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Eating in Cuzco


Eating in Cuzco

Lomo Saltado, a popular dish
Lomo Saltado, a popular dish
The Cuzco area has some extremely good international food with tasty options for all budgets. Best pizza ever at the end of the Av. La Cultura. Be sure to try an alpaca steak (don't forget a llama/alpaca is normally kept and used for its wool - so only old animals will be slaughtered. The soups are amazing. Try sopa de zapallo, a type of pumpkin soup. If you are looking for traditional Peruvian food try lomo saltado (beef tips stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, and spices, over a bed of french fries and rice), aji de gallina(chicken in a very good yellow pepper sauce with olives and hard-boiled eggs), or papa rellena (stuffed potato with beef, olives, hard-boiled egg, vegetables, and spices)
  • Cuy, (guinea pig), The absolute traditional holiday food of the region.
  • Cooked potatoes, Cooked and served hot in the cold season.
  • Chifa. This is the Peruvian version of Chinese food. The neighborhood of Wanchaq has many Chifa restaurants.
  • Inca Kola, a bubble gum/tutti-frutti-flavored urine-yellow soda. This drink outsells Coca-Cola in Peru, although it's actually made by a subsidiary of the Coca-Cola company). Also, chicha morada is a Peruvian specialty. It's a spiced non-alcoholic drink made out of purple corn.
  • El Balcon, Soup, main course, and desert (no drink) for 10 soles, about US$3.70. If you're looking for good quality food for not a lot of money, this is the place to go.
  • Inka Grill, on the Plaza de Armas, Well-known and frequented by tourists but not a trap. Good place to try Cuy (guinea pig), though it is a bit pricey (60 soles) here, and some people have reported mud butt after eating it, it is tastily done and served without the head so eating doesn't remind you of your pet hamster. Try the appetizer tiradito de trucha. Alpaca also on the menu if you must try it.
  • Ajjla Wasi, Sta Catalina Angosta, (just off the Plaza de Armas). Traditional 3 course meals with a glass of chicha for only 7 soles and a comfortable upstairs setting. It is frequented by a mix of locals and tourists.
  • "Cuy" the regional specialty, roasted guinea pig
    "Cuy" the regional specialty, roasted guinea pig
  • El Emperador, They have 2 restaurants within the city, both are very reasonably priced. They have a 13-page menu with all sorts of foods from around the world. Try the pisco sour tall.
  • Yaku Mama', (at the end of the 'Gringo Alley').. Try a big fresh juice with one of their large and keenly priced breakfasts.
  • Yaku Mama Grill, Plaza de Armas (The sister restaurant of Yaku Mama). Cheerful English-speaking waitress named Yolanda, but is a bit short on the alpacas. Good meals.
  • Jack's Cafe, Choquechaca 188, (on the corner and near the South American Explorers clubhouse). Food and coffee. This is a great place to get a big breakfast complete with eggs, bacon, avocado, toast and fantastic thick shakes. Try the homemade lemonades.
  • Paddy's Irish Pub, 124 Calle Triunfo, (on the eastern corner of Plaza de Armas). The night-brother of Jack's Cafe. Not exactly traditional Peruvian fare, but an excellent atmosphere amongst fellow travelers in a cozy upstairs pub setting. Purportedly the highest 'Irish-owned' pub in the world at 3,400 m, it offers a good selection of pub food (think cottage pie, casseroles, mash and gravy), local and international drinks (even had cider and Guiness), and a useful "No Gracias" T-shirt for sale.
  • Mama Africa, On 3 levels. Snacks, a cafe on the rooftop, restaurant with a good cheap menu, 2 discos, the latest movies on DVD. Some of the decorations and paintings are by the owner/artist.
  • Cross Keys Pub, Looking onto the central square is a pub serving European food to tourists. Skip the fish and chips.
  • Kukuly, Huaynapata 318, A cozy place with friendly prices also attracting locals, run by a Swiss guy. Daily menu for 6 soles.
  • Los Angelos, (close to Ukuku's and near the Plaza de ArmasIf). For late night food after clubbing, a very good fast food-type restaurant.
  • 2 Nations, Huaynapata, (not too far and not too close to the Plaza de Armas). New restaurant opened up by an Australian named Matt. Extensive, multi-ethnic menu, good service and personable owner.
  • Meli Melo's, (near LimacpampaIf). If you are not brave enough to try the empanadas on the street then order an empanada or a Bolivian saltena here.
  • Victor Victoria, Calle Tsesequocha, (just off Calle Tigre). Friendly service. Great salad bar buffet included in all main dishes. Gorgeous garlic trout with rice or potatoes for 10 soles (including the salad bar buffet and lovely fresh bread) but only for lunch. Great value breakfasts. Regular glasses of freshly squeezed juice for 6 soles. Also they have a proper espresso machine for good coffee in the morning.
  • Govindas, (near Plaza de Armas). Vegetarian restaurant. Not great. You pay 6 soles for a lousy glass of orange juice mixed with water. Food is just ok, pretty overpriced.
  • Moni Cafe Restaurant, San Agustin 311. Vegetarian take on Peruvian food. Since 2001, great stuff.
  • Cicciolinia's, Calle Triunfo 393, (at the end of the alley by the 12-sided stone). Very tasty place to go for breakfast. There is an amazing bakers downstairs.
  • El Mercado, (in front of the train station). A roofed market where they sell delicious local bread, herbs, juices, souvenirs, DVDs and other items. If you want something truly more local, very cheap, and are willing to take risks of not the best methods of cleaning dishes, then head over here. At the end of the market are the food stands, where they serve local food. For 2 soles you can get soup, an entree, and juice. All the locals know where the train station and El Mercado is. This is where many local workers go for their meals, not exactly a tourist place, but they are friendly towards tourists.
  • El Fogon, Plateros 365 (Just off of Plaza de Armas, top floor), 233596. Nothing fancy but great cheap food: for 10 soles (about US$3.50) get a meal deal that includes a plate from the salad bar, a selection of soup, a selection of main dish, a dessert and a beverage. Or splurge with their more expensive menu offer for 20 Soles. Very tasty Peruvian food. Friendly staff.
  • Bagdad Cafe, (left of the cathedral). This small restaurant seems to produce everything themselves. Local food is extremely good, in the evening small performance groups enter the restaurant and give excellent performances. The prices are mid-range, but it is sure worth it. The daily menu lunch special is more like a snack.
  • Chifa Status, Av. La Cultura (close to El Mega supermarket). Good quality Chifa. Dishes for 2-3 soles.
  • Puerto Atico, (Perú Steet between Mateo Pumacahua and La Infancia). The "pueto atico" ceviche that is Pejerey with Pulpo, and the Jalea de Mariscos are the must try.
  • Maikhani, Av Del Sol (second floor in little mall before you get to Plaza de Armas). Great Indian food served as an all you can eat buffet for only 15 soles. You get mineral water, salad, chutneys and fruit included but it is extra for chapatis, beers or similar. 15 sol. �
  • Prasado, (about half a block from Jack's Cafe, a bit hard to find in a small alley walkway, and is only marked by a small blackboard outside listing the daily specials). Cute local vegetarian spot. The food is really quite amazing. For 5 soles you can get plates like "falafel tacos", and "mexican veggi burger". Delicious. Also, they have lassies (a hindi yogurt drink), and tasty desserts for a few soles. They do a daily almuerzo (drink, soup and plate) for 8 soles. Cant be beat! US$2. �
  • Mercado Municipal. Fresh juices direct from the market. Fresh and great place to contact with local people. 2sol+. �

  • The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Cuzco


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    Cuzco Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.

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