Already wishing you had some vacation? Start planning your next food-focused trip. From ceviche to steak, from suspiro limeño to flan mixto, these three Latin American cities—Lima, Santiago de Chile, and Buenos Aires—are the best destinations for foodies in 2018. 

Lima is a perennial staple on the list. Take a stroll down any block in Miraflores and it’s not hard to understand why: Lima la Gris might not have the best weather year-round, but it has incredible access to fresh seafood.

Try the freshest ceviche around (perhaps in the whole world?) at one of the city’s upscale cevicherías, or do as the locals do and pull up a stool inside one of Lima’s old-school seafood markets, like Mercado de Surquillo. 

Don’t forget to toast with a pisco sour: it’s the national cocktail. And if you have room for dessert, squeeze in a suspiro limeño.

Santiago de Chile hasn’t usually ranked high as an essential destination for foodies. But things are changing quickly in the Chilean capital, with innovative chefs offering modern takes on classic seafood dishes like ceviche and machas a la parmesana. Even the humble completo—a Chilean twist on the hot dog, often piled high with palta—has become a gourmet lunch option.

If you’re around for "once" (the Chilean version of merienda, which is usually served in the evening) don’t miss the chance to sample a few traditional desserts you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.

One of our favorites? The luscious torta de lucuma. (True, the fruit is originally from Peru. But let’s not get into that.)

 
Buenos Aires has long been a haven for meat-lovers. But the food scene in Argentina’s capital is quickly evolving to include ever more sophisticated takes on classic parrilla fare. 

Whether you make restaurant reservations a week ahead or find yourself in a hole-in-the-wall steakhouse, you’ll likely order a variation on the same thing: grilled steak, chorizo, and provoleta, paired with French fries, salad, and Malbec.

Don’t forget to finish the meal with helado or flan mixto. Or you could have both. Buen viaje!

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