Guide to Cusco Restaurants & Cooking Classes

Whether you want to dine in exquisite restaurants, or explore the culture of the Andes by creating your own dishes, Cusco has many gastronomic experiences on the way to Machu Picchu.  Here is a list of favorites along with our tips to help you choose the right one for the right occasion.  

Cusco Cooking Class: by appointment
11:30-1:30 pm Daily (with advance notice) Cost $90 USD pp /min 2 + $70 for each additional person  (can be included in your itinerary or click here to contact us to book)
Walk to our favorite local restaurant where you will meet our favorite local chef and prepare your own dish of Lomo Saltado, Ceviche, or Ricotto Relleno (stuffed peppers). And of course - the famous Pisco sour (or other beverage of your choice including non-alcoholic).
Gluten-free and Vegetarian options available with advance notice
Feedback:
"Just a quick thanks for organising our cooking class today. It exceeded expectations for fun and great fun. We'll certainly be leaving a rave review for Yuri and his team online."
Noreen & Harriet (US)

Cusco Restaurants:

Jack's Cafe - Although all hotels and hostels serve breakfast, Jack's hearty breakfasts are served all day.  Centrally located on Choquechaka Street.  Note:  this is our favorite place to get authentic, good cup of coffee to go.

Cicciolina Restaurant -  One block from main plaza, up on the 2nd floor. Sit in the first room upon entry, and order artisan sandwiches from the blackboard over the back of the bar.  

5 Cusco Restaurants -  this link takes you to a group of 5 restaurants in Cusco that offer a variety of dining options including vegetarian, grilled trout, roasted guinea pig (cuy), organic, fusion, italian and other styles.  

Casa Cusquena -  the location is fabulous.  Up on the 2nd floor on a main corner overlooking the main plaza.  Relax with upscale native-inspired dishes.  Including vegetarian options.

Organika - fantastic bread and bakery with coffee to go with it. Also offers sanwiches for lunch

La Bodega Restaurant -  has best pizza and salads in Cusco! (in our opinion) Pizzas are popular in Cusco, but the quality of the pie can vary because Peruvian cheese is not a part of the original native diet, and therefore lacks the sophistication of cheese that has an established pedigree. Bodega has a source for mozzarella cheese and creates handmade wholesome pies baked in wood oven.  (no website. Link to Facebook page. Cash only USD or Soles)

MAP Fine Dining -  Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, the MAP Café serves outstanding plates prepared with typical regional ingredients that enhance the classic flavors of Peruvian cuisine, to which is added a very personal and original touch. (Lots of mula!. Make a reservation for best chance of getting seated)

Mi Manera - moderately upscale classic Peruvian food. It's not quite as touristy as some of the other places.  Good place for lunch or dinner.  Near the main plaza.  Upstairs.

Limbus Restobar - good place for hipsters to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and finger foods. With a view of the city. Which means you will need to walk up a few steep stairs to get there. 

Dining in Ollantaytambo:

Chunchos - in the main plaza, on the 2nd floor (note: try to remember to look at the lampposts in the village plaza! They are fantastic!)

Apu Veronica - cross over the little bridge and it's on your left upstairs. Sit on the balcony overlooking the small creek if you like. 

Dining in Aguas Calientes - res not usually needed

Full House - along the street by the river with views

Mapacho - same

Indio Feliz - short walk up the main street from the main plaza, turn left into a short alley to entrance.

Noteworthy Peruvian Beverages

Pisco Museum (bar) Why do Peruvians proclaim that "God is Peruvian?"  Here you will find the answer and get a chance to explore the famous Pisco Sour.

Lemonada is served in restaurants and cafes of all sizes, all over Cusco and Sacred Valley. I became a lemonade addict while traveling in Peru. If I saw it on the menu, I ordered it. Some versions are whipped up in a blender into a frosty refreshing treat! Lemondade in Peru is ALWAYS made from actual fruit. Other versions may be served over ice, which was not my favorite, to be honest. But it could become yours. I only ordered drinks in restaurants and cafes that served foreign travelers. The water and ice they used was purified.

Chicha Cerveza - this native alcoholic corn beer is part of the local Qechua culture. Vidal's mother is a famous brewer in the Cusco region. Vidal wrote a beautiful tale of a song that reminds him of his mother's story. Read it here.

Chicha Morada - not to leave out the kids, Qechua families brew up this non-alcoholic purple corn beer, for the kiddos. Vidal's sisters now run a small restaurant in San Blas that features chicha from their mother's recipe served alongside native and dare I say "hearty" cuisine of the Qechua people from the mountains. If you're interested in visiting the little restaurant, I can ask Vidal to take you. It's not open every day. Read more here.

Ask your hotel reception or your tour guide for directions to any of these restaurants.  All the restaurants listed here are located near the main Plaza de las Armas or a short walking distance.

There are options for every budget including local family owned restaurants that serve the "Menu" of the day for usually less than $8 USD pp.  Will include house soup, choice of 2 entrees, some kind of fresh juice beverage and a dessert.  Hardy meals are home-made. 

Great choices for group dining in Cusco:   (try to call ahead and make a reservation.  Or take your chances and show up)

• Papachos 
• Inca Grill 
• Mi Manera
• Casa Cusquena
• Chicha

 Best coffee

• Monkey Cafe in Urubamba. Just go there. Tell Jose that Jacquie sent you.
• Jack's Cafe for take out or dine in Cusco.  Other restaurants will have good coffee for dine in as well.

Buen provecho! You won't go hungry in Peru!