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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
5 signature dishes, 3 food-forward neighborhoods, and the etiquette you actually need to know.
Must-try dishes
Cuy Chactado
$15–$25
Deep-fried guinea pig, flattened and seasoned, offering a crispy skin and tender meat. It's a traditional delicacy with a unique, earthy flavor profile.
Where to try: Picanterías in the San Blas neighborhood
Lomo Saltado
$10–$18
A flavorful stir-fry of beef strips, onions, tomatoes, and french fries, often served with rice. The fusion of Peruvian and Chinese influences creates a savory and satisfying dish.
Where to try: Chifa restaurants throughout the city, such as Chifa Chung King
Aji de Gallina
$8–$15
Shredded chicken in a creamy, yellow chili pepper sauce made with walnuts and cheese, served over rice. It’s a comforting and subtly spicy dish, a staple of Peruvian home cooking.
Where to try: Traditional Peruvian restaurants like Mama Awqa
Rocoto Relleno
$9–$16
Spicy rocoto peppers stuffed with seasoned ground meat, peas, carrots, and topped with cheese, then baked. It's a fiery and flavorful dish, often served with a side of potato.
Where to try: Local eateries in the San Blas and San Cristobal districts
Chairo Cusqueño
$5–$10
A hearty Andean soup made with chuño (freeze-dried potatoes), lamb or beef, wheat, vegetables, and herbs. It's a warming and nutritious soup, perfect for the high altitude.
Where to try: Mercado Central de San Blas (San Blas Market)
Where locals eat — best neighborhoods
San Blas
Artisan, bohemian, and charmingly historic
Traditional picanteríasArtisan cafesUnique local finds
Centro Histórico (Plaza de Armas)
Bustling, grand, and tourist-centric
Upscale Peruvian diningInternational cuisinePeople-watching
Mercado Central de San Pedro
Vibrant, chaotic, and authentic market experience
Street food stallsFresh produce tastingLocal snacks
Dietary notes
Peruvian cuisine is traditionally meat-heavy, with cuy (guinea pig), alpaca, and beef being common. However, vegetarian options are increasingly available, especially in tourist areas, often featuring quinoa, corn, and various potatoes. Gluten-free diets can be managed as many dishes are naturally based on corn and potatoes.
Local etiquette
- •Tipping is usually around 10% in restaurants if a service charge isn't already included.
- •Carry some Peruvian Soles (PEN) for smaller purchases and markets, though cards are accepted in many tourist-oriented establishments.
- •Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants, especially on weekend evenings.
- •It's customary to try a little of everything offered to you, especially in home settings.
- •Lunch is typically the largest meal of the day, often eaten between 1 PM and 3 PM.
Plan the rest of your Cusco trip
Food guides elsewhere