Mercado de Surquillo

Overview

Mercado de Surquillo is an authentic neighborhood food market beloved by Lima's top chefs and serious home cooks. Unlike tourist-oriented markets, it offers an unfiltered look at Peru's extraordinary biodiversity of fruits, vegetables, grains, and seafood.

Highlights

• Seafood Section: Pristine whole fish, octopus, shrimp, and shellfish — the raw materials of Lima's world-famous ceviche.
• Exotic Fruits: Peru produces over 600 varieties of fruit — the market stocks dozens including lucuma, chirimoya, aguaymanto, and camu camu.
• Juice Stands: Fresh-squeezed juices made from any combination of Peruvian fruits for under $1.

History

The market has served the Surquillo district since the 1940s. It became famous among foodies after Lima's culinary boom of the 2000s, when chefs like Gastón Acurio publicly praised it as their preferred source for fresh ingredients.

Visitor Tips

• Morning Visit: The freshest seafood and produce arrives early — visit before 10 AM.
• Bring Cash: Vendors don't accept cards.
• Duration: 45 minutes–1 hour.