Cusco is not only the historic capital of Peru; it is also the culinary heart of the Andes. If you are planning a trip to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, or Rainbow Mountain, there is one thing you should not miss: the incredible variety of Best restaurants in Cusco, Peru. From ancestral flavors to signature cuisine, here we share everything you need to know about budget-friendly places, traditional Cusco food, restaurants with views of the Main Square, vegetarian options, and gourmet experiences.
We also show you where they are located, what dishes to try, how much you might spend, and what to check before booking. The idea is to help you find a good place to eat without wasting time, avoid surprises with opening hours or prices, and enjoy Cusco’s cuisine as an essential part of your trip. Let’s get started!
Quick Guide: Where to Eat in Cusco?
Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or your partner, food is the perfect complement to culture and adventure. Luckily, Cusco cuisine is varied and can be enjoyed in specialized, fusion, and traditional restaurants found throughout the city. But how do you find the right one?
Below, we have created a small table where you can see the areas where some of the best restaurants in Cusco are located, depending on the type of traveler you are.
| Type of Traveler | Best Area | What to Look For | Estimated Price Range |
| Backpacker or tight budget | San Pedro Market, San Blas, Av. Pardo | Daily menu, busy food stalls, homemade food | US$ 3–11 |
| Couples or special dinner | Main Square, Nazarenas Square, San Blas | Nice views, quiet atmosphere, advance booking | US$ 23–52+ |
| Families and groups | San Blas and the Historic Center | Varied menu, spacious setting, fast service | US$ 12–26 |
| Vegetarians or vegans | San Blas and the Historic Center | Plant-based menu, gluten-free options, clear ingredients | US$ 9–23 |
| Fine dining lovers | Historic Center and the Sacred Valley | Signature menu, culinary experience, booking required | US$ 43+ |
Prices are estimates and may change depending on the season, exchange rate, service, and menu updates. Always check opening hours and availability before you go.
How did we choose these restaurants in Cusco?
This guide is not only about listing the most famous restaurants in Cusco. Our selection brings together restaurants recommended by travelers, local favorites, well-located options for visitors, traditional food spots, vegetarian or vegan alternatives, and places that work well for families, couples, or groups. We also took the following rankings into account:
The 50 Best
This is a prestigious annual ranking of the 50 best restaurants in the world. The list is created by the well-known British magazine "Restaurant" based on surveys of leading chefs, restaurant owners, and food critics from around the world. The ranking "The 50 Best" is considered a major reference in global gastronomy, similar in influence to the Michelin Guide. It also helps set the latest culinary trends by highlighting the best restaurants and bars from different corners of the planet. That is why it is often called the "Oscars of gastronomy".
Summum Awards
The Summum Awards are among the most prestigious honors in Peruvian gastronomy. Since 2007, they have recognized the talent, innovation, excellence, and commitment of Peruvian culinary projects, chefs, and restaurants whose work helps Peruvian cuisine continue to grow. The awards are given in several categories and are based on surveys carried out among national and international food experts.
Tripadvisor
We also considered Tripadvisor’s 2025 ranking of the best restaurants in Cusco. The selected restaurants were then compared with reviews and comments from our own travelers.
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The best restaurants in Cusco for a special occasion
Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or someone special to celebrate an important achievement, a special date, or even your honeymoon, these restaurants in Cusco will bring flavor, color, and a touch of elegance to your celebration. Here, you will find creative takes on traditional Cusco cuisine. Places such as Chicha by Gastón Acurio, MAP Café, and Cicciolina offer signature menus made with local ingredients and modern international cooking techniques.
Chicha by Gastón Acurio
- Ideal for: Couples and families
- Location: Historic center / Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 35 - 50 per person
- Reservation: Yes. Recommended
- What to order: Pan-seared trout, spaghetti with prawns and rocoto, or orange-style cuy
- Why go: Regional and Cusco cuisine and fusion
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Chicha, in the Quechua language, is the name the Incas gave to their fermented corn drink, similar to beer. This tourist restaurant, created by renowned Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, pays tribute to the country’s culinary history. It specializes in Peruvian cuisine while highlighting the value of traditional Cusco cuisine. In this way, Chicha offers a modern reinterpretation of the city’s traditional flavors, using local ingredients as the base for its creative dishes. It also presents imaginative fusions of regional dishes combined with international cuisine.
On top of that, Chicha is considered the best restaurant in Cusco by the prestigious Summum list, ranking first in the best restaurants in Cusco, Peru category.
MAP Café
- Ideal for: Couples and anniversaries
- Location: Plazoleta Nazarenas 231, inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 35 - 60 per person
- Reservation: Yes. Recommended
- What to order: Mushroom capchi, sara lawa, or guinea pig
- Why go: Signature cuisine inspired by Peru’s ancient art
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Located in the courtyard of the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, this café blends art with cuisine from Cusco, Peru, and the world. It serves creative dishes made with high-quality local ingredients. Its cosmopolitan, artistic setting, along with excellent service, creates a memorable dining experience. The dining room is a glass cube, warmly lit and perfectly temperature-controlled, offering a 360-degree view of the surroundings while you enjoy an exquisite meal.
If you are looking for good restaurants in cusco, elegant, cozy, with innovative signature cuisine, local ingredients, and a setting inside one of the city’s most important museums, MAP Café is a must-visit stop in Cusco. By the way, it belongs to the Cusco restaurants chain.
Cicciolina
- Ideal for: Couples, friends, and anniversaries
- Location: Calle Palacio 110, 2nd floor, one block from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 17 - 35 per person
- Reservation: Yes. Recommended
- What to order: Alpaca in mushroom and pisco sauce, Amazonian paiche ceviche-style, or homemade parsley tagliatelle
- Why go: Peruvian-Italian fusion cuisine
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Located on the second floor of a colonial mansion, Cicciolina feels like an old Tuscan house. Its atmosphere reflects the identity of its Peruvian-Italian fusion cuisine: Italian-style dishes prepared with high-quality local ingredients. Of course, you can also find local dishes made with Italian cooking techniques.
This restaurant in Cusco also has a tapas bar with an open kitchen and a more intimate dining room with white tablecloths. It is ideal for quiet, elegant dinners, bringing together Peruvian aromas and flavors in a historic setting.
Restaurants in Cusco for backpackers
If you are traveling on a budget, restaurants in Cusco offer many tasty and affordable options. Many of them celebrate traditional Cusco food, which is naturally hearty and made with fresh local ingredients. From a vegetarian restaurant to the great San Pedro Central Market, these places show that good flavor and generous portions do not have to cost much. Here are three options, El Encuentro, Yola Restaurant, and the San Pedro Market, where you can enjoy local dishes for less than US$ 8.
El Encuentro
- Ideal for: Budget travelers, young travelers, and groups of friends
- Location: Calle Tigre 130, one and a half blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 6 - 15 per person
- Reservation: No
- What to order: Caigua soufflé, lentils with tofu, or tarwi ceviche
- Why go: Vegetarian and vegan food
- Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday: closed
El Encuentro is one of those best restaurants in Cusco, Peru with affordable vegetarian options for anyone looking to eat something tasty, healthy, and light. Its vegetarian menu includes homemade dishes, soups, salads, juices, and meals made with local products, all served in a simple and peaceful setting. It is a good choice for vegetarian or vegan travelers, as well as anyone who wants to try something different, filling, and healthy without paying too much.
Its menu is usually varied, well-priced, and served in generous portions, which makes it a great option for a relaxed lunch, a casual dinner, or a practical stop before continuing to explore the city at your own pace. It has a 4.5 rating from more than 700 reviews.
Yola Restaurant
- Ideal for: Families and groups of friends
- Location: Av. Pardo Paseo de los Héroes 789, behind SERPOST, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 8 - 15 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Bistek montado, pork chicharrón, or lamb stew with beans
- Why go: Traditional Peruvian Creole cuisine
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
If you are looking for good restaurants in Cusco where local people go to eat and enjoy, this is the Yola Restaurant. It's a good option in Cusco for anyone looking for Creole food with a homemade taste and generous portions. Its menu brings together Peruvian Creole dishes, traditional seasoning, and a simple atmosphere, making it ideal for an unhurried lunch. It is a place for travelers who want a hearty, familiar meal, with options such as chicken, grilled dishes, lomo saltado, or fried trout.
It also works well for groups and families who prefer a comfortable table and a menu full of traditional Peruvian home-style flavors. This restaurant in Cusco keeps that local feel where the most important thing is to eat well, feel looked after, and enjoy a tasty break in the city.
San Pedro Market
- Ideal for: Budget travelers, young travelers, and groups of friends
- Location: Plazoleta San Pedro, five blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 8 - 11 per person
- Reservation: No
- What to order: Lamb stew with beans, mondonguito, or hen soup
- Why go: Peruvian Creole and regional dishes
- Hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
San Pedro is the most traditional market in the city. Including a food market in a list of best restaurants in Cusco may not seem obvious at first. However, the food section inside the San Pedro Market is one of the most authentic places to eat in Cusco. With juice stalls, home-style food stands, soups, breakfasts, daily menus, and Creole dishes, it offers a direct experience of local Cusco life.
It is ideal for travelers who want to try simple, fresh, and affordable food near the historic center. Here, you can sit next to local people, order a fruit juice, a hot soup, or a generous lunch, and feel the everyday rhythm of the city. Its atmosphere is popular, colorful, and full of aromas, perfect for anyone looking for practical, tasty food without luxury. It is also a good place to try local products.
Good Restaurants in Cusco for Vegetarians & Vegans
Because Cusco is a cosmopolitan city that welcomes many travelers each year, it has also embraced a strong influence from healthy lifestyles. As a result, Cusco’s gastronomy has evolved and now offers excellent plant-based options, not only for foreign visitors but also for locals. Some of the most popular places include Green Point, Organika, and Vida Vegan Bistro, as well as El Encuentro Veg Food, which we already mentioned in the section on restaurants in Cusco for backpackers.
Green Point
- Ideal for: Couples, friends, and active travelers
- Location: Calle Carmen Bajo 235, San Blas, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 7 - 22 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Garden pizza, Andean quinoa pie, or lentil curry with carnitas and falafel
- Why go: Vegetarian and vegan food
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Green Point is one of the best restaurants in Cusco when it comes to vegetarian dishes. This botanical oasis in the city serves Peruvian and international dishes in vegetarian and vegan versions. Its dining room feels like the garden of a traditional Cusco home. And this is not far from the truth, since its founder and chef, Cusco-born Fabrizio Durand, opened the restaurant in his parents’ house in the San Blas neighborhood.
Green Point restaurant includes dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado, and drinks like kombucha and craft beer on its menu. It won TripAdvisor’s “Hidden Gem” award in 2022.
Organika Restaurant
- Ideal for: Families, couples, and friends
- Location: Calle Ataúd No. 154, one and a half blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 7 - 22 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Purple cabbage cream soup, grilled alpaca, or vegetable lasagna
- Why go: Vegetarian and gluten-free food
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
With a farm-to-table concept, Organika offers organic ingredients and healthy dishes, including pizzas, vegetable burgers, and gluten-free desserts. Its products are grown and harvested in its garden in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This restaurant in Cusco is ideal for travelers who want to eat well without feeling too full, while still enjoying the flavors of Peru. It also works very well for couples, families, or friends who want a comfortable table after a Cusco City Tour or a walk around the city. Its homemade, natural, and friendly style makes the experience feel simple, tasty, and very enjoyable on any trip to Cusco.
Organika Restaurant is a good option in Cusco for anyone looking for fresh, well-served food with a lighter Creole touch. Its menu also combines local ingredients, seasonal vegetables, meats, trout, soups, salads, and carefully prepared Peruvian dishes, all in a warm and peaceful setting near the historic center.
Vida Vegan Bistro
- Ideal for: Families, couples, and friends
- Location: Calle Palacio 126, 2nd floor, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 6 - 20 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Vegan oyster mushroom ceviche or vegan passion fruit cheesecake
- Why go: Vegetarian food, vegan options, and gluten-free dishes
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Vida Vegan Bistro is one of those restaurants in Cusco that specializes in tasty, creative, and well-served vegan food. Its menu brings together fresh local ingredients, adapted Peruvian dishes, salads, soups, burgers, desserts, and natural drinks. Its kitchen shows that meat-free food can be generous, colorful, and very enjoyable, with a homemade touch that feels just right.
It is located on the second floor of an old colonial house in the heart of Cusco’s historic center.
Restaurants in Cusco for Families and Friends
If you are traveling with a group or family, you will find that some of the best restaurants in Cusco offer comfortable spaces, varied menus, and a welcoming atmosphere for your loved ones. Don Pancho Taberna Peruana, Pachapapa, and La Bodega 138 are ideal places to share and enjoy a good meal together.
Don Pancho Taberna Peruana
- Ideal for: Families and groups of friends
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Portal de Panes 151, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 11 - 21 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Creamy duck rice, Peruvian lasagna, or alpaca burger
- Why go: Creole cuisine with Cusco ingredients
- Hours: Wednesday to Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Don Pancho is a family-friendly restaurant that serves traditional Peruvian dishes made with Cusco ingredients, along with a nod to the cuisine of other regions of the country. Dishes such as causa limeña and lomo saltado are served alongside regional meals and contemporary creations. Located right on the city’s Plaza de Armas, its warm and simple setting, full of personality, offers unique views of the Cathedral and the La Compañia de Jesus church. Many locals compare its atmosphere to old Lima taverns and traditional picanterías from southern Peru. TripAdvisor includes it in its list of the best restaurants in Cusco 2025.
Pachapapa
- Ideal for: Families, friends, and couples
- Location: Plaza San Blas, Carmen Bajo 120, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 12 - 35 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Ají de gallina, kankacho, or tongue in tomato sauce
- Why go: Regional Cusco cuisine
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Inside the good restaurants in Cusco, Pachapapa is a classic restaurant with a wood-fired oven, a colonial inner courtyard, and a menu that includes pachamanca, guinea pig, and Andean soups. Its rustic, family-friendly atmosphere makes it an excellent choice for enjoying traditional Cusco food with family, friends, or your partner. The whole concept of Pachapapa recalls the old traditional picanterías of Cusco: wooden tables and benches, cloth tablecloths, an open space, and a clay oven where you can see some dishes being baked.
Its location is also one of its great advantages. The San Blas neighborhood is one of the most traditional areas of Cusco, known as home to many of the city’s artist families. After your meal, you can enjoy its narrow streets, small plazas, and viewpoint.
La Bodega 138
- Ideal for: Couples, friends, and anniversaries
- Location: Calle Herrajes 138, two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 9 - 25 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: “A mí qué Chicha” pizza, tagliatelle with lomo saltado, or ají de gallina ravioli
- Why go: Italian and fusion food
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
La Bodega 138 is one of those best restaurants in Cusco with an Italian menu and a few Peruvian fusion options, such as “La de Huancasho” pasta, tagliatelle with lomo saltado, “choclo con queso” pizza, and lomo saltado pizza. Located in an old mansion in Cusco’s historic center, it offers artisanal pizzas, homemade pastas, lasagna, salads, and local beers. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, with soft music, Wi-Fi, and options for children. It is perfect for anniversaries, special dinners with friends, or a romantic dinner for couples.
Best Restaurants in Cusco with Unforgettable Views
Places like LIMO Peruano Nikkei, Morena Peruvian Kitchen, and Mil Restaurant are not only restaurants in Cusco with varied cuisine, but they also offer unmatched views of the city’s Plaza de Armas while you enjoy lunch or dinner. They are ideal for watching the sunset over the Cusco rooftops.
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
- Ideal for: Families, groups of friends, and couples
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Portal Harinas 181, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 11 - 29 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Braised ossobuco, Mister Cuy wok-style, or Surf and Turf
- Why go: Peruvian and regional cuisine
- Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
This restaurant in Cusco is relatively new, but it has already won over both international visitors and Peruvians. Elegant and with a direct view of the Plaza de Armas, it offers gourmet cuisine made with ingredients from Peru’s coast, highlands, and jungle. This is paired with its dessert menu and its star dish, “Crème Brûlée.” The menu includes ceviches, lomo saltado, creative desserts, and pisco sours. It is ideal for a romantic dinner, a special lunch, or a meal with friends.
It is recommended to make a reservation two weeks in advance.
LIMO Peruano Nikkei
- Ideal for: Couples and anniversaries
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Portal de Carnes 236, 2nd floor, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 11 - 52 per person
- Reservation: Yes
- What to order: Paiche with yellow miso, prawn and foie gyoza, or Limo Truffle Passion
- Why go: Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese food
- Hours: Every day: 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
LIMO is part of the Cusco Restaurants group and specializes in Nikkei cuisine, the perfect fusion of two of the world’s most celebrated cuisines: Peruvian and Japanese. LIMO and its sophisticated kitchen serve sushi, ceviches, and tartares in a refined setting with a direct view of the Plaza. It is perfect for anyone looking for a stylish gourmet experience.
Located on the second floor of Portal de Carnes in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, it offers an exceptional view of the main square. We recommend going at night, when the views are even more enjoyable.
Mil Restaurant
- Ideal for: Couples and anniversaries
- Location: Km 53, road to Moray, Maras, Cusco, Peru
- Price range: US$ 360 - 660 per person
- Reservation: Yes. Booking months in advance is recommended
- What to order: Botanical Route + Tasting Menu
- Why go: A culinary experience with ingredients from different Andean ecosystems in Peru
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. / Immersions: Tuesday to Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Mil Centro competes with Chicha for recognition as one of the best restaurants in Cusco, especially because it appears in 75th place of the World’s 50 Best list. Eating there is one of the most special culinary experiences in the destination. Located next to Moray, in Maras, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the restaurant blends Andean cuisine with the valley landscape, high-altitude ingredients, and the cultural richness of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The proposal by Virgilio Martínez, Pía León, and the Mater Iniciativa team goes far beyond a tasting menu. Each dish tells a story connected to an ecosystem, a community, and a way of understanding the Andes. It is a great choice for travelers looking for a unique meal, with local ingredients, modern techniques, and a deeper look at Peruvian biodiversity. Its location, at more than 3,500 m.a.s.l., makes the visit feel even more intimate and connected to the land.
Which Dishes Should You Try in the Restaurants of Cusco?
Cuy Chactado, Chiri Uchu, and Cusqueño Roast Pork
These emblematic plates showcase the region. Cuy is crispy outside and tender inside. Chiri Uchu appears during traditional festivities, while succulent, well-seasoned roast pork is a Sunday staple.
Adobo Cusqueño
A hearty soup made with pork, ají panca, and chicha. Locals traditionally enjoy it as a Sunday breakfast.
Lomo Saltado
Though a national classic, in Cusco it is prepared with local peppers and a distinctive regional twist that travelers love.
Quinoa, Trout, and Other Andean Favorites
Quinoa forms the base of nourishing soups and side dishes. Fresh local trout is cooked in many ways. You can also try causa cusqueña and ají de gallina imbued with high-land flavors.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options with Peruvian Flair
From soy-based lomo saltado to vegan ceviche with mushrooms and avocado, Cusco’s cooking adapts without losing its identity, yet another reason the city is praised for its restaurants in Cusco Peru that meet modern dietary needs
Tips for Making the Most of the Restaurants in Cusco
- Reserve ahead at popular spots, especially in high season.
- Ask whether dishes are spicy to avoid surprises.
- Carry cash; smaller places may not accept cards.
- Sip coca tea if you have just arrived, it helps with altitude.
- Keep an open mind: unusual ingredients can be delicious.
- If you have allergies or restrictions, inquire about ingredients.
- Use set menus of the day if you want to save money.
Conclusion
Eating well in Cusco is part of the journey, not just a small detail. You can start the day with a simple breakfast at the San Pedro Market, try traditional food after walking through San Blas at Pachapapa, or end the night with a special dinner facing the Plaza de Armas at Don Pancho Taberna Peruana. What matters most is choosing a place that fits your tastes, your budget, the people you are traveling with, and the kind of experience you want to enjoy.
Want to combine great food, tours in Cusco, and Machu Picchu without wasting time? Talk to a travel expert from TreXperience and plan a clear route for your days in Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to eat in a restaurant in Cusco?
A budget menu runs S/ 10–20. In mid-range places, expect S/ 40–80 per person. Fine dining can exceed S/ 150.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, especially at popular or high-end venues and during peak season. Casual spots usually welcome walk-ins.
What is the best time to avoid lines or long waits?
The quietest hours are between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. For lunch or dinner with no wait, avoid 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m., the peak periods.
Are there gluten-free options or accommodations for allergies?
More and more establishments include special menus. Ask your server before ordering.
Is tipping customary in Cusco restaurants?
It is not obligatory, but leaving 5 %–10 % for good service is common in tourist restaurants. Some places add a service charge, so check the bill.
Are restaurants open every day?
Most are. Smaller eateries may close on Mondays or between shifts; confirm times on Google or social media.
Is it safe to eat street food or at markets?
Generally yes, but use common sense: pick busy stalls and avoid items left in strong sun.
Are vegetarian or vegan options available?
Yes. Many menus highlight them, and some venues are fully plant-based.
Do restaurants in Cusco accept credit cards?
Many tourist restaurants take Visa or Mastercard, but small or budget spots (like the San Pedro Market) often prefer cash. Carrying soles is advisable.
Which restaurant is best for a special occasion?
MAP Café and Cicciolina are widely recommended for their setting, service quality, and presentation, both among the best restaurants in Cusco for memorable evenings.
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