How to Order Food in Lima: 8 Tips From a Local

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I admit it.

God, I seem to start things with that a lot. But here it is again: I admit it—my Spanish is really terrible.

Like… embarrassingly bad for someone who spends a good chunk of time in Lima every year. My husband and son are fluent, so I shamelessly rely on them to order food. But when I’m solo? Oh, it’s a full-on struggle bus. And guess what? I still manage to get fed. So if I can do it, you can too.

Whether you’re headed to Lima for vacation, visiting family, or finally booking that trip you’ve been dreaming about—you’re going to eat. A lot. And knowing a few Spanish phrases can make the whole experience smoother (and way less awkward).

Of course, there’s Google Translate and plenty of apps that can help. Use them! But it’s also nice to have a few go-to phrases tucked in your back pocket to get you through the most important part of your trip… your food.

1. Greet Like a Local

Always start with a simple:

• Hola – Hello
• Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches – Good morning / afternoon / evening

You might also hear people just say “Buenas”—a casual, all-purpose greeting that works fine in most settings like cafés or markets.

2. Asking for a Table

When you walk into a sit-down spot:

• ¿Tienen una mesa para dos (tres, cuatro)? – Do you have a table for two (three, four)?
• Una mesa para uno, por favor. – A table for one, please.
• Para comer aquí. – To eat here.
• ¿Podemos sentarnos afuera? – Can we sit outside? 

3. Ordering—Keep It Simple

You don’t need perfect grammar to get a great meal. Just point to the menu and say:

• Esto, por favor. – This, please.
• Un ceviche, por favor. – A ceviche, please.
• Para mí, una limonada. – For me, a lemonade.

And now, the order I’ve mastered more than any other:

• Una Coca Cola Zero con hielo y limón al lado, por favor.

That’s: A Coke Zero with ice and lemon on the side, please.

It might be my most important order in all of Peru.

4. What’s Spicy—and How to Avoid It

Peruvian food isn’t always spicy, but when it is… it sneaks up. The heat usually comes from ají—a yellow chili that can pack a punch.

If you’re not into heat, say:

• ¿Es picante? – Is it spicy?
• No como picante. – I don’t eat spicy food.
• Sin ají, por favor. – No chili, please.

Be direct. Even if you’re told it’s “just a little,” your mouth might not agree.

5. Key Words to Know

Menu decoder:

• Pollo – Chicken
• Carne – Beef
• Pescado – Fish
• Camarones – Shrimp
• Arroz – Rice
• Papa – Potato
• Con – With
• Sin – Without
• Picante – Spicy

If you’re unsure:

• ¿Qué es esto? – What is this?

6. Gluten-Free Survival

If you’re gluten-free:

• No puedo comer gluten. – I can’t eat gluten.
• ¿Tiene algo sin gluten? – Do you have anything without gluten?
• Soy celíaca / celíaco. – I have celiac disease.
• No puedo comer pan, pasta, ni trigo. – I can’t eat bread, pasta, or wheat.

7. Four Easy Dishes to Order If You Panic

These common Peruvian dishes are delicious, local, and are always great fallbacks:

Lomo Saltado

Beef stir-fry with onions, tomatoes, fries, and rice.

Say: Lomo saltado, por favor.

Ceviche de Pescado

Ceviche consists of fresh fish in lime juice, with onion and chili. Lunch-only, usually.

Say: Ceviche de pescado, por favor.

(seh-VEE-cheh deh peh-SKAH-doh)

Tallarín Verde

Creamy spinach-basil pasta, often with chicken or steak.

Say: Tallarín verde, por favor.

(tah-yah-REEN VEHR-deh)

Ají de Gallina

Creamy, mildly spicy shredded chicken over rice and potato.

Say: Ají de gallina, por favor.

(ah-HEE deh gah-YEE-nah)

8. Paying and Thanking

If you miss the total, just hand over a 20-sol note—no big deal.

When you’re done:

• Gracias – Thank you
• Muy rico – Very tasty
• Estuvo delicioso – It was delicious

Final Thoughts

Am I fluent? Nope.

Do I sometimes order with full-body charades? Definitely.

Have I eaten mystery meals I still dream about? Yes, and I regret nothing.

But here’s the thing—people in Lima are warm, welcoming, and patient. You don’t need to speak perfectly. You just need to try.

Want a printable cheat sheet with these phrases and dish names (plus phonetic help)? Let me know and I’ll send it your way.