Good to know
Good to Know
- Menu del día (fixed daily lunch menu) offers excellent value at 6-8 soles, typically including soup, main, drink, and dessert
- Cuy (guinea pig) requires advance order in traditional spots and takes ~1 hour to prepare; popular restaurants: Pachapapa, Cuy Lokal, Cuyería La Cusqueñita
- Markets (San Pedro, San Blas) offer fresh juices, street food, and authentic atmosphere; negotiate prices with non-fixed vendors
- Cusco's high altitude (11,120 feet) makes lighter vegetarian meals especially helpful for first-day acclimatization
- San Pedro Market recognized as Peru's Cultural Heritage (2024); walk respectfully and engage with vendors
- Street food generally safe if vendors look clean and food is freshly prepared; popular: anticuchos (grilled skewers), salchipapas (fried potatoes with meat)
- Supermarket prices approximately 5% higher than other Peruvian cities due to tourism, but still very affordable by international standards
- Traditional picanterías (spicy food restaurants) offer authentic, filling dishes at budget prices; many in local neighborhoods rather than tourist areas
- Cafés and specialty coffee shops (Three Monkeys, Cappuccino Cusco) cater to early risers heading to tours
Supermarkets
Orion Supermercados
- Area Note
- Centro Histórico (main location near San Pedro Cathedral)
- Description
- Most popular supermarket chain in Cusco with multiple locations, well-stocked with local and international products, fixed pricing
Tottus
- Area Note
- Various locations throughout city
- Description
- Larger supermarket chain with wide product selection
Wong
- Area Note
- Avenida de la Cultura
- Description
- Upscale supermarket with extensive Peruvian and international products, popular for souvenirs
Súper Sol
- Area Note
- Multiple locations throughout city
- Description
- Small, conveniently located stores for quick grocery runs and daily essentials
San Pedro Market (Mercado Central De San Pedro)
- Area Note
- Centro Histórico (short walk from Plaza de Armas)
- Description
- Major traditional market with fresh produce, breads, cheeses, local specialties, food stalls; recognized as Peru's Cultural Heritage in 2024
San Blas Market
- Area Note
- San Blas
- Description
- Mix of authentic Peruvian food and vegan cuisine, open 6am-4pm daily, good for breakfast and lunch
Budget
San Pedro Market Food Stalls
- Price Range
- PEN 10
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico (near Plaza de Armas)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Ceviche, lomo saltado, traditional Peruvian street food, fresh juices
Menu Del Día Restaurants
- Price Range
- PEN 8.00
- Neighborhood
- Various (throughout city center and San Blas)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fixed lunch menu: soup, main course, drink, dessert
Pachapapa
- Price Range
- PEN 35
- Neighborhood
- San Blas
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Cuy (guinea pig), trout, Andean soups, traditional dishes
Yaku
- Price Range
- PEN 40
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Peruvian classics, ceviche, causa, choclo al horno
High End
Mauka
- Price Range
- PEN 220
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico (Belmond Palacio Nazarenas)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Contemporary Andean haute cuisine, hyper-local biodiversity, chef Pía León tasting menus
Chicha Por Gastón Acurio
- Price Range
- PEN 150
- Neighborhood
- Plaza Regocijo
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Peruvian haute cuisine, ceviche, lomo saltado, seasonal specialties
Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse
- Price Range
- PEN 140
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico (near Plaza Nazarenas)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Grilled meats, alpaca, grass-fed lamb on volcanic stones, grilled octopus, ceviche
Mid Range
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
- Price Range
- PEN 70
- Neighborhood
- Plaza de Armas
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Italian-Peruvian fusion, ají de gallina gnocchi, alpaca risotto, creative ceviches
Cicciolina
- Price Range
- PEN 65
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico (near Plaza de Armas)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Italian-Peruvian, ceviche, homemade pastas, alpaca steak, tapas
Something Special
- Price Range
- PEN 40
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Peruvian classics with flair, experimental global twists, alpaca burgers, ají de gallina tacos
Soqa
- Price Range
- PEN 50
- Neighborhood
- Centro Histórico
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Peruvian food, trout on minted peas, chicha morada
Delivery Services
- App Name
- Note: Limited current information on major delivery apps specifically servicing Cusco
- Notes
- Specific delivery platforms operating in Cusco as of July 2026 require local verification; ask accommodations or local guides for current options
Michelin Restaurants
- Note
- Peru is not covered by the Michelin Guide as of 2025. No Michelin-starred restaurants operate in Cusco. However, several restaurants meet Michelin-standard quality: Mauka (Pía León's contemporary Andean cuisine), Chicha por Gastón Acurio (chef known for Lima's Astrid y Gastón), Morena Peruvian Kitchen, Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse, and Cicciolina are widely recognized as fine-dining establishments.
International Cuisine
Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian Fusion)
- Venues
- Limo Cocina Peruana (Plaza de Armas); specializing in ceviche, fresh fish, creative sushi
- Area Note
- Centro Histórico
French
- Venues
- Le Buffet Francés (San Blas) - raclette nights, house breads, pâtés; La Bo'M Crêperie (San Blas) - sweet & savory crêpes, waffles, specialty coffee
- Area Note
- San Blas
Chinese-Peruvian (Chifa)
- Venues
- Multiple venues throughout city center serving chifa cuisine (fusion of Chinese cooking with Peruvian flavors)
- Area Note
- Various
Organic/Farm-to-Table
- Venues
- Organika - farm-to-fork dining using ingredients from Sacred Valley garden, featuring pizzas, pastas, soups
- Area Note
- Centro Histórico
Local Must Try Dishes
Cuy Al Horno (Roasted Guinea Pig)
- Description
- Traditional Andean delicacy, oven-roasted with spices, served with potatoes and salad
Lomo Saltado
- Description
- Stir-fried beef with tomatoes, onions, soy sauce, served with rice and fries
Ají De Gallina
- Description
- Shredded chicken in spicy creamy sauce, served with rice, potatoes, and black olives
Trucha Frita (Fried Trout)
- Description
- Fresh river trout, fried and served with cassava, rice, and salsa criolla
Chupe/Chuño Soups
- Description
- Hearty Andean soups made with potato starch, traditional for high-altitude acclimation
Alpaca (Grilled or on Hot Stone)
- Description
- Lean, tender Andean meat, often served on sizzling volcanic stones
Choclo Con Queso
- Description
- Giant-kernel Andean corn with fresh local cheese, popular street snack
Picarones
- Description
- Sweet pumpkin and sweet-potato doughnuts served with chancaca syrup, evening street food
Quinoa Soup
- Description
- Light and nutritious soup with quinoa, vegetables, and local herbs
Adobo
- Description
- Spicy pork soup known as ultimate hangover cure, traditional Andean dish
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- Cusco has a thriving vegan and vegetarian scene with restaurants at every price point. Plant-based dining benefits from local Andean ingredients including native potatoes, quinoa, corn, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. Higher altitude (11,120 feet) makes lighter vegetarian meals appealing during acclimatization.
Venues
Green Point
- Price Range
- PEN 70
- Cuisine Type
- Plant-based Peruvian and international
- Area Note
- San Blas
- Description
- Well-known vegetarian restaurant with full plant-based menu, mushroom ceviche, pastas, creative ravioli, vegan desserts, glassy garden setting with extensive plants
Chia Vegan Kitchen
- Price Range
- PEN 65
- Cuisine Type
- Plant-based international and Peruvian
- Area Note
- Centro Histórico
- Description
- Compact kitchen with colorful plates, seitan burgers, curries, quinoa bowls, big portions, friendly service. Confirm daily hours on arrival.
Govinda Lila
- Price Range
- PEN 35
- Cuisine Type
- Vegan Peruvian and international
- Area Note
- San Blas Market
- Description
- Located in San Blas Market, quality vegan food including burgers, falafel, lasagna, popular with budget travelers
Vida Vegan Bistro
- Price Range
- PEN 70
- Cuisine Type
- 100% vegan
- Area Note
- San Blas
- Description
- Fully vegan restaurant recognized as one of top 100 globally, offering creative vegan versions of Peruvian dishes
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cusco
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.