Top 10 Best Places to Eat in the Inca City of Cusco

1️ CICCIOLINA

Cicciolina is located just one block from the Main Square, on the second floor of a charming colonial house on Calle Triunfo. The cuisine is modern, delicious, and impeccably prepared — a true standard of Peruvian gastronomy. It’s so diverse and rich that it can only be compared to Mexican cuisine in terms of variety.

The menu offers a wide range of dishes, including the famous llama meat. Be sure to order the full service, as portions are not very large.

Address: Calle Palacio 110 – Calle Ruinas 465
Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

2 CHICHA

Chicha, created by renowned chef Gastón Acurio, is located in Plaza Regocijo, just a few blocks from Cusco’s Main Square. It pays tribute to the ancient culinary wisdom of Cusco and promotes its heritage. The restaurant serves authentic Peruvian dishes such as anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers), Chupe 5 Sabores, vegetarian stuffed rocoto, and an impressive Andean soup made with olluco, quinoa, curry, coconut milk, and pumpkin.

Address: Plaza Regocijo 261, 2nd Floor, Cusco
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

3️ HUACATAY

El Huacatay, founded by Pío Vásquez de Velasco, is a small restaurant nestled in the Sacred Valley, in Urubamba. It has become a cozy spot for visitors. The menu is based on fresh local ingredients, enhanced with Mediterranean and Asian touches. One of the must-try dishes is the alpaca loin in port wine and thyme sauce.

Address: Jirón Arica, Urubamba
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

4️ MIL CENTRO

Chef Virgilio Martínez is behind MIL Centro, a restaurant located on the edge of the Moray Archaeological Complex, at 3,680 meters above sea level in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The site is believed to have been an agricultural research center during the Inca Empire.

MIL Centro offers a holistic experience to its guests — from exploring the surroundings to learning about the local ingredients used. The bar includes a micro-lab dedicated to fermentation, distillation, and maceration of local species. This unique experience is known as INMERSIÓN MUNDO MIL.

Address: Moray, Maras, Cusco

5️ ILLARY / HOTEL MONASTERIO

Illary offers a unique dining experience within a monastery cloister with spectacular views. Its gastronomic proposal has a Mediterranean flair, with prices ranging from 70 to 179 soles.

Address: Calle Plazoleta Nazarenas 337, Cusco
Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

6️ MAP CAFÉ

MAP Café stands out for its distinctive architecture — it’s a large glass cube! It’s one of Cusco’s most sought-after restaurants with a view, allowing diners to admire their surroundings while enjoying fine cuisine.

The culinary proposal reinvents both Lima and Andean traditions. Highlights include mushroom capchi and red and black quinoa cannelloni.

Address: Nazarenas 231, Cusco 08002
Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

7️ INCANTO

Incanto offers a special experience with its Peruvian-Italian fusion cuisine in a stunning setting — where the majestic Inca stone walls blend seamlessly with modern minimalist architecture.

The restaurant specializes in homemade pasta, pizza, and bread baked in a traditional clay oven, all paired with a refined wine selection.

Address: Santa Catalina Angosta Street, Cusco
Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

8️ INKA GRILL

Inka Grill is one of the oldest restaurants in Cusco and boasts one of the best locations — just around the corner from the Main Square. Its specialty is novoandina and international cuisine, featuring delicious dishes made with fresh ingredients such as trout, Andean cheese, quinoa, and alpaca.

Address: Portal de Panes 115, Cusco 08002
Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily

9️ PACHAPAPA

Pachapapa is known for its authentic Andean highland flavor, respecting traditional cooking methods. Among its specialties are pachamanca (earth oven-cooked meats and vegetables) and roasted guinea pig.

10 LIMO (PERUVIAN NIKKEI)

Limo showcases a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese (Nikkei) cuisine that delights visitors and earns its place on this list. It’s located on the second floor of a colonial house offering the best view of Cusco’s Main Square.

Signature dishes include tiraditos, ceviche, and sushi bar specialties. Limo also has an extensive pisco selection, making it an excellent place to experience Peru’s iconic liquor. Its creative cocktails, made with exotic Andean and Amazonian fruits, are a highlight.

✨ Final Tip

As you can see, Cusco offers endless culinary options for all tastes. If you’re short on time, it’s best to arrive in the city with an idea of what you’d like to try — that way, you can make the most of your visit and skip the search.

From these top restaurants in Cusco, which one do you find most tempting?