Dining in the Hotel
In most hotels, there is a free breakfast buffet included with the room. It is usually decent food, consisting of fresh fruit, yogurt, and breads. They often have the food sitting out unrefrigerated, but all of Peru seems to have a more lax attitude toward food safety. The yogurt and juices are delicious, and there are often fun and interesting fruits to try.
Dining in Restaurants
Try to eat in nice, fairly expensive restaurants (around S/.45 or $15 per plate), where there are lots of people eating, and don’t drink the water. The missionaries are not allowed to eat lettuce or strawberries, because they are irrigated with dirty water. This is a good rule of thumb to follow for you as well.
Restaurant Recommendations
Click on the restaurant to visit their website or facebook page.
Four Course Dining
IndioFeliz in Aguas Calientes is a famous restaurant, and you should make a reservation. They were able to squeeze us in without one. It was really cramped and tiny, but the food was worth it. We ordered off the a la cart menu, rather than the 4 course meal. Even so, our meal came with many side dishes, and there was plenty of food.
Cebecheria
Mamacocha Cebicheria in Arequipa on Calle Las Orquideas 101, Cayma, Arequipa. It’s about a block away from the mission office. It’s where President Fernandez used to take the office elders sometimes. Mamacocha Cebicheria specializes in cebiche, which is raw fish marinated in lemon juice. It is delicious!
Pizza
Pizzeria Marengo on Santa Catalina in Arequipa was delicious. We ate here with the Mission President and his wife. If you need a break from Peruvian food, this is really good. I especially liked the vegetarian pizza, and the Maracuya Juice.
Sandwiches
Mamut is a great sandwich shop in Arequipa, located within walking distance of the Plaza De Armas at Mercaderes 111. I got the turkey, bacon, cheese and avocado sandwich with maracuya juice. Not necessarily Peruvian, but delicious.
Dining in LDS Member's Homes
A highlight of our Missionary Pick Up Tour was eating in church members' homes in Arequipa. We visited 2 of my son's former Pensionistas, and they served us dinner. The food was delicious. At one home, we were served Arroz con Pollo, a dish of green rice and chicken. It is green from the seasoning. At another, we were served chicken and potatoes. Again it was delicious.
Our son told us we needed to eat everything given, so as not to offend. I don’t eat big meals, and was worried about this. My son talked to the woman feeding us and asked her to give me less, but she didn’t. There was so much food, including a chicken breast and leg, 3+ cups of rice, a whole potato, and a cup of vegetables. I tried to eat it all, but could only eat a third of it. My son said it was alright, because he had warned her ahead, so she wasn't offended.
Fun Foods To Try
While in Peru, you need to try the many unique and wonderful foods available.
- Cebiche- It’s delicious! Especially if you like sushi. It’s raw fish marinated in lemon juice, with a spicy sauce, and veggies. Make sure you eat this in a NICE restaurant. Don’t go cheap or you may get sick. We ate it in Arequipa at Mamacocha Cebecheria. We got Mixto Cebiche, which has fish, shrimp, and octopus.
- Maracuya- (passion fruit) You have to try this at least once. Strangest fruit I have ever seen. It looks kind of like an orange on the outside, but you peel back the outside, and you have a gooey mass of gray seeds. You suck up the seeds with your mouth, and swallow, don’t chew. It tastes really good, but it’s definitely an interesting experience. The US has passionfruit available, but they are very different from these maracuya. These are larger, a different color inside and out, and sweeter.
- Arroz con Pollo- (Chicken and rice) The rice is green from the seasonings, and the chicken is served on the bone. This is a signature dish of Peru. It’s amazing.
- Frozen Limonade- So good! Especially at IndioFeliz in Aguas Calientes, where they make it with mint.
- Maracuya Juice- This is passionfruit juice. Delicious!
- Cuy- (Guinnea Pig) You know you want to try it. It's alright, but a bit chewy. But the bragging rights are worth it.
- Anticucho- (Cow Heart) I didn't get to try this but several of the missionaries I spoke to said it was their favorite.