🍽️ Where to Eat in Cusco: 5 Must-Try Restaurants Before (or After) the Inca Trail
There’s something magical about Cusco.
Maybe it’s the altitude. Maybe it’s the energy of a city perched between ancient empires and world-famous trails. Or maybe it’s just that the food scene here is ridiculously good.
Before and after trekking the Inca Trail, I always make time in Cusco—not just to acclimatise, but to eat. Because hidden among its cobbled streets and colonial architecture are restaurants that rival anything you’ll find in Lima, or even further afield.
Here are five of my favourite spots to eat in Cusco, from Peruvian classics to hidden gems—starting with a place that surprised me in the best way possible.
🔥 1. UCHU Peruvian Steakhouse – Where Fire and Flavour Meet
Let’s start strong: UCHU is hands-down one of the best meals I’ve ever had in the Andes.
Tucked away on a quiet street just off the Plaza de Armas, UCHU is a modern Peruvian steakhouse that does one thing exceptionally well: serve sizzling cuts of meat (and fish, and alpaca) on volcanic stone slabs, still smoking as they reach your table.
It’s interactive. It’s delicious. And it’s the perfect mix of traditional and contemporary. You get native Peruvian ingredients like quinoa, aji amarillo and choclo, but plated with the kind of finesse that wouldn’t be out of place in a capital city.
What to order:
• The alpaca steak is incredible—lean, tender, and beautifully seasoned
• Try the sauces that come with your hot stone—they’re addictive
• Pair it with a chilled Cusqueña Negra beer and settle in
🌿 2. Green Point – Plant-Based Without Pretension
Even if you’re a full-time carnivore, Green Point is worth a stop.
This plant-based restaurant has built a bit of a cult following for good reason: it’s fresh, creative, and completely satisfying.
Tucked into the San Blas district, it feels more like a garden café than a traditional restaurant. The menu rotates seasonally, but always includes local ingredients with a global twist. Think Peruvian curry, quinoa risotto, and smoky jackfruit sandwiches.
Ideal for: A lighter meal before the trail, or a gut-friendly detox when you’re back from the mountains.
🐟 3. Ceviche Seafood Kitchen – Fresh, Sharp, and Unexpected
Right on the Plaza de Armas (but somehow still reasonably priced), Ceviche Seafood Kitchen does exactly what it says on the tin—and does it really well.
If you’ve never had Amazonian-style ceviche, this is the place to try it. It’s zippy, citrus-forward, and full of unexpected textures. Bonus points for the pisco sours, which are some of the best I’ve had in town.
Go for:
• The ceviche trio tasting board
• Grilled octopus with aji panca
• A crisp white wine or chicha morada
🥟 4. Chicha by Gastón Acurio – Big Name, Big Flavour
Gastón Acurio is Peru’s most famous chef, and Chicha is his Cusco offering. It’s elegant without being stuffy, and the food here tells a story.
From highland trout with purple corn sauce to crispy pork belly with native tubers, this is a masterclass in regional Peruvian cuisine done right.
It’s the kind of place you go for a celebratory meal—maybe after reaching Machu Picchu, or even the night before you set off. It’s got atmosphere, warmth, and incredible attention to detail.
Booking ahead is highly recommended.
🧀 5. Jack’s Café – Backpacker Classic, Still Brilliant
Sometimes after the trail, you want something familiar. Big plates, hot coffee, maybe a stack of pancakes the size of your face.
Jack’s has been serving that up for years—and for good reason. It’s hearty, friendly, and full of character. Not a traditional Peruvian restaurant, but a Cusco institution that’s helped many a trekker refuel.
Perfect for: A relaxed brunch after four days of hiking and trail food.
🧭 Planning to Hike the Inca Trail?
Cusco is where your journey starts. And trust me—it’s worth arriving a day or two early just for the food.
We run small-group, expert-led Inca Trail treks, with time built in for you to acclimatise, explore, and yes—eat.
✔️ Fully guided 4-day classic trail
✔️ Local porters, amazing camp food, expert support
✔️ Time in Cusco before and after the trail
➡️ View our full Inca Trail trip here
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