00 p.m.) This cafe is owned by Daniel and Fernando Hawie. It features creative but rustic Peruvian cuisine that features the best seafood the Pacific can offer. They serve traditional ceviche containing scallops, shrimp and octopus just to name a few. The place is simple and rustic, and has a quiet laid-back atmosphere. There is a roomy terrace from which you can see how they cook your seafood in the big outdoor grill.

5. Eat at La Mar. (Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores, phone [phone], open Tuesdays through Sundays 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) This cafe, owned by chef Gastón Acurio, is a lunch-only cevicheria, and like Pescados Capitales, serves a local crowd. The menu includes classic Peruvian ceviches as well as sushi and other Japanese creations. The decor is simple and rustic, letting the food be the star.

Tips & Warnings

• Stick to the safer parts in Lima, like the Miraflores section. This section has many police on each corner keeping watch for crime.

• Although there is a strong police presence, there are numerous pickpockets in Lima. Keep your valuables at home or close to your body.