Mercado Central (Central Market)
Mercado Central (Central Market)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
146 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
56
Average
36
Poor
12
Terrible
3
ChefboyRD54
Signal Hill, CA5 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
This market is like every central market in Peru, but if you're from the west, it feels like you stepped right into an Indiana Jones movie. Fruit you've never seen before, all parts of any animal for sale, seafood beyond your dreams. The coffee is black as ink, and the postres out of this world. You mustn't miss this.
Written 7 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1234texas
Seabrook, TX2,418 contributions
Feb 2020
If you are like us, we think of markets in terms of the big and wonderful european food markets--incredible destinations in spectacular buildings/settings. In Lima, you need to "check that concept/thought at the door" and be prepared for something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
The markets are so much smaller and less formal. The structures are nothing special--not an architectural gem and fairly small. The vendors are more focused on the fruits and vegetables of the region--as well as the local seafood products. The displays in the stalls are more focused on selling products than on fancy eye catching displays. The whole market is less "formal" and very busy with customers actually buying goods instead of taking pictures. They have no tourist feel at all; however, they do put on a good show of the unusual (many of which we had never seen) products they have to offer. They are particularly proud of the 5,000 potatoes they grow in the country. We were able to taste a number of the fruits and vegetables--which was helpful when eating meals we had later on the tour. Actually, a number of them are really good!
All in all, this is an interesting experience. For some, the lack of "western sanitation" will be more than a bit disturbing, but you get used to it. Whatever you do, however, do not drink any of the water (other than from a bottle) offered to you ANYWHERE in Peru or Ecuador. I made the mistake of using hotel water from the tap when brushing my teeth upon arrival in country an paid a price for the error! Once I switched to bottled water (the hotels give you 2 complimentary bottles a day) and the intestinal problems went away after I took a course of medications.
Final note, just about everywhere you go, you will see "souvenirs" that are purported to be made by the locals. Be aware of the "made in China" knockoffs! If you see exactly the same "watercolor" painting (as well as many other trinkets) more than once, that's a real indicator of the situation!
The markets are so much smaller and less formal. The structures are nothing special--not an architectural gem and fairly small. The vendors are more focused on the fruits and vegetables of the region--as well as the local seafood products. The displays in the stalls are more focused on selling products than on fancy eye catching displays. The whole market is less "formal" and very busy with customers actually buying goods instead of taking pictures. They have no tourist feel at all; however, they do put on a good show of the unusual (many of which we had never seen) products they have to offer. They are particularly proud of the 5,000 potatoes they grow in the country. We were able to taste a number of the fruits and vegetables--which was helpful when eating meals we had later on the tour. Actually, a number of them are really good!
All in all, this is an interesting experience. For some, the lack of "western sanitation" will be more than a bit disturbing, but you get used to it. Whatever you do, however, do not drink any of the water (other than from a bottle) offered to you ANYWHERE in Peru or Ecuador. I made the mistake of using hotel water from the tap when brushing my teeth upon arrival in country an paid a price for the error! Once I switched to bottled water (the hotels give you 2 complimentary bottles a day) and the intestinal problems went away after I took a course of medications.
Final note, just about everywhere you go, you will see "souvenirs" that are purported to be made by the locals. Be aware of the "made in China" knockoffs! If you see exactly the same "watercolor" painting (as well as many other trinkets) more than once, that's a real indicator of the situation!
Written 21 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KR94087
Sunnyvale, CA49 contributions
Nov 2019
I think this is the best mercado in Lima. It's huge, and it's clean. Different sections of the market have different vendors selling the same things grouped together. Overall it's worth a trip, I'll just warn you that downtown is a bit run-down.
Written 9 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JEG
76 contributions
Sep 2019
This market is large and very interesting. The perfect view into the real Lima and definitely not a tourist destination. If you are adventurous and want to see the city’s commerce in action, hold onto your valuables and buckle in for a look under the hood.
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolineRebicki
Curitiba, PR62 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
It is a place where locals buy produce and proteins. We loved to see the exotic fruits and different cuts of meat. We arrived before the outside stores were open, before the heat and the crowds, and just in time for the first batch of the day of ceviche, the local breakfast. (Note: One must keep a closed eye for selected sanitary norms)
Written 11 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holger W
Lima, Peru12 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
I like the place and it has a lot of products you don´t see easily in a normal market or supermarket.
You have to get used to the smell and I found that markets in Arabia or Asia smell a lot better than in Lima. And don't expect it is very clean as it is not, not like markets in Singapore or Hong Kong. You may step in to animal blood or fish rest. And in summer it is very hot under the roof, so smells get very intense.
The people and sales persons are kind, even more since Venezuelan have come to Peru and taught a bit of more client friendliness.
Please be aware of pickpockets, as the central market very often gets very crowded and there is a chance to get lifted. Pls put away your cellphones and wallets, take out a few 10/20 bills and put in your pockets if you want to pay or buy something.
Besides the market is the Calle Capon (Capon Street) which really have the best Chifa food in Lima... but... one time they closed the half !!!! of the restaurants as they made from the mayors office an inspection of the whole area and realized, that the kitchens were a mess. And that the bribing didn't work!
So, for a week it was closed. I was last there and I didn't have problems.
You have to get used to the smell and I found that markets in Arabia or Asia smell a lot better than in Lima. And don't expect it is very clean as it is not, not like markets in Singapore or Hong Kong. You may step in to animal blood or fish rest. And in summer it is very hot under the roof, so smells get very intense.
The people and sales persons are kind, even more since Venezuelan have come to Peru and taught a bit of more client friendliness.
Please be aware of pickpockets, as the central market very often gets very crowded and there is a chance to get lifted. Pls put away your cellphones and wallets, take out a few 10/20 bills and put in your pockets if you want to pay or buy something.
Besides the market is the Calle Capon (Capon Street) which really have the best Chifa food in Lima... but... one time they closed the half !!!! of the restaurants as they made from the mayors office an inspection of the whole area and realized, that the kitchens were a mess. And that the bribing didn't work!
So, for a week it was closed. I was last there and I didn't have problems.
Written 12 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
airerik
Reading, UK201 contributions
Jan 2018
This is the biggest and cleanest market in Miraflores, in the past not so clean but now a place to visit and to eat cheap!!! Compared with other places you get twice as much for half the price and it still is good!! I never got sick!!!
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vietnamunclebobgin
West Monroe, LA92 contributions
Jul 2018
Going to this place makes me appreciate AMERICAN stores-- (REFRIGERATION!!!!) at least this place had CONCRETE floors (Nic- city of Grenada- DIRT floor!!!). Meat at room temp not even on ice!!! Fish- some were in ice. Very small stalls/stores- Would not buy ANY of the FOOD products-(cleanliness a MAJOR concern!!!)- FOOD poisoning not in my future!!! Busy- not for single FOREIGN Tourist-go with several locals-to avoid the constant buy from me scene/bombardment. Fruits were basic -nothing SPECIAL!!
Written 25 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LBBL_Linda
Hong Kong, China733 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We like Peruvian food and expect we see a lot of interesting Vegetables, fruits, spices, sauce, meat , etc. Not sure if it’s because we went there alike 5pm already, some shops are closed and we can still see that it’s a huge markets . We went to the fruit and veg section but don’t see much. We did buy two prickly pear. It’s cheap but it’s a hassle to carry it and to eat it as we have to ensure no prick left to hurt your tongues or throat. By holding the pear for payment, some pricks have gone to my fingers that it is difficult to get out
Written 10 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camila120428
New York City, NY1,084 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
It is very likely that whatever one needs to cook a Peruvian dish may be found here. The stalls are well organized and you can easily find the sections for meats, poultry, seafood, fruits & vegetables. There are also plenty of food stalls that offer set meals that include a main course, a side of ceviche and a drink for around 10 soles. This market is in a big commercial area that cover blocks and blocks of stores of general merchandise it may be easy to miss. It is a multi-level market including the basement.
Written 4 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cris
Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Donde consigo prendas de algodón pima . Muchas gracias
quiero saber si el dia de hoy sabado de gloria por semana santa abre mercado central de Lima, Perú
Hola! Abre los domingos? Cuál es el horario?
Gloria LUIS Ng
Lima, Peru40 contributions
Los puestos del Mercado Central, si abren los domingos hasta las 2 de la tarde
Mercado Central (Central Market) (Lima) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercado Central (Central Market)
- We recommend booking Mercado Central (Central Market) tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 8 Mercado Central (Central Market) tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Mercado Central (Central Market):
- Experience Lima like a local: Highlights Discovery Tour (From ₹ 4,878.45)
- Lima Photo Day Tour (From ₹ 14,883.41)
- Tour colonial y vida contemporánea de la ciudad de Lima (From ₹ 2,798.91)
- The 10 Tastings of Lima With Locals: Private Street Food Tour (From ₹ 5,932.69)
- History of Peruvian flavors (Native fruits tasting & street food) (From ₹ 5,512.65)
- Hotels near Mercado Central (Central Market):
- (0.31 km) Gran Hotel
- (0.43 km) Hotel Espana
- (0.77 km) Hotel Continental Lima
- (1.41 km) Sheraton Lima Historic Center
- (0.52 km) Hostal Wiracocha
- Restaurants near Mercado Central (Central Market):
- (0.16 km) Fung Yen
- (0.12 km) Salon China Restaurante
- (0.18 km) San Joy Lao
- (0.13 km) Chifa Ton Kin Sen
- (0.19 km) Cevichino