Cusco is the historic heart of the Inca Empire, a breathtaking Andean city perched at 3,400 meters above sea level in southeastern Peru. The city blends ancient Inca stonework with Spanish colonial architecture, creating a unique urban landscape that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. As the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco is one of South America's most visited and culturally rich destinations.
Cusco's culinary identity is rooted in Andean highland traditions that predate the Spanish conquest, featuring indigenous ingredients like quinoa, kiwicha, chuno (freeze-dried potato), cuy (guinea pig), alpaca, and over 3,000 native potato varieties. The city has evolved into a sophisticated dining destination where traditional Cusqueño home cooking coexists with innovative Novo-Andino cuisine, and the region's exceptional ingredients have attracted internationally acclaimed chefs. Key dishes include chicharrón de cerdo, chiriuchu (a cold Inca festival platter), rocoto relleno, and countless quinoa preparations.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Cusco.
Cuy (Guinea Pig)
The most traditional protein in Andean cuisine, typically roasted whole in a clay oven or fried, with crispy skin and tender meat
Where to try: Pachapapa, Chicha por Gastón Acurio, El Truco
Price: $18-25
Chiriuchu
The traditional Inca festival platter featuring cuy, chicken, corn, seaweed, eggs, and coca leaves - served cold on Corpus Christi
Where to try: Chicha, Inkazuela, traditional market stalls
Price: $12-18
Rocoto Relleno
Fiery Andean rocoto pepper stuffed with spiced meat and cheese, baked until tender
Where to try: Mesón de los Espejos, traditional restaurants
Price: $8-12
Alpaca Steak
Lean, tender red meat from the native Andean camelid, often served with huacatay herb sauce
Where to try: Uchu Steakhouse, Cicciolina, most mid-range restaurants
Price: $15-25
Pisco Sour
Peru's national cocktail made with pisco grape brandy, lime juice, egg white, and bitters - a must-try in Cusco
Where to try: Any bar or restaurant with a bar
Price: $5-8
Quinoa Soup
Hearty Andean soup made with native grains, vegetables, and often lamb or chicken - essential altitude fuel
Where to try: Market stalls, traditional restaurants
Price: $3-7
Chicha Morada
Deep purple drink made from blue Andean maize, sweet and slightly spiced, served chilled
Where to try: Everywhere - from market stalls to fine dining
Price: $1-3
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Chicha por Gastón Acurio
Celebrity chef Gastón Acurio's Cusco outpost celebrates the traditional flavors of the Cusco region with sophisticated contemporary plating. The menu showcases highland ingredients including chiriuchu, cuy, and chicha morada alongside elevated takes on classic Andean dishes. The colonial mansion setting with exposed stone walls adds to the ambiance.
Known for: Elevated regional Cusco cuisine by Peru's most famous chef
Plaza Regocijo 261, 2nd floor, Cusco
MAP Café
Situated inside the stunning glass-and-steel courtyard of the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, MAP Café serves inventive contemporary Peruvian cuisine in one of Cusco's most beautiful settings. The tasting menus explore Andean ingredients with modern techniques, and the cocktail list featuring pisco variations is exceptional.
Known for: Contemporary Peruvian cuisine in a museum setting
Plazoleta Nazarenas 231, Cusco
Limo Restaurant
A sophisticated rooftop restaurant overlooking Plaza de Armas, serving refined Peruvian cuisine with an emphasis on ceviche and coastal dishes elevated with Andean ingredients. The view of the illuminated Cathedral makes evening dining here truly memorable. Extensive pisco sour menu.
Known for: Ceviche and Peruvian coastal dishes with Plaza de Armas views
Portal de Carnes 236, 2nd floor, Cusco
Cicciolina
An intimate restaurant that has been one of Cusco's most beloved dining destinations for over two decades, offering a sophisticated menu blending Peruvian ingredients with Mediterranean techniques. The wine list is among the best in the city, and the tapas bar downstairs is perfect for a casual evening of small plates.
Known for: Mediterranean-Peruvian fusion with exceptional wine list
Triunfo 393 2nd floor, Cusco
Marcelo Batata
A popular two-story restaurant with a prime Plaza de Armas location offering reliable Peruvian classics in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The menu covers all the staples from lomo saltado to ceviche and anticuchos at fair prices. The second floor offers great plaza views making it a go-to for tourists wanting a comfortable Peruvian meal.
Known for: Reliable Peruvian classics with great plaza views
Palacio 121, Cusco
Jack's Café
Arguably Cusco's most beloved breakfast spot and brunch venue, Jack's Café serves generous portions of eggs, pancakes, granola, and Peruvian breakfast staples that have fueled hikers and travelers for years. The warm atmosphere, quick service, and reasonable prices create perpetual queues. Also serves excellent lunches.
Known for: Best breakfast in Cusco, popular with hikers and trekkers
Choquechaca 509, Cusco
Green Point Vegetarian Restaurant
Cusco's best and most beloved vegetarian restaurant, serving creative plant-based versions of Peruvian classics alongside international dishes. The menu uses fresh organic Andean produce including quinoa, kiwicha, and seasonal vegetables. The set lunch menu at $8 is outstanding value. Popular with health-conscious travelers and digital nomads.
Known for: Best vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Cusco
Triunfo 379, Cusco
Inkazuela
A charming and atmospheric restaurant in a colonial courtyard, specializing in traditional Cusqueño cuisine with dishes rarely found on tourist menus. The chicharrón de cerdo (crispy pork) and chiriuchu are authentic local specialties. Friendly family service and very reasonable prices make it a local favorite.
Known for: Authentic traditional Cusqueño cuisine
Portal de Panes 105, Cusco
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Peruvian
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
A bright, cheerful restaurant offering well-executed Peruvian classics with a focus on fresh ingredients and authentic recipes. The ceviche is consistently excellent and the lunch menu offers outstanding value. The open kitchen lets diners watch the chefs at work.
Known for: Fresh ceviche and classic Peruvian dishes at fair prices
Calle Plateros 348, Cusco
Mesón de los Espejos
A beloved local restaurant in a colonial building known for generous portions of traditional Cusco dishes at very reasonable prices. Popular with Cusqueño families and in-the-know travelers. The stuffed rocoto peppers and seco de cordero are standouts.
Known for: Traditional Cusco home cooking
Calle Maruri 173, Cusco
Pachapapa
Set in a beautiful colonial courtyard in San Blas, Pachapapa offers traditional Peruvian roasted meats and Andean specialties in a charming rustic setting. The cuy (guinea pig) is roasted in a clay oven and considered the best in Cusco. The garden setting with mountain views makes for a memorable Andean dining experience.
Known for: Best cuy (guinea pig) in Cusco, roasted in clay oven
Plazoleta San Blas 120, Cusco
La Bodega 138
A relaxed wine bar and restaurant in the historic center with an excellent selection of Peruvian wines and small plates. The tapas-style menu pairs perfectly with the wine list and the warm, intimate atmosphere makes it ideal for a leisurely evening. The cheese and charcuterie boards feature Andean specialties.
Known for: Wine bar with Peruvian small plates and excellent pisco
Herrajes 138, Cusco
Hatunsimi
A warm local restaurant popular with Cusqueño families serving hearty portions of traditional home-style cooking at budget prices. The menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients and the set lunch at $5 is excellent value. No English menus but staff are friendly and helpful.
Known for: Home-style Cusco cooking at local prices
Calle Saphy 435, Cusco
Alma Restaurant
An elegant restaurant in a restored colonial house serving creative Peruvian cuisine that showcases the rich agricultural diversity of the Cusco region. The tasting menu explores Andean heritage through modern cooking, and the cocktail menu features imaginative pisco creations with native fruits.
Known for: Creative fine dining in San Blas with regional Cusco flavors
Calle Tandapata 660, San Blas, Cusco
Los Tomines
A reliable mid-range restaurant popular with both locals and tourists, serving well-prepared Peruvian classics in a comfortable colonial setting. The grilled trout from local rivers and the aji de gallina are consistently praised. Good value for the quality, with a friendly bilingual staff.
Known for: Fresh river trout and Andean soups
Calle Pumacurco 408, Cusco
El Huacatay
One of the best restaurants in the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo, El Huacatay serves beautifully prepared Peruvian food using organic ingredients sourced from their own garden. The menu changes seasonally and the intimate atmosphere in a colonial dining room makes it a highlight of any Sacred Valley visit.
Known for: Garden-fresh Peruvian cuisine in the Sacred Valley
Calle Arica 620, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
Baco Wine Bar and Restaurant
A sophisticated wine bar and restaurant with one of Cusco's best wine lists, serving small plates, tapas, and full mains that pair beautifully with South American and international wines. The charcuterie and cheese boards are excellent and the dimly lit interior creates a romantic atmosphere for evening visits.
Known for: Wine pairing with creative Peruvian and European plates
Ruinas 465, Cusco
El Truco
A long-established restaurant in a colonial courtyard known for folkloric music performances during dinner. The menu is classic Peruvian with good versions of ceviche, lomo saltado, and regional specialties. The nightly folk music show featuring traditional Andean dances makes it popular for groups and first-time visitors.
Known for: Peruvian food with nightly traditional folk music shows
Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco
Tupay Restaurant
The signature restaurant of the Palacio del Inka hotel serves Peruvian cuisine in a dramatic setting with original Inca stonework visible through glass floors. The breakfast buffet featuring Andean superfoods and international options is considered the finest in Cusco. Dinner is an elegant affair with inventive Peruvian dishes.
Known for: Upscale breakfast buffet and Peruvian fine dining
Plazoleta Santo Domingo 259, Cusco
Restaurant Juanito's
A classic Cusco institution open since 1945, serving generations of locals and travelers with no-nonsense Peruvian classics at very honest prices. The restaurant has barely changed in decades and that's part of its charm. The chicharrón sandwich for breakfast and the set lunches are legendary.
Known for: Legendary Cusco institution since 1945
Calle Cascaparo 175, Cusco
Inka Grill
A popular tourist-friendly restaurant on Plaza de Armas serving consistent Peruvian classics with attentive English-speaking service. The second-floor terrace with prime plaza views is perfect for watching Cusco life unfold. Good for groups as the menu covers all the standard Peruvian dishes in well-executed form.
Known for: Classic Peruvian dishes with Plaza de Armas terrace views
Portal de Panes 115, Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Novo
Qura Restaurant
An innovative restaurant in the historic center serving Novo-Andino cuisine that bridges traditional Andean ingredients with contemporary international techniques. The chef sources ingredients directly from highland farmers and works with seasonal produce to create changing menus that celebrate Cusco's biodiversity.
Known for: Innovative Novo-Andino cuisine with local highland ingredients
Calle Palacio 121, Cusco
Senzo Restaurant
The signature restaurant of the Palacio del Inka hotel, serving Novo-Andino cuisine in a breathtaking setting within the ancient Inca walls. The menu celebrates the flavors of Cusco with sophisticated techniques, and the breakfast buffet with views of the original Inca stonework is outstanding.
Known for: Upscale Peruvian dining within original Inca walls
Plazoleta Santo Domingo 259, Cusco
Traditional Peruvian
Mercado San Pedro Almuerzo
Not a restaurant but the collection of food stalls inside Mercado San Pedro offering Cusco's cheapest and most authentic lunches. For $2-3, you get a complete almuerzo: quinoa or vegetable soup, main course of rice with meat or vegetables, a dessert, and fresh juice. The best budget dining experience in Cusco.
Known for: Cheapest authentic Peruvian meals in Cusco
Mercado San Pedro, Calle Cascaparo s/n, Cusco
Tradiciones Cusqueñas
A no-frills traditional restaurant popular with locals for its authentic Cusqueño cooking at honest prices. The menu is seasonal and relies heavily on traditional preparations like olluquito con charqui (ulluco with dried meat) and chochoca soup. An authentic experience away from the tourist circuit.
Known for: Traditional Cusco home cooking for locals
Calle San Agustín 245, Cusco
Café
Coricancha Café
A relaxed café near Qorikancha serving excellent Peruvian coffee, home-baked pastries, and light breakfast and lunch options. Popular with travelers between sightseeing stops for its central location, reliable wifi, and good value meals. The quinoa pancakes are a specialty.
Known for: Good coffee and light bites near Qorikancha
Avenida del Sol 320, Cusco
European
Granja Heidi
A unique vegetarian-friendly restaurant in San Blas using fresh produce from their own organic farm in the Sacred Valley. Excellent breakfasts, wholesome lunches, and homemade breads make it a popular with health-conscious travelers. The cozy atmosphere and generous portions are consistently praised.
Known for: Organic farm-to-table food with fresh local produce
Cuesta San Blas 525, San Blas, Cusco
French
Indio Feliz
A legendary restaurant in Aguas Calientes offering an impeccable set menu of French-influenced Peruvian cuisine at remarkably reasonable prices. The three-course menu with bread, salad, a stunning main, dessert, and a pisco sour for around $15 is considered one of the best deals in Peru. Essential stop for Machu Picchu visitors.
Known for: Best value restaurant in Aguas Calientes
Calle Lloque Yupanqui, Aguas Calientes, Cusco
Fusion
A Mí Manera
A beloved restaurant in the historic center offering contemporary takes on traditional Peruvian dishes in a cozy two-story colonial house. The menu features creative ceviches, fusion causa dishes, and innovative desserts. The cocktail list with pisco variations is extensive and the service is attentive without being stuffy.
Known for: Creative Peruvian fusion with inventive cocktails
Triunfo 394, Cusco
Indian
Korma Sutra
Cusco's best Indian restaurant serving authentic curry house classics in a cozy atmosphere, popular with travelers craving a break from Peruvian food. The vegetarian options are extensive and the naan bread is made fresh. A welcome change of pace after days of Andean cuisine.
Known for: Best Indian food in Cusco
Portal de Harinas 181, Cusco
International
Fresco Restaurant
A beloved breakfast and brunch spot near Plaza de Armas known for its fresh juices, smoothie bowls, and generous egg dishes. The smoothies made with Andean superfoods like lucuma, maca, and camu camu are excellent fuel for a day of sightseeing. Great coffee and a cozy atmosphere.
Known for: Andean superfood smoothies and healthy breakfasts
Portal de Comercio 141, 2nd floor, Cusco
Italian
La Cantina de Piero
A lively Italian-owned trattoria serving excellent wood-fired pizzas and pasta alongside Peruvian specialties. The family atmosphere, good wine list, and consistent quality have made it a Cusco institution for over 15 years. Great for groups and families wanting a reliable, satisfying meal.
Known for: Best wood-fired pizza in Cusco
Calle Procuradores 394, Cusco
Japanese
Maido Cusco (pop-up)
A seasonal pop-up outpost bringing Lima's famous Nikkei cuisine to Cusco, featuring the Japanese-Peruvian fusion that has made this style internationally celebrated. The creative use of Andean ingredients with Japanese techniques creates extraordinary flavor combinations. Reservation essential.
Known for: Nikkei cuisine blending Japanese and Peruvian traditions
Plaza Regocijo 240, Cusco
Organic
Orgánika
A health-focused café and juice bar serving organic Peruvian superfoods, fresh-pressed juices, and plant-based meals. The açaí bowls made with Andean fruits, granola, and local honey are famous among health-conscious travelers. Also offers excellent smoothies and light meals throughout the day.
Known for: Organic Andean superfoods and fresh juices
Calle Ruinas 472, Cusco
Steakhouse
Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse
Cusco's top steakhouse specializing in premium Peruvian beef and alpaca cuts grilled over wood fire, served with traditional Andean sauces and sides. The sleek modern interior contrasts with the rustic cooking technique. The alpaca sirloin with huacatay sauce is unmissable.
Known for: Premium alpaca and beef steaks with Peruvian seasoning
Palacio 135, Cusco
Food tours & tastings in Cusco
Eat your way through Cusco with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Anticuchos
Skewers of marinated beef heart grilled over charcoal, a beloved street food tradition in Cusco
Find it at: Street carts near Plaza de Armas evenings, Mercado San Pedro
Empanadas
Baked or fried pastries stuffed with spiced meat, cheese, or vegetables
Find it at: Bakeries throughout San Blas and near Plaza de Armas
Tamales Cusqueños
Corn dough filled with pork and wrapped in corn husks, steamed and served with salsa criolla
Find it at: Morning street vendors, Mercado San Pedro
Picarones
Andean ring donuts made from sweet potato and squash, served with chancaca (raw cane sugar) syrup
Find it at: Evening street carts, San Pedro area
Chicharrón Sandwich
Crispy fried pork served in crusty bread with pickled onions and chili sauce
Find it at: Juanito's and market stalls near San Pedro
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercado San Pedro
Cusco's main traditional market with fresh produce, prepared food, handicrafts, and medicinal herbs
Hours: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily
Mercado Vinocanchón
Large daily market in Cusco where locals shop for produce, meats, and household goods - very authentic
Hours: 5:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily
Pisac Market
Famous weekend artisan and produce market in the Sacred Valley town of Pisac
Hours: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Almuerzo (set lunch) is the main meal, offering 3 courses for $3-8 - the best budget eating in Cusco
Most restaurants near Plaza de Armas accept cards; markets and local spots are cash only
Tipping is not mandatory but 10% is appreciated at sit-down restaurants
Altitude affects digestion - eat lighter meals for the first 1-2 days to aid acclimatization
Chicha morada (purple corn drink) is a great non-alcoholic option - alcohol hits harder at altitude
- Vegetarian
- Cusco has excellent vegetarian options - Green Point, Granja Heidi, and Orgánika are dedicated vegetarian restaurants. Most menus have quinoa and vegetable dishes.
- Halal
- Limited halal options. Stick to vegetarian dishes or ask at international restaurants. No dedicated halal restaurants in Cusco.
- Gluten free
- Quinoa and potato-based dishes are naturally gluten-free. Ask at restaurants - awareness is increasing in tourist areas.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3-8 per meal | Market stalls, set lunches (almuerzos), street food |
| Mid-range | $12-25 per meal | Sit-down restaurants with table service and Peruvian classics |
| Upscale | $40-80+ per meal | Fine dining at MAP Café, Cicciolina, and Novo-Andino restaurants |