Peru · tool
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
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.
Lomo Saltado
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.
Aji de Gallina
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.
Rocoto Relleno
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.
Chairo Cusqueño
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 locals eat — best neighborhoods
Artisan, bohemian, and charmingly historic
Bustling, grand, and tourist-centric
Vibrant, chaotic, and authentic market experience
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