The 10 Best Food Cities in Latin America

Latin America is a region defined by colour and contrast. Stretching from Mexico to the very tip of South America and including the Caribbean, it brings together a rich mix of Indigenous, African, and European cultures. Travellers come for the bucket-list landscapes and iconic cities, but there’s another side of the region that guidebooks sometimes gloss over: the food.

From complex regional traditions to dishes rooted in centuries of cultural exchange, Latin America is a true culinary paradise. Its flavours tell the story of the continent one bite at a time. Below, our experts share some of their favourite food cities to make your journey through Latin America as delicious as it is beautiful.

1. Lima, Peru

Few cities in the world command the respect that Lima does on the global food stage. Often referred to as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas,” Peru’s coastal metropolis is a destination where Pacific seafood meets ancient Andean ingredients and Japanese influence shapes an entirely new culinary tradition.

From the bright, citrusy perfection of ceviche to the elegant creativity at internationally acclaimed restaurants like Central, Lima’s food scene is a masterclass in fusion. Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-worthy spot or grabbing anticuchos from a street vendor, the city never fails to prove why it’s a leader in Latin America’s culinary culture.

Lima’s signature dish: Ceviche

Fresh white fish cured in lime juice with chilli, red onion, and coriander. It’s bright, clean, and unforgettable.

2. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City offers flavour at every turn. Step out of your hotel and you’ll easily find steaming tamales, fresh tacos al pastor, and market stalls offering everything from huitlacoche quesadillas to fresh tropical fruit.

What makes Mexico City’s food so irresistible is the way its cuisine bridges past and present. Indigenous staples like corn, beans, and chillies blend with Spanish influences and global techniques introduced over centuries. Then, add in a new wave of contemporary chefs, and the city becomes not just a street food paradise but one of the world’s most dynamic culinary capitals.

Mexico City’s signature dish: Tacos al Pastor

Carved from marinated pork roasted on a vertical spit, topped with pineapple, onion, and coriander — the perfect street food bite.

3. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Argentina’s capital city feels deliciously familiar and entirely its own. Buenos Aires is the beating heart of grilling culture, where perfectly done steaks pair beautifully with Malbec wines and long, leisurely meals are a lovely part of any visit.

Beyond its iconic steaks, the city charms with buttery empanadas, crusty medialunas, Italian-influenced dishes, and the quintessential street snack: choripán. Combine it all with elegant neighbourhoods and café-lined streets, and you’ll find a destination where the food scene feels like a joyful celebration.

Buenos Aires’ signature dish: Sirloin steak

A thick-cut steak grilled over wood or charcoal, showcasing Argentina’s world-famous parrilla tradition.

4. Bogotá, Colombia

In recent years, Bogotá has become one of Latin America’s most exciting up-and-coming food cities. With cuisine grounded in Andean flavours — hearty potatoes, corn, earthy herbs, and comforting homestyle dishes like ajiaco — it’s easy to see why.

Yet the capital also buzzes with creative energy. Street food favourites such as arepas and empanadas sit alongside a fast-growing scene of chefs rethinking traditional Colombian ingredients. The result is a city where every meal feels like a glimpse into the country’s evolving identity.

Bogotá’s signature dish: Ajiaco

A comforting, classic Andean soup made with three types of potatoes, chicken, corn, and the herb guasca.

5. San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan brings the flavours of the Caribbean to life with a mix of Taíno, African, and Spanish traditions. The city’s food scene stretches from colourful kiosks in Piñones serving smoky roadside classics to refined restaurants in Condado and Old San Juan that give traditional dishes an elegant twist.

Fresh seafood, plantains, tropical fruit, and slow-cooked stews are mainstays of the cuisine, while the island’s booming farm-to-table movement brings new energy to local ingredients. Warm, lively, and impossible to resist, San Juan is a delicious gateway to the Caribbean.

San Juan’s signature dish: Mofongo

Mashed plantains mixed with garlic and pork cracklings, formed into a bowl, and filled with prawns, chicken, or savoury broth.

6. São Paulo, Brazil

No city in Latin America captures global diversity quite like São Paulo, and the city’s sprawling culinary landscape reflects waves of immigration. Here you’ll find Italian trattorias in Bixiga, one of the world’s largest Japanese communities in Liberdade, Lebanese pastries in family bakeries, and Afro-Brazilian dishes shaped by the country’s deep heritage.

Add to that Brazil’s own bold dishes and drinks like feijoada, pão de queijo, and caipirinhas, and São Paulo becomes a gastronomic immersion into the cultures that have shaped this nation. It’s a place where you can travel the globe without ever leaving your dinner table.

São Paulo’s signature dish: Coxinha

A beloved Brazilian snack of shredded chicken encased in dough, then fried to golden perfection.

7. Santiago, Chile

Santiago’s culinary identity is defined by crisp Pacific seafood, bright produce from fertile valleys, and a sophisticated dining scene that continues to gain global acclaim. Chilean classics like pastel de jaiba and fresh ceviche shine alongside innovative tasting menus that showcase the country’s diverse regions.

With world-class wine regions just a short drive away, the capital offers a deeply refined, farm-and-sea-to-table experience suited to both adventurous food lovers and fans of simple, elegant flavours.

Santiago’s signature dish: Pastel de Jaiba

A rich, creamy crab casserole flavoured with garlic, paprika, and Chilean spices.

8. Oaxaca, Mexico

If Mexico City is vibrant and sprawling, Oaxaca is intimate and soulful. It’s a place where recipes carry centuries of meaning. With offerings like complex moles crafted with dozens of ingredients, stringy quesillo cheese, house-roasted chocolate, and smoky mezcal, many even consider it to be Mexico’s most celebrated food destination.

In addition to restaurants, our experts at Hayes & Jarvis recommend taking time to visit the markets too. There you’ll discover street food like tlayudas, memelas, and even chapulines (toasted grasshoppers!) for the curious. A new generation of chefs are reimagining classic ingredients in modern kitchens, making Oaxaca a rare destination where ancient technique and contemporary creativity exist side by side.

Oaxaca’s signature dish: Mole Negro

A rich, silky sauce that blends chillies, nuts, spices, and a touch of chocolate into a deeply complex flavour, served over chicken.

9. Mendoza, Argentina

In the foothills of the Andes, Mendoza pairs world-renowned vineyards with a quietly exceptional food scene. Here, the dishes are created with beautiful simplicity: wood-fired meats, fresh produce, and handmade pastas, all elevated by the region’s exceptional wines.

Long lunches at vineyard estates make Mendoza feel less like a stop on an itinerary and more like a delicious interlude that’s slow, indulgent, and deeply satisfying.

Mendoza’s signature dish: Fire-grilled beef

A wine country twist on Argentina’s grilling tradition — best enjoyed at a vineyard restaurant with a glass of Malbec.

10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio brings its own joyful energy to the table. Tropical fruits, fresh fish, and Afro-Brazilian influences shape everything from açaí bowls to moqueca. Beachfront kiosks serve grilled prawns and crisp caipirinhas, while neighbourhood bars offer hearty comfort dishes after a day of exploring.

Rio’s cuisine mirrors the city itself: colourful, open-hearted, and unforgettable.

Rio’s signature dish: Moqueca Carioca

A fragrant seafood stew made with white fish, tomatoes, peppers, and coconut milk, brightened with lime and coriander.

Enjoy the Best Food in Latin America

Latin America’s landscapes may earn the spotlight, but its food tells the real story — one of heritage, innovation, and the countless cultures that shape this vibrant region. Whether you want to savour Lima’s world-class restaurants, wander through Mexico’s bustling markets, sip Malbec in Mendoza, or try something entirely new, each destination offers a feast for every sense.

At Hayes & Jarvis, our experts can design a personalised journey that pairs your dream destinations with unforgettable culinary experiences — from chef-led market tours to private tastings and off-the-beaten-path street food adventures. Let us help you discover the flavours that make Latin America so extraordinary.

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