Best Restaurants in Cusco

Whenever someone asks me which is the best restaurant in Cusco Peru, without a second thought, my answer will be Morena. Located on the Plaza de Armas, this bright restaurant offers you the best of Cusco flavorful dishes with amazing services using local products from the Andes.

The menu is an innovative take on traditional Peruvian cuisine, such as alpaca risotto with Andean cheese, gnocchi with aji de gallina, and lomo saltado, which is often cited as being one of the best around the city. The pisco sour menu, prepared using locally sourced passion fruit, raspberries, and cucumber, competes with the food in quality. Window seats should be booked ahead of time since they are snatched up immediately upon arrival.

What to Try:

Alpaca risotto, aji de gallina gnocchi, passionfruit pisco sour, anticuchos de corazón

If there is any name associated with Peruvian fine dining, then that is none other than Gastón Acurio. The restaurant Chicha owned by him has been named after the Incas’ traditional corn beer and is located on the second floor of a colonial building near Plaza Regocijo, just one block away from the main plaza. Chicha consistently features among the best restaurants in Cusco Peru, maintaining its reputation for excellence over the years.
The concept is strictly adhered to: native, regional ingredients served using meticulous cooking techniques. The trout ceviche, which uses Andean trout instead of sea bass, is an eye-opener. Their tasting menu offers outstanding value for high-end dining. Due to its popularity, you must reserve a table beforehand as it is frequently fully booked.

Must Order:

Lucuma tortellini, trout ceviche, pachamanca a la olla, chef’s tasting menu

Kusykay is one of those best restaurants in Cusco Peru that tourists will speak of for months to come upon arriving back from their trip. Everything about this place conveys the sense that the person preparing the food cares deeply about what they are doing. The plates have been prepared in such a masterful way as to justify the use of the word “craft,” and the Cusco tiramisu using authentic Peruvian highland coffee is among the top desserts in Cusco.
The menu includes all kinds of Peruvian specialties, such as aji de gallina, fresh trout, lomo saltado, ceviche, and roasted chicken tacos. Everything presented is not only delicious; it looks as good as it tastes each plate looks like a still-life painting. A main dish here costs somewhere in the region of S/55 (approx. $15), which makes Kusykay a bit pricey for the area, but definitely worth it. Note: Kusykay is a very popular spot, especially over the weekend.

Recommendations: Cusco tiramisu, lomo saltado, ceviche, any preparation

In terms of versatility and uniformity, no Cusco restaurant can be compared to Cicciolina. This popular restaurant often finds itself listed among the best restaurants in Cusco Peru as it has successfully managed to become equally good with breakfasts, tapas, lunches, and dinners in one establishment. Its interior includes a charming colonial-style building where there are rough wood-beamed ceilings at the bar section and an atmosphere filled with candles on the second floor that features red-colored walls with artworks.

Dishes served here feature a combination of Mediterranean and Andean cuisine including quinoa crusted shrimp, alpaca carpaccio, and squid ink tagliatelle. The tapas section of the bar is one of the best places to eat quietly in Cusco. It is important to note that Cicciolina changed its address to Calle Palacio 110, which is located nearby the original location on Calle Triunfo.

Recommendations:

Tapas bar selection, quinoa-crusted shrimp, alpaca carpaccio, house-made pasta

Mauka at Cusco Table is considered to be the finest restaurant dining option in Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, a 16th century former convent located just around the corner from Plaza Nazarenas. The culinary concept was created by the restaurant’s chief executive chef Pía León (the mastermind behind Central, one of the best restaurants in the world): the use of Andean biodiversity of Cusco in a contemporary culinary style. The restaurant’s design features natural elements like lenga wood, volcanic stone, and ambient lighting. It is one of the best restaurants in Cusco, Peru.

The cuisine offered here is based on native ingredients of Peru: alpaca crudo with lemon verbena, chuño (freeze-dried potato) presented in an artistic form, and seeds and grains from the Sacred Valley. This is Andean biodiversity brought into each dish. Mauka is perfect for special events. Reservations for groups are highly encouraged via mauka.reservations@belmond.com.

Recommended:

Six of Andes tasting menu, alpaca dishes, seasonal Andean ingredients

When you ask the locals of Cusco where they take their families to enjoy lunch on Sundays, the chances are that you will get a response regarding the restaurant called Pachapapa. It is one of the best Peruvian restaurants in Cusco Peru where you can find the most traditional Peruvian food that has not been modernized. The restaurant specializes in cooking authentic Peruvian food in clay pots, offering it in an open-air courtyard and using ancient Peruvian recipes that predate the colonial period.

The outdoor eating area, which comprises whitewashed pillars, suspended potted plants, and heaters for cold days, is ideal for enjoying a relaxed two-hour lunch. The guinea pig dish (cuy), prepared by roasting it in a wood-fired oven with marigold and red pepper sauce, is among the best versions in the entire city (it is recommended to order this in advance). Another standout is the Andean ceremonial meal, pachamanca.

Recommendation:

Cuy (pre-order required), wood-fired trout, pachamanca (advance notice), chicha morada

The Territorio is the best restaurant in Cusco Peru, is the best place for travelers who value quality and do not care much about atmosphere. It has no celebrities or rooftop dining options but offers a straightforward kitchen that appreciates all kinds of local cuisine. The name, which can be translated as ‘territory’, is a tribute to the diversity of Peruvian cuisine, including its coastal delicacies, dishes based on Andean grain, and trout prepared with skill and care.

The relaxed ambiance of this restaurant makes it a good choice for travelers dining alone or in small groups. Unlike such restaurants as Chicha and Morena, Territorio rarely requires reservations and does not force customers to taste a whole set of dishes. If there were only two items travelers had to try here, those would be house ceviche and Andean trout.

Recommendations:

House ceviche, Andean trout, alpaca main, quinoa-based side dishes

MAP Café stands in a category of its own. Located inside the Museo de Arte Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Art Museum), the dining room is a glass-enclosed space set in the museum’s stunning 17th-century courtyard. Eating here at night, surrounded by Inca stonework and pre-Columbian artifacts, is a genuinely unique experience that you won’t find replicated anywhere else in Peru, and one that places it among the best restaurants in Cusco Peru.

The contemporary Peruvian menu matches the setting’s ambition. Slow-cooked pork belly, Andean trout in delicate preparations, and a chef’s tasting menu that showcases the kitchen’s best seasonal work – all delivered with unhurried, formal service. Lunch runs 12:00–3:00 PM; dinner begins at 6:00 PM. The glass walls mean you can see the museum’s courtyard architecture from every table, making it one of the most atmospheric fine dining restaurants in Cusco.

Recommendations:

Chef’s tasting menu, slow-cooked pork belly, Andean trout, any chocolate dessert

After which Limo is named, being one of the most versatile local peppers of Peru, this venue can be called Cusco’s top response to the question, “Where can I find great food and great cocktails?” This restaurant/bar combines Peruvian cuisine with Japanese influence, making exquisite ceviche, tiradito, and other dishes influenced by Japanese sushi cooking with uniquely Andean touch. As for the best restaurants in Cusco Peru, Limo has definitely made its mark both with its kitchen and bar cocktail program.

Sunsets seen from the upper dining area overlooking Plaza de Armas are possibly the finest in all restaurants included in this list. The drinks menu at this venue focuses on local flavors, including coca leaves, maracuyá fruit, and aji amarillo in their cocktails, which authentically represents the environment you’re in. Dinner served at Limo Restaurant is always an event, without being too formalized.

Must Order:

Tiradito, classic ceviche, passionfruit pisco sour, aji amarillo-based cocktails

For finishing off our top 10 best restaurants in Cusco Peru list, we have Inka Grill, which is deservedly included for its consistent performance and years of operation. Founded in 1998, Inka Grill is one of the most reliable restaurants in Cusco. This restaurant’s two-story space is filled with antiques, candle statues, and nice lighting. It can host up to 140 people and maintain the same cozy atmosphere.

Dishes range from Peruvian food like lomo saltado and alpaca steak, as well as other traditional dishes like aji de gallina and trout, international dishes, pisco sours, and many more, all consistently delicious for repeat visits. The presence of folkloric music concerts in the evening will definitely make the dinner experience truly unforgettable, especially for tourists visiting Cusco for the first time. Meals usually cost S/90–S/100 per person during dinner service.

Recommendations:

Lomo saltado, alpaca roast beef sandwich, aji de gallina, signature pisco sour

Eating well on a budget in Cusco is easy once you step away from the tourist restaurants around the main plaza. The city’s best cheap restaurants in Cusco Peru are found in its markets and street corners, where locals eat every single day at a fraction of restaurant prices. Here are the three you shouldn’t miss.

San Blas Market Food Stalls

San Blas Market is considered the best cheap restaurant in Cusco Peru. It gives you an opportunity to have a delicious meal in the most beautiful spot in Cusco without spending much money. The market is open every day from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM and gives you a chance to enjoy some of the most delicious food from all around the world.

One of the famous stalls at San Blas Market is Desayunos Anita Cleo, which sells various sandwiches with unlimited combinations of fillings. Another famous stall at San Blas Market is Cevichería de Yanet, which sells ceviche in the price range of S/15-S/25 per plate.

For vegetarians, there is a stall called Govinda Lila, which gives delicious burgers, falafel, lasagna, and other vegetarian dishes. There is also a stall called Brew Brothers, which serves unique coffee.

San Pedro Market Fresh Juices

Mercado San Pedro (San Pedro Market) is among best cheap restaurants in Cusco Peru that offers the authentic flavors of local cuisine at market rates. It’s the main market in Cusco and located only ten minutes by foot from Plaza de Armas. The juice stands next to the main entrance are legendary around the city for selling juices made with exotic and indigenous fruit blends, starting at S/3-S/6 per glass. Mangoes, papayas, chirimoyas, various tropical fruit juices, everything is freshly squeezed right in front of your eyes.

In the interior part of the market, there are numerous restaurants that provide dishes for lunch with meals known as menú del día. They offer an inexpensive three-course meal priced at about S/8-S/15, including soup, rice dish, and a small dessert. That’s what locals in Cusco have for their lunches.

Anticuchos Nancy Street Food

Nancy’s stands offering anticuchos are best cheap restaurants in Cusco Peru where you can taste some authentic street food. Anticuchos are marinated beef heart skewers grilled on charcoal and this is Peru’s national street food. This particular anticuchos offered by Nancy and available at night time near the San Blas region are acknowledged to be among the best in the whole city. The meat is served with boiled potatoes and some aji amarillo sauce, and the characteristic char from charcoal cooking adds some flavors impossible to obtain with regular cooking methods used in other restaurants.

Priced at S/7-S/8 per piece of meat, these are the cheapest items on the list. Also, they may be the most delicious bites at these prices. Come there early at night time, starting from around 6:30 PM.

At an altitude of 11,000 feet above sea level, breakfast assumes significance in Cusco like nowhere else. Nutritional intake assists in altitude adjustment, and thankfully, there are two superb places where one can have breakfast in the city. These are the best breakfast restaurants in Cusco Peru for both specialty coffee and brunch lovers.

Qura Specialty Coffee and Shakshuka

Qura is the perfect place for your gourmet coffee fix and experimental breakfasts in Cusco. Their coffee game is seriously impressive; they source Peruvian high-altitude arabica, and they have trained baristas who can explain its origin. Just as impressive as their coffee is their food; the shakshuka, which consists of eggs cooked in tomato sauce with spices, is one of the best breakfast items that Cusco has to offer.

Must Order:

Specialty coffee, shakshuka, acai bowls, avocado toast

Jack’s Café Brunch and Alpaca Burgers

Jack’s Café is an establishment that belongs to the culture of Cusco. Situated in San Blas, it attracts travelers looking for hearty dishes. Among others, such dishes as fluffy pancakes, stuffed French toast, real eggs Benedict, and the alpaca burger a minced alpaca patty that is leaner than beef are considered the musts there.

Must Order:

Alpaca burger, French toast, pancakes, eggs Benedict, fresh juice

Cuisine from the Andes naturally leans toward plant-based dishes, as one finds in abundance quinoa, some 3,000 varieties of native potatoes, maize with large kernels, freshly grown beans from the highlands, and many herbs. These two eateries offer the best vegetarian restaurants in Cusco, Peru, catering to individuals who view plant-based cuisine as a priority.

Green Point Vegan Tasting Menu

Green Point is considered to be the finest vegan restaurant in Cusco. It treats traditional local ingredients with the respect they deserve within a breathtaking ambiance a beautiful courtyard garden in San Blas complete with large trees, creeping vines, and fountains.

The menu starts from breakfast items such as pancakes and avocado toast and extends to wraps, skewers, nachos, and main dishes. A tasting menu is also available, showcasing local Andean products in a way that appeals to both vegans and non-vegetarian food lovers.

Must Order:

Vegan tasting menu, plant-based Peruvian dishes, garden dining

Organika Café Sourced Local Vegetables

Organika Restaurant is a premier farm-to-table eatery in Cusco. Located in the quiet area of San Blas, this rustic restaurant uses local, organically grown ingredients and offers a cozy atmosphere with exposed stone and warm lighting. Their sustainable practices and local procurement contribute to the exceptional quality of the meals.

The menu includes vibrant grain salads, root vegetable dishes, and well-composed meals. One of the highlights is the roasted vegetable platter, featuring seasonal Andean vegetables that have been caramelized to perfection.

Must Order:

Roasted vegetable platter, grain bowl of the day, fresh vegetable soup

It is only appropriate that anyone who enjoys the best restaurants Cusco Peru should also enjoy an incredible adventure at Machu Picchu. The cuisine of Cusco that you have learned about thus far, alpaca meat, native potatoes, heirloom corn, and fresh trout from the Andes comes straight out of the same valleys and hillsides where the Incan Empire built its greatest fortress.

There is no more exciting way to begin a day than by waking up after an elegant dinner at MAP Cafe, a relaxed brunch at Jack’s, or an exclusive tasting menu at Mauka to discover that everything about your trip to Machu Picchu is already set up for you. This is thanks to Uros expeditions, which will show you the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu in tours that have been carefully crafted by experts who know about both the land and the local food.

For travelers who want a reliable local agency, we recommend booking with Uros Expeditions, a Cusco based travel agency that organizes complete Machu Picchu tours with transportation, train tickets, bus tickets, entrance permits, and professional guides.

Visit Machu Picchu Tours to plan your complete Cusco and Machu Picchu experience.