Cuzco Restaurants

Inka Grill, Portal de Panes 115, Plaza de Armas, Cuzco – $10 – Tel: (084) 262992

This is, according to many, the best food in town with some excellent “Novo Andean” cuisine on offer. This means they use native ingredients and revived Andean recipes alongside more modern and innovative cooking techniques to create some excellent and intriguing dining options. They also have a wide selection of vegetarian dishes, hearty home-made pasta, delicious coffee and sumptuous takeaway pastries to feast on. Good service is at hand with attentive staff.

Tunupa, Portal Confiturias 233, 2nd Floor, Plaza de Armas, Cuzco - $10 – Tel: (084) 252963

This is another offering on the Plaza de Armas with a large variety of food. Options include a fabulous dinner buffet with meat, seafood, vegetables and traditional Peruvian fare. It usually caters for groups meaning there is usually a lively and jovial atmosphere. There is an evening show every day with colorful Andean musicians and Dancers or alternatively there are seats and tables with an excellent view of Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas.

Inkanto, Portal de Carnes 254, Plaza de Armas, Cuzco - $11 – Tel: (084) 222642

Pristine décor greets guests to Inkanto with crisp white tablecloths and good quality furnishings. The food does not disappoint – this is chiefly Italian cuisine with fantastic pizza, pasta and risotto enough to make your mouth water without even considering the freshly baked bread rolls with olive oil and balsamic vinegar that come as an aperitif. A great option for those looking for some fine Italian food on the square.

Cicciolina, Triunfo 393, Cuzco - $11 – Tel: (084) 239510

This is another Mediterranean offering with Italian food again taking center place but by no means the exclusive option. Tasty aperitifs include shellfish marinated in coconut milk with Asian spices. The entrées feature Italian pastas – one particularly good dish is the Lamb Ragu which has an outstanding sauce. Moroccan spices also feature and even the odd Peruvian number – Causa de Cuy is a delicious pureed potato dish with fresh lime and – you guessed it – Guinea Pig, an Andean delicacy that has been eaten for centuries.

Granja de Heidi, Cuesta San Blas 525, 2nd Floor, San Blas, Cuzco - $4-$5 – Tel: (084) 238383

A fresh-from-the-farm restaurant with top quality local ingredients, Granja de Heidi is a great value restaurant in the San Blas district of Cuzco. Wonderfully healthy home cooking is the order of the day with a range of locally inspired dishes infused with the style of the pleasant German chef-owner. Vegetarian options are also available, with the rocoto relleno (stuffed red chilli pepper) a definite hit for those who can handle their spices. The desserts are simply exquisite – try the Chocolate fudge cake which will leave you in awe of how chocolate can actually be made to taste that good.

Chez Maggy, Procuradores 344, 365, 374, Cuzco - $5 - Tel: (084) 234861

Maggy’s always has a great atmosphere with backpackers and it offers a great value meal with Peruvian, Mexican and Italian food all on the menu. Particular favorites are pizza and the ravioli dishes, an excellent take on the Italian original with their own distinct Andean influences and flavors.  There are three locations on Procuradores Street though the last one on the left probably has the most authentic and rustic character.

El Molino, Plateros 339, Cuzco - $5

This is another excellent pizza and pasta restaurant tucked away close by to the plaza de Armas. It is locally owned and has a cozy and intimate environment with wooden tables and colorful painted murals on the walls. It is beautifully warmed by the central wood stove that cooks delicious flavors of pizza with crusty and thin hand-rolled dough. Try the Ham, mushroom and pepper special, some salty anchovies with olives or stick to simple pepperoni and cheese - there is even an experimental fruit calzone for those who are looking for something a bit sweeter.