Cusco isn’t only about history. The city is at the heart of Peru’s food revolution: ancestral ingredients like quinoa, potatoes and ají amarillo meet modern fine-dining techniques.
If you’re looking for a special dinner or want to try the most iconic dishes of the Andes, this is your guide to fine dining in Cusco.
The dare dishes: the boldest tradition
Two meats define Andean cooking and are worth trying, for the courage and for the tradition:
- Roasted cuy (cuy chactado). The famous cuy (guinea pig) is a meat for ceremonies and festivals, traditionally served whole. In fine dining it’s often deboned or served in more refined versions, such as confit, but trying the traditional roasted version is a must if you want to understand local culture.
- Alpaca meat. This is the gourmet meat of the Andes: lean, low in fat and mild in flavor, similar to lamb or veal. It’s usually served as a steak, grilled or as carpaccio. It’s the right choice if you want a quality local protein.
The fusion food revolution
The best of Cusco is in the restaurants that blend Andean tradition with international influences, such as Nikkei and Mediterranean.
These restaurants work with organic, locally sourced ingredients that grow at high altitude:
- Native potatoes. More than 3,000 potato varieties are the base of Andean risottos and mashed potatoes with local cheese.
- Quinoa and kiwicha. These superfoods show up in salads, creamy soups and as the base of main courses. Proof that healthy food and fine dining go together.
- Ají amarillo, the base of the flavor. This mild, fruity Peruvian chili pepper is the base of classic sauces, like those in ají de gallina and lomo saltado. In fusion restaurants, it becomes mousses and gourmet sauces.
To finish: pisco, chocolate and a view
The experience comes together with the setting and the drinks.
- Pisco sour. Start your celebration dinner with a pisco sour. Upscale restaurants offer creative versions with Andean fruits, such as passion fruit.
- Single-origin chocolate. The Peruvian jungle produces world-class cacao. Order a pure chocolate dessert or visit an artisan chocolate shop to take home a sweet souvenir.
- The setting. The best restaurants are in colonial mansions with inner courtyards or balconies overlooking the Plaza de Armas, with a romantic, intimate feel.
A dinner to celebrate
Celebrate the end of your trek or your arrival in Cusco with a good dinner. Andean cooking is a journey of flavors worth every bite.
Want tips on where to eat in Cusco?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We organize your tours in Cusco and recommend good restaurants for every moment of your trip.