Cusco: Top 10 restaurants and best Peruvian food

Almost every tour to Peru will pass through the famous Inca capital of Cusco.

Learn which typical plates to taste, where to jump in for a quick and hearty meal and where to and enjoy fine dining.

The below is a list of a variety of all types of restaurants to suit all occasions and budgets, not just those flying close to Michelin stars.

This is our handy guide to the best restaurants and cafes in Cusco, its cuisine and famous dishes –and we’ve left the most famous one until last.

Fallen Angel (top end)

https://fallenangelincusco.com/

Amazing décor and ambience, best at night for drinks and partying. Also has a guest house with four individually designed funky suites.

Plazoleta Nazarenas 221.

Cicciolina (higher end, couples, romantic)

https://www.cicciolinacuzco.com/

Upstairs at the back. Excellent food from tapas to full menu, white tablecloths abound to set the fine dining atmosphere.

One of the best wine selections in Cusco. Breakfast also available, and lunch specials can be great value.

El Hada (coffee, sweets, ice creams)

https://www.facebook.com/El-Hada-127870090682475/

Delicious organic ice-creams and good coffees, El Hada helped set about the cappuccino revolution in Cusco and is still going strong.

You’ll find it in Calle Arequipa 167.

Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse (splurge!)

Calle Palacio 135, Cusco.

Peru is not renown for its steaks but Uchu is changing all that. Fine cuts fantastically grilled and with nice sides, too, this is an ideal night out for meat eaters after a trek.

Good for groups, cosy and they do some mean cocktails, too.

El Buen Pastor (social project bakery)

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g294314-d1086418-Reviews-El_Buen_Pastor-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

Excellent café and bakery. Project to help girls from disadvantaged backgrounds and so well worth the climb up Cuesta San Blas 579.

Pachapapa (local dishes)

http://www.cuscorestaurants.com/restaurant/pachapapa/

Really good choice of typical Peruvian dishes and well known for their Lomo Saltado.

Cuy (guinea pig) available if ordered 24 hours in advance. Plazoleta San Blas 120.

Pizzeria Bodega 138 (value, budget, comfort food)

https://www.facebook.com/La-Bodega-138-258271407522099/

Excellent pizza and delicious salads in a modern setting. Always busy and perfect for anyone looking for comfort food.

Herrajes 138.

Pucara (fish, soups)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294314-d1821192-Reviews-Restaurant_Cafe_Bar_Pucara-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

Japanese owned, good local dishes at high prices for local, but accessible to most tourists. Does get busy with travellers but that’s because the trout is lovely, as is the Chicha morada, the soup list and topped off with excellent homemade chocolates.

Good-value fixed-price lunch.

Quinta Eulalia (local food)

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g294314-d2039544-Reviews-Quinta_Eulalia-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

Popular with the locals and it’s easy to see why. Set in a nice courtyard so best for lunch and cuy (guinea pig) is usually available. Doesn’t open in the evening.

La Cusquenita and La Chomba  (local food)

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g294314-d3484185-Reviews-La_Cusquenita_Tradicional_Picnteria-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

And

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g294314-d2218612-Reviews-La_Chomba_Ajha_Wasi-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

For large plates of local food at cheap prices.

Don’t expect any English nor fast service, these restaurants are quite rustic, but the food is plentiful and tasty.

This is where the locals go to eat with work mates, family or friends at lunch time.

Incanto (families, couples)

http://www.cuscorestaurants.com/restaurant/incanto/

Just off the main Plaza de Armas, Incanto will appeal to people wanting top level Italian classics with a good level of service.

The menu is simple but the dishes are lovely and may be the perfect place to bring families who may just want some comfort food and great puddings.

Cava Mora Restobar (budget)

Plaza de Armas, no web.

Impossible to miss, many will resist this classic of Cusco but it would be a shame to walk by every time.

Upstairs the service is friendly, quick and the meals large. Traditional Peruvian food is served alongside international dishes, and Cava Mora is great value for anyone looking for a good feed for their buck.

Chicha (top end)

http://www.chicha.com.pe/

You have to make a reservation well in advance to get a table at Chicha – one of Cusco’s most celebrated restaurants.

Why? It’s owned by Peru’s award-winning celebrity chef Gastón Acurio (of Lima restaurant fame).

As well as great views, there are new interpretations and twists on traditional highland Andean recipes as well as seafood dishes.