Skip McDonald’s: where to eat traditional food in Cusco

Cusco is a feast for the eyes, but also for your taste buds. The hard part is finding real Andean food. If you want to avoid the tourist traps around the Plaza de Armas and eat where the people of Cusco eat, this guide is for you.

We show you the places where the food is fresh, the flavors are bold and the prices are surprisingly low. Grab your fork!

1. San Pedro Central Market: the temple of authentic food

It’s the culinary heart of Cusco and the tastiest cultural outing you can have in the city.

• What it’s like. Here you’ll find sections for exotic fruit (try the chirimoya!), cheese, bread and, most important of all, the lunch stalls.
• What to try. Look for the stalls that serve caldo de gallina (hen soup, great for altitude sickness) or a menú del día (soup and a main course) for less than 8 soles. If you want something more adventurous, try caldo de patas (cow’s foot soup) or lechón al horno (roast suckling pig).
• Tip. It’s chaotic, but check how clean the stall is and pick the one with the most locals in line.

2. Neighborhood classics: the picanterías

Picanterías are traditional restaurants, usually outside the tourist center, that serve regional Andean food in big portions and with plenty of chispa (chili heat).

• What it’s like. They are simple, family-run places, ideal for tasting the true flavor of Cusco.
• What to try. Chiri uchu (a cold dish typical of festivals), lomo saltado (the Peruvian classic!) or pork chicharrón.
• Tip. Look for picanterías in neighborhoods like Santiago or Wanchaq. Ask your guide or your taxi driver which one is their favorite.

3. The hidden charm: the San Blas neighborhood

San Blas is famous for its artisans, but it also has small restaurants that offer good value for money.

• What it’s like. Here you’ll find Andean vegetarian restaurants and small cafés with a good-quality set lunch (menú) at reasonable prices. It’s a calmer, less hectic option than the market.
• What to try. Quinoa soup or an authentic ají de gallina.

Dishes to recognize on the menu

Some of the dishes mentioned above, so you know what to order:

Food survival guide

• Water. Always drink bottled water.
• Tipping. At markets and small stalls, tipping is not customary. Enjoying and appreciating the local food is the best thanks.
• Menú del día. Always ask for the “menú del día,” the set meal of the day. It’s the freshest and cheapest meal the place serves that day: soup, a main course and a drink.