Peru is now a top choice for food lovers worldwide. While Machu Picchu is still the star, Cusco’s fine dining spots are a must-see. This city mixes foods from many cultures like Italian, French, and others to make unique dishes. In 2016, Travel & Leisure named it one of the best cities in the world. This proves it’s perfect for anyone who loves great food. In this guide, you will discover the best fine dining restaurants in Cusco.
Top 11 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Cusco
You might want to discover the 11 Top Hotels Closest to Plaza de Armas, Cusco.
Elegant Dining in a Royal Setting: Illariy and El Tupay
Looking for top-notch dining in Cusco? Illariy and El Tupay are spots you can’t miss. They are inside the Belmond Monasterio Hotel, offering a dining experience fit for royals.
Illariy has a beautiful colonial patio and great views. It’s perfect for those who love Novo Andean and international food. Try their alpaca tenderloin or the duck-and-rice stew for a fantastic meal.
El Tupay, at the Belmond Monasterio Hotel, feels like a royal meal. Enjoy the poached kingfish or the rack of lamb, both amazing dishes. They also offer perfect wine pairings to elevate your meal.
At both places, the service is top-notch. The staff makes sure every part of your meal is just right. The wine list is also carefully picked for the perfect taste with your food.
If you want a fancy lunch or dinner, Illariy and El Tupay are ideal. They combine great settings, amazing food, and excellent service. These restaurants are a top choice for fine dining in Cusco.
Innovative Gastronomy at Senzo
In the heart of Cusco is the Senzo restaurant. It’s located at the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Hotel. Here, you’ll find a unique gastronomic adventure featuring textures, flavors, and herbs from the area.
Senzo blends traditional Andean food-making methods with new culinary art. We have a menu full of standout Peruvian dishes. This includes everything from traditional soups like Chairo to special dishes like confited guinea pig.
Our restaurant values sustainability and getting ingredients locally. We use fresh, flavorful produce and herbs in our food. Our chefs select special plants and flowers that not only look good but also taste great.
We also have a great selection of South American wines. They’re chosen to make the flavors of our food even better. No matter what you’re eating, there’s a wine that pairs perfectly with it.
The setting at Senzo is elegant, and the service is top-notch. It’s a memorable place that truly showcases the best of Peruvian food. Join us for a culinary celebration inspired by the Cusco and Andean cultures.
Pre-Columbian Art Museum’s Map Cafe
The Map Cafe is a hidden treasure inside the magnificent Pre-Columbian Art Museum in Cusco. It brings sophisticated dining with Peruvian, French, and Italian influences. You’ll eat under the museum’s stunning colonial architecture.
Walking into the glass pyramid cafe, you’re drawn to its quiet elegance. The courtyard’s artesanal shop tempts us with its unique crafts and artwork.
The menu offers a taste of Peru’s wide culinary heritage. We start with the creamy mushroom soup and trout tartare, a treat from the staff. Our main course features fresh trout with yellow-chili beurre blanc and quinoa cannelloni with truffle flavoring.
For dessert, we pick warm chocolate truffles and the special Satcha Inchi. The latter combines sesame, yogurt, coffee, and chocolate mousse.
Map Cafe uses local, top-notch ingredients in every dish. Chefs not only cook great but also present the food beautifully.
Finishing our meal, we feel deeply connected to the local culture. The surroundings mix the museum’s ancient and modern art with fine dining. This makes Map Cafe’s experience a unique blend of food and art.
fancy restaurants in cusco peru
When you’re in Cusco, Peru, don’t miss the chance to try its top fine dining. Incanto is a leading choice for a memorable meal. It mixes Andean and Italian flavors smoothly.
Incanto is near many downtown hotels and the bustling central square. It offers dishes like aji de gallina ravioli and alpaca loin. Pair these with a fine wine. The pasta is all homemade, showing the team’s care for the food’s quality.
The restaurant is cozy, with live harp music. It’s perfect for a special celebration or a great meal. Incanto’s mix of cuisines guarantees an amazing taste adventure.
Le Soleil: Cusco’s First Gourmet French Restaurant
Le Soleil is located in the heart of Cusco. It’s known as the city’s pioneer in gourmet French dining. It gives a real taste of French food and lifestyle. When you walk in, you feel like you’re in Paris. The place smells of fresh coffee and buzzes with talk.
Le Soleil’s menu mixes traditional French dishes with modern twists. It shows off the skills of their chefs. You can enjoy dishes like rillettes, confit de canard, and crème brûlée. They are made with top-quality local ingredients.
One highlight is their wine bar. It features many French wines. Enjoying a glass of wine from Bordeaux or Burgundy here is special. Their staff can help you pick the perfect wine for your meal.
Le Soleil is a top place to dine in Cusco if you love French food. It’s good for special events or just a great meal. This restaurant will make you feel like you’re in France. You’ll experience fine French dining in Cusco’s historic setting.
Greens Organic: Fresh Organic and Vegetarian Selections
Upstairs from the famous Incanto restaurant, you’ll find Greens Organic. It’s a hidden paradise for organic and vegetarian food lovers in Cusco. The restaurant’s ambiance is warm and natural, inviting guests to enjoy its locally sourced, seasonal menu.
The chefs at Greens Organic cook up delicious meals. These dishes highlight tasty asparagus, sweet potatoes, and more. Their special dish, Alpaca Medalions, combines lean alpaca meat with side dishes like yellow mashed potatoes and asparagus. They top it off with a tasty blue cheese sprinkle.
Also on the menu, there’s the Trout in a creamy lemon sauce. This dish is perfect for a light, satisfying meal. Dining at Greens Organic often includes a beautiful view of Plaza de Armas.
Greens Organic takes their wine list seriously, too. It’s perfect for matching your meal with a great drink. This spot is ideal for vegetarians and anyone who loves healthy, organic food. Greens Organic is a place where you can enjoy great food, feel good, and leave happy.
Chicha: Creativity of Peru’s Top Chef Gastón Acurio
In the center of Cusco, you’ll find Chicha. It’s a restaurant that celebrates Peru’s rich food history. Part of the Astrid & Gaston group, it brings creative dishes to the table. These dishes show off Peru’s diverse food culture. If you can’t get into the group’s flagship in Lima, Chicha is a great alternative. It lets you taste the inspired dishes of Peru’s famous chef, Gastón Acurio, right in Cusco.
Chicha’s menu is full of dishes using local ingredients. A top dish is the trout ceviche. It comes with corn, sweet potato, and mote. Mote is a special corn dish. Another standout is the guinea pig, also called ‘cuy’ in Peru. It’s a must-try for a different taste, almost like chicken. The pork belly is another favorite. It’s served with a creole salad, fried potatoes, and tasty sauces. These meals not only taste good but look amazing too.
Yet, Chicha may not suit everyone. Since many dishes contain animal products, it might not be ideal for vegetarians or vegans. Despite that, its location is top-notch. With views of Plaza Regocijo and the mountains, the setting is spectacular. This adds to the charm of the place.
Cusco is known for its food, falling just behind Lima in Peru. Because of this, Chicha is a place you don’t want to miss. It’s a treasure trove of creative and diverse Peruvian delights. Exploring Chicha means getting wrapped up in Gastón Acurio’s unique dishes. They showcase Peru’s deep and colorful food traditions. It’s an experience that truly celebrates what Peru offers to the world.
Casa Qorikancha: Peruvian Haute Cuisine and Tapas
In Cusco, right next to the Temple of the Sun, you’ll find Casa Qorikancha. This restaurant blends top-notch Peruvian dishes with tasty tapas. The place is designed with Neo Baroque style, featuring high ceilings and beautiful gold decorations. This design adds to the elegant atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the delicious food. You will find a lot of the best fine dining restaurants in Cusco.
One of their famous dishes is Arroz con Pato. It’s a flavored rice with a duck stew that’s very popular. Casa Qorikancha is known for its great Peruvian food and the best Pisco Sours in Cusco. They use local, quality ingredients, showing their dedication to a true Peruvian dining experience.
From reviews, 89% of their customers were very happy with their meal. The average price is about $50 for a three-course dinner, which is a good deal. Guests often recommend dishes like alpaca skewers, aji de gallina, lomo saltado, and quinoa-coated prawns.
Casa Qorikancha is a great choice for those who love fine dining or want to try authentic Peruvian food. Its unique Neo Baroque design and focus on excellent service set it apart. You won’t forget the experience of dining here.
Pachapapa: Andean Cuisine with a Contemporary Touch
Pachapapa sits in the lively San Blas district, offering a mix of Andean flavors and modern twists. It’s known for its casual yet enchanting ambiance. Visitors enjoy their meals with the sound of an Andean harp in the background.
The restaurant is wrapped in cherry and tumbo trees, creating an oasis in Cusco’s busy streets. Its menu features a variety of oven-baked meals and stir-fried beef options. This blend highlights Pachapapa’s aim to keep Andean food traditions alive, all with a modern touch.
Recognized as one of Cusco’s top 11 fine dining spots, Pachapapa is praised for its service and memorable meals. The prices reflect its high standing. For example, a glass of cava costs 20 Soles (£4.25 or US$7), and a main course like oven-roasted trout is 35 Soles (£7.50 or US$12.50).
Here, you can try special dishes such as roasted beef tenderloin or whole roasted guinea pig. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 11 pm. This way, everyone can enjoy Andean delicacies at their own time.
For a culinary journey that mixes old and new, visit Pachapapa. Let its unique blend of Andean cuisine and contemporary ideas delight your senses.
Baco: Flavors of South America in an Inviting Atmosphere
Nestled just across the JW Marriott Hotel in Cusco is Baco. It’s a large restaurant that welcomes you to try the bold tastes of South America. Once you enter, you’ll be drawn to the impressive wine cava. You’ll also see colorful artwork, dark wood floors, and flowers and herbs.
One top dish at Baco is the Cuy, or guinea pig. It’s served without bones and has a crispy quinoa coating and tasty peanut sauce. This meal mixes Andean and global flavors, showing respect for Peru’s food traditions with a modern touch.
If we want a quiet meal or a fun time with friends, Baco is perfect. It has a warm vibe and an extensive menu of South American treats. Baco’s great spot and focus on top-notch dining make it a go-to for those wanting to taste Cusco’s rich food scene.
FAQ about the best fine dining restaurants in Cusco
What are some of the top fine dining restaurants in Cusco, Peru?
Cusco boasts top fine dining spots including Illariy and El Tupay. Others are Senzo, Map Cafe, Incanto, Le Soleil, Greens Organic, Chicha, Casa Qorikancha, Pachapapa, and Baco.
What makes Illariy and El Tupay stand out for elegant dining in Cusco?
Illariy sits near a beautiful colonial patio while El Tupay has lovely arches. These are found at the Belmond Monasterio Hotel. They both serve amazing dishes like alpaca tenderloin and duck-and-rice stew.
They also have a big wine selection and great service.
What makes the dining experience at Senzo unique?
Senzo offers a special gastronomic adventure in the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Hotel. The food has unique textures and tastes, and they use local herbs and flowers in their dishes.
Don’t miss the Peruvian Chairo (potato soup) or the confited guinea pig.
What can guests expect at the Map Cafe inside the Pre-Columbian Art Museum?
The Map Cafe is in a glass pyramid inside the museum. It serves a mix of Peruvian, French, and Italian dishes. The setting is historic and beautiful. Try dishes like fresh trout with a special sauce.
What are some of the highlights at the Incanto restaurant?
Incanto stands out for its grilled Andean fusion dishes with Italian flair. The menu includes unique items like aji de gallina ravioli and alpaca loin. You can also enjoy live harp music while dining.
What makes Le Soleil Cusco’s first gourmet French restaurant?
Le Soleil is Cusco’s premier place for real French food. They use the best local ingredients in dishes like crème brûlée. Their wine bar offers something special too.
What can diners expect at Greens Organic?
Greens Organic is known for its fresh, organic, and vegetarian dishes. It’s upstairs from Incanto and offers a serene atmosphere. Try dishes like Alpaca Medalions and trout in lemon sauce.
How is Chicha connected to the renowned Astrid & Gaston restaurant group?
Chicha is part of the famous Astrid & Gaston group in Peru. It offers a taste of Gastón Acurio’s creativity in the culture-rich dishes of Cusco. It’s a great place to try if you can’t get into their Lima restaurant.
What can guests expect at Casa Qorikancha?
Casa Qorikancha is near the Temple of the Sun and serves the best Peruvian cuisine. Its design is elegant and encourages guests to enjoy great food like Arroz con Pato. Also, they’re known for making great Pisco Sours.
What makes Pachapapa a unique dining experience in Cusco?
Pachapapa offers Andean food in a beautiful setting in San Blas. There, you can enjoy meals in a relaxed courtyard. They have dishes like oven-baked treats and stir-fried beef, a true delight.
What can diners expect at Baco in Cusco?
Baco is welcoming and perfect for trying South American flavors. They have a stunning wine collection and serve Cuy in a special way. Don’t miss the deboned guinea pig with a crispy quinoa cover. So that is all for the best fine dining restaurants in Cusco.
