Peruvian gastronomy has become another of the country’s major tourist attractions, so the gastronomic offer varies in all regions. To this, depending on where we look, we can find low prices, which allow everyone to enjoy this incredible gastronomy. Whether you are on the coast, in the mountains or in the jungle, the various foods (classic and modern) and the fusions between them will always remain in the minds of those travellers who want to experience an explosion of flavours and are encouraged to try it for the first time.
This is how we can find iconic dishes such as Lomo Saltado, Ceviche, Juane, carapulcra with dry soup, Arequipa marinade or a Chiri Uchu from Cusco. All of these carry a unique stamp of the region to which they belong and, in many cases, the history of how they originated. To understand this, we must know that much of the food we find today in Peru is the product of a mixture of gastronomic influences brought by the Spanish during the time of the conquest, but also by the enslaved people that arrived in Peru in the middle of the century XVI. To this, we must add the foreign migrations that came to Peru, such as Chinese, Japanese and Italians, all of them contributed in various ways to creating dishes that, today, are part of the essence of the country and unites all the people in its gastronomy.
That is why I will make a list of some restaurants that I personally recommend, from food in the San Pedro market, breakfasts in San Blas, cheap food in Choqechaka Avenue, the very famous picanterías cusqueñas (traditional food from Cusco), hamburgers in Chakruna, restaurants like Yola, pollos a la brasa in Los Toldos or some places with slightly higher prices like Calle del Medio, Organika, Local, Morena, Ceviche, Pachapapa or the Hotel Monasterio. These are personal recommendations since they are one of my favourite places to eat in Cusco. It is worth mentioning that most places I’ll list have vegetarian or vegan options.
- San Pedro and San Blas Market
- Choqechaka Avenue
- Picanterías Cusqueñas
- Chakruna Native Burgers (16-24 PEN)
- Yola Restaurant
- Pollo a la Brasa
- Calle del Medio (18-65 PEN)
- Organika (28-60 PEN)
- Local (18-50 PEN)
- Morena (25-70 PEN)
- Ceviche (28-65 PEN)
- Pachapapa (20-89 PEN)
- Restaurant “El Tupay” – Hotel Monasterio (69-290 PEN)
San Pedro and San Blas Market
Depending on your location, you may be closer to one or the other of these markets. On the one hand, we have the San Blas market, which is small, but has an unmissable breakfast section, where you can get a Chicken, cheese and vegetable sandwich or vegetarian for 5 PEN. If you want it with juice for 9 PEN in a combo, this is an excellent way to eat something tasty with fresh ingredients from the area.
In the San Pedro market, we can find a wide variety of foods, from breakfasts to lunches that range from 4.5 PEN for a plate of rice with egg and tarwi (a root vegetable from the area), to more hearty and large dishes like a rib. of lamb or a fried malaya served with rice, puree or french fries for 22 PEN at “El Inter” a position that I know and appreciate for many years, to which most of the staff of the clubs in the square (security, DJ’s, cleaners, bartenders and administrators), came to eat after the long nights, around 6am, where with a meat soup (which includes repetition) we could then go home to rest peacefully with a full stomach.
Within the ceviche area, you can find a variety of stalls offering this dish at comfortable prices (around 9-10 PEN). There are also stalls for fried foods such as broasted chicken or a designated area for highly recommended soups. But we cannot finish talking about the San Pedro market without talking about the juice area, where your palate will literally explode with the variety of flavours, smells, and colours of fruits that you may have never seen or tried, so it is a highly recommended place with juice prices ranging from 4.5 PEN to 12 PEN for almost 2 glasses of natural juice so take advantage of it!
Choqechaka Avenue
This is a little-known street we cross many times in Cusco since it connects the beginning of the San Blas slope and the street where the 12-angled stone is located (C. Hatunrumiyoc). I mention this place because here you can find 3 places that I recommend, including the cheapest place I found in the city centre. The first one is called Kusi, an inexpensive restaurant (12 PEN) for a starter and a good quality main course. I recommend the quinoa soup! Right across from Kusi is a restaurant with no name but offers soup and a main course for 5 PEN!! Incredibly, they manage this price, but it is true; it is also worth mentioning that this is the most basic combo and that they have other dishes with other prices. Finally, I have to mention the best place to have breakfast in Cusco is Jack’s Café. It belongs to Jack, an Irishman who also owns Paddy’s Pub and has earned fame for its high-quality breakfasts and other dishes that they have. on the menu.
Picanterías Cusqueñas
It is a luxury to have this restaurant style today since they are the living example of traditional Cusco food. It remains the same even though the years go by without altering its production or cooking methods. These picanterías are known and highly valued by the locals and are a recommended point if you want to eat typical and traditional Cusco food, the prices are not that high (20-35 PEN), and they have long tables that become shared for diners who come daily to eat. Later I will write an article dedicated to picanterías and tell you a little about their history. Still, I can recommend La Chuqcha, La Chomba, La Lunareja or La Cusqueñita. Oh, and if you visit one of these places, you cannot stop trying their “Chicha” (corn beer) or the “Frutillada” (corn beer and berries).
Chakruna Native Burgers (16-24 PEN)
Definitely what I consider the best hamburger in Cusco, not only for its alternatives with alpaca meat, its vegetarian burgers or its native potatoes but also for its attention and friendly vibe. Prices vary depending on your burger but range from 16-24 PEN. They also have desserts and drinks to accompany the delicious burgers. There are many burger options in Cusco. Still, I consider Chakruna the best I’ve had so far, so I definitely recommend it.
Yola Restaurant
It is one of those places you go to when you want food from home, those that make you feel comfortable or as a family. This place has a varied menu at excellent prices, from Creole and local dishes to meats and grills. A friend took me there for the first time, and since I tried their Ají de Gallina, it became my comfort food place.
Pollo a la Brasa
It is a signature dish of Peru, and they are consumed daily in quantities. Still, there are a couple of places in Cusco that add an authentic touch to the way they cook chicken, and that is that they do it with eucalyptus wood, which adds a smoky flavour and incredible flavour to an already delicious grilled chicken (it is served with fries and salad). Of the places I can recommend are Los Toldos and El Tablón, both highly recommended and reasonably priced, so get to work!
Calle del Medio (18-65 PEN)
I like this restaurant for its mix of national dishes with its Cusco twist and, above all, for its balcony that gives you an incredible view of the main square. Enjoying your dishes between Creoles and locals with this wonderful view is priceless. There is a variety of seafood, international dishes and tickets to share, in case you want to try different options, so I recommend it.
Organika (28-60 PEN)
As its name says, its fame is attributed to the fact that all its products are organic (from the Sacred Valley) and its delicious and colourful dishes. Its salad with goat cheese is to die for, as is its pesto or trout tiradito, all with fresh ingredients and excellent quality; the atmosphere is cozy, and you can delight yourself with its wood-fired oven pizzas at night.
Local (18-50 PEN)
It is a considerably new place, where “La Grana Heidi” was located, right at the beginning of the San Blas slope; this restaurant has a proposal of varied dishes that include a fusion of foods and well-worked supplies, Its trout ceviche. It is highly recommended, the same as their Lomo Saltado de alpaca. They also have delicious pasta with local lamb ragú. They also have a section for wines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Morena (25-70 PEN)
This restaurant surprises with its menu, quality of service, cozy atmosphere and location in the main square. This is definitely a place you should visit; obviously, it is more expensive than the first options on the list, but it is worth trying their squid ink rice with chorizo and prawns or their chorizo bruschettas. Other dishes to highlight are their Lomo Saltado, rice with seafood and the perfect accompaniment, the pisco sour!
Ceviche (28-65 PEN)
When we think of Peru and its gastronomy, many dishes stand out, but the king is ceviche. That is why, living up to its name, this restaurant specializes in offering the best version, along with other equally delicious dishes. Their “del barrio” and Andean ceviche are extremely good, and their garlic prawns are highly recommended, so ask for extra bread to wash off all the juice.
Pachapapa (20-89 PEN)
A very traditional restaurant with a diverse and delicious menu. I had the opportunity to try the version of the chactado guinea pig, the baked guinea pig and the kankacho (lamb), which are characteristic foods of the area and delicious. However, I do not consider myself a guinea pig fan. Still, I must admit that the “chactado” version was very good. The stuffed potato and grilled pachachoclito entrees, as were the cocktails with pisco on their menu, were delicious.
Restaurant “El Tupay” – Hotel Monasterio (69-290 PEN)
This place gives you the “experience” of enjoying quality food. Still, simultaneously, it transports you to when the monastery was inhabited. This is not a cheap restaurant, but if we want to celebrate a special occasion, it is worth it. I had the opportunity to work for the Belmont group many years ago, and I know the outstanding quality and effort they put into their products; I also had the chance to go on a few special occasions to celebrate with people who are very important to me, and it did not disappoint at all. Starting with the super fresh grouper ceviche, the paiche fillet (fish from the Amazon) with vegetables, the porcón mushroom risotto or the lamb shin, the list is long, but each dish has been to my liking. Obviously, it’s not a place I go to that often. Still, when a special occasion arises, I think it’s one of the best places to celebrate and enjoy with those people. The cocktails are always delicious, and their wine list is really a pleasure, so it goes without saying that this place is highly recommended.
Finally, on the list, there are many places that I forgot to mention, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, which are possible to find in Cusco. Still, I will dedicate another article so everyone can visit places dedicated to vegetarians and vegans.
Just Cruising Around 
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