El Chinito

El Chinito is a Lima institution and the best place to try one of the city's great breakfast traditions, the pan con chicharrón. The sanguchería was founded in 1960 by Félix Yong, remembered by the business as Papito Félix, and is now run by his son. From its beginnings in the historic centre it has grown to around 15 branches across the city, from Miraflores and Barranco to Surco and La Molina, and this branch on Jirón Carabaya is a few steps from the Plaza Mayor.

The pan con chicharrón is the speciality: slices of fried pork tucked into a fresh Peruvian French roll. Have it the Lima way, with a strong drip coffee and a tamal on the side. The menu also includes sandwiches of turkey, ribs and pork loin, fresh juices and the chaufarroncito, fried rice mixed with pork crackling.

This is fast, cheap and filling food, and the place suits budget travellers, families and anyone sightseeing in the historic centre who needs a quick breakfast or lunch. It is ideal before a morning at the Plaza Mayor or the San Francisco convent, both a short walk away. There is no need to book, and you can eat in or take your sandwich away.

El Chinito serves breakfast, lunch and casual dinners. Each branch keeps its own hours, and the business notes that dine-in and delivery service end 30 minutes before closing, so do not leave it to the last minute in the evening. The Carabaya branch can be reached by phone on the number published on the website.

If you are staying in Miraflores or Barranco and do not plan to visit the centre, the branches on Avenida Angamos Oeste, Avenida Del Ejército or Grimaldo del Solar in Miraflores and on Avenida Grau in Barranco serve the same menu. There is also a small branch at the corner of Huallaga and Carabaya by the Plaza Mayor for dine-in and takeaway, and another in the centre at Jirón Chancay 894, at the corner with Zepita. The business marks its long history with the slogan of a classic since 1960.