Best Restaurants in Cusco: The Complete Dining Guide
Discover the best restaurants in Cusco, Peru. From traditional picanterias to fine dining, budget eats, and San Blas gems. Complete guide with prices and tips.
Quick Answer
Cusco's best restaurants: Chicha (modern Andean by Gaston Acurio), MAP Cafe (fine dining in a museum), Cicciolina (upscale tapas), La Chomba (authentic picanteria). For budget: San Pedro Market and menu del dia spots away from Plaza de Armas. Expect to pay $7-$15 for a good meal, or $2-$4 for menu del dia.
Cusco Food Scene Overview
Cusco is the gateway to Andean cuisine - hearty, warming food built around potatoes, corn, quinoa, and unique proteins like alpaca and cuy (guinea pig). The city's restaurant scene ranges from tourist traps around Plaza de Armas to authentic picanterias where locals eat, and increasingly sophisticated fine dining that rivals Lima's restaurant scene.
At 3,400m altitude, food in Cusco tends to be heartier than coastal cuisine. Soups are a staple, portions are generous, and the flavors are bold. The city also has a growing international food scene in San Blas, excellent cafes, and some of Peru\'s best craft beer bars.
3,400m
Altitude (eat light on day 1)
$2-$40
Meal price range
San Blas
Best neighborhood for food
Fine Dining & Upscale Restaurants
Chicha by Gaston Acurio
Gaston Acurio's Cusco restaurant on Plaza Regocijo. Modern Andean cuisine using local ingredients with contemporary techniques. Try the cuy confit, alpaca tataki, or quinoa risotto. Beautiful colonial building with balcony seating overlooking the plaza.
$$$ | 50-90 soles/dish | Reservations recommended | Plaza Regocijo
MAP Cafe
Located inside the Museo de Arte Precolombino, this glass-enclosed restaurant serves refined Peruvian cuisine in a stunning courtyard setting. Excellent tasting menu option. One of Cusco's most elegant dining experiences.
$$$ | 60-100 soles/dish | Reservations required | Plaza Nazarenas
Cicciolina
Upscale tapas bar and restaurant on the second floor of a colonial building. Mediterranean-Peruvian fusion with excellent wine list. The tapas bar is more casual; the dining room is refined. Great for a special evening.
$$$ | 45-80 soles/dish | Reservations recommended | Calle Triunfo
Calle del Medio
Contemporary Peruvian restaurant with stunning views of Plaza de Armas from the balcony. Creative cocktails, modern presentations of classic dishes. Popular for sunset drinks and dinner. Tourist-friendly but high quality.
$$$ | 40-70 soles/dish | Reservations recommended | Plaza de Armas
Traditional Cusqueno Restaurants
For authentic Cusco food, skip the tourist restaurants and visit picanterias - traditional restaurants serving local specialties at local prices.
La Chomba
Cusco's most famous picanteria. Authentic Cusqueno food in a no-frills setting. Try the cuy al horno (roasted guinea pig), adobo, and chicharron. Packed with locals on weekends. Cash only. A 10-minute taxi from the center.
$ | 15-30 soles/dish | No reservations, cash only | Tupac Amaru
Quinta Eulalia
Operating since 1941, this is one of Cusco's oldest restaurants. Traditional Andean dishes in a garden courtyard setting. Famous for their cuy and rocoto relleno. A true institution.
$$ | 25-45 soles/dish | Walk-in | Choquechaca
Kion
Excellent chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) restaurant popular with locals. Great lomo saltado, arroz chaufa, and tallarin saltado. Generous portions at fair prices. Multiple locations.
$$ | 20-35 soles/dish | Walk-in | Multiple locations
Mercado San Pedro
Cusco's central market has a food court section on the second floor with stalls serving fresh juices, soups, ceviche, and full meals. Authentic, cheap, and a cultural experience. Go for breakfast or lunch.
$ | 8-15 soles/meal | Walk-in | Near Plaza de Armas
San Blas Neighborhood Restaurants
San Blas is Cusco's artisan quarter - cobblestone streets, art galleries, and a creative food scene. It's slightly uphill from Plaza de Armas and has a more relaxed, bohemian vibe.
Green Point
Cusco's best vegetarian/vegan restaurant. Creative plant-based versions of Peruvian classics. Excellent set lunch menu. Popular with health-conscious travelers. Multiple locations in San Blas and center.
$$ | 20-35 soles/dish | Walk-in | Carmen Bajo
Jack's Cafe
Legendary breakfast and brunch spot. Huge portions, excellent coffee, and a cozy atmosphere. The full English breakfast and banana pancakes are famous among travelers. Always busy - arrive early.
$$ | 20-40 soles/dish | Walk-in (expect wait) | Choquechaca
Limbus Restobar
Perched above San Blas with panoramic views over Cusco. Craft cocktails (try the coca sour), good food, and stunning sunset views. Worth the steep walk up. Great for evening drinks.
$$ | 30-50 soles/dish | Walk-in | Pasñapakana
Organika
Organic cafe with healthy bowls, fresh juices, and Peruvian superfoods (quinoa, maca, camu camu). Good for a light, healthy meal. Nice courtyard seating. Popular with digital nomads.
$$ | 25-40 soles/dish | Walk-in | Plateros
Budget Restaurants & Markets
Cusco is very affordable for food if you know where to look. The key: avoid Plaza de Armas and eat where locals eat.
Menu del Dia ($2-$4)
Set lunch menus at local restaurants include soup, main course, drink, and sometimes dessert. Available 12pm-3pm. Walk 2-3 blocks from Plaza de Armas toward San Cristobal or Santiago for the best prices (8-12 soles).
San Pedro Market ($2-$5)
The market's food section serves fresh juices (5 soles), soups (8 soles), and full meals (10-15 soles). Also great for fresh fruit, bread, and snacks. Go for breakfast or lunch. See our food costs guide.
Pollo a la Brasa ($4-$6)
Rotisserie chicken restaurants are everywhere. Quarter chicken with fries and salad for 15-22 soles. Chains like Polleria Ruinas and local spots offer great value. Perfect for a filling, cheap dinner.
Street Food ($1-$3)
Empanadas, tamales, anticuchos (evening), and fresh juices from street vendors. Safe at busy stalls. The area around San Pedro Market has the best street food concentration.
Best Cafes & Breakfast Spots
The Bakery (Panaderia)
Artisan bakery with excellent pastries, bread, and coffee. Good for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack. Fresh-baked daily. Multiple locations.
Cafe Daria
Specialty coffee roasted in-house. Cusco's best coffee by many accounts. Small, cozy space. Also serves light breakfast and pastries. In San Blas area.
Meeting Place
Popular traveler cafe with good breakfast, fast wifi, and a social atmosphere. Pancakes, eggs, and Peruvian breakfast options. Good for meeting other travelers.
Dining Tips for Cusco
- Altitude affects appetite: At 3,400m, eat lighter meals on your first day. Heavy food + altitude = discomfort. Start with soups and light dishes.
- Avoid Plaza de Armas restaurants: They charge 30-50% more for mediocre food. Walk 2-3 blocks in any direction for better quality and prices.
- Coca tea helps: Drink coca tea (mate de coca) with meals to aid digestion at altitude. Every restaurant offers it free.
- Lunch is the main meal: Menu del dia (set lunch) offers the best value. Dinner options are more limited and expensive.
- Try cuy: Guinea pig is a traditional Andean delicacy. Order it at a picanteria for the authentic experience. It tastes like dark chicken meat.
- Drink bottled water: Tap water in Cusco is not safe to drink. Bottled water costs 1-2 soles everywhere.
- Tipping: 10% at sit-down restaurants. Not expected at markets or casual eateries.
- Reservations: Only needed at fine dining restaurants. Everywhere else is walk-in.
Book a Cusco Food Tour
Taste traditional Andean cuisine and visit local markets in Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Cusco?
Chicha by Gaston Acurio is widely considered Cusco's best restaurant, offering modern Andean cuisine in a beautiful colonial setting. For fine dining, MAP Cafe is exceptional. For traditional food, La Chomba offers authentic Cusqueno cuisine at local prices.
How much does a meal cost in Cusco?
Budget menu del dia: 8-15 soles ($2-$4). Casual restaurants: 25-45 soles ($7-$12). Mid-range: 45-80 soles ($12-$21). Fine dining: 80-150 soles ($21-$40). Tourist restaurants around Plaza de Armas are 30-50% more expensive.
Where should I eat in Cusco on a budget?
Menu del dia at local restaurants (8-15 soles), San Pedro Market food stalls (10-15 soles), and restaurants in San Cristobal or Santiago neighborhoods. Walk 2-3 blocks from Plaza de Armas for 40% savings.
Is the food safe to eat in Cusco?
Yes, food is generally safe at established restaurants. Stick to busy places. Be cautious with raw vegetables at budget places. Drink bottled water. At altitude, eat lighter meals for the first day or two.
What traditional food should I try in Cusco?
Must-try: cuy (guinea pig), alpaca steak, rocoto relleno, adobo cusqueno, quinoa soup, and chicha de jora (fermented corn beer). Visit a picanteria for the most authentic experience.
What is San Blas known for in terms of food?
San Blas has artisan cafes, organic restaurants, vegetarian options, and craft bakeries. More relaxed and creative than the main plaza. Good for breakfast, brunch, and international cuisine. Slightly cheaper with better quality.