Arequipa, Peru, shines as a top foodie destination

Arequipa, a tourist revelation through its culinary

On this occasion, Arequipa was described as the “unknown culinary capital of Peru”. In addition to its impressive colonial architecture and UNESCO-designated historic center, the city in the south of Peru and surrounded by mountains, offers a vibrant cuisine deeply rooted in local traditions.

One of the pillars of this culinary identity is the picanterías: traditional taverns dating back to the 17th century. Unique to Peru, these establishments gave rise to a popular cuisine that blends native ingredients with ancestral techniques. It results in emblematic dishes such as rocoto relleno, adobo arequipeño, and chupe de camarones. Food & Wine encourages travelers to experience an authentic picantería while this living heritage remains intact.

Among the flavors the magazine highlights is the traditional queso helado, a typical Arequipeñan dessert made with milk, cinnamon, and shredded coconut—representing the sweet side of this rich culinary tradition.

This latest recognition adds to other recent achievements. In 2019, UNESCO attributed to Arequipa the title of “Creative City of Gastronomy”. In 2022, Spain gave an ward to the Arequipa Picantera Society for its efforts to preserve culinary traditions.

Peru strengthening image as a top destination for food lovers

Peru‘s recognition as a top destination for gastronomy tourism is strengthening year after year. Back to 2023, UNESCO acknowledged the Cebiche dish as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The country just got nominated for the World Culinary Awards 2025 as the Best Culinary Destination in Latin America. In parallel, Lima also shines in the competing categories. The Peruvian capital is in the category of the Best Culinary City in Latin America. The voting period is open until August 15, 2025 with the announcement about the winners revealed next October.