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Cusco food guide
Signature dishes, best food neighborhoods, and the dining etiquette that actually matters — all specific to Cusco.
What to eat in Cusco
6 signature dishes, 3 food-forward neighborhoods, and the etiquette you actually need to know.
Must-try dishes
Cuy Chactado
Deep-fried guinea pig, flattened and seasoned, offering a crispy skin and tender meat with a unique gamey flavor. It's a ceremonial dish with deep historical roots in the Andes.
Lomo Saltado
A flavorful stir-fry of beef strips, onions, tomatoes, and french fries, often served with rice. This dish showcases the fusion of Peruvian and Chinese culinary influences.
Aji de Gallina
Shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spicy sauce made with yellow chili peppers (ají amarillo), bread, nuts, and milk, typically served over rice. It's a comforting and richly flavored classic.
Chiri Uchu
A cold, layered platter traditionally served during Corpus Christi, featuring a variety of ingredients like cuy, chicken, charqui (dried meat), cheese, corn, eggs, and seaweed. It's a complex dish representing Andean biodiversity.
Sopa de Quinua
A hearty and nourishing soup made with quinoa, vegetables, and sometimes meat. It's a staple that highlights the importance of quinoa in Andean diets.
Rocoto Relleno
Spicy rocoto peppers stuffed with seasoned ground meat, vegetables, and topped with cheese, then baked. It's a flavorful and fiery dish originating from Arequipa but popular in Cusco.
Where locals eat — best neighborhoods
Bohemian and artistic, with narrow cobblestone streets lined with artisan workshops and charming restaurants.
Bustling and central, surrounded by colonial architecture, Inca ruins, and a wide array of dining options from casual to formal.
Vibrant and chaotic, a true sensory experience offering fresh produce, local snacks, juices, and affordable prepared meals.
Dietary notes
Peruvian cuisine is traditionally meat-heavy, with cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca being common. However, quinoa and vegetable-based dishes like 'Sopa de Quinua' and various vegetable stews are widely available, and many restaurants can adapt dishes to be vegetarian or vegan upon request.
Local etiquette
- •Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory; 10% is standard for good service in restaurants.
- •Carry some Peruvian Soles (PEN) for smaller purchases and markets, though major establishments accept credit cards.
- •Meal times are generally earlier than in some Western countries, with lunch typically between 1 PM and 3 PM, and dinner from 7 PM to 9 PM.
- •When trying cuy, it's often served whole; it's polite to show respect for the tradition.
Plan the rest of your Cusco trip
Food guides elsewhere