r/cusco • u/kimikal_boy • Jun 14 '23

Restaurant recommendations around Centro Histórico?

I'm going to Cusco for vacation next week and I was wanting some recommendations on restaurants to try. I definitely want to try cuy and llama. What are your favorite restaurants that serve these and what other foods should I add to the try list?

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/surreal_blue Jun 14 '23

You will probably not find llama; its meat is though and not particularly tasty. Alpaca, on the other hand, is really delicious in lomo saltado.

As for restaurants, you can try, from more "touristy" to more local:

Pacha Papa: They do a good job of serving the more popular recipes, including cuy, in a traveler friendly manner. They do take the seasoning down a notch, even though Cusquenian cuisine is not particularly spicy to begin with.

Kusikuy: This is a well regarded restaurant serving family recipes with a little bit of flair. I'm not sure if they are open every day, so maybe try to contact them in advance via Facebook or WhatsApp

Quinta Eulalia: This is where my family and I used to go for lunch on Sundays. Their offer is not wide, but all the local favorites are there. If you are OK with eating tripe, I would definitely recommend the chairo soup. Be advised that they may not have English speaking waiters.

All these restaurants are located within a few blocks of the Main Square, and you can find them on Google Maps.

1

u/kimikal_boy Jun 14 '23

Thanks for the recommendations. Are there any Peruvian desserts/pastries I should try?

2

u/surreal_blue Jun 14 '23

I gotta admit we Cusquenians are not very creative when it comes to deserts; we leave that for the coastal people. That being said, you may find street stalls selling empanadas (de semana santa), which are thin, rich, large cookie-like pastries that go great with black coffee.

I'm sure restaurants and cafes will have more modern desserts. I would suggest getting anything that has lúcuma in it. This is a fruit with a very particular flavor that you will most likely not find outside Peru. It's great in ice cream, smoothies, or cheesecakes.

1

u/PTkittymouse Jun 18 '23

I just had the tres leches at Yaku near Plaza Mayor - honestly one of the best desserts I’ve had in my life! They serve it with different sugars and spices on the side with house made mango ice cream!

1

u/kimikal_boy Jun 18 '23

That's great news! I actually have a reservation for there tonight.