The moment you see the Gocta waterfall for the first time is unlike any other.

From the back of a tuktuk—or, mototaxi as they call them in Peru—dashing uphill on a dirt road, you’ll whip around a corner and there it is: an incredible, 2,530-foot-tall double-drop waterfall wedged between green mountains.

Even from a distance, the Gocta waterfall is huge. But as you get closer, first arriving in Cocachimba, then hiking towards the base of the waterfall, it only gets more impressive.

But there is a cost. It’s a long (15-hour) overnight bus ride, a shorter bus ride, and an exciting tuktuk ride—just to get to Cocachimba, Peru, the little pueblo (small town) that’s home to this gorgeous waterfall. From then, it’s a multi-hour out-and-back hike to the waterfall.

That’s why the Gocta waterfall is what I call one of Peru’s best-kept secrets. Very few tourists venture this deep into Peru. And though it’s a little tricky to get to, it’s well worth it.

In fact, my trip to see the Gocta Waterfall was one of my most memorable solo travel adventures.

The Gocta Waterfall: One of the Most Impressive Waterfalls in Peru, and in the World

The Gocta Waterfall is one of the tallest in the world. Located in the Amazon region of Peru near the city of Chachapoyas, this amazing waterfall is:

• 2,530 feet tall—that’s the height of two empire state buildings stacked on top of each other!

• A perennial waterfall, meaning it stays full and flows throughout the entire year (that means no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy its beauty).

• A two-tier waterfall—it has two drops, and it’s so tall that often the upper falls are completely covered by clouds. From the town of Cocachimba, you can often only see the lower falls after the second drop. And even then, it’s an incredible sight.

Gocta’s Mysterious Legends

For years and years, only locals knew about this gigantic waterfall; for them, it’s a sacred place home to Kusi Kamayu, a mythical protector and guardian spirit. In search of blessings and good fortune, locals would hike to the top of the upper falls where Kusi Kamayu was said to reside.

But they never ventured too close to the bottom pool of the waterfall. Stories of a beautiful blond mermaid (who curses anyone who comes too close) and a giant snake guarding a pot of gold float around this little Amazonian town.

But in 2002, when a German researcher named Stefan Ziemendorff visited the waterfall, he was so impressed he convinced the government to measure it. That brought the waterfall some international fame and sparked tourism in this area.

How to Get To The Gocta Waterfall

If you look at the Gocta Waterfall on a map, you’ll quickly realize that it’s really in the middle of the Peruvian mountains bordering the country’s Amazon region. The nearest “city” is the town of Chachapoyas (larger cities like Jaen and Tarapoto are 3-7 hours away by car).

I took a bus from Trujillo to Chachapoyas, which was quite a long trip. The bus left at 4pm and arrived at 7am the next day—15 hours in total. It cost 132 soles ($36 USD). I slept most of the way, but it wasn’t the most comfortable journey and I don’t know if I’d do it again.

The best way to get to Gocta is flying into Chachapoyas—There are flights from Lima, but they are not at all frequent (there might be just 3-4 options a week). You could also fly into Jaen and then take a 3-4 hour bus to Chachapoyas (compared to a 15 hour bus ride, that sounds pretty good).

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To sum it up, these are your three options for getting to Chachapoyas:

• From Trujillo by bus: 15 hours, $35-$50 USD

• From Lima by plane: 1.5 hours, $150-$300 USD

• From Lima by plane then bus: 4.5 hours, $120-$150 USD

Once you get to Chachapoyas, you’ll have to take a bus to Cocachimba—the little town where the trailhead to the Gocta Waterfall is located. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Chachapoyas bus station.

2. Find a bus heading to Pedro Ruiz. (The bus ride costs 10-15 soles ($3-$4 USD) and takes about an hour.)

3. Tell them to drop you off in Cocahuayco.

4. On the side of the road in Cocahuayco, you’ll take a mototaxi to Cocachimba (for about 10 soles).

This is a beautiful mototaxi adventure—you’ll be driven through a small, windy road up the mountain. Everything around you is lush and green.

After a few minutes, you’ll go around a corner and see the huge mountains in the distance. Then, you’ll see it for the first time—the Gocta Waterfall. It’s a memorable moment, because it really is such a spectacular sight. Even from a distance you’ll be amazed at how tall and beautiful this wonder of nature is.

Where to Stay in Cocachimba

Cocachimba is a super small town made up of just a few hotels for the tourists who venture into this region of Peru.

• Gocta Miradors—I stayed here and had an incredible view of the waterfall for just $45 USD per night. (Can you believe this was one of the most expensive places I stayed during the entire time I lived in Peru?)

• Gocta Andes Lodge—For an even better view, and a pool! Around $150-200 USD per night. Alternatively, you can eat lunch here and get the view for free (well, for the price of a fancy lunch).

• GoctaLab Nature Lodge—A more luxurious option. Their beautiful rooms and stunning lodge will make you feel like you’re in a nature retreat, with incredible views of the waterfall.

How to Hike to the Gocta Waterfall

The hike to the Gocta Waterfall is a well-marked, easy-to-follow path that can be hiked without a tour guide. The hike is:

• 6.4 miles (10.2 km) round-trip

• About 5 hours total. Depending on how fast you walk, it’ll take you from 2-3 hours to get to the base of the waterfall and about the same to get back.

• Entrance fee: 20 soles ($6 USD). Pay at the beginning of the hike at a little wooden stand.

It’s a gorgeous hike through a lush green forest. You’ll cross a wooden bridge, listen to chirping birds and water running through the river down below you, and enjoy the fresh air in the mountains. Parts of the path are paved with a cement / rock mixture, and others are just dirt, but the path is wide and well-marked.

I went in the middle of March and was very happy I brought a raincoat—it sprinkled most of the way but wasn’t cold. Listening to raindrops fall on the big, green rainforest leaves along the trail was enjoyable and relaxing.

Since this is a 5-6 hour adventure, I recommend starting in the morning so you have time to enjoy the hike and get back to your hotel or the city of Chachapoyas without any problems.

There’s also another hike that takes you to a view of the upper falls and then down to the lower falls. That one is longer and a great option for experienced hikers. The Gocta Waterfalls aren’t a popular tourist attraction, so whichever hike you choose, you’ll likely be one of just a handful of people on the trail that day.

Other Things To See Around Chachapoyas

Chachapoyas is a small city you can walk around in a single afternoon. There’s a lot of cute places to stay, I stayed at Casona del Rosario, for 50-60 soles per night ($14-$15 USD) and it was fantastic—the great location close to the Plaza de Armas in the center of Chachapoyas and the kind people who work there make it a fantastic opinion.

Chachapoyas is filled with white colonial-style buildings with brown wooden balconies and features. There’s not much to see in the town; Calle Amazonas is the most popular street with a few stores and things to look at, and the market is a great place to get snacks.

The exciting stuff is outside of the city of Chachapoyas. Make sure you do these two awesome day trips after you see the incredible Gocta Waterfall:

Day Trip #1: Kuelap

Kuelap is an impressive ancient walled city on the top of a mountain—basically in the sky. Sometimes called the “Machu Picchu of the North,” Kuelap is one of the largest stone ruins in Latin America.

It has also been known as “the city in the clouds” and the Chachapoya civilization that built it (before the Inca were around) are called the “Warriors of the Clouds.” They built their city on the top of one of the highest mountains in the area not just as a power-move, but also to be closer to their gods.

The ancient civilization lived in circular stone dwellings—during your visit you’ll see their unique architectural style and anti-seismic creations. The unique building style and geometric designs are impressive—and the views from Kuelap are breathtaking as well.

The fortress they built out of rock around the 6th century AD has been well preserved and is worth a visit.

To get to the Kuelap fortress, you’ll take a 20-minute cable car ride over the Utcubamba River Valley to the 9,842 foot-tall mountain where the archaeological site is located.

You’ll definitely want a tour guide for this one so you can learn about the impressive Chachapoyas culture and explore this fantastic archeological site with an expert guide. This Chachapoyas Kuelap Fortress Full Day Tour is a great option.

Day Trip #2: Karajía Sarcophagi and Quiocta Caves

Another impressive day trip option is a visit to the Karajía Sarcophagi and Quiocta Caves.

The Karajía Sarcophagi are unique human-shaped tombs located along the cliffside of a high mountain near the town of Chachapoyas. Archeologists and historians think that this exclusive burial place is where the highest members of the Chachapoyas society (who lived in the fortress of Kuelap) were buried.

It’s an impressive site and one of the many archeological and historical wonders of Peru.

You’ll also visit the Quiocta caves—where you’ll find a fascinating mix of pre-Inca cave paintings, stalagmites and stalactites, and even human bones and skulls. Bring a headlamp so you can explore the many different surprises in these unique caves.

This full day tour takes you to see both the Quiocta caves and the Karajía Sarcophagi.

Explore a Different Side of Peru

Peru has much more to offer than Machu Picchu, rainbow mountains, and desert oases. Don’t get me wrong—those are beautiful attractions and definitely worth a visit.

But there’s so much more.

Visiting Chachapoyas and the Gocta Waterfall is a great first trip to venture deeper into this beautiful country. There’s so many more natural and architectural wonders to see off the beaten path.

After enjoying this trip with minimal crowds, time and space to enjoy at your own pace, and absolutely jaw-dropping sights, don’t be surprised if you’re drawn to visit more of Peru’s hidden treasures—like Chan Chan, the largest adobe-built city in the world, or the turquoise waters of Laguna 69, a beautiful lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains in Huaraz.

Peru truly has something for everyone.

Traveling to Peru soon? Get the complete 4-day foodie itinerary for Lima, Peru. Inside, you’ll find:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-use Google Map with all the restaurant mentioned here (plus a few more I recommend if you have more time),

• And, exactly what to order at each spot so you can enjoy the classics of world-famous Peruvian gastronomy.

Get the Lima Foodie Guide

After hiking the four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru and all over the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii, I thought I was prepared for the beauty of the Alps.

I was wrong.

The Alps aren’t just iconic—they’re one of the world’s most dramatic mountain ranges. What you’ll see on these hikes is simply jaw-dropping. Everything looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. It’s so beautiful, your friends will think your photos are fake.

But since these majestic mountains stretch over 750 miles (1,200 km) through 8 different countries, planning a hiking trip in the Alps is NOT easy.

There are just too many fantastic hikes to choose from. And designing the perfect route to get to all the different hikes you choose? Well, that’s even more complicated.

Luckily, you don’t have to plan it alone. This guide is your ultimate Alps Hiking Trip Itinerary, complete with:

• The ultimate 8-day trip itinerary, starting in Munich, Germany and taking you through 6 countries. You’ll end the trip in Geneva, Switzerland, where you’ll hop on a flight home.

• The 7 best hikes I recommend in the Alps for intermediate to advanced hikers—complete with links to the trail info on AllTrails.

• My 12 foodie recommendations (please note this is NOT a complete foodie itinerary, but it does have a few restaurants and things you MUST try).

• Tips and tricks for making the most out of every hike and each day.

• The exact 5 hotels we stayed in—Day 4’s hotel will steal your heart (and you’ll never want to leave).

• A Google Map with the exact driving route you’ll take, along with all the stops—so you know exactly where to go, where to park, and what to do.

Now, I can’t take credit for planning this Alps Hiking Trip Itinerary. The credit goes to my incredible uncles, who spent almost an entire year planning this amazing trip to celebrate my uncle’s 50th birthday. They’re both experienced travelers, and this itinerary is, in my humble opinion, a true work of art.

This Guide is NOT for Everyone.

That being said, this multi-country hiking trip guide is not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know right now, before you read any further:

• This itinerary requires an open-jaw flight: meaning, you’ll fly into one city and out of another. (For more information about how to book open-jaw flights, click here.)

• You will need to rent a car for this itinerary to work (you’ll also be taking trains and gondolas, but rental cars will be your main form of transportation).

• The hikes in this itinerary are for intermediate to advanced hikers. You will need to have a strong fitness level to do these 5+ hour, 7+ mile hikes.

• The hotels suggested in this guide are NOT budget hotels. They are stunning, beautiful hotels that will receive you like a warm hug after a long day of trekking (comfy bed, hot shower, warm breakfast, and all).

• This is not slow travel. If you want to spend a week in the beautiful mountain town of Chamonix, taking it all in, exploring every alleyway, and eating at ten different restaurants, that’s fantastic, but this guide is not for you.

But, if you want to see multiple incredible countries… Do the most spectacular, unforgettable, and fun hikes in a ton of different countries… And experience the best of the Alps in just 8 busy, exciting, and adventure-filled days…

This is the Alps hiking guide you’ve been waiting for.

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Something’s missing. Dare I say, the best part of it all, is missing.

I flag the waiter down and ask for “the cranberry-like sweet jam that goes with this.” I don’t know what it’s called, but he looks at me, smiles, and nods—as if he were thinking “Oh, this one knows.”

And I’ve just won dinner—before even taking a bite.

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Austria’s Most Famous Dish: Wiener Schnitzel

If you, like me, thought wiener schnitzel had something to do with hot dogs or sausages, you’re not wrong, you’ve just been Americanized. In the great US of A, Wienerschnitzel is the world’s largest hot dog chain. But don’t let that dissuade you from trying Austria’s most famous dish—which, thankfully, is nothing like those soggy hot dogs.

Austria’s wiener schnitzel is a thin slice of tender veal, breaded and pan-fried, served with potatoes and a lemon slice. And, of course, the most stunning sauce—lingonberry jam: bright, sweet, and similar-but-not-exactly-like cranberry sauce.

Though it’s traditionally made from veal (baby cow, I know, it’s sad but it’s delicious), wiener schnitzel can also be made with pork or chicken. I loved this dish and every crispy, crunchy bite of it. If you come to Austria, you must try it.

• Where to try it: Restaurant Stiegl-Keller, not only do they serve a fantastic wiener schnitzel, they also have perhaps one of the most stunning views of Salzburg!

• What it looks like on the menu: Original Wiener Schnitzel vom Milchkalb mit Petersilienkartoffeln & Preiselbeeren

• Average price per dish: €20-35

The Sleeper Dish: Beef Goulash

We traveled to Salzburg with my uncle, who lived in Austria for two years and has been back to visit often. He toured us around, showed us all the most popular spots in the city, took us to the best restaurants, and recommended we try beef goulash.

This unassuming dish blew my mind. It was my favorite thing I ate during the entire 8-day hiking trip in the Alps, and I can still taste the flavorful beef stew on my tongue. (Brb, I just drooled on my keyboard.)

Beef goulash is a powerfully flavored beef stew with tender beef chunks, a hearty sauce, and a big old bread dumpling in the middle. The bread dumpling is moist, but not at all soggy, filling, but not overpowering, and striking without taking away from the beef, which is the star of the show. Yet, having said all that, it is still hard to describe. You just have to try it.

• Where to try it: Andreas Hofer Weinstube, this candlelit restaurant is homey, cosy, and has all the traditional Austrian favorites on the menu.

• What it looks like on the menu: Rindersaftgulasch vom Weiderind mit Serviettenknödel

• Average price per dish: €15-25

The Famous Soda: Almdudler

Nothing pairs better with these traditional Austrian dishes than the country’s most famous soda: Almdudler.

You’ll see some people describe it as lemonade, but in my opinion, it’s not lemonade-like at all. Made with Alpine herbs like lemon balm, sage, and elderflowers, this drink is a bit citrusy, tart, and truly unique.

• Where to try it: At any of the restaurants mentioned in this guide!

• Average price: €4-6

A Delightful Dessert: Kaiserschmarrn

This traditional Austrian dessert is another must-try. It’s chopped-up pancakes topped with raisins, powdered sugar, and a sweet, non-artificial applesauce. It’s warm, fluffy, buttery, and sweet. After a long day hiking in the Alps or exploring the Austrian cities, this dessert hits the spot.

• Where to try it: At almost any of the restaurants mentioned in this guide!

• What it looks like on the menu: Kaiserschmarrn

• Average price: €10-20

The Best Gelato in Salzburg: Gelateria La Romana dal 1947

The line for this place was out the door—but it was well worth the wait. At Gelateria La Romana dal 1947, you’ll find unique flavors, beautifully textured gelato, and other sweet treats like waffles and crepes.

I loved their tangy lemon gelato—it had gummy bits of lemon candy in it and a sweet lemon jelly woven throughout. Paired with classic strawberry gelato, it was super refreshing on a warm summer night.

The Pastries: Experts in Apple Delights

Of course, I had to find an authentic bakery in Salzburg to try a few pastries. Bakery Pföß did not disappoint. A young girl who worked there spoke excellent English and recommended her favorite savory and sweet pastries.

The apple strudel here is dense and divine. Their cinnamon-roll like pastry is airy and flavorful and great for a light breakfast. We also liked the savory cheese bread roll and the half-moon shaped sweet pastries, too.

• Where to try it: Bakery Pföß

• What to order: Apfelstrudel, and unfortunately I didn’t write down the names of the other pastries we ordered… so you’ll have to just point and smile.

• Average price: €10-20

My Overall Review of Austrian Food

Austrian food surprised me in the best way. The beef goulash, with its savory and punchy flavors… The kaiserschmarrn, with its sweet appley flavor… The crispy, fried crunch of wiener schnitzel… Each dish opened my eyes to a new side of Europe, and a new culinary world previously hidden from me.

Of course, having my uncle there to show us what to order and which restaurants were the best was what made all the difference. With an expert local guide to guide you to the best bites, you’re sure to enjoy every meal.

That’s what my goal is with Emily Eats Everywhere—I do the research, taste-test the restaurants, and give you all the information you need to make every meal count on your trips. Because eating on vacation shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be one of the highlights of your trip.

Join the Foodie Travel Club as a paid subscriber and get access to the entire foodie itinerary library—plus, new detailed city foodie itineraries (with restaurant recommendations and what to order for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) every month.

Other Restaurant Recommendations:

My uncle lived in Austria for two years and has been back frequently to visit. He also suggested these restaurants as well. Though we didn’t have time to try them on this trip, I’ll be back soon to eat here:

• Zwettler’s Wirtshaus—A great spot in the city center for local favorites like the ones mentioned in this guide.

• Die Weisse—Another traditional Austrian restaurant, a little outside of the hustle and bustle of the center, with generous portion sizes.

• Restaurant Herzl—Traditional Austrian cuisine inside the Goldener Hirsch Hotel.

• Ristorante Pizzeria Beccofino—Because every good vacation includes pizza, especially if you’re in Europe and can get authentic Italian pizza!

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We continued hiking uphill through green pastures with sharp grey mountains surrounding us, and then we saw them: three massive cows alongside the trail. Two with a brown and white pattern, one a lighter tan color, all with yellow tags in their oval-shaped ears.

We continued walking, and saw several more, who, like us, were following the leader through a magically beautiful Alpine trail. This was their home, this incredible green mountainside, with a little village down below and enormous mountains all around.

It was an unforgettable start to a 8-day hiking trip through the Alps with some of my favorite people in the whole world—my uncles and cousins—to celebrate my Uncle Matt’s 50th birthday.

That specific hike was stunning, but—shockingly—it wasn’t even the most impressive one we did that trip.

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These are the 7 hikes I enjoyed during 8 days in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland. I’ve ranked them in order of my personal favorites, starting with my all-time favorite hike that you must do:

#1 Oeshinensee Lake in Switzerland

I loved this route because during almost the entire hike, you can see stunning views of the lake and the snow-topped mountains in the background. It’s not too challenging, yet has some steeper (optional) places where you can climb up a grassy peak and get incredible (and less crowded) views of it all.

You’ll need to take a gondola up to the start of the hike—and get your tickets early, because they sell out weeks in advance! This hike takes you on an enjoyable loop in the mountains around the lake and then down to the lake. There are many great photo spots as well!

With distant waterfalls that cascade into the bright blue lake, and mountains surrounding it, this is a 11/10 swimming spot! It’s chilly but I recommend you bring a swimsuit—you’ll definitely want to take a relaxing dip in this beautiful lake!

• Experience Level Required: Beginner

• Distance: 6 miles

• Time: 3.5-4 hours

• Pro tip: Bring allergy medicine just in case. I discovered that I’m allergic to Swiss grass (or flowers, or something!)—I was sniffling and crying (it was just so beautiful!) almost the entire route.

• Stops along the way? There are two huts along the way that sell food and water. There are also bathrooms near the gondola and at the lake.

#2 Gosausee Lake in Austria

This was the first hike I did in the Alps (mentioned above) and it’s everything you’d hope a hike in the Alps would be. With a truly stunning 360° view at the top, huge tan and white cows grazing along the way, and sharp grey mountains that shoot into the sky above, this one has it all.

We followed this route, but in reverse: starting off walking down the street from the parking lot, up through a wider trail that was part of the ski resort, up to the cross at the highest point, then down through the trees on a narrower, rockier trail to the lake. We also just did a portion of the walk around the lake as well.

• Experience level required: Intermediate

• Distance: 7 miles

• Time: 3-4 hours

• Pro Tip: Do this route reversed. The uphill climb through the ski resort area is much more manageable than the other way around. Plus, finishing off at the lake makes the end of this hike much more rewarding.

• Stops along the way? Yes, there are 3 huts/refuges along this route, all with options for food and bathrooms. One around halfway up to the highest point, one at the top near the ski lift, and one at Gosausee in front of the lake.

#3 Salet Landing to St. Bartholomew Landing (Around Königssee Lake) in Germany

You’ll start with a leisurely boat ride through Königssee lake, a beautiful, narrow, and deep lake that winds between towering mountains. Exit at the second (and last) stop. Then you’ll follow a super easy, flat, and short trail to Obersee, a hidden lake in the mountains—and a great picture spot!

After, you’ll head back out to the main trail and start hiking uphill on this route through a pasture with cows, goats, and lambs, through a little hut/refuge, and up the hill.

Then, a truly grueling uphill begins. We spent about 2.5 hours climbing up through a rocky forest terrain with wooden stairs, rocks cut into stair shapes, and iron steps that took you straight up. Realizing we had only gone one mile after all that was disheartening, but we kept trudging along. The incredible views of the two lakes on the way up were some consolation, but it was one of the most challenging hikes I’ve ever done. The uphill is finally (mostly over) when you arrive at a smaller lake hidden in the mountains.

After a brief respite, you’ll descend through gravel-covered switchbacks in between a stunning mountain gorge. You’ll see the Schrainbach Wasserfall, a small waterfall on your right and then, you’ll arrive at the lake—where you MUST swim (this was one of the most incredible swims of my life)!

After a quick walk you’ll end up at the St. Bartholomew dock where you can take the boat back to where you started.

• Experience level required: Very advanced.

• Distance: 11 miles

• Time: 6-7 hours

• Pro tip: Make sure you bring lots of water, there are NOT places to fill up your water bottle along the way.

• Stops along the way? This route takes you up to a hut around the halfway mark where there is a place to refill water. But, you can skip that part (like we did) to shorten the distance.

#4 Grindelwald Loop in Switzerland

Take the gondola from the town of Grindelwald up to the mountain. There, you’ll find a short, enjoyable hike around the top of Grindelwald that takes you out to a small lake and then back through a slightly rocky but mostly green route where cows graze.

The day we hiked, the morning was cloudy—and the viewpoint at the top of the gondola was completely white!—but by the time we finished the loop, the clouds had cleared to reveal the stunning view.

From the top, you’ll see three ginormous peaks—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau—burst out from behind the clouds. There’s a green, cabin-dotted village below, and if you look closely, you’ll see glaciers far above and waterfalls that trickle down the mountainsides.

Here, there are also a bunch of fun activities to try: mountain biking, zip lining, carting, and even paragliding!

• Experience level required: Beginner

• Distance: 4 miles

• Time: 2.5-3 hours

• Pro Tip: Do try the delicious apple pastries at the Grindelwald Bakery before or after your hike. They were incredible.

#5 Matterhorn in Switzerland

If you’re traveling to the Alps, you probably want to see one of the most photographed and famous mountains in the world: the Matterhorn. At 14,692 feet (4,478 meters), this uniquiely-shaped peak is memorable and worth a visit. I don’t reccommend summitting it, but you can do this easy hike to get some truly impressive views.

First, you’ll take a tram up the mountain and see incredible views of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains along the way. Then, after enoying the views from the top station: Gornergrat, this route is a simple downhill that takes you to a lake in front of the Matterhorn. You’ll end up right next to the tram stop, Rotenboden, where you can ride back to the mountain village of Zermatt.

• Experience level required: Beginner

• Distance: 3 miles

• Time: 1-2 hours

#6 Tour de Mont Blanc in France

This beautiful section of the TMB trail has incredible views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains. You’ll start in Chamonix, then walk up to the gondola where the TMB trail begins. Some parts are a gravely fire road and others are more forested, narrow, dusty trails.

The route takes you uphill by a few small lakes and a few huts, then down a technical and very steep section with ladders you’ll have to carefully climb down to continue hiking. We also spotted quite a few mountain goats along the way.

• Experience level required: Advanced

• Distance: 9 miles

• Time: 6-7 hours

• Pro tip: Don’t do this hike on a rainy day, the technical areas will become very slippery and dangerous and it will not be enjoyable.

• Stops along the way? There are two huts along the way where you can stop and stay overnight or grab some food.

#7 Tour de Mont Blanc in Italy

This challenging route is right on the other side of the Mont Blanc mountain range. It’s a difficult uphill climb (about 2-3 hours) before you get to the ridge and the viewpoints.

Most of the uphill is through a rocky, dusty forest trail. The summit is covered in yellowy grass (with a lot of bugs!).

This route takes you to a different ending spot, but for the sake of time (and ending up at the same parking lot) we did it as an out-and-back and just turned around when we got to the summit, which worked out great.

• Experience level required: Intermediate

• Distance: 8.5 miles

• Time: 4-5 hours

• Stops along the way? There is one hut along the way, but we couldn’t find a bathroom there.

A Hiking Trip You’ll Never Forget

Hiking in the Alps is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you want to really take the time to plan out which hikes will be most rewarding and fun for you. I would 100% recommend the 7 hikes I’ve shared here; each was filled with incredible views and just enough of a challenge to make it worthwhile.

That being said, there are so many hiking options in each of the beautiful countries we visited—Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy. Someday, I hope to explore the lakes in the Dolomites, hike to see the famous Saxer Lücke viewpoint, and spend a summer enjoying Lake Annecy (both for the swimming and the gelato!).

Until then, I’ll keep reminiscing about this incredible week in the Alps—wishing I was back among the soaring mountains, breathing in the crisp mountain air, floating in the crystal-clear Königssee Lake, and trekking along a trail somewhere in the Alpine backcountry.

Of course, if you come to Lima, you need to try ceviche—Peru’s most famous dish.

Ceviche is typically white fish (like sea bass) that’s “cooked” with acidic lime juice and accompanied with thinly-sliced red onions, cilantro, choclo (Peruvian corn), and sweet potato. And, it’s deliciously spicy—the traditional Peruvian peppers give it a real kick.

Lima has so many incredible restaurants—in fact, it’s the city with the most restaurants on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list. But you don’t have to go to an expensive, world-famous, Michelin-star restaurant like Maido, Kjolle, or Central to find incredible ceviche.

In fact, my favorite places are the hole-in-the-wall, local haunts with Michelin-star level food, but in bigger portions and without the hefty price tag.

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Though it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, these are my top five ceviche spots in Lima:

#5 Señor Limón

I saw this place on Instagram before my third trip to Peru and knew I had to try it. They serve large portion sizes, have a ton of ceviche options (and a variety of other seafood dishes), and is a popular, upscale, hole-in-the-wall kind of place. This place is pricier than others, but it’s worth every cent (or sol, since we’re in Peru).

Here, you can try all different types of ceviche:

• Conchas negras—black clam ceviche with an earthy, slightly-metallic taste. Served in a black leche de tigre sauce with diced red onion, ají limo (spicy Peruvian pepper), and cilantro.

• Matrimonio—traditional ceviche with a crab-filled causa.

• Ceviche de lenguado—freshly caught flounder, or sole fish, is the star of this type of ceviche. With a firm, sweet, and delicate meat, lenguado fish is a prized ingredient in the ceviche world.

• Plus, the classics—of course, Señor Limón also has classic ceviche, ceviche mixto, and combinados as well.

After a juicy, tender, grilled octopus covered in chimichurri sauce atop a bed of russet-style potatoes and cherry tomatoes… I literally struggled to walk after leaving the restaurant.

💸 Price: 50-75 soles per ceviche plate ($15-22 USD)

📍 Location: San Isidro, La Molina, San Miguel

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#4 La Choza Nautica

La Choza Nautica is a popular franchise restaurant in Peru. It’s name is actually a self-deprecating jab at the Rosa Nautica: Lima’s famous, elegant fine dining restaurant on the pier. Choza means shack in Peru—and while La Choza Nautica might not be the most elegant restaurant… with affordable prices and way bigger portion sizes than its luxurious counterpart, it’s a very popular local spot in Lima.

One of my English-class alumni took me here during my first trip to Lima, and I was floored by the portion sizes. Here, you get a LOT of ceviche at a very affordable price. They also have a ton of both seafood and non-seafood options on the menu. Not to mention the great music—there are great live performances on the weekends.

💸 Price: 30-45 soles per ceviche plate ($9-13 USD)

📍 Location: Breña, Pueblo Libre, San Borja, Chorrillos, Rimac, and more

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#3 Al Toke Pez

This little ceviche place in Miraflores gained international fame after appearing on Netflix’s Street Food Latin America. And it definitely lives up to the hype. You can watch Toshi Matsufuji, head chef and owner, work the wok over a huge flame and prepare a fantastic arroz de mariscos and 10/10 ceviche.

I recommend the combinado. For about 30 soles ($9 USD), you get:

• Ceviche mixto—A portion of mixed seafood ceviche with a masterfully crafted leche de tigre (the lime and fish juice the ceviche sits in). In my humble opinion, this is the best place on this list to try ceviche mixto.

• Arroz con mariscos—A portion of ultra-flavorful seafood rice made over the wok with an impressive giant flame.

• Chicharrón de pescado—A portion of crispy, breaded fried slices of jumbo squid.

Come early, and be prepared to eat your ceviche standing up or take it to go. There are only a few seats and it’s always packed. People usually start lining up before it even opens.

💸 Price: 35 soles for ceviche de pescado or ceviche mixto ($10 USD)

📍 Location: Miraflores

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#2 The Magdalena del Mar Market

When I took my husband here, he thought we were taking a shortcut through the market to get to the restaurant. Nope. I took a left turn and sat right down at my favorite spot, in the middle of the Magdalena market.

This ceviche bar is called Barra Cevichera “MISAEL - YULY.” It’s—literally—a tiny hole in the wall that has a blue banner at the top, across from a yellow “ferreteria” sign.

I’ve been here three times, and I always order the trio marino. It’s a classic dish—it comes with ceviche, arroz con mariscos (seafood rice), and chicharron de pescado. And here in the heart of the Magdalena del Mar Market, they make it perfectly. (And, it’s very, very cheap.)

Every time I come back, this hidden treasure of a spot never disappoints. There’s only room for 5-6 people at the ceviche bar, so only bring your favorite person. Say yes if they offer chilcano, a fish soup, to start, and eat it with the canchita (fried corn) and spicy sauce.

💸 Price: 20-35 soles for ceviche or a combo plate like the trio marino ($6-10 USD)

📍 Location: Magdalena del Mar

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#1 Mi Barrunto

And now, my favorite ceviche in Lima—and of all time (so far).... Mi Barrunto!

This ceviche surprised me. I knew it was highly rated (a 4.4 star rating with over 15,000 reviews) but I didn’t expect it to be that good. But it was. It was the best ceviche I’ve ever had.

I got the Barrunto ceviche with chicharron de pescado, super tender breaded and fried fish. The fish was tender, flavorful, and perfect, but the star of the show was the leche de tigre (the sauce / juice the ceviche is served in). It was ultra-flavorful and almost… creamy. It was unlike any ceviche I had tried before and I am obsessed.

It was a fantastic combination, and when I go back I want to try the Barrunto Premium so I can enjoy more ceviche and also try their arroz con mariscos, which looks absolutely stunning.

This place is right next to the Alianza Lima soccer stadium in La Victoria, and it’s filled with signed soccer jerseys, photos, and memorabilia. It’s always packed, so come early and with an empty stomach—they serve generous portion sizes. It’s a little more expensive than the last option, but it’s well worth it.

💸 Price: 25-75 soles per ceviche plate ($7.50-22 USD)

📍 Location: La Victoria

🐟 Ceviche Menu

If you love to eat, you’ll love Lima.

Honestly, this is only a small peek into the endless foodie possibilities that await you in this delicious city. There’s just so much more to try.

From fish sandwiches like pan con pejerrey to classic favorites like lomo saltado and papa la huancaina, there’s so much foodie goodness to explore in Lima, and throughout all of beautiful Peru.

These five ceviche spots are my favorites, and they’re a great place to start. I can promise you, you definitely won’t be disappointed. When I visit Lima, these are the places I come back to again and again.

Traveling to Lima soon? Get my complete 4-day foodie itinerary for Lima, Peru. Inside, you’ll find:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-use Google Map with all the restaurant mentioned here (plus a few more I recommend if you have more time),

• And, exactly what to order at each spot so you can enjoy the classics of world-famous Peruvian gastronomy.

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When I arrived home after 20 days of traveling down the California coast, sleeping in a 2007 Toyota RAV4, learning how to surf, and eating at fun spots along the way, my family asked me if I would do it again.

And yes, I would (duh!)... But not alone.

Not because I don’t enjoy solo travel—I do, and I think everyone who’s itching to explore the world most definitely should travel alone at least once in their life.

But after surfing alongside grey dolphins and playful seals, after walking along the beach in Malibu, after eating a take-out dinner on a lookout point over the ocean, after exploring the Channel Islands… After discovering the ins and outs of California, I want to share it with everyone.

I want to spend summer weeks at my newly-discovered favorite surf spot with my family. I want to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and wander around San Francisco with my husband. I want to show the people I love Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, and McWay Falls.

So they can see how incredible this beautiful state is. And so you can too.

I want to share my California with you. That’s why I’ve created this California Coast Road Trip Guide. This is Part 2. If you missed Part 1, check it out here. In this guide, you’ll get:

• My 11 favorite foodie stops along the California coast—and what to order at each one,

• The 12 best surf spots for beginners along the California coast (I’ve successfully wiped out at each of these), and

• An interactive Google Map with recommended restaurants, must-see attractions, and all the best surf spots.

My 11 Favorite Foodie Stops Along the California Coast

I ate at quite a few subpar restaurants on my road trip down the California Coast. At the time, I was 23 and still learning how to find good eats that fit my budget. I hadn’t yet been to Peru, so I tried four different Peruvian restaurants that were just mid, because I didn’t know any better.

Thankfully, along the way I did stumble upon some really great spots. These are my 11 favorites, in order from north to south:

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You wouldn’t expect to find the world’s best sushi in the Sacramento Valley in California. But after hearing Taro Arai, Chief Dreaming Officer at Mikuni, share his family’s story of sweat, setback, and sushi… you might just call it destiny.

From Rural Japan to 90-Million-Dollar Sushi Empire

The road to success for Taro and his family was never easy. His father was a Christian pastor in rural Japan, and his mother cooked for the church-goers who came on Sundays. When he was just a kid, Taro worked a newspaper route. After almost 5 years, he had saved enough money to buy one-way tickets for his whole family to come to America.

In California, they moved from place to place, constantly seeking cheaper rent. But the miracles were always abundant. When a church in South Sacramento needed a Japanese-speaking pastor, it opened the way for the entire family to get green cards in record time.

One morning, Taro’s dad woke up and told them he had a dream. “God is telling me to open a restaurant,” he said. Taro laughs as he tells the story, “My dad had never cooked in his life—he didn’t even know how to use a microwave!”

But the miracles continued. “The first thing we did was pray as a family,” Taro says. Soon after, they met a generous Japanese businessman who gave them $300,000 to fund their restaurant.

“I can’t explain why this happened… All of these things just kept happening,” Taro recalls.

Becoming Sushi Chefs

With the funding, it was now time to learn how to make sushi. “When we built the sushi bar, we had no idea how to make sushi. I had to buy a book: Sushi for Dummies!” he shares.

The whole family was working from 7 o’clock to midnight, but they weren’t making any money. They didn’t even have enough money to buy fish—so they got creative and made vegetarian rolls, hot dog rolls, and rolls from whatever was in the kitchen.

But all too soon, the $300,000 was gone. Within six months, they had run out of money. They got two calls. One from the bank, informing them of a fine for writing bad checks. And the other from the Japanese businessman, letting them know that more money was on the way.

With his parents’ approval, Taro quit school and devoted himself full-time to running the family business. He started talking to every customer who came in—in broken English, but with a beaming personality.

Rebellious Rolls With Personality You Can Taste

From the beginning, Taro has always wanted to make his customers happy. He didn’t bring sushi to America. He did something even better: he created his own, unique, entirely new style of sushi.

“With sushi, they have so many rules. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. I break every rule—because I wanted to make sure the customer would be happy,” Taro says.

“I kept creating a new roll for every customer. We had 300 rolls at one point!” When a woman named Marilyn came in for her birthday, the Marilyn Monroll was born. (The next time she came back with all her friends and they ordered it again.)

That’s why you’ll see so many fun and creative sushi roll names on the Mikuni menu: from name rolls like the Annie Roll and the Bob Roll, to creative titles like the BMW Roll and the Iron Chef Roll, there is truly something for everyone.

This deeply personalized approach took the restaurant from 30 customers a day to one thousand customers every weekend. Fast forward to 2026, and Mikuni Restaurants use 52 tons of seafood a month to fill the bellies of hundreds of thousands of customers.

Little by little, the Arai family expanded the original Hazel Avenue location in Fair Oaks to 10 different restaurants in the Sacramento area. Their motto? “Do your best, and let God do the rest.”

Today, both Taro—with his brightly-dyed hair, colorful outfits, and beaming positivity—and his personality-packed rolls are loved by millions.

20 Years Of Unbeatable Sushi

Just this month, the Elk Grove Mikuni location celebrated its 20-year anniversary. That’s 20 years of the highest-quality sushi rolls, incredible service, and true dedication to the craft of restaurant ownership.

I met Taro when he came to my elementary school class in 5th grade and taught us how to make sushi. We arranged the cucumber, avocado, and crab on sticky rice to make a classic California roll. That day, I wanted to become a sushi chef. I was so inspired I even put a sushi making kit on my birthday list.

But that’s about as far as my dream got—because when you’ve got sushi as good as Mikuni’s right in your hometown… Why try and make it on your own?

For a while, that picture of my fifth grade class alongside Taro Arai hung across from the pick-up counter at the Mikuni’s location in Elk Grove. For years and years, we walked by it as we came to Mikuni to celebrate birthdays and graduations, and to just enjoy good food.

Now, that photo is long gone, but I still come to Mikuni every time I’m back home in California. Because I’ve never had sushi as good as Mikuni’s anywhere else.

If you’re in the Sacramento area, there is one thing (and really one thing only) you must visit, and it’s Mikuni.

Here’s a quick guide to navigating the extensive menu at this one-of-a-kind sushi restaurant:

What to Order

When we eat sushi, we go all out. This is one restaurant where, in my humble opinion, starters are NOT optional. Do yourself a favor and try these stand-out appetizers:

• Freaky Edamame—These “seriously seasoned soybeans” have just enough spice to keep things interesting. (Pictured above, right.)

• BBQ White Tuna Appetizer—Perfectly grilled white tuna with a seared exterior and a rare, tender inside. But what really makes this dish stand out is the sauce—the soothing, cream-colored mayo-based sauce combines fantastically with the punchy and spicy sriracha sauce. Green onions top it all off. (Pictured above, left.)

• Tuna Sliders 2 (My all-time favorite appetizer!)—Spicy crab mix wrapped in thinly sliced tuna with avocado, panko scallops, sesame seeds, and sriracha sauce. This heavenly mix of crunchy and tender is bursting with flavor. (Pictured above, center.)

• Illegal Asparagus—Another great starter opinion, this hot oil-blanched asparagus is seasoned with sansho pepper and yuzu salt. Served with mind-blowing Zig Zag sauce (like that dreamy mayo sauce from the BBQ tuna appetizer, above). You’ll never look at asparagus the same way again.

Now, for the rolls. I suggest you invite 3-4 of your favorite people, then order all of these (yes, all of them), then a few more that catch your eye. These are my favorites that never disappoint:

• Japanese Mafia—Creamy. Saucy. Dreamy. This roll has it all. Scallop, shrimp, salmon, and crab mix combine with cream cheese, avocado, and flavorful sauce. Topped with masago (tiny orange fish eggs) and green onion.

• Peter Two—The Spicy Dream sauces are the star of this fantastic roll. They’re ultra-flavorful and combine magically with the tuna, eel, avocado, crab mix, and panko shrimp.

• Train Wreck—A true monster of a roll, you might have to unhinge your jaw to fit this one in. It’s packed with chopped eel, seared tuna, avocado, crab mix, panko shrimp, spicy sauce, sesame seeds, and green onion.

• Incredible—This one’s got spicy tuna, panko shrimp, more tuna, and avocado. With sauce, masago (tiny orange fish eggs), and green onion on top, it’s a crispy combo you will not forget.

• DMC—If you like lobster, this one’s for you: tempura lobster combined with avocado, crab mix, and white tuna. It’s rolled into a soy wrap, torched, then topped with sauce and tempura bits.

You’ll also see on the menu next to certain rolls, a little drawing with Taro’s face. These menu items are Taro’s favorites, so make sure you try one of those as well.

💸 Price Range: Appetizers are in the $10-$20 range and individual rolls are between $15-$30. Yes, it’s on the more expensive side of things. But when you enjoy every single bite (and want to lick the dream sauces off the sushi plates), it’s well worth it.

👉🏼 See the full menu here. We LOVE a menu with real-life photos for each item.

📍 Locations: Mikuni has 10 different locations all over the Sacramento area. Check their website to find the restaurant nearest you.

That day, for the first time, I drove across the famous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. I finally saw McWay Falls, an 80-foot beachside waterfall that cascades from a seaside cliff into the turquoise ocean. And I ended the day surfing in stunning Morro Bay—and eating seafood at a fantastic spot on the embarcadero.

Day eight was one of many memorable days during that coming-of-age trip. I had dreamt of this trip since the beginning of high school—and meticulously planned a route from my hometown of Sacramento to Crescent City at California’s northern border, then all the way down to San Diego at California’s Southern frontier. A route filled with breathtaking sights, surf spots, great eats, and enjoyable hikes.

This trip was the most memorable and breathtaking road trip I’ve ever done.

If you want to truly experience California—whether it’s your first time or fifteenth—a coastal road trip is the best way to see it all.

The guide I’m sharing with you today is NOT for luxury travelers—for this budget trip, I slept in the back of my car, packed a cooler full of non-perishable food, and did mostly free activities.

This travel guide is for adventure travelers who want to see the California Coast on their own terms—spending slow, foggy mornings driving down the one, exploring hidden beaches and forest hikes, and surfing in the state’s best beaches.

But…there was just too much to include in one article, so I’ve broken it up. This is Part 1, and in this guide, you’ll get:

• My 20 must-see destinations along the California Coast,

• The places I recommend skipping (they might surprise you, but I have good reasons)...

• My top hikes along the California Coast—and one I’m still dying to try,

• An interactive Google Map with notes and recommendations from my trip.

Then, next week I’ll share Part 2: The Best Spots to Eat and Surf Along the California Coast…

Driving Along California’s HWY 1

Windy forest roads that take you underneath towering, 300-foot-tall ancient redwoods.

Magical coastal waterfalls that empty into turquoise ocean bays below.

Sea lions, seabirds, and ocean critters that play and fight on the shores.

Palm-tree-lined avenues home to the rich and famous.

California has it all.

And despite having grown up in California, there was still so much of this beautiful state that I hadn’t ever seen. And I wanted to see it all before I moved out of the country and across the world.

This guide will show you all the best stops along the California coast so you can explore this beautiful state and have the most memorable road trip of your life.

Where to Start: North or South?

I recommend you start your road trip in Northern California, then travel down the HWY 1 all the way to San Diego.

Why? Well, frankly, because you want to save the best for last. Southern California has much more swimmable and enjoyable beaches than Northern California, so you’ll want to spend more time there—espeically in the summer!

I started in Sacramento and drove north to Crescent City to begin my trip. If you’re flying into California, you can fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and rent a car nearby to begin your road trip.

⚠️ A Few Road Trip Essentials ⚠️

A road trip isn’t a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. I spent months planning and weeks preparing for this adventure. From buying magnetic window shades to stocking up on non-perishable food items to finding cafes with free wifi to work at along the way, there were a lot of things to prep.

When the big day came, I loaded an air mattress, a cooler, my brand-new surfboard, my guitar, a few changes of clothes, and a notebook into the back of the RAV4 and set out to see the most incredible places along the California coast.

A few road trip essentials to remember before we get to the good stuff:

• Never text and drive. Never drink and drive. You are about to drive along HWY 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the country’s most stunning routes. Take lots of pictures—just not while you’re driving. Distracted driving kills.

• Be aware of road closures on HWY 1. They’re often doing construction to keep this road safe for travelers and locals alike. Stay up to date on the latest road closures using this website.

• Get a California Explorer Annual Pass. This $195 pass will get you into almost all of the California State Parks and also popular Southern California beaches like Huntington Beach and Doheny State Beach. If you plan on visiting multiple state parks on a multi-week road trip, it might be worth purchasing.

• Find a safe place to park and sleep in your car. Since rules for this are constantly changing, make sure you do a bit of research. I parked in mostly parking lots, but also a few residential areas, and didn’t have a problem.

• Download your playlist ahead of time. You won’t have coverage during parts of this route (Northern California redwoods area, I’m looking at you). Make sure you download your playlist so you can keep jamming all the way down the coast.

The California Coast Road Trip Budget

The first night, I was so scared I couldn’t sleep. I laid awake in the back of the RAV4, my heart pounding in my chest. Every brustle of tree branches, snapped twig, and thump sounded like an intruder coming to murder me.

But after looking at hotel prices and realizing that even the cheapest hotel would cost me anywhere from $80 to $150 a night, I summoned some bravery and decided I would stick it out.

California is notoriously one of the most expensive states to live in and travel to. However, road tripping and sleeping in your car is probably the most budget-friendly way to see the coast and enjoy California.

If you sleep in your car, eat a cheap breakfast and lunch (either packed ahead of time in a cooler or purchased at a nearby grocery story), splurge on dinner at restaurants along the way, and stick to mostly cheap activities (like the ones I’ll share with you in this guide), you’ll be able to experience the California coast for less than $75 a day (per person), plus gas*.

Here’s the daily breakdown:

• Grocery store / packed-ahead breakfast and lunch: $15-20

• Dinner: $30

• Excursions / State Park Entrance Fees: $10-20

* The route from Crescent City to San Diego along HWY 1 is about 1,000 miles long. In July 2026, it cost me 70$ to fill up an entire tank of gas in a Toyota RAV4. I can usually drive about 240 miles on a full tank of gas, so right now it would cost me around $400 to drive down the entire coast of California.

Of course, gas prices are crazy right now, and every car gets different gas mileage, so you’ll have to do a little math to figure out your gas budget for this road trip.

20 Must-See Destinations Along the California Coast

You could spend a lifetime exploring California—and still not see it all (just ask John Steinbeck). There are so many hidden beaches, local favorites, and touristy gems. You just can’t see everything. But you can see all these incredible destinations in just one trip!

In Northern California:

Northern California is towering Coastal Redwoods, foggy grey beaches with frigid water and jagged rocks, and iconic cities like San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Make sure you stop to see:

• Burney Falls—President Roosevelt called this 129-foot waterfall “the 8th wonder of the world.” Tucked inside a forest in Shasta County, this wide, powerful waterfall flows year-round, with a daily flow of 100 million gallons of water. You can walk around the nearby trails as the mist from Burney Falls keeps you cool—even on the hottest summer days.

  • Entry fee: $11 per vehicle.

  • Reservation needed? Yes, if you’re going on a holiday or weekend in May through September. Make a reservation here.

• Avenue of the Giants—This scenic highway winds underneath towering 300-foot-tall ancient Redwoods. It’s a must-see in Northern California. (Although, in my opinion, the entrance to the two hikes I did in this area—Fern Canyon Loop Trail and Boy Scout Tree Trail—were even more beautiful than this stretch.)

  • Entry fee: FREE! But if you’d like to drive through the Shrine Drive Thru Tree, it’s $10 per vehicle.

• San Fransicso—I highly recommend spending a day in SF. I loved renting a bike (or you can do a bike tour like this one) and riding around the (steep!) city streets and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure you check out the Palace of Fine Art, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39 where all the seal lions hang out. (I’d skip Lombard Street, the view is best from the sky and it’s crowded and crazy if you’re driving.) If you have time, do a tour of Alcatraz too—an island prison that once held Al Capone!

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If there was such a thing as “The Foodie Olympics”, France would take the gold in the pastries category—every single year. With eclairs, croissants, pain au chocolat, macaroons (and more!), France is known for its pastries.

And they’re not just incredibly delicious, they’re also stunning. To walk into a pâtisserie (pastry shop) in Paris is to walk into a pastry art gallery. The colorful sweet treat creations are delightfully decorated and beg to be photographed.

In the US, we’ve tried to copy and mass produce a few French classics like palmiers and madeleines—with varying degrees of success.

But there’s nothing as delicious as trying food directly from the source—right in its country, city, and (if you’re really lucky) kitchen of origin. So, during your trip to Paris, France, try all the pastries you can—and then try a few more.

I was only in Paris for a few days and couldn’t try all the pastries and bready treats my heart desired. But the ones I did try were fantastic. Here’s a list of my favorites:

#1 Vanilla Eclair

This soft, creamy, ultra-vanillay eclair erased from my memory all the sad American eclairs I’d had previously. Every bite was delightful and bursting with vanilla flavor. It had the perfect proportion of filling to pastry—and the creamy filling inside was divine.

#2 Pain au Chocolat (Chocolate Pastry)

This is a must-try pastry if you’re in Paris. It’s super popular, and everyone loves it—and it’s really no surprise. What could go wrong when you take flaky croissant like dough and fill it with a rich, thick, French chocolate paste? If you’re a chocoholic, you’ll love pain au chocolat.

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#3 Macaroons

You’ll see these colorful bite-sized pastries decorating pâtisserie (pastry shop) windows all over the city. You’ll want to try them all (and, you should). Macaroons are surprisingly fantastic. I tried a few different flavors from the famous Pierre Hermé macaroon shop, and it was almost as if they had a delayed flavor effect—it was a bright pop of flavor, then a slow release of the underlying flavors for a terrific taste transformation.

#4 Lemon Madeleines

If you’re into supermarket tourism, you’ve got to check out La Grande Épicerie de Paris, it’s a giant supermarket with all the staples, plus freshly prepared foods and fantastic foodie souvenirs. It’s where I got these 10/10 lemon madeleines that I fell in love with. They’re spongy, buttery, moist, and infused with lemon goodness.

#5 Pain au Chocolat Banane (Chocolate Pastry With Banana)

I love all things banana—but this pain au chocolat banane was a thing of dreams. It had actual, lengthwise-sliced bananas inside, along with that delicious chocolate. Wrapped in flaky, crispy croissant-y goodness, it was delicious.

#6 Croissant

I was only able to try croissants from two different boulangeries (bakeries) in Paris—since I was too busy stuffing my face with steak frites and crepes. But, the croissants I tried were nothing like those sad Costco copycats. They were buttery, actually crispy on the outside, and soft inside. (And dare I say, even better after being squished in my backpack all day?)

#7 Brioche

This simple snack was doughy and sugary sweet on top. If you like brioche bread, you’ll love this brioche pastry—because of course, it’s better in Paris!

There’s So Much More!

I know this is just the tip of the iceberg—there are so many more pastries I’m dying to try. Next time I visit Paris, I definitely want to enjoy:

• Chou à la crème—French cream puffs filled with thick, creamy custard.

• Profiteroles—A French ice cream sandwich? Yes please. This sweet treat is a puff pastry filled with vanilla ice cream.

• Beignet—Yep, just like the Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog, but from their place of origin, France.

Plus, whatever pastry beauties I lay my eyes on that my stomach can’t resist. There’s just so much to see, eat, and enjoy in the beautiful city of Paris.

Planning a trip to Paris? I know how exhausting that can be. I spent weeks that turned into months finding exactly which restaurants were worth it—specifically for trying French classics like beef bourguignon, crepes, steak frites, and croque monsieur.

And after a ton of research, I curated a fantastic two-day foodie itinerary. You’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What I ordered at each restaurant—plus prices and honest reviews,

• And an organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals)...

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But we parked right in front of Infraganti Pizza—and as soon as I stepped out of the car, the alluring aroma of freshly baked pizza invaded my body.

I resisted the first temptation. But a longful: “Oh my gosh that smells incredible,” escaped my mouth and reached my husband’s ears.

I couldn’t resist the second. Walking back to the car after enjoying a delicious helado (ice cream), that overwhelmingly delicious smell beckoned us. It was pizza night.

We walked in—just in time to snag one of the last 2-top tables that didn’t have a reservation. And that’s how I ended up trying Ingraganti’s incredible pizza for the very first time.

We were lucky to walk in and find a table at 8pm on a holiday AND a Friday night. The place was packed, and almost everyone else who came in had a reservation.

The Infraganti restaurant we visited is located just 200 yards from Muchavista Beach in Alicante’s El Campello. It’s a popular location for both locals and tourists. Make sure you grab a reservation here to make sure your table is saved when you’re craving pizza.

Make a Reservation

There are a few street parking spots nearby, and we usually don’t have any problems finding parking in this area in the evenings (though from 10am-4pm during high tourist season, it can be tricky).

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza in Alicante

I went to Naples, Italy—the birthplace of pizza—just to try authentic neapolitan pizza. So, I had high expectations going into Infraganti.

Thankfully, Infraganti’s doughy, flavorful, thin-crust pizza met every expectation. And the dough? 10/10.

Infraganti’s pizza dough isn’t just the base of their pizza, it’s the perfect foundation for their culinary creations. You’ll love how chewy and flavorful, yet light and airy, this pizza dough is. Pre-fermented for 24 hours, then kneaded and matured for 48 more hours, the dough is a delicious work of art.

Their pizzas are cooked in a large pizza oven for just a few minutes (just like the pizzas they make in Naples, Italy). This gives each pizza a delicious smoky flavor that’s just incredible.

What I Ordered: Quattro Formaggi

I’m a sucker for blue cheese, so when I saw that the Quattro Formaggi had gorgonzola (Italian blue cheese), I knew that’s what I would be getting.

It also has fior di latte (fresh, semi-soft Italian cheese), smoky scamorza cheese (yes, the same fat-pear-shaped cheese you see hanging in the stores in Naples), and parmesan (cause duh, every cheese pizza needs parmesan).

With a smoky, flavorful crust, four different cheeses—including the gorgonzola blue cheese that really stood out, this pizza was a 10/10. The Quattro Formaggi is your quintessential cheese pizza—and Infraganti makes it delightfully.

Final price tag: €18.90

Most of Infraganti’s pizzas cost between €10-15 euros (La Guasa, the winner of the Spanish Gourmet Pizza Challenge, is more expensive, with a price tag of €22.50).

Their pizzas are large enough for two people to share (if you had ice cream before dinner), but I recommend ordering one pizza per person so you can try more flavors. If you have leftovers, you can always take them with you.

This is a high-quality, authentic Neapolitan pizza at a very reasonable price.

The Million-Dollar Question: Would you come back?

Most definitely. Infraganti has locations in three different locations in Alicante (one in the center, one in San Juan, and this location we visited in Muchavista). We will definitely be back to try more delicious pizza flavors.

And when I come again, I have my eye on these delicious pizza creations:

• Infraganti—A unique combo with Spanish sausage, Italian cheese, and sweet honey and thyme.

• Cabronara—A carbonara-style pizza with goat cheese that looks incredible.

• Pim Pam Pum—This curious creation has cherry tomatoes, anchovies, basil, and rosemary (I’m curious, and I’m on a rosemary kick, so…)

• Diavola—Because you know I’m a sucker for pepperoni; this one is calling my name.

Infraganti Muchavista Restaurant Information*

Address: Ctra. Benimagrell, 7, 03560 El Campello, Alicante

Website: https://infragantipizza.com/

Menu: https://infragantipizza.com/carta

Operating Hours: 1–4 pm, 7–11:30 pm

Average Cost Per Person: € 10–20

*This information is accurate as of July 2026. Make sure to double-check the website to find the latest details and possible changes.

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In fact, it’s worth coming to Rome just to eat gelato here. Forget about the Colosseum. Who cares about the Pantheon? This is the real reason to come to Rome. (Okay, the other stuff is cool, too but this gelato is every foodie’s dream.)

Reasons Why You Absolutely MUST Try The Gelato at Giolitti

• So many flavors to choose from! This place is what all ice cream shops should aspire to… 30+ flavors, and not one disappoints (okay, I haven’t tried all of them—but I hope to.)

• Ideal location. Giolitti is located right in the heart of Rome, less than a 10 minute walk from must-see historical sights like the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

• Authentic Italian gelato. This stuff is the real deal. Giolitti has been around since 1890, and for over 130 years, this family-run ice cream shop has preserved authentic gelato recipes made using traditional methods.

• Ice cream, any time of the day. Literally. Giolitti opens at 7:30am (and yes, you can order gelato at that time—ask me how I know) and closes at midnight.

• Hands down, the BEST gelato in Rome. Warning: After trying this gelato, all other ice cream will disappoint you. It’s just that good. The only gelato we had in Italy that even came close to being as good as this one was the lemon gelato (served inside a real lemon) we had in the Amalfi coast.

Rome is an elegant, fancy place. So here’s what you need to know to pretend to be elegant and fancy (and not embarrass yourself) at Giolitti.

Pay First (Near the Door)

Before you pick your gelato, first, order and pay at the little cash register kiosk that’s right by the middle door. Use your best Italian (the next section will help). You don’t have to order the flavors you want, just the size of the ice cream cone or cup.

Then, take your ticket to the line by the ice cream counter and wait for your turn to point to the flavors you want.

How to Order Gelato in Italian Like a Pro

Alright, here’s your mini Italian lesson of the day:

You probably already know please is “per favore” and thank you is “grazie,” so let’s jump into the gelato-specific terms. After you greet the cashier with your best buongiorno (good morning) or buon pomeriggio (good afternoon), tell them what size ice cream you want:

• Piccoli - small

• Medi - medium

• Grandi - large

(There’s a large sign right behind the cashier if you forget how to say the sizes.) Then make sure to tell them if you want it in a cone or a cup:

• Cono - cone

• Coppetta - cup

Then, if you want to eat inside, make sure you say: “Da mangiare qui” and pay the extra cost for dining inside.

Finally—if asked—tell them how you’ll pay (with cash or card):

• Contante - cash

• Carta - card

Finish it off with a smile and a well-rehearsed “grazie.”

They only let you taste-test one flavor.

I know, I wanted to try them all, too. Unfortunately, they only let you try one, then you have to just go for it. Luckily, all the favors are truly incredible, so you really can’t go wrong. But, choose wisely. And come back often to try different flavors.

Sitting Inside Costs Extra

If you’d like to enjoy your gelato inside this adorable Italian ice cream parlour in their picturesque seating, make sure you say “per qui” (for here) when asked, “Mangia qui o porta via?” (for here, or to go?). You’ll have to pay a few more euros, but you’ll be able to sit inside or outside on the windowside seating.

If you don’t pay the extra euros, you’ll have to enjoy your gelato standing up outside, or while you walk around the beautiful city.

Pro Tip: Come Your First Day in Rome

And your second. And your third. And your fourth. Then dream about Giolitti gelato for the rest of your life. My mouth waters just writing this.

Yes, it’s really that good.

We discovered Giolitti’s grandeur on our second day in Rome, but that didn’t stop me from coming back the morning our flight left (yes, at 7:30am, right when it opened) for one last gelato before leaving Italy. And it was well worth it.

The Flavors I Tried

The first night we came to Giolitti, I got a medium cup with three flavors: coconut, strawberry, and lemon. Pedro, my husband, got limoncello and coconut.

They were all absolutely incredible. Pedro loved the coconut because it had little pieces of shredded coconut and a very natural, creamy flavor. Strawberry was everything you’d dream it should be: fresh, fruity, and flavorful.

Both of the lemon flavors were fantastic—the one I got (lemon) was a whiter, almost transparent color with a more sorbet-like texture. The limoncello (by the way, it doesn’t have alcohol) had a more dairy-based texture and a yellower color—and, in my opinion, was even more delicious.

When I came back the morning we left, I got strawberry again, mint, and arancia (orange). This dreamy combination was absolutely divine. The mint flavor is super natural and not creamy like U.S. mint flavors—but a sorbet style that just melts in your mouth—with actual little mint leaves. The orange flavor was tart and combined magically with both the strawberry and mint. It also had little orange square gummy pieces in it.

Each flavor is absolutely unforgettable. Oh, how I long to try them all! I need to plan a day trip to Rome asap.

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Try the Pastries, too!

Giolitti also has a ton of traditional Italian pastries. We tried the basic croissant and it was surprisingly delicious. There are all sorts of cute treats to try.

If you’re not going to Naples on your trip to Italy, make sure you try the “Sfogliatella napoletana” from Giolitti. This was my all time favorite treat from Naples—and it’s worth every cent. It’s a thinly layered pastry with a thick, creamy, citrusy filling made with ricotta cheese. So good.

One More Thing: Be Patient

This is a very popular spot. We came around 7pm in mid-October and there were still quite a few people. But, I have seen pictures on Reddit of this place being packed. So, come early, be patient, and remember, it’s worth it.

Things to Do In Between Meals in Rome

• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour. Of course, you have to see Rome’s world wonder: the Colosseum. We loved exploring these breathtaking historical sites on our own, but if I were to do it again, I’d do a guided tour like this one to be able to learn from a Roman History expert.

• See the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome is packed with vibrant religious history, and the Vatican is a must-see, whether you’re religious or not. Enjoy the art, take in the views, and don’t miss this essential stop in Rome.

• An early-morning jog to see the sights without the crowds. If the weather collaborates and you enjoy running, I recommend waking up early (like 6am early) to jog around Rome and see the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Altar of the Fatherland (or Vittoriano) at dawn. It’s crazy how few people go sightseeing this early (mmm, wonder why?)! You can hit all the major attractions in 30-45 minutes in a quick 5k.

Giolitti Information*

Address: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, Rome, Italy

Website: https://www.giolitti.it/

Operating Hours: 7:30am - midnight

Average Cost Per Person: € 5 – 10

*This information is accurate as of July 2026. Make sure to double check Giolitti’s website for the latest, most up-to-date information.

That first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower up close—glorious in the morning light, towering before your eyes—is unforgettable.

And so is your first bite of Paris. Whether it’s steak frites, a banana nutella crepe, a vanilla eclair, or a flaky, buttery croissant, it’s a bite you will not forget.

Walking around, hearing live music wafting through the air from the street musicians around the city, it’s magical. You feel like you’re in a movie. And you might be! (Or at least, where a movie was filmed.)

So many stories were crafted, shot, and dreamt up in Paris. You’ll walk the street where they were pieced together. And suddenly, you’ll realize that yours is being written, right now, in the city of love, art, and food.

This is what awaits you in Paris.

An Honest Opinion About Paris

I arrived in Paris late on a Thursday night in the beginning of May. Seeing the Eiffel Tower from the plane window made my heart leap for joy.

This weekend trip was an early birthday present (from myself to myself). Though I only spent two magical days in Paris, I enjoyed every second.

Honestly, I didn’t think I would love Paris that much. But I did. And I especially loved:

• The colorful, beautiful, woven Rattan chairs! The ones outside every single restaurant. I took pictures of all of them. They’re lovely. I aspire to decorate my backyard dining area with them (someday, when I acquire a backyard dining area).

• Eating outside (in the lovely chairs)! There’s just something magical about eating outside in Paris. Maybe it’s the aforementioned adorable woven chairs. Maybe it’s the vibes of this stunning city. Maybe it’s the fantastic food. Oh wait, it’s most definitely the food—the setting is just the cherry on top.

• The food! Of course, French food is marvelous. Though I could only try a small sampling during my weekend in Paris, everything I tried was fantastic. Paris is a culinary experience.

Paris is chic, girly! romantic, magical. You walk around and feel like you’re in a movie—and that you’re the main character.

Live music plays as you walk across the bridges that curl over the Seine river. People call you mademoiselle (which, I know, makes you immediately want to buy a plane ticket). Everything is artsy—from the ivy that grows perfectly up the buildings to the terrace seating, to the croissants themselves!

Paris is a work of art. And love itself is her muse.

A Short Aside About Why I Ended Up Traveling Solo In The City of Love

Unfortunately, I ended up traveling alone to the city of love.

Obviously, before buying two plane tickets—one for myself, and one for my dear husband, Pedro—I confirmed, with said husband, the date of the trip. Which he forgot and proceeded to book a wedding (he’s a professional saxophone player) that very Saturday.

So, while he was working, I was walking around Paris with my lonesome. Don’t shed any tears for me, it was wonderful.

Of course, I would have loved to go to Paris with Pedro. But as a very introverted, independent woman, I also love being alone—and traveling alone. You get to do whatever you want, eat whatever you want, walk for however long you want (and no one complains!)

So, if you’re travelling alone to the city of love, don’t worry. You don’t need a significant other, a French sneaky link, or even a peor es nada to enjoy this beautiful city. Remember, in Paris, you’re the main character.

Paris herself will shower you with amour.

My Top 3 Paris Best Eats

I ate a lot of food in Paris. Of course, that was the goal of my trip—to try as much French food as possible and enjoy every bite. It was borderline gluttony. (I actually ate so much I had to cancel my dinner reservation the last night.) So yes, you can say I achieved my goal.

Out of everything I ate, these were my top three:

#1 Steak Frites

The Eiffel Tower was cool but the steak frites? Absolutely stunning. This was the meal that made the whole trip worth it.

I savored every single bite. Leave it to the French to take something so simple—medium-rare steak and french fries—and turn it into something intensely elegant and gourmet.

What really sealed the deal was the tangy tarragon sauce that I doused everything in. I’m a sauce girlie, and this sauce was it. Thank you Paris for steak frites. I will never forget them.

#2 Nutella-Banana Crepe

I had eaten crepes before, good crepes. But when I took that first bite of a nutella-banana crepe, I was floored.

This was no normal crepe—it was spectacular. I couldn’t quite figure out if it was the French butter, the hint of saltiness, or the perfect texture of the crepe that made it so unbelievably good, but I loved every ounce of it.

And surprisingly, though it was loaded with bananas, nutella, and powdered sugar, it wasn’t overly sweet. I’ll say it: it was absolutely perfect.

#3 Croque Monsieur

“Croque Monsieur” is just a very fancy way to say ham and cheese sandwich. Of course, it’s not just any ham and cheese sandwich—it’s the best one you’ll ever have.

That’s what happens when high-quality ingredients meet French cooking. You get nostalgic favorites crafted to perfection.

I loved the croque monsieur because it’s intensely cheesy, yet the cheese doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. Each bite is a perfect balance of gooey cheese, savory ham, bread, and that cheesy broiled crust. It’s marvellous.

After weeks and weeks of intense research, I found 3 incredible restaurants to eat each of these delicious French dishes. See the restaurants and get my exact foodie itinerary in my Paris, France Foodie Guide.

Get The Paris Foodie Guide

The Food That Surprised Me

I was not a fan of the first macaroon I tried from the famous Pierre Hermé macaroon shop. I thought my flavor choice was solid: salted butter caramel. But when I took that first bite, I was… unimpressed. I guess the “deliciously regressive notes” (as Pierre describes the flavor on his website) just didn’t vibe with me.

Thankfully, I had bought four more—in an adorable Eiffel Tower tin souvenir can—to bring home to Pedro. When we tried them (because of course they weren’t just for him), they were fantastic. Nothing like the first one.

In fact, I’d say they were surprisingly fantastic. It was almost as if they had a delayed flavor effect—the first bite was a bright pop of flavor, then as you kept enjoying it, the underlying flavors came out, transforming the initial bite into something more.

So, my final verdict on macaroons is—flavor matters. Every macaroon shop has quite a few options to choose from, so make sure you try at least five. Or ten. Or all of them.

Am I The Only One?

The French might guillotine me for this one. And I might lose all credibility as a foodie… But I’ll say it anyway: Croissants actually taste better after being smushed in a backpack all day long.

Like, that soft, buttery taste gets all compact, the squishing brings out their essence, and at the end of a long day walking around the city, they just taste even more satisfying.

Just me? Alright, no biggie.

Things to Do In Paris

There is so much to do in Paris. With seemingly endless many museums, parks, and places to choose from, it can be hard to plan a trip. This is what I did during my quick weekend in Paris and highly recommend:

• Do a bike tour around Paris! If there’s one thing I 100% recommend doing, it’s this! I learned so much about Paris and all the most notable spots in this short, 2-hour bike tour. Our guide was great and biking around Paris was a blast.

• See the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night! At the hour (for five minutes), the Eiffel Tower sparkles and lights up the Paris sky in the most spectacular lights show. You must stay up late to see this.

• Visit the Orsay Museum. I love impressionist art, so visiting the Orsay Museum and seeing famous paintings from Monet and Renoir was incredible. Get your entry ticket here.

• Do a 1-hour Seine River cruise. See Paris from the water on this hour-long river cruise. Plus, incredible shots (and selfies) of the Eiffel Tower from the boat!

The Reality of a Weekend Trip

One of my favorite things about living in Spain is having incredible European destinations so close. Places like Paris, Rome, and London are just a cheap flight away.

But as much as I love weekend trips, they don’t let you truly explore a place in a soft, slower, and deeper way.

I tried to see all of Paris that I could. I woke up at 6am, was literally only in my airbnb to sleep and shower, and walked more than 13 miles (21 km) every day. It was (quite literally) a marathon of a trip.

And I caught myself rushing through a city that just can’t be rushed through.

Something about Paris makes you stop, take in the live music, sit by the Seine, lie down on a park bench, and just be.

It’s better to experience Paris’s beauty slowly—to breathe it in until it becomes a part of you, to enjoy every moment, every bite, every flavor.

And while you can see Paris in a weekend, I recommend you don’t.

You’ll want to stay a bit longer. To linger on the woven rattan chairs on the terrace. To gaze up at the Eiffel Tower for a few seconds more. To have stomach space for one more crepe. To walk slowly along the Seine, with nowhere to go.

And you’ll reminisce, before it’s even over. You’ll tear up as you say goodbye to the sparkling Eiffel Tower, knowing you’ll be back, but not knowing when.

That’s what Paris will do to you. At least, that’s what it did to me.

Merci Paris… je t’aime.

Planning a trip to Paris is exhausting. Luckily for you, I did all the research, restaurant planning, and pre-approving for you. So you can skip the stress and jump to the good part: enjoying the best pastries, desserts, and typical French food in this magical city.

In the Paris, France: 2-Day Foodie Itinerary, you’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What I ordered at each restaurant—plus prices and honest reviews,

• An organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals),

• Where to eat famous french dishes like steak frites, beef bourguignon, crepes, and croque monsieur.

Get The Paris Foodie Guide

If you’ve started to plan your trip to Paris and you feel overwhelmed, I get it. First off, the city is huge. Second, it’s dang expensive. Third, what even are arrondissements?

With so much to see and do—and so many different restaurant options—planning your trip can feel like a hot mess.

Successfully eating Paris doesn’t just happen.

That’s why I spent weeks that turned into months researching and planning my foodie weekend trip in Paris. And, although it almost brought me to tears, I’m so glad I did. My weekend in Paris was unforgettable.

Now, I’m by no means a Parisian food connoisseur. (After all, I was only there for a weekend.)

But, after a marathon of research, I’m sharing my exact two-day Paris foodie itinerary with you. Why? So you can skip the stress and jump to the good part: enjoying the best pastries, desserts, and typical French food in this magical city.

In this guide, you’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What I ordered at each restaurant—plus prices and honest reviews,

• An organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals),

• Where to eat famous french dishes like steak frites, beef bourguignon, crepes, and croque monsieur.

Read more

This was the bite…

The one that shocks your taste buds in a magical, overwhelmingly delicious way. The one that introduces you to new flavors you didn’t even know existed (even when you thought you’d tried it all).

The one that makes the whole trip worth it.

The best dish I ate in Paris, France was a medium-rare, French beef tenderloin with a daringly delicious tarragon sauce.

More commonly known as steak frites, this dish is a French classic you must try when you’re in Paris.

What is Steak Frites?

Steak frites is a traditional French dish that’s stunningly simple. It’s made up of:

• Steak—Typically entrecôte (rib-eye), a premium beef cut that’s very tender and intensely flavorful. It’s cooked rare or medium-rare, which highlights its tenderness.

• Fries—French fries (cause, duh, we’re in France!), but not just any French fries. These are thinly cut fries that are crispy yet soft inside.

• Sauce—Every restaurant’s steak frites sauce is a little different. Often, it’s a variation of a béarnaise sauce (made with butter, egg yolk, and tarragon). I’ve also seen menus that have a dreamy blue cheese sauce (and unfortunately, some menus that don’t have a sauce at all—shame on them).

These three elements combine magically. Yes, it’s simple—but before you think you’ve had steak at home and don’t need to try this… Hear me out: this isn’t just any old steak. This is a must-try dish when you’re in Paris.

And if you try it in the right place, it might just be the best thing you eat during your entire time in France.

How To Decide Where To Eat Steak Frites in Paris

I knew I wanted to try this dish when I was in Paris, so I did a LOT (and I mean A LOT) of research to find the best restaurant for affordable, authentic, and unforgettable steak frites.

There are many options. You’ve probably seen on social media influencers raving about the steak frites from Relais de l’Entrecôte—everyone and their grandma’s dog says this is the “best” place to try this dish—or the super cheap version from Bouillon Chartier.

I considered many places in my search for the perfect place to try my first steak frites:

• Relais de l’Entrecôte—Mentioned above, a 29€ double-service meal (meaning two rounds of steak and fries). But… after seeing a few more honest reviews (and seeing that it often has over 2-hour wait times) I decided it was overhyped and didn’t want to risk it.

• Le Relais de Venise—Very similar to the first option, it also had long lines and wait times for the same 30€ double-service meal. Deemed overhyped, didn’t make the cut.

• Le Bistrot Paul Bert—Recommended by Les Frenchies as one of the most flavorful steak frites dishes. However, after seeing reviews on Google and pictures of a very small steak dish for 48€, I decided it was too much for too little.

• Bistrot Victoires—At 13.90€, this was a very affordable option, but the pictures I saw in Google reviews didn’t have a sauce. No sauce, no go.

The final contenders were:

• Black Angus—A more modern, hip version of the classic steak frites. With drool-worthy photos, great reviews, and at 29€ per plate, this was a very convincing option.

• Brasserie Des Prés—An affordable 20€ steak frites with the option of garlic parsley butter or bearnaise sauce.

• L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille—A 19.90€ lunch menu option of a single-pass steak frites, or a 29€ double-pass version with unlimited fries and the signature house sauce.

And after spending weeks investigating restaurant recommendations, travel guides, and scouring social media, I found it: The perfect way to try authentic steak frites at an affordable price in a cute Parisian restaurant…

Where I Recommend Eating Steak Frites in Paris

I decided on L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille, and I’m so glad I did. This was the most incredible steak frites dish—the meat was perfectly tender, the fries were crispy (and all-you-can-eat!), and the sauce was absolutely mind-blowing.

First, they start you off with slices of French bread. And a fresh salad with oak leaves, radishes, and hazelnuts along with a tangy mustardy sauce that wakes up your taste buds and prepares them for the main dish.

Then, out comes the first glowing dish of steak frites. Four slices of medium-rare meat alongside a pile of fries. And the sauce! The green signature sauce is served in an elegant gravy-boat sauce cup.

The sauce is what really takes this dish to the next level. For me, it had flavors I had never experienced before—the waiter told me the tarragon is what really makes it stand out. But whatever magical secret ingredients they use, it works. The sauce combines magically with the fries and the steak. You’ll want to pick up your plate and gluttonously lick off every last drop.

After you polish off your first dish, your waiter will come around and serve you another round—more perfectly tender, flavorful meat and another pile of crispy French fries. And more sauce, of course.

What to Know About L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille

L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille has four different locations in Paris—I went to the Bastille location. (Besides the fantastic food, the restaurant is also adorable! I fell in love with the Parisian chairs that are all over the city—they’re colorful, woven from rattan, and absolutely charming.)

Things to keep in mind:

• The 19.90€ steak frites lunch option (one pass instead of a double pass) is available from Monday to Friday and not on holidays.

• The double service deal is 29€ and is served with unlimited fries and sauce.

• If you’re traveling with kiddos, they also have a smash burger option (and a chicken option) that might be good for the little ones.

• If you ask for water at restaurants in Paris, they’ll bring you bottled water and you’ll have to pay for it. If you say you don’t want anything to drink, they’ll bring you free tap water.

I also tried the crème brûlée here—and wow—it was great. It had the thinnest layer of glass-like caramelized sugar and the creamiest, vanilla custard base. Also recommend trying that (if you’re not too full).

Steak frites are unforgettable. I enjoyed every single bite. My mouth waters just writing this. I 100% recommend the steak frites from L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille—try it; you will not be disappointed.

This is the meal worth flying to Paris for.

L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille Information*

Address: 21 Bd Beaumarchais, 75004 Paris, France

Website: https://latelierev.com/notre-formule#bastille

Operating Hours: 11:45 am–2:30 pm, 6:30–10:30 pm

Average Cost Per Person: €20-35

*This information (along with the prices mentioned for the other restaurants above) is accurate as of June 2026. Make sure to double-check the website to find the latest details and possible changes.

Planning a trip to Paris?

I know how exhausting that can be. I spent weeks that turned into months finding exactly which restaurants were worth it—specifically for trying French classics like beef bourguignon, crepes, steak frites, and croque monsieur.

And after a ton of research, I curated a fantastic two-day foodie itinerary. You’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What I ordered at each restaurant—plus prices and honest reviews,

• And an organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals)...

Get The Paris Foodie Guide

“If you’re a tourist, do NOT eat the street food or in cheap restaurants.”

“Nasty things like e coli and salmonella.”

“Lacking consistent refrigeration and hygiene.”

You’ve heard it before—eating street food in certain countries is DAngERouS. Well, yes, it can be.

I’ve puked my guts out a few times in various locations in beautiful Peru. You live and you learn.

But if you use common sense, street smarts, and know the basics about Peruvian cuisine, you can enjoy some of the most delicious, most authentic, and most affordable food you’ve ever tasted in your life—yes, right in the streets of Peru.

Now, I can’t give you the common sense or street smarts (that’s up to you, my friend), but I can show you the basics of Peruvian street cuisine to help you find not only safe street food—but the best the streets have to offer.

The Safest Peruvian Street Foods: These Won’t Do You Wrong

The majority of the street food you’ll try in Peru is pretty safe. And, each of these costs only about 10 soles (around $2.75 USD) or less. But, of course, you’ll want more than just one!

These are my favorite street eats that can be found on almost every corner.

Anticuchos: Grilled Beef Hearts

Intensely marinated beef hearts sizzle over a fiery grill on a street corner in Trujillo, Peru. These beef hearts have been cubed and marinated in a spicy mixture of traditional Peruvian peppers, both aji panca and aji amarillo, along with garlic, oregano, vinegar, and Peruvian beer.

Then, they hit the grill. They’re brushed with more of that delicious marinade as they cook to juicy, tender perfection. Finally, they’re served with cooked Peruvian potatoes and—of course—spicy sauce.

It’s hard to pick favorites, but anticuchos are definitely in my top 3 favorite Peruvian street foods. Anticuchos are an absolute must-try. Intense flavor, tender texture, and super cheap.

Papa Rellena: Fried Filled Potato

Mashed potatoes are formed into an ovalish ball and filled with cooked, deliciously-seasoned ground beef, a slice of spicy aji amarillo (peruvian pepper), a hard-boiled egg, and an olive—then fried until the outside layer of potatoes is crispy and golden.

Then, your papa rellena is accompanied by zarza criolla: a mix of finely sliced red onions and spicy peppers doused in vinegar and lime juice. And of course, the sauces—Peru is all about the sauces.

Papas rellenas have a delicious flavor combo (and, although Colombia also has its version of papa rellena, Peru takes the W on this one).

Choclo con queso: Peruvian Corn with Cheese

This street food is especially popular in the Andes region of Peru—you can find it in cities like Cajamarca, Cuzco, and Huaraz. The simplicity of this dish is a true testament to the quality of the ingredients in Peru and the rich agriscience that was carefully developed by the Incas centuries ago.

It’s literally just boiled corn with cheese. But it’s Peruvian boiled corn with cheese. And the choclo (corn) in Peru is the best in the world. I don’t even like corn, but I LOVE choclo.

This simple combo is filling and delicious, making it the perfect afternoon snack. Buy some anticuchos to accompany it, and you’re set.

Salchipapa: Fries with Hot Dog Slices

This is the favorite of almost every Peruvian kiddo, and who blames them? It’s comfort food to the max—crispy fries piled with hot dog slices and drizzled in ketchup, mayo, and Peruvian spicy sauces. It’s fantastic.

The perfect late-night snack, you can find this street food all over. There are even restaurants that are dedicated to selling only salchipapa. You can also get variations like salchipollo—fries with hot dog and a piece of fried chicken—or request a fried egg or different types of sausage for your salchipapa.

Oh, and Peru has over 4,000 varieties of potatoes, so the potatoes that you eat with salchipapa are different from the ones used to make papa rellena, and different from the potatoes that accompany your antichuchos.

What can I say? Peruvian chefs know what they’re doing.

Picarones: Peruvian Sweet Potato Donuts

Time for the sweet side of street food.

Picarones are one of the most popular Peruvian treats. Often known as Peruvian donuts, these fried treats are made from sweet potato and squash (yep, that means they’re healthy!). They’re formed into circular, donut-like shapes, then fried until golden brown (okay, maybe not so healthy).

Then, the picarones are doused in a sweet, honey-like sauce with a soft texture and a fantastic flavor.

If you’re in Lima, one of the most popular places to eat this sweet treat is in Parque Kennedy. You’ll find a bunch of different red street food carts making picarones right before your eyes—it doesn’t get fresher than that.

Cachangas: Crispy Fried Peruvian Bread

Another fried treat, cachangas are a mix between a sweet tortilla and a fried flatbread. They’re crispy, sweet, and simple. Eat this with a hot chocolate on a cold day and your soul will thank you.

Mazamorra Morada y Arroz Con Leche: Purple Corn Pudding and Rice Pudding

This is my favorite Peruvian sweet treat—warm rice pudding topped with cinnamon and accompanied with mazamorra morada. Peru’s purple corn has a truly unique flavor (it’s also what they use to make chicha morada, the famous purple Peruvian drink). The creamy, slightly fruity, corn pudding combined with the sweet rice pudding is one of a kind.

One of the best mazamorra morada y arroz con leche I’ve had was one I’d buy from a neighbor in my favorite surf town in Northern Peru.

She’d make them in her house and set up a little stand outside her front door and sell them for 3 soles ($0.80 USD). After surfing in the morning and teaching English online in the afternoon, I’d wander down the street to eat my mazamorra morada y arroz con leche and chat with the kind woman who’d prepare this delicious dish.

Arroz zambito: Brown Sugar Rice Pudding

Arroz zambito is a variation of arroz con leche made with brown sugar and coconut. If you like rice pudding, you must try this delicious treat. Served warm, this treat is a delicious dessert that’s unique to Peru.

Quinoa: A Breakfast Quinoa Drink

All of the street foods previously mentioned are ones you can try in the afternoon / evening. Most of the street vendors spend the morning buying ingredients and preparing the food, then they set up shop and sell in the late afternoon / evening.

But not this one. This is a popular breakfast street food that’s absolutely fantastic—very nutritional, filling, and delicious. Quinoa, native to the Peruvian Andes region, is one of the rare plant foods that contains all nine essential amino acids.

Honestly, I’ve yet to find a better way to prepare and eat quinoa than in this delicious Peruvian breakfast drink. Quinoa is boiled with pineapple skins, brown sugar, apple slices, cinnamon, and cloves. Then a gelatinous mixture is added to thicken it up.

This sweet, pineapple-flavored drink is served warm and often with a breakfast sandwich, or a slice of keke: homemade, unfrosted cake.

The Most Delicious Peruvian Street Food: Ceviche (And How to Try It Safely)

Ceviche is, hands-down, the most delicious Peruvian street food—but it’s also the riskiest. Since this popular dish includes raw fish, it’s one of the dishes that, if prepared incorrectly or unhygienically, can send you to the bathroom or even the hospital.

One time, my friend took me to eat a combinado (ceviche, with papa la huancaina, and spaghetti—don’t judge, it’s strangely delicious) in an outdoor market on a hot day. The place looked a little run down—as most street food places do—and the ceviche was pre-made, just chilling out there in a plastic container, under the sun.

It was delicious, but the next day, on a bus to a nearby town, I had sharp stomach pains and actually had to tell the bus to stop and take a taxi back to my place. I almost passed out going up the stairs and miraculously made it to the bathroom in time for the ceviche to leave my body.

So, when you eat ceviche in the street, make sure it has NOT been sitting in the sun for a few hours before it enters your body.

Here’s how you can choose a safe ceviche street food vendor:

• Choose a vendor that makes the ceviche at the moment, rather than one that has it pre-made already. It takes less than five minutes to make ceviche (when the ingredients are precut and ready to go), and most spots do this.

• Look for signs of refrigeration. If there’s a cooler or a mini-refrigerator where the fish is being stored before it’s turned into ceviche, that’s a good sign.

• Only try ceviche in coastal cities like Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chimbote, and Piura. If you try ceviche on the streets of Andean cities like Cuzco, Cajamarca, or Huaraz, it won’t be as good. (It’s like trying brisket in Ohio, it’s just not the right place.)

• Eat in popular street markets. The best street food ceviche I had was at the Magdalena de Mar market in Lima. Street market vendors usually have larger spots with running water to clean and prepare the food more sanitarily, and if they’re paying for a spot, they’ve probably already proven themselves as a quality chef in the market arena.

More Pro Tips For Eating Street Food While Avoiding Gastrointestinal Infections

The most common cause of sickness when traveling is traveller’s diarrhea, caused by drinking water or eating food that has bacteria, viruses, or parasites. You can get sick by eating in restaurants or by eating street food.

To enjoy eating while traveling, here are a few more pro tips:

• Never drink tap water in Latin America. Unclean water is the common culprit, and sometimes fresh fruit juices are made with water that’s been contaminated. Order soda or bottled water at restaurants. (Chicha morada is usually safe because the cooking process involves boiling the water and purple corn together.)

• Lettuce often contains bacteria, and if it’s not thoroughly washed, it can be dangerous. If lettuce looks sketchy, don’t eat it. After all, it’s just lettuce, you probably don’t even eat it in your home country anyway, so why eat it in Peru? (Unless, of course, it’s the salad that accompanies your pollo a la brasa, then, you should definitely eat it.)

• Choose a vendor with a line. If it’s a local favorite, that’s a good sign. Choose larger street vendors that have a cart and a name for their cart—the ones that are just starting out are sometimes less reliable and not as good.

• Eat when the locals eat. If you arrive at 4pm and get the last bit of ceviche that a street vendor has left after the lunch rush is over, that’s not good. Eat when the locals eat so you can get freshly cooked food that hasn’t been sitting outside in the sun for three hours.

• If it doesn’t look like the pictures, avoid it. Since I’m a Peruvian food connoisseur 💁🏼‍♀️, with just a quick look, I can tell if something looks right or a little off. If it looks funky, move along. There will be better options on the next street corner.

And, listen to your gut. If you get a bad feeling about something, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Spending your vacation in your hotel bathroom isn’t enjoyable (trust me—been there, done that).

Don’t Be Scared of Street Food

Peru has the best street food in the whole world. And it’s safer than most people make it sound. You just have to use some street smarts to find the best vendors. Trust your gut, be adventurous, but don’t be dumb.

Once you try a few of these street food favorites, you’ll be hooked. You’ll walk through the streets of Peru and feel like you’re in heaven—it’s everything your stomach could possibly desire, at your fingertips!

No matter what city you decide to visit in the beautiful country of Peru, there’s so much street food to discover and to fall in love with.

Traveling to Peru soon? Get the complete 4-day foodie itinerary for Lima, Peru. Inside, you’ll find:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-use Google Map with all the restaurant mentioned here (plus a few more I recommend if you have more time),

• And, exactly what to order at each spot so you can enjoy the classics of world-famous Peruvian gastronomy.

Get The Lima Foodie Itinerary

If you love to eat, you’ll love Lima. It’s one of the best cities in Latin America for foodies.

Here, in Peru’s capital city, you can find a huge variety of delicious seafood, incredible chifa delights (a fantastic combination of Chinese and Peruvian food), the best pollo a la brasa, and a few unexpected surprises as well.

But with so many incredible restaurants to choose from in such a huge city, it can be hard to come up with a game plan.

That’s why I put together this four-day foodie itinerary with my favorite, most authentic Peruvian restaurants. You’ll try all the Peruvian classics—in the most delicious spots in the city.

And you’ll never have to wonder where you’ll stop for lunch, and you’ll never waste time walking around looking for somewhere to eat. This guide has all the meals for four entire days planned out—so every single bite on your trip is unforgettable.

In this foodie itinerary, you’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-use Google Map with all the restaurant mentioned here (plus a few more I recommend if you have more time),

• And, exactly what to order at each spot so you can enjoy the classics of world-famous Peruvian gastronomy.

Read more

The funny thing is, Peruvian gastronomy is internationally renowned… Yet still very much a surprise to many travelers and foodies.

I discovered the magic of Peruvian food in Spain, where I fell in love with pollo a la brasa and arroz chaufa. In fact, I loved it so much I moved to Peru for 6 months (and went back to visit multiple times after that).

Peru is foodie heaven.

Since then, I’ve been a walking, breathing, blond advertisement for this incredible country’s food. And I’ll keep shouting it from the rooftops until the whole world hears: Peru should be the #1 destination on every foodie’s bucket list.

As I preach the Peruvian-food gospel, I often get asked: “What’s your favorite Peruvian dish?” It’s a question I just can’t seem to answer. There are too many incredibly delicious, diverse, and unique dishes—I can’t commit to just one.

That’s why I put together this list of my top 7 Peruvian dishes you MUST try when you visit Peru.

#1 Ceviche

Peruvian ceviche is the O.G. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Sure, Mexico has a shrimp ceviche, Colombia has a “ceviche” (tragically made with mayo and ketchup), Ecuador claims to have invented ceviche—but they are all just copycats (some sadder than others) of the real deal: Peruvian ceviche.

Only in Peru can you enjoy the world’s best, freshest, most authentic ceviche. Now, within Peru, there are many different types of ceviche (but that’s a topic for another day). The most popular and simple version has the following:

• The seafood: Cubed white fish (typically corvina, a fish similar to sea bass, or lenguado, sole fish) is the most common choice for Peruvian ceviche.

• The essentials: The fish is “cooked” in a mixture of citrusy lime juice and aji limo (a spicy Peruvian pepper).

• The liquid base: Known as leche de tigre, ceviche has a liquid base made up of blended fish, celery, onion, and fish soup broth.

• The sides: Served with slices of sweet potato, julienned onions, choclo (Peruvian corn), and canchita (Peruvian toasted corn).

☝🏻Pro tip: Ceviche is eaten with a spoon, not a fork. It should be served in a bowl or dish, and never a plate.

#2 Pollo A La Brasa (Rotisserie Chicken)

The ultimate Peruvian dinner, this chicken dish is unforgettable. This is no Costco rotisserie chicken—this dish is perfectly seasoned, roasted to perfection, with smoky flavors and juicy, tender meat.

Pollo a la brasa is always served with crispy fries, a simple yet delicious green salad with a traditional pollería vinaigrette, and the sauces. (Oh, I drool just thinking about the sauces!) You’ll be served

• A creamy yellow sauce made with spicy Peruvian peppers,

• A darker, orange-y sauce made from a spicier Peruvian pepper.

• A white, vinaigrette sauce that’s technically for the salad, but combines wonderfully with the other sauces and goes great with the fries.

All the sauces are incredible for dipping the fries and chicken, and really make this dish stand out. In fact, the key ingredients Peruvian chefs use to make these sauces are only found in Peru—specifically huacatay, aji amarillo, and rocoto. These are incredible flavors your taste buds will never forget.

#3 Lomo Saltado (Steak Stir Fry)

This dish is one of Peru’s most adored chifa creations. Chifa is a category of Peruvian food with Chinese roots and Peruvian flair. There are many incredible chifa dishes, but lomo saltado is the star of the show. This dish is made up of:

• The meat: Perfectly seared medium-rare steak bites.

• The veggies: Slices of tomato, red onion, and aji amarillo.

• The sides: White rice and crispy fries.

• The flavor: Soy sauce combined with oyster sauce, cilantro, garlic, ginger, and cumin.

When you order lomo saltado, you can’t go wrong.

#4 Pan con Chicharrón (Fried Pork Belly Breakfast Sandwich)

Last year, in September 2025, Peru’s pan con chicharrón won the award for the world’s best breakfast. And it’s no surprise.

This dish is a mouth-watering mixture of crispy fried pork belly, sweet potato, acidic red onions, spicy sauce, and soft bread. Served with a glass of chicha morada, it’s a winner for sure.

You can find this popular breakfast sandwich at street vendor stands, in sanguicherias (sandwich shops), and in most restaurants that are open for breakfast.

#5 Papa a la Huancaína (Potatoes With Creamy Yellow Sauce)

This dish screams Peru—and it’s a must-try. Papa a la huancaína is a side dish that can be served alongside spaghetti dishes and rice plates, as well as on its own as an appetizer.

Boiled potatoes are peeled and sliced into circular pieces, then covered with a creamy yellow sauce made from aji amarillo (spicy peppers native to Peru), red onion, garlic, soda crackers, milk, and cheese.

The sauce is so good, they also serve it as a pasta sauce!

#6 Seco de Cabrito a la Norteña (Goat Stew)

I discovered this dish months after living in Peru. The day I tried it, I had to beg my taste buds for forgiveness for not discovering it sooner.

Check out this magical flavor combo:

• The meat: Incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone goat meat in a delicious and hearty stew sauce.

• The sides: Creamy, buttery beans, white rice, and tender yuca (cassava).

• The flavor: Marinated with traditional chicha de jora (corn beer), this dish is packed with savory, nostalgic flavor.

While this dish is traditionally a norteño (Northern-Peruvian) dish, you can find it in restaurants in Lima and other cities in Spain (and abroad). Do try this dish, it’s truly unforgettable.

#7 Anticuchos (Grilled Beef Hearts)

One of my favorite street foods of all time. The idea of eating a cow’s heart might seem intimidating to some, but this dish is masterfully prepared and packed with flavor. The meat is tender, soft, and covered in a marinade made up of garlic, ají panca (spicy Peruvian peppers), vinegar, and other delicious spices.

It’s typically served with a piece of potato (did you know Peru is home to over 4,000 varieties of potatoes?) and a jaw-dropping spicy sauce.

You can find anticuchos after 6 or 7pm on street corners across the country—they’re one of Peru’s most popular street foods.

This Is Just The Beginning

With these seven delicious Peruvian foods, we’ve only taken a few steps into the Narnia that is Peruvian gastronomy.

There’s so much more.

From drool-worthy street foods and popular drinks to unique desserts and regional favorites, there is so much Peruvian deliciousness for your taste buds to enjoy.

Visiting Lima, Peru soon?

Get the complete, 4-day Lima, Peru foodie itinerary—with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert destinations for each day. Plus, an organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (and things to do in between meals).

With this foodie guide, every bite during your trip to Peru will be delicious, memorable, and 100% worth it.

Get The Lima Foodie Itinerary

Breathtaking sights, rainbow mountains, flavors beyond description. I was anxious to finally visit this truly unique country that I had heard so much about.

I arrived in Peru on January 11, 2022. I’ll always remember that day. Mostly because leaving the airport I felt as if I was having near-death experience after near-death experience driving through Lima. The streets are always full, the faded road markings can hardly be called suggestions, and everyone drives like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Mach Speed in Machu Picchu.

A friend I had met in Spain was visiting her parents in Lima at the time, and she generously invited me to stay with her family in Independencia: my first stop in Lima.

Independencia is on the northern side of Lima, almost on the outskirts of the bustling, overpopulated city. They have steep, dirt streets and unfinished brick houses that blend into the dusty mountainside. Some call it a shanty town.

There, I was introduced to mototaxis, Peru’s version of tuk-tuks.

They quickly became my new favorite thing. What better way to get around a city full of Dom Toretto drivers than in the back of a seatbelt-less, brightly-colored, and uniquely-decorated rickshaw?

From the mototaxis that sped through the unpaved, dusty streets to the yellow chickens that hung in the street markets, these new sights and experiences marked my first week in Peru.

I’ll never forget the first pollo a la brasa I had from La Leña.

My Peruvian friends in Spain always told me that the dishes they made for me in their homes were good, but couldn’t compare to the real ones in their country. The freshness, the quality of the ingredients, the Peruvian sazón is truly one of a kind.

That night before I fell asleep, the taste still lingered on my tongue—and my mouth waters just thinking about it. And it wasn’t the only thing that kept me up at night. Noise filled this rustic part of the city: motorcycles, cats fighting (or doing other things), dogs barking, music at full blast, glass breaking into a thousand pieces, roosters… The sounds of Lima you miss when you leave.

There, in Independencia, Lima, was where my Peruvian love story began.

The People: Generous. Welcoming. Humble. World-Class Examples of Hospitality.

Since my very first day in this generous, unforgettable, and rich country, strangers welcomed me into their homes and shared with me their love for El Peru.

Many have shared with me home cooked meals and treated me like family. I’ve been blessed by countless acts of kindness from beautiful Peruvian people across the country.

I’ve been welcomed into homes, cities, and oceans—and a beautiful culture that has left an irreplaceable mark on my own heart.

The Food: The Best in the World

Peruvian food is simply unbeatable.

It’s the best in the world. Peru is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, and is the 12-year winner of the World’s Leading Culinary Destination.

Peruvian gastronomy is world-renowned, incredibly diverse, and astonishingly delicious.

From the famous pollo a la brasa and ceviche to regional dishes like seco de cabrito and pachamanca, there’s something for everyone. (Stay tuned to get my complete guide to Peruvian food so you’re truly prepared to enjoy everything when you visit.)

The Culture: Rich in History, Language, and Color

A country with over 91 different indigenous languages, including Quechua—one of the most widely spoken in the world—Peru has deep indigenous roots. From centuries of Inca rule to the Spanish conquest and later African, Asian, and Italian influences, Peru has had a rich mezcla (mix) of cultures, history, and influences.

The most predominant is the Inca culture, which can still be recognized in language, traditions, textiles, and religious beliefs, especially in the Andes region.

There’s so much to learn about the culture in this magical country. You could truly spend a lifetime exploring Peruvian culture… and still feel like you’ve only touched the surface.

The Places: Jaw-Dropping, Diverse, and World-Renowned

Machu Picchu. Rainbow mountains. Turquoise lakes. Stunning beaches. Spectacular waterfalls. With almost 2,000 miles of incredible coastline, the world’s longest continental mountain range, a huge portion of the Amazon rainforest, and several stunning deserts, Peru really does have it all.

This country is full of picturesque places and hidden gems—most of them unknown to the casual traveler, and absolutely adored by those of us who love Peru and all it has to offer.

The Magic: Undeniable.

Peru is a destination where you will experience unforgettable and magical moments.

Like listening to a blind Quechuan man play “Maldita Pasion,” musica andina (music from the Andes), and sing “Maldito amor ven un momento / A terminar mis agonías / Y entre tus labios tráeme veneno / Para morir en tu presencia” in Aguas Calientes on my way to Machu Picchu.

Or opening a tent door and seeing a llama chilling there, eating some grass, high in the Andes mountains (llamas are my favorite).

Or surfing the longest wave of my life in one of my favorite places in the whole world—and feeling the happiest I’ve felt in a long time.

Or watching the clouds disappear and reveal a breathtaking Machu Picchu, at almost 8,000 feet—after hiking for 3 days to reach this sought-after destination.

Or taking that first bite of seco de cabrito and wondering how I had ever lived without those flavors and textures and puro sabor (pure flavor) in my life.

Peru is magical, in every sense of the word.

Peru stole my heart, long before I had even arrived. And my heart will always be blanco y rojo, no matter how many other world wonders I visit, passport stamps I acquire, or dishes I enjoy. Peru, you will always be my favorite. I’ll love you forever.

So come visit. Bring your highest expectations. You won’t be disappointed.

When I realized that I would be celebrating my 27th birthday in Spain—the country that stole my heart from the second I stepped foot on her cobblestone streets—I knew it was going to be special.

After all, I’ve always loved the number 27. (Why? I don’t even know, it just feels like the perfect number to me.)

I spent my 27th birthday in Madrid, eating one of my favorite foods: pollo a la brasa (Peruvian rotisserie chicken) at one of my favorite restaurants: Humo, with my favorite person: my husband Pedro. And it was a good birthday.

But more importantly, 27 was a great year.

It was the year I showed Pedro around California for the first time. My California—Lake Tahoe, where we spent every summer growing up, Mikunis: my favorite sushi place, the school where I went to kindergarten, the parks where I played soccer.

It was the year I scootered along the Amalfi coast, ate pizza in Naples, and had the best gelato of my life in Rome.

It was the year I saw my third world wonder—the Roman Colosseum (though, arguably, Rome herself is a wonderful world of her own).

It was the year I spent Christmas in California with my family for the first time in a long time, with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all my siblings—all together.

It was the year I was reunited with dear friends in Santander, after years of not seeing each other. And it felt like no time had gone by at all.

It was the year I saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle—and had the most incredible steak frites and crepes.

It was the year I started this foodie writing adventure to share places I love to eat around the world with you.

A year full of fun, blessings, growth, and moments I never want to forget.

I’ll only be 27 for a few more days. So, I thought that apart from reflecting on the year it’s been (I’m deeply nostalgic at heart), I’d also share something useful. Well, maybe not useful per se, but at least interesting, if you’re a foodie like me:

My 27 Favorite Foods In My 27th Year Of Life (More or Less, in Order):

1. Pollo a la Brasa (Peruvian rotisserie chicken)

2. Steak Frites—from a specific restaurant in Paris because it’s fresh on the stomach and I need more.

3. Ben & Jerry’s Milk and Cookies Ice Cream—unarguably the greatest flavor of all time. And yes, ice cream is one of my favorite foods.

4. Mikuni’s Sushi—the greatest sushi restaurant of all time. Everything there is incredible.

5. Ceviche (Peruvian ceviche, for the uncultured who think any country can do ceviche)—specifically from Mi Barrunto in Lima.

6. Pasta—everything and anything pasta, this has been my favorite food since I was five years old.

7. Seco de Cabrito—another winning dish from Peru, El Mochica de Doña Fresia does it best.

8. Anticuchos (Grilled beef hearts)—my favorite Peruvian street food of all time.

9. Street tacos—al pastor, carnitas, campechanas, gringas, I’m not picky with this one. Just fill me with tacos.

10. Grandpa’s homemade ice cream—for the nostalgia and the unbeatable texture, especially his Andes mint flavor.

11. Pizza from Giovanni’s—with the dreamy ranch sauce (but, I’ll clarify, this is the only place I eat pizza with ranch, and it’s only because both the pizza and the ranch here are literally perfect.)

12. The Bacon Cheeseburger—You just can’t go wrong with a good bacon cheeseburger.

13. Fried Rice or Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian fried rice).

14. Colombian empanadas—and yes, I’m picky here too, the ones from Colombia are the best.

15. Lomo Saltado (Peruvian steak stir fry with fries and rice)

16. Parmesan cheese—from a block, never bought pre-grated. One year when I was little, I got a hand rotary cheese grater for my birthday (yep, like the ones the waiters bring around in the restaurants) and that’s how I became a parmesan cheese snob.

17. Limonada de coco—The best, creamiest coconut drink in all of Colombia.

18. Pillsbury Canned Orange Rolls—The inner redneck is coming out. But I don’t care, I’m in love with these orange rolls.

19. Goodie Goodie sauce from Wasabi—Yes, just the sauce, it’s so good you could drink it (and all the food at Wasabi is fantastic).

20. Patatas Bravas (Spanish chunky fried potatoes with alioli and spicy paprika sauce)—undoubtedly the best Spanish tapa.

21. Pesto pasta—Yes, I mentioned pasta before, but pesto has made it onto my almost-weekly rotation, and it deserves its own mention.

22. Sfogliatella frolla—This delicious Italian pastry stole my heart.

23. Deditos Colombianos—A deep fried, cheese-and-guava snack that my husband makes best.

24. Mom’s banana bread—And all things banana.

25. Fish and Chips from Sea Pal Cove in Fort Bragg, California—the best fish and chips I’ve ever had.

26. Mercadona Guava Juice—Because it tastes just like the guava juice from the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which enamored me the moment I drank it.

27. New York-style cookies from Dolce 27—the best cookies I’ve ever had, IN MY LIFE (unfortunately they’re no longer in business).

Did this turn into a list of nostalgic foods I remember and am now craving? Possibly. But I’m not complaining.

You can learn a lot about someone by just asking them what their favorite food is. (For example, if they don’t have one… watch out. Someone who would put anything in their mouth is not to be trusted.)

Although, if you met me at an airport and I responded with this list of 27 favorite foods, you might think I’m crazy and never talk to me again…

Or, we might become BFFS: best foodie friends.

If you’re looking for a foodie friend to share restaurant recommendations with, talk food, and reminisce about that one meal you ate at that one hole-in-the-wall place 17 years ago, I think you’ll enjoy my drool-worthy corner of the internet.

As my 27th year comes to a close, I’m grateful for a champ of a stomach that’s survived the street food of three Latin American countries, the hard water of Spain, and everything I’ve put it through so far.

I’m grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with unforgettably beautiful experiences during my journey here on planet Earth.

And I’m grateful for a year 28, which I hope will be filled with even more delicious eats.

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I almost gave up. My foodie heart got let down time and time again after trying dozens of restaurants that were just “meh.”

It took me a whole year of trial-and-error (and multiple trips to the hospital for severe food poisoning) before I finally found quality restaurants in Santa Marta.

When finding a place to eat on vacation in Colombia, you have to be extra careful. Because it might not just be underwhelming, it could destroy your insides, send you to the emergency room, and ruin your trip.

That’s why I put together this three-day foodie itinerary with my favorite, trusted restaurants that serve authentic Colombian food.

No more guesswork. No more wasting money. No more gastroenteritis.

Just the best restaurants in Santa Marta, Colombia—organized in an easy-to-follow map and planned around fun things to do in between meals. So every bite on your trip is delicious, memorable, and 100% worth it.

In this foodie itinerary, you’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants,

• Plus, 20 restaurants I trust and whole-heartedly endorse in Santa Marta, Colombia.

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