Cusco is not only the historic capital of Peru; it also represents the gastronomic heart of the Andes. If you are planning your trip, there is something you cannot overlook: the incredible variety of good restaurants in Cusco Peru. From ancestral flavors to author-style cuisine, here we tell you everything you need to know so that every meal becomes an unforgettable experience.
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Why is Cusco a gastronomic destination?
Cusco is not only Machu Picchu or Sacsayhuaman. It is also one of the most important gastronomic centers in Peru. Its cuisine reflects Inca history, colonial heritage, and the creativity of a generation of chefs who fuse Andean ingredients with modern techniques. Here you can enjoy anything from a succulent baked cuy to a lomo saltado with a gourmet touch.
Cusco cuisine: simple, powerful, and with history
Before talking about restaurants, it is worth understanding something fundamental: food in Cusco is not just nourishment; it is a way to honor the land, the grandparents, and long-held customs. Ingredients such as quinoa, native potato, purple corn, guinea pig, or trout are not “exotic”; they are part of everyday life and are cooked with respect.
Cusco is a living city. Despite its Inca walls and colonial temples, what truly captivates those who visit is its ability to blend the old with the new, something that also shows in its cuisine. Eating in Cusco is not just about appeasing hunger; it is about connecting with centuries of history. Every ingredient has a past, and every dish honors those who cultivated it. The restaurants in Cusco are an ideal setting to taste the Andean legacy with creativity and respect.
Restaurants in Cusco for Foodies: High Andean Cuisine and Peruvian Fusion
Cusco offers options for every taste and budget. Here we show you where to eat according to your travel style, highlighting some of the best restaurants in Cusco that consistently impress visitors.
If you love gastronomy, you will find proposals that reinvent Cusco cuisine. Places such as Chicha by Gastón Acurio, MAP Café, and Cicciolina offer signature menus with local ingredients and modern techniques, standing out among the top restaurants in Cusco.
Chicha by Gastón Acurio
- Location: Plaza Regocijo 261, 2nd floor, one block from the Plaza de Armas
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This tourist-friendly spot, created by the renowned Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, specializes in regional gastronomy and highlights the culinary value of ancestral Cusco cuisine. It offers a modern reinterpretation of traditional flavors, using local produce as the basis of its innovative proposals, making it one of the best restaurants in Cusco Peru for curious palates.
MAP Café
- Location: Plazoleta Nazarenas 231, inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Located in the museum’s courtyard, this café combines art and gastronomy. It serves innovative dishes prepared with high-quality local ingredients. Its cosmopolitan, creative atmosphere and outstanding service provide a memorable culinary experience.
Cicciolina
- Location: Calle Palacio 110, 2nd floor, one block from the Plaza de Armas
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Housed in a colonial mansion, Cicciolina offers a tapas bar with an open kitchen and a more intimate dining room with white tablecloths. Ideal for relaxed yet elegant dinners, it fuses Peruvian aromas and flavors in a historic setting, earning its reputation among the restaurants in Cusco that food lovers should not miss.
Restaurants in Cusco for Backpackers: Great Flavor on a Low Budget
If you are traveling on a tight budget, there are tasty and affordable options such as El Encuentro, Yola Restaurant, and the Mercado de San Pedro, where you can enjoy typical dishes for less than S/ 25. These restaurants in Cusco Peru prove that you do not need to spend much to eat well in the Andes.
El Encuentro
- Location: Calle Tigre 130, a block and a half from the Plaza de Armas.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sunday closed.
This generous buffet offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices; ideal for hungry backpackers seeking homemade, flavorful, and wallet-friendly food. The family atmosphere and a 4.5 rating from more than 700 reviews make it one of the top restaurants in Cusco for travelers on a budget.
Yola Restaurant
- Location: Av. Pardo Paseo de los Heroes 789 (behind SERPOST).
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
A beloved local spot serving hearty Creole plates such as rotisserie chicken, grilled meats, lomo saltado, and fried trout. Its generous portions and strong price-to-quality ratio place it among the best restaurants in Cusco for value-conscious visitors.
Mercado de San Pedro
- Location: Plazoleta San Pedro, five blocks from the Plaza de Armas.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cusco’s largest market offers set menus for under S/ 20. Try soups, fresh juices, empanadas, or staples like lomo saltado and fried trout. It is an authentic, budget-friendly experience and a classic stop on any list of restaurants in Cusco that backpackers love.
Restaurants in Cusco for Vegetarians, Vegans, or Special Diets
Cusco has evolved and now boasts excellent plant-based choices. Standouts include Green Point, Organika, El Encuentro Veg Food, and Vida Vegan Bistro, each earning praise among the best restaurants in Cusco Peru for meat-free dining.
Green Point
- Location: Calle Carmen Bajo 235, San Blas.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
This botanical oasis serves entirely vegan Peruvian and international dishes, think ceviche, lomo saltado, kombuchas, and craft beers. It won TripAdvisor’s “Gema oculta”.
Organika Restaurant
- Location: Calle Ataúd 154, a block and a half from the Plaza de Armas.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
With a true farm-to-table concept, it uses organic ingredients in healthy plates, including wood-fired pizzas, veggie burgers, and gluten-free desserts.
El Encuentro Veg Food
- Location: Calle Santa Catalina Ancha 366, one block from the Plaza de Armas.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The vegetarian sibling of El Encuentro offers simple, nutritious, and economical menus, highly recommended by backpackers searching for restaurants in Cusco that cater to plant-based diets.
Vida Vegan Bistro
- Location: Calle Palacio 126, 2nd floor.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Creative vegan cuisine made with fresh Peruvian ingredients, vegan ceviche, burgers, and pizzas, earned this spot the Travellers’ Choice “The Best of the Best” award on TripAdvisor. It rightfully ranks among the best restaurants in Cusco for innovative plant-based meals.
Restaurants in Cusco for Families or Large Groups
Traveling with family or a big crew? Cusco offers comfortable spaces with varied menus and welcoming atmospheres. La Cusqueñita, Pachapapa, and La Bodega 138 are excellent for sharing plates and conversation, making them some of the best restaurants in Cusco Peru for groups.
La Cusqueñita
- Location: Av. Centenario 800, Cusco.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
A family-run picantería serving traditional dishes from Peru’s heartland, such as seco de cabrito, trout, and rocoto relleno. The warm, authentic setting is great for anyone wanting regional recipes together.
Pachapapa
- Location: Plaza San Blas, Carmen Bajo 120.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
This classic Cusco restaurant features a wood-fired oven, an inner courtyard, and a menu with pachamanca, guinea pig, and Andean soups. Its rustic, homey feel makes it easy to enjoy meals in good company.
La Bodega 138
- Location: Calle Herrajes 138, two blocks from the Plaza de Armas.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Set in a historic house, it serves artisanal pizzas, homemade pastas, lasagnas, salads, and local beers. The friendly environment, with music, Wi-Fi, and kids’ options, makes it a smart choice for large groups seeking informal yet flavorful restaurants in Cusco.
Restaurants with Unforgettable Views and Unique Settings
Places like LIMO Peruano Nikkei, Morena Peruvian Kitchen, and Tunupa Restaurant provide an unmatched view while you enjoy lunch or dinner, ideal for watching the sunset over Cusco’s tiled rooftops.
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Portal Harinas 181.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Elegant and facing the main square, it offers gourmet cuisine using ingredients from coast, highlands, and jungle. Ceviches, lomo saltado, creative desserts, and pisco sours shine on the menu, great for a romantic dinner or a special lunch.
LIMO Peruano Nikkei
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Portal de Carnes 236, 2nd floor.
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
A sophisticated spot blending the best of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. Sushi, ceviche, and tartare arrive in a refined setting with direct Plaza views, ideal for travelers chasing a stylish gourmet experience at the best restaurants in Cusco.
Tunupa Restaurant
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Portal de Confituría 233, opposite Cusco Cathedral.
- Hours: Daily, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
More than a restaurant, it is a cultural encounter. Traditional plates come with live Andean music and dance. Its elegant ambiance and privileged location have made it a long-standing classic for those who want to savor Cusco with all their senses.
Rustic Restaurants in San Blas
In this bohemian neighborhood, you will find charming spots decorated in traditional style. Pachapapa is an excellent choice for an authentic experience in a welcoming setting and ranks among the top restaurants in Cusco for the atmosphere.
Dinner with Live Andean Show
Venues such as Tunupa combine food with cultural performances, giving guests a chance to feel Cusco’s heritage in every sense.
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.
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.
Eating in Cusco Is a Flavor-Filled Adventure You Live, Not Just Taste
Cusco is not only seen; it is savored. Restaurants form an essential part of that discovery. From a comforting soup in a market to a signature plate overlooking the Plaza, every bite is a living piece of history.
So when you are in Cusco, don’t eat merely to refuel. Taste, explore, ask questions, and uncover stories because food is part of the journey.
Ready for your next culinary adventure at the restaurants in Cusco?
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