Where to Eat in Cusco, Peru: 13 Best Restaurants and Cafes
If you haven’t heard already, Peru is well known for its world-renowned cuisine. One of the best things to do in the city is enjoy a delicious meal at one of the top rated restaurants.
In 2022, when we first visited on our strict backpacker budget, we didn’t make it to any of Cusco’s best restaurants, and if we’re honest we didn’t really get the hype around Peruvian food.
When we returned 2 years later to live in Cusco for a couple of months, we made up for that and tried as many as we could. We can now confidently say that the food in Cusco is some of the tastiest we’ve eaten.
Though we’re usually vegetarian when we’re at home, we did bend the rules a little and try some meat dishes in order to sample some authentic Peruvian food. Food here is such a big part of the culture and so raved about that we just thought ‘why not’.
However, this didn’t stop us from also seeking out the best veggie and vegan spots, so you can be sure we’ve covered all bases and found the best restaurants for everyone, no matter your dietary requirements.
When searching for the best restaurants and cafes in Cusco, you’ll be bombarded with a huge list of incredible options that makes it impossible to decide where to eat.
So how do you decide where to eat in Cusco?
Since we’ve spent over 2 months here in total, we’ve tried most of these options out for you and created a list of restaurants and cafes that are the absolute best to make it easier for you.
Whether you’re looking to try local Peruvian cuisine, sip the best cocktail, enjoy the nicest views, drink the freshest coffee, eat a healthy brunch, find the best veggie and vegan spots or just appease your appetite with a cheap and cheerful meal, there’s something for everyone in this guide.
13 Best Restaurants & Cafes in Cusco
1. Kusykay Peruvian Craft Food
When researching for places to eat, Kusykay came up time and time again as one of the top restaurants in Cusco, so of course we had to try it ourselves.
Kusykay prides itself on serving ‘Peruvian craft food’ that is made from traditional, local ingredients, some of which are grown on the farm of the head chef himself. On the menu you’ll find authentic Peruvian classics, as well as some more innovative dishes that can only be found in this restaurant.
But is it worth the hype? In our opinion, it’s absolutely worth the hype and we would eat here everyday if we could. This was hands down some of the most tasty food we’ve eaten, not only in Peru, but across the world.
We tried a few different dishes but the ones that we really recommend trying are the Ceviche Carretillero, made with fresh water trout from the Langui Lagoon, and the Lomo Saltado Kusykay.
They do cater for vegetarians and vegans too but options are limited. Due to this, there are other restaurants we’d recommend more if you don’t eat meat or fish (which you’ll find further down in this guide).
To wash it down, they serve a variety of craft beers, as well as some unique variations of the classic Pisco Sour cocktail. We opted for a soft drink and ordered two different versions of their homemade lemonade that were complemented by a mix of refreshing Andean fruits and herbs.
The atmosphere here is casual but the quality of the service and food makes it feel more like a fine-dining experience. At the end of our meal we were served a local muña tea that is said to help with digestion, and we were even given some to take home with us too.
We arrived at Kusykay at around 5:30 pm, as coming from living in Australia we are used to eating our evening meal pretty early. At this time there were plenty of free tables. However if you plan to dine after 7 pm we recommend booking as it gets very busy and you don’t want to miss out!
This restaurant is a little on the pricey side but if you’re used to western prices, it certainly won’t break the bank. If you’re on a tight budget and can only afford to try one of the more expensive restaurants, this is the one you should go to.
2. Green Point Restaurant
It seems to be a rite of passage to eat at Green Point Restaurant when in Cusco and we can see why!
If you’re looking for that vegetarian and vegan restaurant recommendation that we mentioned earlier, this is the place for you. However, don’t leave yet if you do eat meat, as we truly believe everyone needs to eat here while in Cusco.
Green Point is a 100% plant-based restaurant that serves vegan versions of traditional Peruvian food, without sacrificing on quality or taste. They also offer some amazing brunch options, as well as delicious cakes and pastries, which makes it a great option for breakfast and lunch too.
Some dishes that we recommend trying are the Cusco Grill Platter, the Hash Brown brunch, the Burrito, and the house made nachos with guacamole.
If you like to enjoy a beer with your meal, Jacobs Brewery is onsite, meaning that a menu of freshly crafted brews is at your disposal.
The environment of this restaurant, set in a covered courtyard, decorated with blooming plants and flowers, makes you feel like you’re sitting outside in a garden. We loved the atmosphere here and often used it as a place to get some work done during the day as the wifi works great too!
3. Limo
If you’re looking to treat your taste buds to an explosion of flavours, look no further than Limo Restaurant.
Limo is an upscale Peruvian and Japanese fusion restaurant that’s located on the second floor of one of the colonial buildings that surrounds the Plaza de Armas. We really recommend booking in advance to secure a table by the window as the views from here are unbeaten.
This is definitely the most expensive restaurant that we ate at in Cusco but we can confidently say that it was worth every penny. On the menu you’ll find a wide variety of Sushi, Nigiri, Sashimi and Maki, as well as some tasty mains that offer a twist on some traditional Peruvian dishes.
Their cocktail menu also sounded extremely tasty, however our budget didn’t quite stretch far enough to try one.
4. Chakruna Native Burgers
If you’re looking for a tasty, fuss-free meal that’s healthier for your bank account, then you have to head to Chakruna Native Burgers.
As you may have guessed from the name, this is a burger restaurant found in the San Blas neighbourhood. Here you can build your own burger, choosing from a mix of vegetarian or meat patties and a variety of toppings. All burgers are accompanied by a portion of fries made from native potatoes.
If you’re looking to try some Peruvian meat, you may want to try their Alpaca burger or Cuy (Guinea Pig) Confitado sandwich.
They also offer some delicious dessert options, including some interesting ice cream flavours such as ‘Muña with chip’.
5. Qura
If you’re looking for your next go-to cafe that you can keep returning to day after day, then Qura is the one.
Qura specialises in healthy, organic food, made with fresh ingredients. If you’re in the mood for a poke or smoothie bowl, avocado toast, a delicious sandwich, or even just a good quality coffee or juice, then don’t miss this spot.
Another great thing about Qura is that it has something for everyone. It has amazing vegan, veggie and gluten free options but still serves meat, which is perfect if you’re travelling in a group that have mixed dietary requirements.
Though we could eat the entire menu here, we particularly recommend the cured trout, the green mozzarella shakshuka, the acai bowl, the sourdough waffles with homemade nutella, and the caramelised onion sandwich.
For our fellow digital nomads, this cafe has great wifi which makes it a good coworking spot. However, it does get busy around lunch time so it’s not somewhere we recommend staying for the full day, as it’s only fair to free up a table for other hungry visitors.
6. Organika Restaurant
Organika, as the name suggests, serves organic food, sustainably sourced from their own farms within the Sacred Valley.
On the menu you’ll find options for both vegans and meat eaters, and we can tell you from experience that whatever you order, you won’t be disappointed.
We ordered a perfectly cooked wood-fired pizza and the Osobuco which was recommended by our friendly server. We can highly recommend both of these dishes.
They also serve fresh salads, sandwiches, Andean soups, traditional Peruvian main courses, and homemade pasta.
We loved the atmosphere here. You can either take a seat inside the restaurant or out in the garden where a log burner is lit each night.
If you enjoy Organika, you might also want to try one of their sister restaurants, Yaku, Rucuia or Native.
7. Aura Restobar
If your priority is enjoying an incredible view over Cusco while enjoying your meal, we highly recommend Aura Restobar.
Getting to this restaurant requires walking up a few steps but we promise you that it’s worth it. Aura is located just below Mirador de San Blas and has an outside seating area that looks onto the city with no windows or barriers obstructing the view.
The restaurant offers a large menu with an array of options. The food here is good and tasty but we wouldn’t put it up there with some of the other restaurants on this list. The view is its main selling point. However, we did enjoy the Quesadillas.
There are also a few other options along Calle Pasñapakana (the street where Aura is located), that offer the same amazing view. Though Aura was our favourite, you can also visit Limbus Restobar for a tasty cocktail, or Kaldi Coffee for fresh coffee, delicious crepes or ice cream.
8. Green Falafel
One of our regular lunch time spots was Green Falafel. If you didn’t guess, this is a delicious vegetarian restaurant that is centred around falafels.
On the menu, you’ll find falafels accompanied with a choice of different fillings, served in all different types of bread such as durum, piadina and pita. If you don’t fancy falafels, they also have a variety of veggie and vegan pizzas to choose from.
You can find Green Falafel in two locations. They have their own cafe on the street of Siete Angelitos and a stall inside San Blas Market. Both serve the same delicious food but it’s slightly cheaper from the market.
9. Barrio Cafe
The Barrio Cafe is located just opposite Green Falafel on Siete Angelitos. If you consider yourself a coffee snob, then you should order your morning coffee here. At the same time, grab yourself some avocado toast or pancakes for breakfast.
We loved this cafe, not only for its food and hot beverages, but also because it provides a bit of peace within the chaos of Cusco. Tucked behind the cafe is a hidden garden, where you can enjoy your coffee away from the bustling streets.
This was one of our favourite cafes to base ourselves to work for the day, as the wifi reaches all the way out into the garden, and it’s usually pretty quiet.
10. Pachapapa
Pachapapa was recommended to us by our local guide when we joined a free walking tour of Cusco.
It had also caught our eye a few times as we were walking past, as it has a lovely outdoor courtyard that looks so romantic and cosy with its candle lit tables, large wood-fire oven and heat lamps. So of course we had to take ourselves for dinner here one evening.
Pachapapa serves a selection of Peruvian dishes including rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers), trout ceviche, alpaca skewers and roasted guinea pig, alongside an assortment of wood-fired pizzas.
Although Pachapapa lived up to its reputation, we did prefer the food at Kusykay and Organika, so if you only have the time or budget for one Peruvian meal on the pricier side, we’d recommend one of these instead.
11. Pizzeria La Nonna
If all you’re craving is a good pizza, you can’t go wrong with Pizzeria La Nonna. This restaurant is a 15 minute walk uphill from the main plaza to the top of the San Blas neighbourhood. Though the walk is tiring, in our opinion, it’s worth it.
This pizza restaurant is owned by a lovely couple and has a really cosy vibe. There are a large number of pizzas to choose from as well as a collection of different pastas. Our favourites were the 4 cheese pizza and the ‘Alla Brava’ gnocchi.
12. Bárbaros Food & Drink
Bárbaros is a restaurant that we were fortunate to stumble across while searching for a restaurant close to our apartment. Like Pizzeria La Nonna, it’s on the outer edge of the tourist area, 10 minutes from the main plaza. But again, the food is worth it.
Here you can expect delicious and flavourful food for a cheaper price tag than you’ll find at restaurants close to the city centre. The burgers here were some of the best we had in Cusco, rivalling those at Chakruna Native Burger.
We tried both the ‘Frenchie Style’ burger, that came with caramelised onion and blue cheese, and the veggie quinoa burger which was just as good.
There are also a variety of more traditional Peruvian dishes to choose from, as well as a menu full of amazing cocktails.
13. Cercanía Pan y Cafe
If you’re craving some European standard pastries or bread, head to Cercanía Pan y Cafe. Their assortment of pastries are mouth-watering and definitely the best you can find in Cusco.
As we were living in Cusco for 2 months, we used this as our local bakery and often went in to buy fresh bread. If you need to make some sandwiches for a long day trip or hike, this is the place to go.
Where to eat in Cusco on a budget
Though there are endless incredible cafes and restaurants in Cusco, we’re more than familiar with the feeling of needing something cheap and easy that doesn’t stretch the budget.
If you’re in Peru on a backpacker budget, rather than enjoying a short vacation, food costs can add up really fast if you eat at cafes and restaurants everyday. But fear not, there are plenty of cheap eats in Cusco too, you just need to head where the locals go.
Here are some alternative options for where to eat in Cusco if you’re on a tight budget:
The Local Market – The local markets are by far the cheapest places you can eat. Here you can get a full meal for as little as S/6 ($1.50). The closest market to the main plaza is called San Pedro Market. This is a very local market and has lots of great options to choose from.
However, it can get a little hectic here, so we much preferred grabbing lunch at the quieter and more relaxed San Blas Market. San Blas also has some amazing vegetarian food stalls including Green Falafel and Govinda Lila.
Bunnu Cafe – If you’re looking for the best budget cafe, Bunnu Cafe is the one! It’s a little out of the tourist area, just past the San Blas neighbourhood, which means that it comes with local prices.
Here you can get a sandwich for around S/6 ($1.50), a pastry or cake for under S/3 ($0.80), a coffee for under S/8 ($2.15), and a full meal such as a lasagne for around S/14 ($3.80).
The food here is very good for the price, and it has amazing wifi which makes it a great digital nomad cafe.
El Buen Pastor Panaderia – This little bakery is owned by a pastor who only employs local women to run it. They sell a selection of pastries, empanadas, and cake, as well as coffee and juice.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat at breakfast or a sweet treat, then this bakery is one of the best budget spots. Here you can eat for between S/1 – S/10 ($0.27 – $2.70).
Final Thoughts: Where to eat in Cusco
Cusco is definitely a foodies heaven. We really recommend eating at one of these restaurants at least once during your time here. Peruvian food really does live up to its reputation, so make sure you don’t miss out like we did on our first visit.
We hope this blog made it easier to decide where to eat in Cusco. As always, if there are any questions we haven’t answered in this guide, feel free to send us an email, we’re always happy to help!
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Happy Travels!
