The Best Restaurants in Cusco – All Budgets & Cuisines

In between trips to the Amazon, Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek, Rainbow Mountain and the Sacred Valley, I managed to visit many restaurants in Cusco serving everything from typical Peruvian cuisine to brunch, coffee and international fare.

Cusco is a great launching point for Peru’s top tourist attractions and I’m not sure how many times I technically ‘went’ to Cusco but I spent several weeks going back and forth during my solo trip in Peru. There’s just so much to do in the surrounding region!

The food scene in Peru is phenomenal, and it’s easily my favourite country for food in South America (but not in all of Latin America as Mexican food wins hands down every time!).

As Peru’s most touristic city, it’s little wonder that Cusco has fantastic places to eat. Tourists have been visiting for decades and the infrastructure is well-established. There are restaurants for every budget and cuisine. Everything is wonderfully presented: my meals were almost always scattered with edible flowers!

Headed to Arequipa next? See my guide to the best Arequipa restaurants

Nice restaurants in Cusco for traditional Peruvian food

When you want to sit down in nice surroundings to eat quality food, I suggest the following places.

La Perla Criolla

When I’m trying to visit as many places as possible for a food guide, it’s high praise when I return somewhere multiple times. La Perla Criolla isn’t a fancy restaurant but the food is top-quality with a focus on local cuisine.

I have tried the aji de gallina (chicken in chilli sauce) and trout with creamy quinoa. Both were delicious. They serve cocktails, mocktails, fresh juices, wine and beer.

The restaurant is small and usually quite busy so I recommend visiting early (for lunch or dinner) to ensure getting a table.

KUSYKAY Peruvian Craft Food

I tried to visit what’s probably Cusco’s most famous restaurant but alas, there was a big cultural festival happening, meaning there was a 2-hour wait. My visit to Kusykay will have to wait for another trip!

Expect beautifully decadent and well-presented Peruvian dishes like aji de gallina, trout, roasted chicken tacos, ceviche and lomo saltado. People say great things about the desserts, especially the Cusco tiramisu made from real Peruvian coffee.

Expect to pay around 55 soles ($16) per main dish; it’s not cheap for Peru but apparently worth it for the quality.

Soqa

Soqa is somewhere you can eat traditional Peruvian food in nice settings without having to book in advance or fight for a table like at the most famous Cusco restaurants.

I can vouch for the trout on minted peas, and the chicha morada (a famous Peruvian drink made from purple corn). Other typical dishes on the menu include cuy (guinea pig), lomo saltado, alpaca steak, pasta and indulgent desserts.

Prices are very reasonable, plus Soqa prides itself on being all organic. A real gem!

Morena Peruvian Kitchen

With huge glass windows and views of Plaza de Armas, Morena Peruvian Kitchen is an atmospheric place to eat.

Try fusion dishes that combine Italian cooking styles with Peruvian flavours such as alpaca risotto and aji de gallina gnocchi. Another reason to visit is the huge range of Pisco cocktails using luxe ingredients like passion fruit, raspberry and cucumber.

Something Special

With the vibe of a colourful, cosy home and hearty, typical dishes with flair and impressive presentation, Something Special is another Cusco restaurant you can’t go wrong visiting.

As well as all your Peruvian classics, there are experimental twists on global dishes like burgers with alpaca or quinoa patties, and tacos stuffed with aji de gallina.

Expect to pay around 40 soles ($12) per main dish.

Affordable restaurants in Cusco

Here are a few places to eat on a budget, with a mix of local and international options…

With hearty portions and friendly staff, Aton is a cute little restaurant where food doesn’t break the bank.

On the menu are sandwiches, burgers, breakfast dishes including omelettes and topped toast, salads, empanadas and arepas. I went for the latter (corn dough patties served with ingredients of your choosing).

I got two arepas with avocado and scrambled egg and a hot drink for 26 soles ($7.50).

This local restaurant is a real hidden gem on the edge of town (near where the minibuses arrive and depart for Pisac).

La Casa de Momo is a family-run guesthouse and restaurant (vegetarian) where you can get a three-course meal for just 15 soles ($4.50). I enjoyed soup, a falafel and quinoa dish, fresh juice and a dulce de leche cookie. Great value!

Typical food markets in Cusco

On the topic of affordable places to eat in Cusco, don’t overlook the markets. There are modest restaurants inside where you can sit down and enjoy a meal.

San Blas Market

Given that this market is in the more touristic part of town, it’s a mix of authentic Peruvian food and global staples like speciality coffee and vegan cuisine. Personally, I think it’s a good mix.

San Blas Market is open from 6am-4pm daily so it’s a good place for breakfast and lunch. Don’t miss:

• Desayunos Anita Cleo – the best sandwiches and juices you’ll ever try! There are endless combos to choose from. The stand is surrounded by several similar but I think this is the best.
• Cevicheria de Yanet – large, affordable portions of typical Peruvian food including the namesake dish, ceviche.
• Govinda Lila – quality vegan food including burgers, falafel and lasagna.
• Brew Brothers – a speciality coffee stand.

San Pedro

An even bigger market in Cusco where you’ll find fewer tourists and more locals. As well as food stands and modest restaurants, expect fresh veg, medicinal herbs, clothing, body products, souvenirs… basically everything under the sun!

The food stands at San Pedro Market serve typical meaty dishes including caldo de cuy (guinea pig soup). However, veggies will find an excellent stand called Vegan Point serving both Peruvian and world meat-free dishes.

Brunch restaurants in Cusco

Brunch and coffee culture in Cusco is fantastic. My favourites are…

Avocado Toast & More

What it says on the tin! Avocado Toast & More is a simple cafe in the city centre with fantastic brunch dishes. I loved the toast topped with avocado and smoked trout (similar to smoked salmon).

They also offer impressive-looking poke bowls, acai, smoothies and coffee. There’s even avocado ice cream. Dare you to give it a try!

Flora

I potentially should have branched out more in my Cusco brunch quests but I went to Flora many times because I loved it. Not only do they serve great food, but the coffee, matcha and cakes (especially the carrot cake) are unbeatable.

I also loved the views over Cusco from the tiered garden where you can sit in the shade or sun. It’s not the cheapest place, but it’s worth it.

Coffee shops in Cusco

Forever my favourite topic! As a coffee fanatic, I found plenty of great cafes in Cusco. Since coffee is from South America and is still harvested in Peru today, of course there are plenty of places to drink it…

Three Monkeys

Appearing at number 22 on the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list is one of Cusco’s busiest and most popular cafes.

I visited Three Monkeys at opening time of 8am because I’d seen huge lines on previous afternoons. I needn’t have been in QUITE such a rush and had the place to myself initially. But do prepare to wait for a table in peak season in the middle of the day.

The menu is perhaps a bit pretentious, split into sections such as ‘adventurous’ and ‘masterpiece’, describing the flavours of their different brews. Luckily, if you can’t choose, I think they’re all good.

I tried THE most delicious croissant I think I’ve ever had, stuffed with rich, creamy chocolate.

I was a fan but plenty of people have left negative reviews, potentially because its fame creates high expectations.

Florencia y Fortunata

Another listing on the Top 100 Coffee Shop list is Florencia y Fortunata near the city centre.

They deserve the mention, not just for the excellent coffee but the creative and beautiful desserts. I loved the alfajor with white chocolate, lemon and coca leaf.

Better yet, the cafe is a social enterprise highlighting women working in the coffee world!

L’Atelier Café Concept

Another most popular coffee shop in the San Blas area is L’Atelier Café Concept. With seating overlooking the idyllic cobbled streets of Cusco, it’s an aesthetic dream with quality coffee to boot.

As well as every coffee type you could crave, there are teas, croissants, desserts, juices and wines. Plus, it’s a concept store selling cool clothes and accessories. Just the perfect little cafe.

Catfetin Cat Cafe

Cat fans must run not walk to Catfetin in central Cusco. It’s one of the best cat cafes I’ve been to, and that’s MANY, by the way. I always check reviews before visiting to ensure they’re ethical, which this one certainly is.

You pay 5 soles ($1.50) per hour, then buy any drinks, meals or cakes in addition. I kept staying longer because right towards the end of each hour, a kitten would fall asleep on me, and I didn’t have the heart to move them!

The staff are lovely. Ask to browse their cat sticker collection when you go to pay.

I didn’t eat here, but the coffee was good. Reviews mentioning the food are also positive.

Espresso 18

Another cute coffee shop with wonderful views is Espresso 18 in the San Blas area. The coffee is excellent, and there are also brunch dishes and non-coffee options like chai and chocolate.

The only problem is it shuts at 1pm (opening again at 3pm) so I got turfed out quickly after buying a coffee after 12pm and not realising I couldn’t stay for long.

International restaurants in Cusco

When you want a break from Peruvian fare, I recommend you visit…

Casalino Focacceria

Serving both woodfired pizzas and focaccia sandwiches, Casalino Focacceria is tucked away in the San Blas area. Since it was just a few steps from my accommodation, it saved the day one evening when I wanted to eat pizza in bed after hiking.

I went for a simple margarita but there are plenty of topping options, and even more combos of decadent focaccia sandwiches comprising mortadela ham, pesto, and mozzarella, plus vegan ingredients, too.

My only complaint is that it doesn’t open ’til 7pm and there were several occasions I’d have loved a focaccia for lunch.

Jill’s Cafe

Jill’s specializes in paninis, quesadillas and bao buns with all manner of creative fillings, from roasted veg to pork belly and Reubens and Cubans (yes, that rhymes). Prices are reasonable, and they also serve drinks including milkshakes, lemonades and smoothies.

The perfect lunch in a cosy cafe on ground level before the steps to San Blas start. No uphill walking required!

Burgers & Beers

Delivering what it says on the tin, Burgers & Beers is a chilled bar and restaurant in Cusco’s San Blas neighbourhood. After a hike, I indulged in a beef burger with fries. They also offer alpaca and veggie burgers (though I can’t find any reviews about the latter – they can be hit-and-miss).

I liked the build-your-own burger idea; you’re given a pen and paper to tick the toppings and sauces you want, plus your bread type and how well-cooked you want your meat.

As the name suggests, they also serve a wide selection of craft beers including IPAs, though I didn’t try them personally.

Note – there’s another burger place, Chakruna, a few doors down but I didn’t rate it. They’re more like sandwiches than burgers, plus I ordered a veggie one and it consisted of flavourless bean mash! I’m guessing the meat ones are better, and some reviewers say it was the best burgers of their lives… I’m putting it on your radar so you can make your own mind up!

F Your Diet Pies

I stumbled past looking for dessert on my first night in Cusco and ended up buying not just a slice of pie but one of the yummiest hot chocolates I’ve ever had!

Fck Your Diet Pies is a small cafe in the San Blas area. They have sweet pies that change daily; I had the blueberry one but other options include apple and pecan. The drinking chocolate is made from high-quality cacao. Reviews also say the coffee is great.

Mr Soup

I’m listing this place last because I didn’t love it, mainly because I thought it was overpriced: some of the soups are 36 soles (almost $11).

However, I like the concept: choose from creamy veg soups, typical Peruvian soups, or international soups like udon (Japanese) and tom kha gai (Thai). If you love soup, Mr Soup might be just what you’re craving on a chilly Cusco evening.