Peruvian gastronomy was voted the world’s best culinary destination in 2024 — and for good reason! From North to South, Peruvian dishes are a delight for the taste buds. With hundreds of potato varieties, the famous Peruvian aji chili, an abundance of fruits, and juicy avocados, traditional dishes are an absolute treat. Peru has nothing to envy from its neighbors, so don’t hesitate to try dishes you’re unfamiliar with — we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
That said, in big cities, you’ll find more than just Peruvian cuisine. So, we’ve put together a list of our favorite restaurants in Cusco:
Nos restaurants préférés
Located in the heart of San Blas, Green Point offers a surprising space behind its walls. The decor gives the impression of being in a garden in the city’s heart. Warm lighting adds an intimate ambiance to the welcoming setting. At Green Point, all dishes are vegetarian, aligning with their philosophy of creating healthier, plant-based versions of typical Peruvian dishes. From brunches to desserts, including dishes like pad thai, each recipe is simply excellent!
Local is one of our favorites! From the entrance, you’re immersed in the restaurant’s peaceful ambiance. In an instant, you feel disconnected from Cusco’s bustling center, thanks to its minimalist decor. It’s suitable for couples and outings with friends. Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, its menu is varied, featuring typical dishes like lomo saltado and simpler options like pizzas, burgers, and soups. A visit to Local is also a great opportunity to try Peruvian alcohol, as they offer various pisco-based cocktails
Facing the cathedral, El Jardin offers a few tables with views of the beautiful Plaza de Armas. Entirely vegetarian, the dishes are well-presented, exclusively made with local products, and always bring a touch of originality. Being an intimate place, the staff is always attentive. Additionally, they serve absolutely excellent lemonades! We recommend trying the Thai rolls or the four-cheese gnocchi, which will undoubtedly leave you speechless!
Restaurants Honoring Traditional Cuisine
This restaurant places Peruvian gastronomy at the heart of its cuisine, aiming to reveal all the flavors of the Andes in its dishes. Inside this old house in the heart of San Blas, the atmosphere pays homage to the region’s customs and art. Local cuisine, passed down from generation to generation, is represented in their menu, serving traditional dishes from Cusco and the rest of the country.
If you want to taste traditional Peruvian cuisine while enjoying a green setting, this restaurant is for you. Nuna Raymi means “soul of the party” and the recreated ambiance in the restaurant lives up to its name; between live performances and workshops, it’s a welcoming and lively place. Flavors, aromas, and local products are on the menu, as they come directly from regional farmers. The restaurant also has its own garden where they grow their aromatic herbs. Their menu is varied while presenting the country’s emblematic gastronomic dishes.
For meat and fish lovers, this is the place not to miss. The different cuts are cooked on real volcanic stones, ensuring perfect cooking and surprising flavors. They also offer stuffed potatoes, tacos, and ceviches, allowing you to try various Peruvian dishes. Moreover, the terrace is most pleasant, creating a feeling of being at home in a family-friendly and convivial setting.
World Cuisine
Although Peruvian food is undoubtedly among the tastiest, sometimes the comfort of French cuisine is missed. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of crepes and galettes, transporting you straight to Brittany for a moment. Their menu is varied, but we couldn’t recommend a specific dish, as its diversity and quality are incredible! They offer brunches with beet hummus, scrambled eggs, or even delicious guacamole. And… if you’re craving a comforting dish, don’t hesitate to try their tartiflette! Additionally, all their products are locally sourced. La Bo’M also offers a breathtaking view of the city of Cusco and its mountains!
Just steps from the Plaza de Armas, this Italian restaurant has little to envy from restaurants in Italy. They offer a varied menu with lasagna, gnocchi, and delicious pizzas with homemade soft dough. All their ingredients are of high quality, and some are imported from Italy to your plate! They also offer dishes inspired by Peruvian gastronomy, such as quinotto accompanied by grilled alpaca!
Asian influence is very present in Peru, so you’ll undoubtedly find excellent restaurants, especially in Cusco. Kintaro offers ramen, sushi, and desserts, all equally delicious. The staff is attentive, providing quality service; upon arrival, you’ll be offered warm towels and tea to wait. In our opinion, the little extra is the shop on the ground floor! They sell, among other things, Japanese pastries and matcha, perfect for a gourmet break.
La cuisine Fusion
This restaurant is a blend of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. In each of their dishes, you’ll find this delightful cultural mix, introducing you to new flavors. We recommend trying the arroz chaufa, this stir-fried rice wok that will leave you speechless! The decor immerses you directly in the ambiance, giving the impression, for the duration of a meal, of having changed destinations.
At Tak Thai, Peruvian cuisine and Thai flavors become one. Located near the twelve-angled stone, the restaurant is on the second floor of a building in the historic center. A bit hidden, this enhances the place’s warm ambiance. Their dishes unite these two cultures, blending flavors deliciously. Kent, the chef always seeking innovation, will surprise you with his creations.
It’s a true Japanese gem in Peru. In addition to its view of the Cathedral, they offer a wide selection of fish and delicious dishes. For us, the perfect alliance between these two gastronomies is the acevichado maki, combining Peruvian flavors and Japanese know-how. The cocktails are just as delicious, all in a warm atmosphere with wooden decor.
Our Refined Addresses
Catedral restaurant is a must-visit. Its location is incredible, with its large bay window directly overlooking Cusco’s famous cathedral, offering a different perspective of the building. In addition to its excellent cuisine, the cozy ambiance and elegant decor provide a most romantic atmosphere. Here, you can taste traditional dishes like causa limeña or the famous cuy. They also have a large cellar of quality wines, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing evening while sampling high-quality food.
This restaurant stands out for its commitment to using local and organic Andean products, reflecting a deep respect for the land and local communities. Their gastronomy expresses this philosophy by offering dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Beautifully decorated, the staff offers complimentary teas to help alleviate altitude sickness, perfect if you’ve just arrived in Cusco. If you want to try their alpaca burgers and tender alpaca lomo, it’s perfect for a refined yet authentic experience.
This restaurant stands out for its cuisine that highlights indigenous ingredients and traditional cooking methods, enriched with an experimental twist to satisfy modern palates. The menu features a variety of traditional dishes such as cuy al horno (roasted guinea pig), anticuchos (marinated meat skewers), and chicharrón (fried pork), offering an authentic Peruvian culinary experience. It is known not only for the high quality of its dishes but also for its cozy and romantic atmosphere.
Restaurants for Breakfast
The establishment is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Their menu is varied, offering poached eggs, organic sandwiches, pancakes, chocolate croissants, and a selection of homemade pastries. The freshly roasted coffee prepared on-site is also highly appreciated by visitors. All products are grown in their own garden located in the Sacred Valley in Urubamba. It’s the perfect place to enjoy breakfast or have a brunch with friends.
Must-Visit Places to Go Out for a Drink
Pisco is the must-try drink during your stay in Peru. For that, we recommend this bar where both the atmosphere and quality are top-notch. They offer an extensive cocktail menu that lets you discover the flavors of Peru. We recommend trying the chilcanos or the pisco sours — the house specialty — available in a variety of flavors. The lively ambiance is also a highlight, with frequent live concerts held on-site.
Black Cat Bar Cusco – Craft Cocktails & Spirits
This craft cocktail bar, located in the heart of Cusco’s historic center, offers an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. It features a wide selection of artisanal cocktails, made with high-quality spirits and fresh ingredients. Don’t miss the té piteado, a warm alcoholic infusion that’s perfect for Cusco’s cool evenings.
This renowned jazz club in downtown Cusco is known for its great vibes and lively atmosphere! Every week, numerous events and concerts are organized, ensuring an energetic and welcoming environment. It’s an intimate venue where the decor reflects the charm of traditional Peruvian patio architecture. If you’re looking to discover up-and-coming independent bands while enjoying a good cocktail or a quality craft beer, don’t miss the chance to spend a great evening at Casa Palacio.
La Cervecería is a Peruvian craft brewery located on the upper floor of the Chocomuseo. The beers are brewed in the Sacred Valley, near Cusco. You can also take part in the many events they host each week — dance classes, live performances, football matches, and more. We highly recommend this brewery, as they collaborate with local farmers to source high-quality regional ingredients and are involved in environmental initiatives aimed at preserving the natural beauty of the Sacred Valley.
This bar-museum offers visitors a full immersion into the world of pisco, combining tasting, history, and gastronomy. Housed in a restored colonial mansion, it retains its charm while blending in modern design elements. It’s the perfect place to discover this iconic Peruvian spirit, offering over eight grape varieties and around 50 different brands. Beyond enjoying a great time, you can also take part in a mixology class to learn how to make your own pisco sour!
Traveling on a budget?
Located in a hotel near the Plaza de Armas, the restaurant at Andenes del Sol offers full set menus for just 20 soles from Monday to Friday. Each day features a single dish, which helps maintain the quality of service. The meals are varied and allow you to enjoy a traditional Peruvian dish at an affordable price, prepared by a chef from Lima. Portions are generous and include a homemade drink of the day as well as a starter (such as soup or papas a la huancaína). The staff will welcome you in a family-style atmosphere within a cozy, wood-toned space.
Additionally, if you’re interested, the hostel also has a small shop selling items made exclusively in Latin America — such as scarves and ponchos made from real baby alpaca, as well as handcrafted jewelry!
Whether you’re a fan of Peruvian cuisine or world flavors, Cusco has something to satisfy every culinary craving. All across the city, you’ll find restaurants that are equally excellent.
Don’t hesitate to be curious and try different traditional Peruvian dishes to make your experience even more special. And if you want to explore the city from a different perspective, come discover Cusco and Lima through a gastronomic tour!
