Lima ceviche is the Pacific-coast dish of raw white fish cured in lime juice for 5 minutes, dressed with red onion, aji limo, salt, served with sweet potato and choclo (Andean corn).
Where to eat it: 8 restaurants across 2 cities.
Pre-Inca Moche coastal cooks marinated fish in tumbo passionfruit for centuries. Spanish citrus from 1532 replaced tumbo; Japanese Nikkei technique from 1899 shortened the marinade to 5 minutes, abandoning the Mexican-style long cure. Ceviche became Peru's national dish; June 28 is the national day since 2008.
Common allergens: Fish, Shellfish
Tip from the editors. Use the freshest fish you can find; over-cured ceviche turns rubbery in 15 minutes. Lime, not lemon.
La Mar at Av Mariscal La Mar 770 in Miraflores is Gaston Acurio's 2005 cevicheria, No.26 on Latin America's 50 Best 2025 and a Lima lunch institution.
Signature: Ceviche clasico, Tiradito, Causa rellena
Order: The ceviche clasico and a tiradito sequence, with chicha morada to drink.
Tip: Lunch only; queue starts at 11:30 on weekends because there are no reservations.
Pescados Capitales on Av Mariscal La Mar 1335 in Miraflores pioneered the cevicheria corridor, with a sin-named menu and sophisticated seafood program.
Signature: Ceviche siete pecados, Jalea, Tiradito
Order: The ceviche siete pecados (seven sins) and a jalea to share, with maracuya juice.
Tip: Quieter at 14:30 than 13:00; delivery available till 21:00 daily.
Punto Azul on Calle San Martin 595 in Miraflores is one of Lima's most popular cevicherias, fifteen years on the map serving daily generous ceviche plates.
Signature: Ceviche mixto, Tiradito, Arroz marinero
Order: The ceviche mixto and a leche de tigre shot to chase it.
Tip: Lunch only; the kitchen closes at 16:00 sharp regardless of queue.
El Mercado at Av Hipolito Unanue 203 in Miraflores is Rafael Osterling's daytime seafood room, a terrace cevicheria with gyoza, taco and curry bridges too.
Signature: Ceviche, Tiradito, Pulpo grillado
Order: The ceviche of the day plus a tiradito; the gyoza fusion course is a sleeper.
Tip: Lunch only, no dinner; busy at 13:30 and quiet at 15:30 Walk-ins usually OK.
Canta Rana at Calle Genova 101 in Barranco is a 35-year Lima cevicheria-huarique, the Sunday lunch standard for limenos who skip the destination cevicherias.
Why locals love it: 35-plus-year cevicheria-huarique embedded in the Barranco neighborhood, the Sunday lunch standard for limenos who skip the destination cevicherias.
Tip: Cash only is safer; Saturday lunch queue runs past the corner by 13:00.
NUNA at the Four Seasons Miami is chef Jaime Pesaque's Nikkei rooftop on Brickell Avenue, the Peruvian-Japanese room that opened above the hotel in May 2025.
Signature: Ceviche Limeno, NUNA Roll, Saltado al Wok
Order: Ceviche Limeno with corvina in leche de tigre, sweet potato and cilantro.
Tip: Dinner only, Monday to Saturday from 6pm; the rooftop terrace seats are the booking to request at sunset.
Naoe on Brickell Key in Miami is Kevin Cory's five-seat omakase counter at 661 Brickell Key Drive, the only AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star room.
Order: The bento opener with Cory's family's heirloom soy sauce; the omakase follows.
Tip: One service nightly Tuesday to Saturday. Reservations are non-refundable; sake pairing is the add-on locals book.
Estiatorio Milos in Miami Beach is Costas Spiliadis's Greek seafood dining room in South of Fifth at 730 1st Street, a 2025 Michelin Recommended pick.
Order: Whatever the whole-fish display offers; flown in from Greece and the Med, sold by the pound.
Tip: Lunch prix-fixe at $39 is the city's best fine-dining value. The wine list runs deep into Assyrtiko.
More cities are in research. Want ceviche covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.