If you’ve read my previous posts you probably know that I am completely obsessed with Cusco, and to make it even better the food in this city is SO. DAMN. GOOD. I feel like we could have explored for a full week and just focused on the food! You’ll find anywhere from American diners to local Peruvian cuisine and everything in between. These were our favorites!
*Don’t get your heart on a place just by checking its hours on google or even right on their website. Not every place, but many places took us trying a few times before they were actually open. Don’t get frustrated, just always have a backup. Also, if you’re going during busy season keep in mind places fill up fast so plan for that as well!*
Coffee at The Three Monkeys
I am not a coffee drinker but my babe, Jake, is and he said this is some of the best coffee he has ever had and definitely the best he had when we were visiting Peru. A few days after trying it, our guide for our cooking class confirmed that it is definitely the best coffee in Cusco, so if you’re a coffee lover it is a must try! It is a cart that moves around in the summer, but when we were there in December it was always found in this adorable terrace. To learn more about them and see where they will be when you are visiting, click HERE.
After you get your coffee you can sit in one of the many tables provided on the terrace. There is some awesome artwork and some cute little shops there as well.
Breakfast at Cicciolina
This was by far my favorite breakfast in Cusco. We loved it so much that we went back for a second time. Their bread is baked fresh every morning, they use cage-free eggs and their ingredients are so fresh! On top of that, the service was incredible both times we were in, we even had the opportunity to speak with the owner and she was awesome!
Yes, the food is amazing but they also serve a great pisco sour!
I loved everything we tried, but my favorite was the “platter” plate. It was a way to try a bit of everything they offered and the bread basket with filled will a great variety of bread. Everything was great, but something about their cream cheese though, I can’t stop thinking about it! It was so good!
If you get there early there are two adorable balcony tables looking over a side street, makes the experience even better!
I think it’s always a good sign when there are giant collections of chiles and garlic hanging from the ceilings! Cicciolina accepts all major credit cards! Click the link to learn more about Cicciolina.
Backup Breakfast Option: Jack’s Cafe
It’s pretty rare to find a blog about breakfast options in Cusco that doesn’t mention Jack’s Cafe. It’s actually located just down the street from Cicciolina and every time we walked by there was a line out the door. They have done a great job providing locals and tourists with a hearty breakfast. They are known as an “American style cafe with Australian roots.”
We split the Gordo Breakfast and it was plenty between the two of us! The pesto baked tomato was my favorite part and Jake loved the bacon. Keep in mind Jack’s only accepts Cash. Click the link to learn more about Jack’s Cafe.
Lunch at Ceviche Kitchen
We had just arrived in Cusco after 27 hours of travel. We were tired, gross and more than anything, HANGRY. We kept trying to find a place a local had told us about but failed and thought, well shit they have good reviews on TripAdvisor, let’s give them a try. WOW WOW WOW. I am so glad we did!
Ceviche Kitchen was such an awesome place. It had a nice open space upstairs looking over Plaza de Armas and some of the best food and service we had when visiting Peru!
We loved their open kitchen and the staff took the time to ask us how our day was and what we planned to try for lunch.
We ended up ordering their house ceviche (some of our favorite Ceviche we had during our time in Peru) and we also tried their Trout special of the day. Both were fantastic!
*Remember prices might be a little higher here because it is located right in the square*
Not only was the service and food incredible but this was the view from our table! Once, again if you time it right there are two tables right next to the window that offer this great view, but if you don’t get them don’t worry you can still see it from most of the tables! Click the link to learn more about Ceviche Kitchen.
Backup Lunch Option: Restaurant Inkazuela
This is a restaurant that was hard to get into because they were closed (even though their sign out front said
They accept credit card here but only Visa. Click the link to learn more about Restaurant Inkazuela.
Dinner at Organika
For some of the most beautiful and farm to table dishes, head to Organika. We had such amazing service here from, Mauricio, and the food was delicious as well! We had read about it and were told by friends we had to go prior to visiting Cusco and happened to stumble upon it when we were doing some exploring. It’s located just 10 minutes from the square and there’s actually a really beautiful viewpoint of the city just around the corner. When we walked by we spoke with the hosts and they were SO sweet, we came back for dinner that night and just loved this place!
We started off with their ceviche and it was so beautifully plated and it tasted incredible! I loved the sweet potato puree.
We were told Peru doesn’t have the best red wines but there are a couple and Intipalka was one a local had told us to try and they have it offered at Organika. We tried the Cabernet Sauvignon and loved it!
*If you’re a lightweight like me, be careful, with an elevation of 14,000 this wine had me feeling
For our
If you are looking for an awesome dinner spot in Cusco, Organika is a must try! I would say it was on the expensive end for Cusco. I think we spent around $70 for everything plus tip but it was SO worth it, in the U.S. this meal would have easily cost over $150 plus tip. At this moment they only accept cash. Click the link to learn more about Organika.
Backup Dinner Option: Pachapapa
We were told by our guide on the Inca Trail that when we got back to Cusco we had to try
To be honest, I thought the guinea pig was pretty disgusting. It was like chicken but I don’t know, worst. As you can see from the picture it is pretty nuts how they serve it whole, eyeballs, claws and all. But when in Cusco right? I preferred their awesome appetizers (we tried most of them and I loved them all) and our friend Jo got the short ribs and said they were great! FYI, hey bring the Guinea pig out to you whole to see and take a picture and then take it back and cut it up for you. (pictured below)
I do think when you’re in Cusco ya gotta at least try it. Jake ordered it and I just had a bite but it definitely isn’t something I’d order again. But as for the other food, ambience (adorable outdoor seating area) and service, I’d definitely recommend coming here for dinner. Click the link to learn more about Pachapapa.
SOME OTHER RESTAURANTS IN CUCSO I’D RECOMMEND
El Paisa
Our guide told us about this place as well! They are known for great local fare and they specialize in ceviche.
Balcony Restaurant at Hotel Plaza de Armas
We stayed here for two nights and loved the hotel! I wasn’t in love with their food but their drinks and sweets were great and the view of Plaza de Armas from their balcony is awesome.
Greens Organic
This is a great place for vegan and vegetarian options. I loved their vegetable quinoa soup and they serve local beer here too!
El Francesito
This was one of the restaurants that said they were open and ended up being closed(even on a Friday night), their reviews looked great but we never made it to them so if you ever go let me know what you think!
Baco
This is the sister restaurant of Cicciolina. We came here for more awesome Pisco Sours and we had their ribs (pictured below) and loved them.
Have you been to Cusco and tried any of these restaurants!? What were your favorites? Any we missed and I need to try if I ever go back!? To read more blogs about Peru click, HERE.
