A Foodies’ Guide to Peru- 5 Things to eat and drink and 5 Restaurants to Try
One of my favorite ways to immerse myself in a new country is to eat and drink as the locals do. If you are as excited as I was to check out Peru’s food scene, here is an easy guide of what to try, and five restaurants I recommend!
What to Eat + Drink
Pisco Sour – Pisco is a type of brandy that is heavily produced in Peru. You will find Pisco drinks on pretty much every menu, but the most traditional is the Pisco Sour. A Pisco Sour consists of Pisco, lime juice, egg whites, and simple syrup. Sounds weird but it’s delicious!
Alpaca – I know they are cute, but this is a must try if you are visiting Peru!
Cuy (Genie pig ) – I have to admit I couldn’t bring myself to check this one off the list, but if you are a committed foodie this is something that you shouldn’t miss out on! Since there is not a lot of meat on Cuy, most Peruvians will only eat this as a celebratory dish, think Birthday dinner.
Ceviche – Peruvians have major pride when it comes to their ceviche so make sure to try it at least once.
Potato’s– Peru has over 3,000 variations of potatoes. You honestly won’t have to go out of your way to try a few varieties. I lost count of how many different kinds and preparation styles I had as sides. It was interesting to get to try different kinds that aren’t available or as easily available at home.
5 Restaurants to try
Pachapapa
Carmen Bajo 120, Cusco
Located in the main San Blas square, Pachapapa’s charming little court yard features a large outdoor stone oven and kitchen where you are able to see your meal being prepared right in front of you. If you are going to try Cuy this is the place to do it! Pachapapa is best known for cooking and presenting the Cuy whole, teeth left in and all. The table next to me ordered it so I had a chance to see the presentation and it was epic! Even if trying Cuy is not on your Peru bucket list, Pachapapa is still worth visiting to try other traditional Peruvian delicacies. I tried alpaca at a few restaurants but Pachapapas’ version of the dish was my favorite!
Marcelo Batata
Calle Palacio 121, Cusco
What originally attracted me to Marcelo Batata was the sunset view that the terrace would offer of Plaza de Armas, but the food and drink presentation was beyond amazing! I sampled the lomo saltado here, another traditional dish that you will see on many Peruvian menu that has a slight Asian influence. Watching the sunset over Cusco while having a Pisco Sour should be on everyone’s itinerary and this would be the perfect spot to do so!
L’atelier Café Concept
Atoqsayk’uchi, Cusco
This eclectic little Café tucked away on a slippery street in San Blas should not be missed. Taking in the most perfect side street view of Cusco while sipping my latte was everything! All of their pastries are homemade and most vegan. Although the real stand out was their Chi latte which is made from scratch. The process of infusing the essence of flavors into the tea takes them about 20 minutes, but it is so worth the wait! I loved it so much I went back twice!
Eusebio & Manolo
Calle Carmen Alto 116, Cusco
This tiny hole in the wall café offers a perfect option for grabbing a quick bite or fresh juice without having to give up too much of your exploring time. The owner himself will make your coffee or plate up your empanada for you.
El Huacatay
Jiron Arica 620, Urubamba
Unassuming is the best word to describe Peru. You never know what is going to be inside a building or behind a wall and El Huacatay was no exception to this. An eclectic garden with mismatched patio seating that leads you to a house with only 8 tables. This was the most intimate and elevated meal I had in Peru. Make sure to make a reservation since seating is limited.
