I consider myself a foodie, but how could I not be when Peruvian cuisine is one of the best in the world? That’s why I want to tell you about the 10 Best Places to Eat in Cusco, Peru’s ancient city. So get ready to whet your appetite, because in this article I want to tell you about the places that really won me over during my months exploring this magical city. I’ll tell you what to enjoy and how to get there.
Why eating in Cusco is an experience you can’t miss
Ingredients you won’t find back home: Walking through Cusco’s markets feels like stepping into another world. There are over 3,000 types of potatoes here (yes, really) and 55 varieties of corn, plus things like maca, lucuma, and camu camu that most people have never heard of. What’s cool is that these aren’t trendy superfoods trying to be exotic. They’re what grandmothers have been cooking with for thousands of years.
Your money goes way further here: You can eat at seriously good restaurants, the kind that would cost you $150 in New York or London, for maybe $40. And if you’re not splurging, grabbing lunch at a local spot or from a street vendor runs you about $5, and it’s genuinely delicious. You’re getting incredible quality without the inflated prices.
Every meal has a story behind it: When you eat pachamanca, you’re eating the same way people did before the Incas even existed: food cooked underground in an earth oven. Then you’ve got dishes like lechón al horno that show up after the Spanish arrived. It hits different when you realize you’re not just having dinner, you’re eating something with centuries of history baked into it.
Fresh doesn’t even cover it: The trout on your plate? Caught that morning in a mountain stream. The quinoa? Grown by a family up in the Sacred Valley at crazy high altitude. Those vegetables? They’re from agricultural terraces that have been producing food since Incan times. You can actually trace where your food comes from, and that’s pretty rare these days.
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10 Best places to eat in Cusco
Finding where to eat in Cusco is almost as exciting as exploring its ancient streets during your Cusco day tours. Between colonial balconies, cobblestone alleys, and the scent of freshly baked bread drifting from old kitchens, the city hides a culinary world where tradition and creativity meet. From cozy picanterías serving grandmother-style stews to elegant restaurants that reinvent Andean flavors, Cusco is a paradise for food lovers.
1. Cusqueñísima
Address: 401 Jose Gabriel Cosio Avenue, Cusco 08004
If there’s one place that captures the soul of traditional Cusqueño cooking, it’s Cusqueñísima. Located in the Magisterio neighborhood, about 20 minutes from the historic center, this family-run picantería is worth the trip. Owners José Luján and Diana Samanez have rescued recipes that were nearly lost, using ancestral techniques their grandmothers once taught them. You won’t find printed menus or modern décor here. What you will find is real food, prepared the way it’s been done for generations.
What to try: The chicharrón con mote is crispy perfection, with that exact cooking point you only get with patience and experience. But if you love spice, the kapchi de setas will blow your mind. Picanterías are famous for their ají heat level, so if you can’t handle too much spice, just ask the waiter for milder options.
Getting there: Grab a taxi from the city center (about 10 minutes, 8-10 soles) or walk along Avenida de la Cultura for 25 minutes to the Magisterio area. It’s on Calle Tandapata.
Local tip: They only open for lunch (12:00 pm to 4:00 pm), and English is limited, but the experience is so genuine you won’t care. Come hungry and take your time. This isn’t fast food, it’s a full cultural experience where every dish has a story.
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2. Quinta Eulalia
Address: Choqechaka 384, Cusco 08003
With more than 60 years of history, Quinta Eulalia is a Cusco institution. Located on Avenida Choquechaca, this is where local families gather every Sunday after mass. Portions are huge, prices ridiculously low, and the food fills both your stomach and your heart. This is the kind of place where you realize the best food doesn’t always come with fancy tablecloths.
What to try: The chuño collation (a stew made with dehydrated potatoes that Andeans have used for centuries) and chicharrón con mote are classics. They also offer a menu del día with soup, main dish, and drink for under 15 soles (around $4), a steal you won’t find at any tourist spot.
Getting there: About a 15-minute walk south from Plaza de Armas, at Avenida Choquechaca 384. You can also hop on any local combi heading to Wanchaq and ask to stop at Quinta Eulalia. All drivers know it.
3. Morena Peruvian Kitchen
Dirección: Plaza de Armas, Portal Harinas 181, Cusco 08001
If you’re looking for something more refined but still full of soul, Morena is your spot. Right on Plaza de Armas, it offers killer views of the square and an interior so colorful it’s Instagram gold. But this place isn’t just looks. The food is top-notch and shows that fusion of tradition and modernity that makes Peruvian gastronomy shine.
What to try: The lomo saltado here is among Peru’s best, with that perfect meat sear and piping hot wok that gives it that smoky flavor. Their ceviche comes with a show the leche de tigre gets poured right at your table. Don’t miss the quinoa risotto with Andean cheese either, a smart reinterpretation that blends Italy with the Andes.
Getting there: Second floor of Portal de Carnes 236, facing Plaza de Armas. You can’t miss it.
Tip: Make a reservation if you want a window seat. It fills up fast between 1:00-3:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm, especially on weekends.
Average price: 45-70 soles per person, pretty reasonable for location and quality.
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4. Pachapapa
Address: Carmen Bajo 120, Cusco 08003
In the heart of bohemian San Blas, Pachapapa feels like an Andean country home: open patio, wood-fired oven, and live folk music. It’s also the go-to spot for anyone wanting to try cuy (guinea pig) for the first time, prepared in the most traditional way.
What to try: Their cuy al horno is legendary (order ahead, it takes about an hour since it’s slow-cooked). They also serve grilled alpaca and ocopa arequipeña that are delicious. The alpaca has a mild flavor, almost like beef but leaner, good if you want to try something different without going full cuy.
Getting there: A 10-minute uphill walk from Plaza de Armas to Plazoleta San Blas 120. Think of it as a scenic warm-up for the altitude. San Blas’s cobblestone streets are part of the experience.
5. Chicha by Gastón Acurio
Address: Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco 05184
If you know anything about Peruvian cuisine, you’ve heard of Gastón Acurio, the chef who put Peru on the culinary map. His restaurant Chicha, one of the best places to eat in Cusco, is where fine dining meets Andean roots. It’s not cheap, but it’s an experience that’s worth every dollar.
What to try: Go for the tasting menu. The trout ceviche, beef heart anticuchos, and Chicha soup hit the spot on Cusco’s chilly nights that can drop to 5°C. The lechón criollo with Cusqueño tamale is another standout that combines French technique with pure Peruvian flavor.
Getting there: Plaza Regocijo 261, just two blocks west of Plaza de Armas, in a beautiful restored colonial building.
Why go: You’ll taste traditional Peruvian dishes elevated with world-class technique and presentation. It’s that sweet spot between respect for tradition and culinary innovation.
Price: $22-32 per person.
Hours: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Reservation required, especially during high season.
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6. San Pedro Market
Address: About four blocks from the Plaza de Armas
Not a restaurant, but the beating heart of Cusco’s everyday cuisine. Designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1925 (yes, the same guy from the Eiffel Tower), San Pedro Market is where locals have been eating, shopping, and socializing for almost a century.
What to try: The menu del día stands offer soup, main dish, and drink for just 6-8 soles (under $2). Try ají de gallina, lomo saltado, or even caldo de cabeza de carnero if you’re feeling brave. Don’t skip the juice stands. Tropical fruits like camu camu, aguaje, and cocona are a refreshing must. These juices are packed with vitamin C and help with altitude adjustment.
Getting there: A short 5-minute walk southwest from Plaza de Armas, across Santa Clara Street. Open daily 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Local tip: Eat where locals eat. Long lines mean good food. Bring cash, keep your bag in front, and enjoy the organized chaos of Cusco’s most authentic market.
7. Samaritano
Address: Av Tullumayo 308-374, Cusco 08000
Hidden near San Pedro Market, Samaritano is eating like a local on a tiny budget. For just 6 soles ($1.60), you get a full lunch: quinoa soup, main dish (usually meat, rice, and potatoes), and a drink. It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why you pay so much for food elsewhere.
What to expect: No menus, no frills. The cook tells you what’s available and you say yes. The food is hearty, simple, and made with grandma’s love. No pretensions here, just honest food that fills you up.
Getting there: Ask any vendor in San Pedro for El Samaritano. They’ll point you right to it. It’s that local, just regulars who know the food here is good and cheap.
Hours: Lunch only (12:00 pm to 3:00 pm). Cash only. You’ll probably share your table with workers, students, and families, the real Cusco experience, no filter.
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8. Cicciolina restaurant
Address: C. Palacio 110, Cusco 08002
On the second floor of a colonial building near Plaza de Armas, Cicciolina is one of the best places to eat in Cusco, blending Mediterranean and Andean flavors with effortless class. Owned by Tammy Gordon, it’s the favorite for romantic dinners and special occasions when you want to impress.
What to try: The tapas are exquisite: beet ravioli with mint pesto, chicken in wild mushroom sauce with spicy polenta, and braised lamb are the highlights. The wine list is killer, with carefully picked Peruvian, Chilean, and Argentine labels. Each dish is small but done right, great for sharing and trying multiple flavors.
Getting there: Calle Triunfo 393, second floor, half a block from Plaza de Armas heading toward San Blas.
The vibe: Classy but not stuffy. The informal bar area has a view of the plaza, perfect for a pre-dinner pisco sour while watching the sunset over colonial rooftops.
Hours: 11:30 am to 11:00 pm.
9. Sakana CeviSushi
Address: C. Tandapata 352, Cusco 08003
Sakana is Cusco’s best cevichería, bringing fresh fish daily from the coast. Sounds crazy to have ceviche at 11,150 feet, but these chefs know their stuff and the cold chain is solid.
What to try: The classic ceviche is flawless, with that perfect balance of acid, spice, and sweetness. But their tropical versions with mango or passion fruit are unforgettable, adding a whole new flavor dimension. The chicharrón de calamar (fried calamari) is also addictive, crispy outside, tender inside.
Getting there: Avenida Garcilaso 395, about a 10-minute walk east from Plaza de Armas or a $1.30 taxi ride.
Hours: Lunch only (11:30 am to 4:00 pm). Go early because they fill up fast, especially on weekends.
Price: $9-13 per person.
10. Delicatessen “La Chujcha”
Address: Jr. Libertadores 130, Cusco 08002
In the Santa Teresa neighborhood, La Chujcha has been serving one of Cusco’s most iconic dishes for over 30 years: chiriuchu. Traditionally eaten during Corpus Christi, here you can try it every weekend, which is great for curious eaters.
What to try: Chiriuchu is a cold dish with cuy, chicken, charqui (dried meat), chorizo, cheese, eggs, toasted corn, lake algae, and rocoto pepper. Sounds wild, I know, but it’s a flavor and history masterpiece on one plate. Each ingredient means something: cuy represents the highlands, algae represents Lake Titicaca. You’re literally eating Peru’s geography.
Getting there: About 15 minutes from the center by taxi (10-12 soles). Just ask for “La Chujcha in Santa Teresa.” Every driver knows it.
When to go: Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm only. Get there before 1:00 pm to make sure you get your plate
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Tips for enjoying the best places to eat in Cusco
- When eating out in Cusco, make sure to carry cash in soles. While plenty of restaurants take cards, traditional spots and street food vendors usually only accept cash in local currency.
- It’s also smart to check reviews and see how busy a place is. Restaurants packed with people are typically a good sign they maintain proper hygiene standards, which matters when you want to avoid getting sick.
- Be careful with water and raw foods. Stick to bottled or treated water, skip the ice, and watch out for veggies that might not have been washed properly, this is especially important at high altitudes like Cusco.
- Keep in mind that Cusco sits over 10,000 feet above sea level. For your first few days, go easy with lighter meals and hold off on heavy eating until your body adjusts to the altitude.
- About tipping: many restaurants already add a 10% service charge to your bill, but if the service is great, feel free to leave a little extra.
Some tourist spots accept dollars, but paying in soles is more practical and you’ll get a better deal. The exchange rate isn’t usually in your favor if you pay in dollars. - If you’re grabbing street food, pay attention to cleanliness and see if locals are eating there. A place full of residents where food is cooked fresh right in front of you is usually a safe bet.
- Planning to eat at a popular or upscale restaurant? Book ahead. These places fill up fast, especially during lunch and dinner rushes.
Around the city, adjust your eating schedule based on where you’re going. Traditional picanterías serve hearty lunches, while fancier restaurants typically open for dinner service.
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What to eat in Cusco
Now that you’re in the Imperial City, you may find yourself staring at a menu without knowing where to start. If this is your first time in Cusco, here are five must-try dishes, each with its own flavor, history, and the most authentic essence of Andean-colonial cuisine.
1. Chicharrón con Mote
Pork fried until perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside, served with mote, that giant white corn so typical of the Andes and a touch of salsa criolla. It’s the quintessential Sunday breakfast in Cusco. Every bite celebrates family tradition and a love for bold, comforting flavors. Try it at traditional picanterías like Cusqueñísima or Quinta Eulalia, where it’s served piping hot, straight from the pan.
2. Chiri Uchu
This is Cusco’s most emblematic ceremonial dish. It’s served cold (yes, cold) and brings together ingredients from Peru’s three regions: cuy (guinea pig), chicken, jerky, sausage, cheese, eggs, corn, seaweed, and rocoto pepper. It’s a feast on one plate, a mosaic of cultures and flavors prepared only during special celebrations such as Corpus Christi. If you’re in the city in June, don’t miss it; every ingredient tells a story of devotion and cultural fusion.
3. Kapchi
A thick and comforting stew made with broad beans or mushrooms, fresh cheese, ají amarillo (yellow chili pepper), milk, and eggs. It’s the kind of dish that warms both body and soul on Cusco’s chilly nights. The Kapchi de habas is common during Lent or on meatless days, but its homemade taste makes it perfect any time of year. You’ll find it in the city’s oldest picanterías, served with boiled native potatoes.
4. Cuy al Horno (or Fried Cuy)
Cuy, known in English as guinea pig, is one of the most traditional and symbolic dishes of the Andean world. In Cusco, it’s prepared roasted or fried, and served with golden potatoes, mote, and fresh salad. The meat is tender, with a flavor somewhere between rabbit and duck, and its preparation is a true ritual. At restaurants like Pachapapa or La Cusqueñita, it arrives at your table golden, crispy, and delicately seasoned with local herbs.
5. Rocoto Relleno
Although originally from Arequipa, rocoto relleno has won the hearts of Cusqueños. This spicy red pepper is stuffed with ground meat, raisins, olives, and cheese, then baked until the flavors blend into the perfect balance of heat and creaminess. In Cusco, it’s a festive classic, often served with potato casserole or rice. A dish that combines fire, sweetness, and tradition in every bite.
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Best coffee shops in Cusco
Cusco’s specialty coffee scene rivals cities like Portland or Melbourne, and it’s no coincidence. Peru is one of the world’s top organic coffee producers, and Cusco sits surrounded by high jungle coffee regions where some of the planet’s most aromatic beans grow. If you’re the type who can’t start the day without good coffee, or you simply need that caffeine boost after a night at 11,000 feet, this guide is for you.
Now that we’ve explored the best places to eat in Cusco, let’s dive into the vibrant coffee scene, where you’ll find the perfect cup to kick-start your day.
1. Three Monkeys Coffee
Yes, you read that right. Three Monkeys Coffee ranked as the #22 best café in the world in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2025. And trust me, they take it seriously. This isn’t a café where you order a frappuccino with extra caramel. You come here for real coffee, prepared with impeccable technique.
Why it’s special: The menu starts by listing the different bean varieties they have available that week (all Peruvian, obviously), with detailed tasting notes: fruity, chocolatey, floral, citrusy. You can choose your extraction method: V60, Chemex, Aeropress, espresso, cold brew. The baristas are coffee geeks who explain each bean’s origin like wine sommeliers.
Where: Calle Choquechaka 159, San Blas. It’s a coffee cart in a small garden, not a traditional café with indoor seating, so it’s more grab-and-go or sit in the garden.
Vibe: Relaxed, outdoors. Perfect for sipping your coffee and sitting in the garden to read or just breathe in that San Blas air.
Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily
Price: $3 to $5 per drink. They also sell whole beans to take home.
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2. Café D’Wasi
Café D’Wasi (wasi means “house” in Quechua) was one of the first specialty cafés that opened in Cusco back in 2015, and it’s still one of the best. The owner is the son of a local coffee grower, so the passion for Peruvian coffee is in his DNA.
Why it’s special: You can choose your brewing method: French press, Aeropress, Chemex, cold brew, espresso, whatever you want. The barista asks what flavor notes you prefer (fruity, chocolatey, floral) and recommends the perfect bean. All coffee is roasted in-house.
Where: They have three locations now, but the original at Calle Heladeros 135 (near Plaza de Armas) is still the best in my opinion.
Vibe: Cozy, with a small chalkboard explaining the origin of the beans. Perfect for breakfast or a relaxed brunch.
Hours: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Price: $3 to $4.50 for coffee, $7 to $10 for full meal
3. Organika Bakery & Coffee
If you want a complete organic experience, Organika is one of the best places to eat in Cusco. Coffee made from beans grown in the Sacred Valley, roasted in-house every week, organic food served all day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and best of all: they have café cats that sometimes sit with you.
Why it’s special: Everything is organic and locally sourced. They have lots of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, so it’s perfect if you’re traveling in a group with different diets. Extraction methods include traditional espresso, Chemex, and Japanese siphon (yes, that super fancy method where the coffee looks like a chemistry experiment).
Where: Cuesta San Blas (heading up into the neighborhood), a few blocks from Plaza de Armas.
Vibe: Relaxed and bohemian, with comfy sofas, books to browse, and friendly cats. It’s the kind of place where you stay three hours without realizing it.
Hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Price: $3 to $4 for coffee, $7 to $11 for food
4. Cercanía Pan y Café
This tiny café has an in-house bakery that smells like heaven from the street. Their croissants are as good as Paris ones (and I’m not saying that lightly, I’m very picky about croissants), and the sourdough bread is on another level.
Why it’s special: Everything is baked fresh every morning. The coffee is excellent, but the real star here is the bakery: flaky and buttery croissants, focaccia with olive oil, sourdough breads with seeds.
Where: Calle Choquechaka, very close to Three Monkeys Coffee in San Blas.
Hours: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Price: $2 to $4 for coffee, $2 to $3 for bakery items
Conclusion about the best places to eat in Cusco
In this article, we present everything from those neighborhood picanterías where recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, to contemporary restaurants. The best places to eat in Cusco await you with a diversity of flavors that are truly worth exploring. Are you in the mood for an elegant dinner with all the bells and whistles? Or do you simply want a quiet corner to enjoy a good coffee? In Cusco, you’ll find all that and more. So come hungry and let yourself be carried away by the energy of its gastronomic scene.
