"Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant Though better known for its high-quality, wide-ranging craft beer menu, Mapacho, in Aguas Calientes, merits culinary attention, too, regional suds or no. Lunch and dinner choices are varied and delicious with choices like trout ceviche and osso buco, as well as a wide selection of Peruvian favorites like lomo saltado (a Peruvian beef stir-fry). The atmosphere is casual; service top-notch. Arrive early or late to snag a coveted river-view table."

"One of the city’s top restaurants, Cicciolina offers Italian-style dishes with a Peruvian flair, such as quinoa-encrusted prawns and osso buco with pumpkin ravioli topped by local cheese and a touch of Andean mint. There’s plenty to choose from, including seafood, duck, beef, alpaca, chicken, and even a few vegetarian dishes, as well as perfectly done handmade pasta. You can pick from either the tapas or the full-restaurant menu in the bar area, but not the other way around, so you may want to go twice, as the tapas are fabulous, too. A great wine list and yummy desserts finish out options in a small, lovely venue. Reservations are a must."

"For something “light” (think sandwiches, quiche, or sinfully delicious pastries) and indeed, for some of the mellowest java in town, La Boulangerie is a top recommendation. The fine pastry work of its Parisian owner assures a brief trip to the ville lumière with every bite. In addition to the great taste, the bakery is conveniently located across the bridge from the artisan market, just above where the buses leave for Machu Picchu, and opens at 5:00 a.m.Everything aligns to make this a great spot to pick up caffeine and carbs to fuel early morning visits to the archaeological site—and great for a post-hike pick-me-up."

"The Tree House Restaurant You have to climb a few steps to reach this romantic restaurant, but it’s worth the effort, even after Machu Picchu. Beautifully presented dishes range from beef tenderloin to grilled trout with golden aguaymanto berries. The Tree House is one of Aguas Calientes’s best places to try alpaca steak, yet vegetarians find tempting options, too, like ravioli with goat cheese and mushrooms. The tight dining room, nestled in the boughs, is romantic and dreamy. Be sure to make reservations."

"Al Fresco Lunch, Guinea Pig Optional I planned on grabbing a quick lunch at Pacha Papa, located in San Blas Square, the heart of Cusco's artist and gallery neighborhood. But I ended up spending a couple of hours in the lovely outdoor courtyard, talking to my wonderful server, Ever, and the owners about Cusco and Peru 's bright future. They do serve Cusco's local delicacy, guinea pig, but I opted for"

"One thing you’ll likely notice when walking the streets of Cuzco is how many places advertise pizza. If you’re dying for a slice, there’s no better spot than La Cantina. Primarily a wine bar—bottles of all-Italian vintages line the walls—this place also happens to serve the best pizza in town, with a delicately thin crust topped with ingredients like authentic salami, prosciutto, arugula, olives, a variety of cheeses, and more. You’ll also find imported meat and cheese plates, lasagna, bruschetta, and salads. If you’re lucky, there’s tiramisu at the meal’s end, plus artisanal limoncello. Go for the wine, but be sure to try the food while you’re there."

"Peru'scoffee beans feed a global passion. Learn more about the process behind the brew with atrip to the Museo del Café. Taking part in a two-hour workshopwill showyou how to identify the best coffee, prepare the perfect cup, and even create foamy art with lattes. The cost of the workshop includes an eight-ounce bag of beans, and there’s plenty more available to purchase for gifts. Interested in coffee but don’t want to lose two hours of prime vacation time? Step over to the on-site café, where the barista will be happy to explain several possible brew methods so you can taste-test on your own. The place offers everything from breakfasts and quick bites to full meals—all delicious—as well as yummy pisco drinks."

"Few places can beat MAP Café for atmosphere. Located in the courtyard of Cuzco ’s Pre-Columbian art museum (itself housed in a colonial mansion), the restaurantfeatures all-glass walls for a privileged view. The fusion menu matches the ambience, including unique takes on local favorites such as adobo cusqueño —the tenderest of slow-cooked porks—as well as signature dishes like chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and raisins. The desserts are such works of art you’re sure to want a photo before digging in. After six, the prix-fixe menu provides the perfect way to sample different flavors."

"When you’re craving that burger—but aren’t ready to leave South America—pop into Papacho’s where, they say, “everything is burgerable,” complete with a side of sweet potato fries or yummy onion rings. Gringo-style sandwich lovers are advised to let go of preconceived notions and embrace Pan-American ingredients like plantain, ají, recoto sauce, and other Peruvian standbys. Wash it down with something from the lively bar, where gin-tonics and pisco-everythings are mixed ponedor style, i.e., stiff."

"Offering traditional Peruvian dishes as well as others with more of a gourmet-fusion twist, this restaurant is an object lesson in using a country’s gastronomical variety to the very fullest. In particular, it’s one of the best places in Cuzco to try alpaca steak, which is grilled to perfection and served with a variety of sauces such as mango and ginger, mushrooms, or good old salt and pepper. A lovely rooftop terrace with fabulous city views is a great spot to try some mighty tasty pisco cocktails. The bar also features a plethora of infused piscos (think fruits, spices, and even chili peppers), which are great fun."

"Limo offers Peruvian fusion par excellence that uses typical ingredients in daring new ways. It’s particularly known for fish, including many types of sushi, as well as a variety of entrées that feature tuna, shrimp, octopus, crab, salmon, or trout, some inspired by Andean recipes, others taken from the Japanese tradition. Not a seafood lover? No problem! Limo also has delicious options featuring chicken, pork, beef, and alpaca. This second-floor restaurant overlooking the Plaza de Armas is also a great place for sampling pisco cocktails. Reservations are a good idea, especially if you’d like to score a balcony table with a town-square view."

"Chullpi Chullpi is a top choice for haute cuisine Peruvian-style. Its chefs insist on Cuzco -adjacent ingredient sourcing that supports local economies, at the same time keeping traditional dishes like cuy (a regional guinea pig species) relevant through contemporary iterations. The flavors are fabulous and the presentation winningly incorporates local history, such as using a serving dish carved to look like the circular terraces at Moray or presenting a pressed guinea pig on skewers over a small fire made of palo santo , a local incense. Portion sizes can be small—the perfect excuse to order more."