The people of Chiclayo regard a few of their Peruvian dishes to be supreme to similar dishes in other regions.
When visiting a restaurant in Chiclayo, be sure to try at least one of these dishes. Some of the most popular are Arroz con Pato, or rice with duck, Seco de Cabrito, a goat meat stew, and Espesado, a dish made with meats and rice served with rice.
If you aren't in the mood for traditional food, there are a couple of places in the area you can get international foods, such as sandwiches and pastas.
The daily lunch special runs $1.35-3.70. Inexpensive dining choices are a bit scarce in the downtown area. If in a pinch, try one of the two markets: Mercado Central (Vicente de la Vega, between A La Point and Avenida Balta Norte) and the famed Mercado Modelo (Jirón Arica and Avenida Balta Norte). Amongst their stalls are produce stands and cheap eateries serving until about 3 p.m. Many small shops offer cheap, quick cebiche and papa rellena plates for $0.50-0.70 from early morning to mid-afternoon. A handy supermarket is Hipermercado Metro at San José 320.