Where to eat in Cusco? When we have decided to venture into Inca lands, not only comes to mind a lot of beautiful Inca sites built in rock in the middle of Andean landscapes. Many know that Peru is a country of a great gastronomic richness unique in the world. The great variety of colors, flavors, smells and textures of Peruvian dishes is a destination in itself.
Where to eat in Cusco? Join Auri and check out our selection of some of the best restaurants to visit in the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco.
Pachapapa restaurant (Traditional Andean food)
Pachapapa is one of the most recommended restaurants to eat traditional Andean food. This rustic restaurant is located in the bohemian and traditional district of San Blas, right in front of the church of San Blas. Pachapapa specializes in traditional Andean gourmet food prepared in the traditional way. This place is perfect for lunch on a sunny day while sitting on the wooden benches in their open patio. If the weather is a bit chilly, the patio is kept warm with heaters and a huge clay oven.
We recommend typical Cusco dishes such as baked trout or alpaca anticucho. If you are feeling particularly adventurous in a culinary way, pre-order their specialty: baked guinea pig with red bell pepper sauce. Pachapapa is the perfect place to sample traditional Cusco food.
Chicha (Peruvian gastronomy)
When someone tastes the dishes of renowned Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio, they understand the reason for his fame inside and outside the country. This character has numerous restaurants in Peru, Cusco could not be the exception. The restaurant is named after the famous purple corn drink popular among Peruvians, “Chicha”.
This restaurant offers sophisticated and traditional dishes, as well as the best Andean recipes of Peruvian gastronomy, but with a modern touch and a “wow factor”. Chicha restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere to visitors to Cusco from a second floor. Chicha is only 5 minutes away from Cusco’s main square.
Incanto (Italian and Peruvian cousine)
The foundations of the building where the Incanto restaurant is located were once Inca palaces, a very historic place that witnessed many transcendental events in history. Today, this place is a cozy space, a restaurant that combines Italian and Peruvian cuisine. Incanto is located at one end of the main square of Cusco, it has a huge wooden oven to prepare a variety of dishes.
Incanto offers one of the best pizzas, breads and pastas in the city of Cusco. The tagliteles in squid sauce, local Cusco cheese accompanied by quinoa croquettes, make a perfect combination offered by Incanto restaurant. Dishes are accompanied by a great selection of wines to create the perfect combination and enjoy an unforgettable lunch or dinner.
Le Soleil (French food)
Among the pleasures of visiting restaurants in Cusco, we not only find a great variety of Andean food restaurants, but also international food. One of the most renowned restaurants in the city is Le Soleil, a place that offers traditional French food in a romantic and elegant atmosphere. On the menu you can find such representative dishes as ratatouille baked in the capital of the Inca empire with goat cheese, duck a la can be accompanied by a sparkling champagne or a traditional Bordeaux wine, all with the elegance of Paris.
Seafood dishes such as the scallops with a dark ginger-honey-sesame-soy sauce and the grilled seafood skewers are highly recommended. There are a handful of vegetarian options, a reasonably priced wine list, and a small but perfectly formed dessert menu.
Yaku restaurant (Peruvian gastronomy)
Yaku is located in the Regocijo square, very close to the municipality of Cusco and one two blocks from the Cusco main square. Its Peruvian cuisine attracts visitors looking for something different.
Yaku offers a good variety of Peruvian gastronomy such as a tender quinoa salad, a famous ceviche or extraordinary pancetta. Here, diners enjoy among delicious dishes and taste deliciously crafted desserts such as a chocolate cake, their tasty flan or the traditional recipe chocolate foam. If you want to try an unbeatable wine, a delicious pisco sour or an excellent beer, this place is a nice option.
Exceptional decor and a charming atmosphere help diners feel relaxed. Google and TripAdvisor users have given this restaurant a good rating.
Limo, Peruvian pisco bar & kitchen (Japanese and Peruvian food)
Limo, Peruvian pisco bar & kitchen, is located on the second floor of a large colonial house with a privileged view of Cusco’s main square. Limo gets its name from the traditional aji limo, an essential spicy ingredient to prepare a Peruvian ceviche. This place stands out among Cusco restaurants because it is a place specialized in seafood, taking into account that Cusco is located hundreds of kilometers from the Peruvian coast. Limo’s specialty is seafood dishes such as the popular tiraditos or the famous ceviches.
Limo also has a bar with an outstanding mixology of Peruvian piscos where we can taste a traditional Pisco Sour or a delicious cocktail based on exotic fruits from the Andes and the Peruvian jungle.
Organika (vegetarian and gluten-free options)
Organika is located two blocks from Cusco’s main square. This restaurant is by far the ideal place for a healthy menu after a tiring day in Cusco. Organika offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. The most outstanding features of this place are the organic and fresh products used in their dishes. It is very interesting to note that Organika has its owns vegetable gardens.
The menu contains a selection of vegan dishes that are completely free of animal products such as milk and meat, but the freshly cooked local cuisine is not to be missed either. The restaurant offers a choice of alcoholic beverages. Finally, Organika is pet friendly and has access for disabled people
There is no doubt that in Cusco there is a good variety of restaurants for all tastes and palates, so go on and enjoy the best of Peruvian and Cusquenian food. Peru has many incredible places to discover.
Peru has many incredible places to discover, with many years of working at the travel industry, Auri Travel is happy to help with your travel plans to Machu Picchu and extraordinary places around Peru. Come and enjoy your Peruvian Adventure with us!
