THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN CUSCO: WHERE TO EAT & WHAT TO TRY

Cusco is famous for its Inca history, colonial architecture, and proximity to Machu Picchu, but food is also an important part of the travel experience. The city offers everything from traditional Cusqueñan cuisine and classic Peruvian dishes to Nikkei food, vegan restaurants, contemporary cuisine, cafés, and fine dining. Whether you are looking for a traditional meal after visiting the Sacred Valley, a special dinner after returning from Machu Picchu, or simply a good place to eat near the Plaza de Armas, this guide highlights some of the best restaurants in Cusco and the local dishes worth trying.

Quick tip: Restaurant menus, prices, opening hours, and reservation policies can change. For popular restaurants, especially during high season, booking in advance is recommended.

Why Cusco Is a Great Food Destination

Peruvian cuisine is internationally recognized for combining native ingredients with culinary influences introduced through centuries of cultural exchange, and Cusco adds its own distinctive high-Andean identity to this tradition. Restaurants throughout the city commonly use native potatoes, quinoa, corn, tarwi, rocoto, Andean herbs, trout, alpaca, cuy, choclo, avocado, local cheeses, chili peppers, and mountain-grown vegetables. This variety allows travelers to experience both classic Peruvian cuisine and traditional Cusqueñan flavors without leaving the historic center.

Best Areas for Restaurants in Cusco

Cusco’s Historic Center offers several excellent dining areas within easy walking distance of most hotels. The Plaza de Armas, Plaza Regocijo, and San Blas neighborhoods each provide a different atmosphere, ranging from casual cafés and traditional restaurants to vegan options, international cuisine, and more sophisticated dining experiences.

Plaza de Armas

The streets surrounding Cusco’s Plaza de Armas have one of the largest concentrations of restaurants in the city, making this one of the most convenient areas for visitors. Restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, museums, shops, and major attractions are all located nearby, and dining options range from affordable cafés to upscale restaurants. Some establishments are located on upper floors and offer attractive views over the historic center.

Plaza Regocijo

Located only a short walk from the Plaza de Armas, Plaza Regocijo is another excellent area for dining in central Cusco. Several well-known Peruvian restaurants are located around the plaza and nearby streets, making it a convenient option for lunch or dinner after exploring the historic center.

San Blas

The artistic neighborhood of San Blas is especially popular with travelers looking for smaller restaurants, cafés, bakeries, vegan food, international cuisine, and relaxed dining. Its narrow streets, traditional architecture, and quieter atmosphere make it an attractive place for dinner. San Blas is located uphill from the Plaza de Armas, so visitors who are still adjusting to Cusco’s altitude may find the walk more demanding than expected.

Best Peruvian Restaurants in Cusco

Travelers visiting Peru for the first time should consider enjoying at least one meal at a restaurant specializing in Peruvian cuisine. Cusco offers many options ranging from traditional regional cooking to contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, allowing visitors to discover different sides of Peru’s culinary culture.

Chicha por Gastón Acurio: https://chicha.com.pe/

Located near Plaza Regocijo, Chicha por Gastón Acurio offers a contemporary approach to Peruvian and regional cuisine using local ingredients and modern presentation. It is a good option for travelers looking for a polished dining experience near the historic center, whether for lunch or dinner, and it is suitable for couples, families, and groups. The restaurant provides an opportunity to explore Peruvian flavors beyond familiar dishes such as lomo saltado and ceviche, and reservations are recommended during busy periods.

Pachapapa: https://www.cuscorestaurants.com/

Located in San Blas, Pachapapa is a popular choice for travelers who want to experience traditional Cusqueñan and Peruvian cuisine in a comfortable and attractive setting. Its menu is inspired by Andean ingredients, local meats, potatoes, corn, herbs, and traditional Peruvian dishes. It is also commonly chosen by visitors interested in trying cuy, one of the traditional foods associated with the Cusco region.

Morena Peruvian Kitchen: https://grupomorena.com/

Morena Peruvian Kitchen is located close to the Plaza de Armas and specializes in contemporary Peruvian cuisine presented in an approachable and modern style. It is particularly suitable for first-time visitors who want an introduction to popular Peruvian flavors, with dishes inspired by lomo saltado, ceviche, causa, Andean grains, grilled meats, and traditional appetizers. Its central location also makes it a convenient option after sightseeing in the Historic Center.

Kusykay Peruvian Craft Food: https://kusykay.com/

Kusykay Peruvian Craft Food is a convenient option for travelers looking for Peruvian cuisine close to the center of Cusco. The restaurant combines traditional Peruvian flavors with modern presentation and offers a relaxed atmosphere that works particularly well for dinner after a day of sightseeing, a tour, or an excursion outside the city.

Yaku Restaurant: https://beacons.ai/yaku_cusco

Located around Plaza Regocijo, Yaku Restaurant offers Peruvian cuisine in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Its central location makes it convenient for travelers staying near the Plaza de Armas, and it can be a good choice for lunch or dinner, whether traveling as a couple, family, or group. It is especially suitable for visitors who want to enjoy Peruvian dishes without the formality of a fine-dining restaurant.

Ukllay Traditional Peruvian Cuisine: https://ukllay.com/

Ukllay Traditional Peruvian Cuisine Rooftop is located near the Plaza de Armas and is a convenient option for travelers interested in traditional Peruvian flavors. Its central location makes it particularly practical for visitors exploring Cusco’s Historic Center who prefer to enjoy lunch or dinner without traveling far from the main tourist area.

Best Traditional Cusco Food

Exploring traditional cuisine is an essential part of discovering The BEST Restaurants in Cusco, because many local restaurants highlight ingredients and dishes deeply connected to Andean culture. Visitors can try regional specialties prepared with native potatoes, corn, quinoa, local herbs, traditional meats, and other ingredients that have been part of Cusco’s culinary identity for generations.

Chiri Uchu

Chiri uchu is one of the most emblematic traditional dishes associated with Cusco and an important part of local festive cuisine. Often translated as “cold spicy dish,” it combines several ingredients that represent different culinary traditions of the region and is especially common during major celebrations, making it an interesting dish to look for when exploring The BEST Restaurants in Cusco during festival periods.

Cuy

Cuy, or guinea pig, is a traditional Andean dish with a history that dates back long before modern tourism and remains an important part of regional cuisine. It may be roasted, baked, fried, served whole, or presented in a more contemporary style, and travelers interested in authentic local food can find it in several of The BEST Restaurants in Cusco that specialize in traditional Cusqueñan cuisine.

Alpaca

Alpaca meat is commonly found on traditional and contemporary menus throughout Cusco and is generally known for being relatively lean. Depending on the restaurant, it may be served as steak, grilled meat, saltado, burgers, or incorporated into modern tasting dishes, and choosing one of The BEST Restaurants in Cusco can provide a better introduction to this distinctive Andean ingredient.

Choclo con Queso

Choclo con queso is one of the simplest and most traditional combinations in the Andes, consisting of large-kernel Andean corn served with local cheese. Travelers can find it in markets, restaurants, roadside stops, and during Sacred Valley excursions, and many places featured among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco include similar regional ingredients in their menus.

Quinoa

Quinoa is an important Andean ingredient that appears in many different forms throughout Cusco’s culinary scene, including soups, salads, risotto-style dishes, main courses, vegetarian meals, and breakfast options. Trying quinoa while visiting The BEST Restaurants in Cusco gives travelers an opportunity to experience this globally known ingredient in the region where it has deep cultural and agricultural roots.

Native Potatoes

Peru is known for its extraordinary variety of native potatoes, and Cusco restaurants increasingly showcase different types through purées, roasted preparations, soups, causa, side dishes, fries, and tasting menus. Sampling native potatoes at The BEST Restaurants in Cusco is one of the easiest ways to experience an important part of Andean agricultural heritage.

Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Cusco

Travelers looking for a more sophisticated experience will find that The BEST Restaurants in Cusco also include elegant fine-dining options. These restaurants are particularly suitable for honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays, special celebrations, or a memorable final dinner in Peru, combining regional ingredients with modern culinary techniques and refined presentation.

MAP Café

MAP Café offers a distinctive contemporary dining experience and is known for a refined interpretation of Peruvian cuisine. It is especially suitable for couples, special occasions, and travelers looking for carefully presented dishes in a more formal setting, making it one of the notable options when searching for The BEST Restaurants in Cusco for an upscale dinner.

Mauka

Mauka is another attractive option for travelers interested in upscale contemporary Peruvian cuisine, with an emphasis on regional products, seasonal ingredients, modern culinary techniques, creative presentation, and Peruvian culinary heritage. For visitors who consider gastronomy an important part of their trip, Mauka is a strong choice among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco for a refined dining experience.

Best Nikkei and Japanese-Peruvian Restaurant in Cusco

Nikkei cuisine is an important part of Peru’s modern culinary identity, combining Japanese techniques and ingredients with Peruvian products, chili peppers, citrus, seafood, and local flavors. Travelers exploring The BEST Restaurants in Cusco can enjoy this Japanese-Peruvian fusion as an alternative to traditional Andean and classic Peruvian dishes.

LIMO Peruano Nikkei

LIMO peruano nikkei is one of the best-known options near the Plaza de Armas for travelers interested in Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Depending on the menu, diners may find sushi, seafood, tiradito, citrus-based preparations, Peruvian chili peppers, and contemporary fusion dishes, making LIMO a good choice among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco for couples or travelers seeking a more sophisticated evening meal.

Best Fusion Restaurant in Cusco

Fusion cuisine offers another way to experience The BEST Restaurants in Cusco, combining Peruvian ingredients with international culinary traditions. These restaurants are ideal for travelers who want something different after several days of traditional Peruvian food while still enjoying local flavors and ingredients.

Cicciolina

Cicciolina combines Mediterranean and Peruvian influences and is particularly popular for dinner, shared dishes, tapas-style dining, and wine. Its central location makes it easy to combine with an evening walk through Cusco’s Historic Center, and it is a good option for couples and small groups looking for a relaxed fusion experience among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco.

Best Farm-Inspired Restaurant in Cusco

Travelers looking for lighter meals and fresh ingredients can also find excellent options among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco. Farm-inspired restaurants generally focus on vegetables, grains, herbs, salads, soups, and locally sourced ingredients, making them particularly appealing after several days of heavier traditional meals.

Organika

Organika focuses on fresh ingredients and lighter, produce-centered cuisine, with options that may include vegetables, salads, soups, quinoa, vegetarian dishes, and lighter interpretations of Peruvian food. Its convenient location near the Historic Center makes it a practical choice among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco for travelers seeking a fresh and less heavy meal.

Best Vegan Restaurant in Cusco

Cusco has become an attractive destination for vegetarian and vegan travelers, with several plant-based restaurants and cafés located throughout the Historic Center and San Blas. Some of The BEST Restaurants in Cusco now offer creative vegan menus that combine Peruvian ingredients with international influences, providing much more than simple meat-free alternatives.

Green Point Vegan Restaurant

Located in San Blas, Green Point Vegan Restaurant is one of Cusco’s best-known fully plant-based dining options and offers creative cuisine influenced by both Peruvian and international flavors. The menu may include plant-based Peruvian dishes, vegetables, mushrooms, quinoa, salads, vegan desserts, breakfast and brunch options, juices, and other drinks, making it a useful choice among The BEST Restaurants in Cusco for both vegan travelers and mixed groups.

Other Vegan Options in Cusco

In addition to Green Point, travelers can find a growing selection of vegetarian and vegan cafés, restaurants, and plant-based menu options throughout San Blas and the Historic Center. When exploring The BEST Restaurants in Cusco, visitors with plant-based diets can usually find creative alternatives featuring quinoa, native potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, avocado, corn, legumes, and other Andean ingredients.