Cusco has become one of Peru’s most exciting food cities. Beyond classic Andean fare, you’ll find chef-driven kitchens, plant-based pioneers, creative street food—and yes, a small French expat scene serving cozy raclette in the Andes. This Cusco food guide is built to help curious, responsible travelers decide where to eat in Cusco without falling for tourist traps. It blends Travel Differently’s own picks with up-to-date research and local favorites, then groups everything by vibe, diet, and neighborhood so you can eat well and walk more.
Don’t miss:
- Cuy al horno (oven-roasted guinea pig) – order in advance; takes ~1h in traditional spots.
- Chupe/chuño soups – great for Day-1 altitude.
- Alpaca (grilled or on stone) – lean, tender, uniquely Andean.
- Choclo con queso – giant-kernel corn + fresh cheese (market snack).
- Picarones – pumpkin/sweet-potato doughnuts with chancaca syrup (evenings).
How to use this guide (and eat responsibly)
- Plan by area. Most top tables cluster around Plaza de Armas and bohemian San Blas, so you can plan days that are walkable and lower-impact.
- Reserve dinners. Morena, Uchu, Mauka, MAP Café and Cicciolina book out in high season—reserve to avoid lines. (grupomorena.com)
- Eat seasonal & local. Prioritize kitchens that showcase Andean biodiversity (native potatoes, corn, quinoa) and local meats (alpaca, trout). Mauka, Campo and Morena are strong examples. (Belmond)
- Pace yourself at altitude. Start light on Day 1 (soups, veggies), then lean into meats and tasting menus after you acclimatize.
Planning Peru beyond the plate? Build your days around these low-impact itineraries: Peru in a Flash • 3 Days in Peru • Budget-friendly Peru 12 days. They’re all designed to keep transfers reasonable and experiences local.
The French corner (San Blas): raclette & crêpes in the Andes
Le Buffet Francés — the original raclette address
A cozy, owner-run bakery-bistro beloved for raclette nights, house breads, pâtés, quiches and chocolate desserts. Expect friendly, multilingual service and prices that won’t scare you off after a trek. Check their socials or drop by midday to confirm raclette evenings and availability. (Tripadvisor)
Best for: homesick cheese lovers, chill date night, or a carb-happy brunch before museums.
Where: San Blas (Atoq Saykuchi area). (Facebook)
MASHA Charcutería Andina — Andean raclette with a view
An intimate two-level hideaway pairing raclette with Andean cheeses and charcuterie, plus pastas and a thoughtful wine list. Book for raclette; the upstairs tables come with twinkly city views and owner-led hospitality. (Tripadvisor)
La Boulangerie de París – Crêpería (Centro/Plateros)
French-run crêperie for sweet & savory crêpes, waffles, viennoiseries and specialty coffee—an easy “best breakfast in Cusco” contender and a good mid-afternoon stop. (Tripadvisor)
Also French in San Blas: La Bo’M Crêperie, a beloved Franco-Peruvian spot (and backpacker guesthouse) with daily crêpe service 11:00–22:00. (La Bo'M)
Fine dining & “special night out” (near Plaza de Armas)
Morena Peruvian Kitchen — modern Peruvian with plaza views
A polished favorite for creative takes on classics (alpaca risotto, bright ceviches) in a chic room steps from the Plaza de Armas. Book ahead. (grupomorena.com)
Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse — alpaca on volcanic stone
Cusco’s steakhouse icon: volcanic-stone searing, deep sauces, and warm service in a colonial house; veggie sides and cocktails hold their own. Reserve. (uchu.pe)
Mauka by Pía León (Palacio Nazarenas) — terroir-driven tasting
The cheffiest table in town from Pía León (Kjolle/Central). Expect hyper-local Andean biodiversity reframed through contemporary technique; ideal for a celebration dinner. (Belmond)
MAP Café — the glass-box classic
A long-loved contemporary Andean restaurant inside the Pre-Columbian Art Museum courtyard—elegant service, prix-fixe formats, and a quietly iconic setting. (MAP Cusco)
Cicciolina — tapas & pasta with an Andean accent (San Blas edge)
Tapas at the bar or a more formal dining room upstairs in a colonial house; reservations recommended. (cicciolinacuzco.com)
Editor’s short-list for “Cusco fine dining”: Mauka (tasting), MAP Café (elegant contemporary), Morena (stylish modern Peruvian), Uchu (meat temple), Cicciolina (tapas-meets-Peru). Recent editor roundups also spotlight Mauka and Green Point for plant-based excellence.
Modern Andean crowd-pleasers
LOCAL Restaurante (San Blas) — seasonal, design-forward, easy to love
A breezy San Blas favorite for updated Andean plates (including a solid alpaca burger), brunch, and cocktails. Great mix of locals and travelers; open all day. (Tripadvisor)
KUSYKAY Peruvian Craft Food — generous plates, friendly service
Creative “craft” cooking close to the center; reliable hours (daily 12:00–22:00) and a broad menu make it an easy yes. (Kusykay)
Campo Cocina Andina — tradition, polished
From the Morena group: a refined celebration of Cusqueñan recipes (from cuy to hearty chupes) in an elegant yet relaxed room. (grupomorena.com)
Vegetarian & vegan restaurants in Cusco
Green Point (San Blas) — plant-based pioneer
Cusco’s most famous vegan address: generous brunches, playful pastas and curries, “mushroom ceviche,” and a leafy garden vibe. Check their daily menu and cooking classes. (greenpointcusco.com)
Also consider: Jack’s Café (omnivore with vegan/veg options)—a perennial best breakfast in Cusco favorite for big plates and good coffee. (Tripadvisor)
Local food, zero-frills institutions (for the brave and hungry)
- La Cusqueñita Tradicional Picantería — rustic picantería loved by locals for chicharrón, adobo, and (on select days) cuy al horno; expect bustling midday hours. (Tripadvisor)
- Nuna Raymi — central, traditional-leaning menu with a focus on Andean ingredients; a comfortable bridge from tourist menus to real local flavors. (Tripadvisor)
- Sumaqcha — family-run, fireplace vibes, and straightforward Cusco classics (including cuy). (Tripadvisor)
- Pachapapa — the photogenic San Blas standard for oven-roasted cuy (budget ~1 hour of cook time). (Tripadvisor)
Want more from our own vault? Our earlier TD round-up also highlighted Green Point, Sumaqcha, Nuna Raymi and Marcelo Batata as reliable Cusco choices.
Street food & markets: eat like a local
Start at San Pedro Market for fresh juices, soups, trout, and quick plates; mornings are best, lunch is lively. In the evenings, look for anticuchos (often beef heart), tamales, choclo con queso, and syrup-drizzled picarones—the perfect sweet finish on a cool Cusco night. (Tripadvisor)
Where to eat in San Blas (bohemian hillside)
- French & raclette: Le Buffet Francés, MASHA. (Tripadvisor)
- Modern Andean / brunch: LOCAL. (Tripadvisor)
- Tapas & pasta: Cicciolina. (cicciolinacuzco.com)
- Crêpes: La Bo’M. (La Bo'M)
- Vegan garden: Green Point. (greenpointcusco.com)
A practical 3-day plan (balanced, sustainable, not touristy)
Day 1 (arrival & acclimatization):
- Lunch: Green Point (light, plant-based; easy on altitude). (greenpointcusco.com)
- Coffee & crêpe: La Boulangerie de París (Plateros). (Tripadvisor)
- Dinner: Uchu (book an early seating; volcanic-stone alpaca). (uchu.pe)
Day 2 (museums & San Blas):
- Breakfast: Jack’s Café (big plates + veg options). (Tripadvisor)
- Lunch: Morena Peruvian Kitchen (creative, steps from the plaza). (grupomorena.com)
- Dinner: MASHA raclette (reserve upstairs for the views). (Tripadvisor)
Day 3 (markets & celebration):
- Morning: San Pedro Market + a street-food stroll (try picarones). (Tripadvisor)
- Dinner: Mauka tasting menu or MAP Café (book ahead). (Belmond)
Anti–tourist-trap checklist (use before you book)
- Owner-led or chef-driven? Signs of care: seasonal menus, clear sourcing, and staff that can talk about ingredients. (See Mauka/Campo/Morena for benchmarks.) (Belmond)
- Recent reviews? Skim the latest comments on the specific dishes you want (e.g., raclette nights at MASHA/Le Buffet, or alpaca at Uchu). (Tripadvisor)
- Smart timing. Book dinner slots; hit markets early; pace heavy meats after Day 1. (Tripadvisor)
Quick index: best picks by intent
- Where to eat in Cusco (fast answer): Green Point (lunch), Uchu (dinner), Morena (creative), MASHA/Le Buffet Francés (raclette), Cicciolina (tapas), MAP Café or Mauka (splurge). (greenpointcusco.com)
- Cusco vegetarian restaurants: Green Point; Jack’s Café (veg-friendly). (greenpointcusco.com)
- French restaurants Cusco / raclette Cusco: Le Buffet Francés; MASHA Charcutería Andina. (Tripadvisor)
- San Blas restaurants Cusco: LOCAL, Cicciolina, Green Point, MASHA, Le Buffet Francés, La Bo’M. (Tripadvisor)
- Cusco street food: San Pedro Market (juices/soups), evening anticucho stalls, picarones for dessert. (Tripadvisor)
- Cusco fine dining: Mauka, MAP Café, Morena, Uchu, Cicciolina. (Belmond)
Final word: how this list was built
We blended Travel Differently’s prior Peru restaurant article (which already recommended Green Point, Nuna Raymi, Sumaqcha, Marcelo Batata) with fresh 2024–2025 confirmations from official sites, reputable guides and current traveler feedback, then filtered for authenticity, value and sustainability. Recent editorial guides echo standouts like Mauka, MAP Café, Uchu, Morena, Green Point, and Cicciolina—a strong cross-section for travelers who want the real Cusco. (Condé Nast Traveler)
FAQ section (targets long-tail; doubles as schema)
Where to eat in Cusco for one night only?
Book Uchu for alpaca on hot stone or Morena for modern Peruvian near the Plaza; both are walkable and consistently top-rated.
Where to find authentic restaurants in Cusco away from tourist traps?
Head up to San Blas for chef-led spots like LOCAL, MASHA, Le Buffet Francés, and Green Point; expect smaller dining rooms, seasonal menus, and owner presence.
Is Cusco good for vegetarians/vegans?
Absolutely—Green Point leads the scene, and most modern Andean menus (Morena, LOCAL) offer creative veg plates.
Raclette in Cusco—really?
Yes—MASHA and Le Buffet Francés run raclette nights using Andean cheeses; reserve ahead.
Best breakfast in Cusco?
Try La Boulangerie de París for crêpes/pastries, Green Point for a big vegan brunch, or a market juice at San Pedro.
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