Peru has a worldwide reputation for its iconic dishes and acclaimed restaurants, and the city of Cusco is undoubtedly representative of Peruvian culinary excellence. Peru is broadly divided into the three main ecosystems of the Western coast, the Andes mountains, and the Amazon jungle, and since Cusco is located in the southern highlands, the local food reflects the surrounding mountain environment. Local cuisine is easily identified by its unique ingredients, which include cuy (guinea pig), alpaca, purple corn, and trout. With a wide selection of restaurants representing local food, Cusco is an ideal place to try iconic Peruvian dishes, especially those that use terrestrial animals rather than seafood (the geography of Cusco makes it difficult to import mariscos of a high quality). Dishes like lomo saltado, anticuchos de corazón, pollo a la brasa, aji de gallina, and causa limeña are recommended dishes that will be made well at nearly any restaurant in Cusco. Although nearly every restaurant I visited in Cusco offered something delicious, I've narrowed this list down to the four restaurants I enjoyed most when staying in Cusco. They vary in price, culture, atmosphere, and location, but they all share an appreciation for local culture and serve well-made food!
4. Local 525
This restaurant specializes in Peruvian and Italian cuisine, and their staple item is a personal pizza cooked in their wood-fired pizza oven. Although pasta dishes and signature Peruvian foods may vary in quality at Local 525, the pizzas are consistently good and are offered at around S/ 40 (around 10 dollars) each. I ordered the prosciutto pizza twice, and each time I thoroughly enjoyed it and had enough left over for the next day's lunch. The drink menu serves elegant cocktails with gin and pisco, and the atmosphere inside is warm without being overly cramped (a common theme among the restaurants here). For an optimal experience here, I would recommend sticking to the dishes they do best, but in any case this is definitely a restaurant worth a visit during a trip to Cusco.
3. Limbus
Located on top of a daunting hill, a hike to Limbus will be rewarded by hearty and affordable meals in both American and Peruvian styles. This is the largest restaurant venue I visited in Cusco, and the interior features an installation of local art and a stage for occasional musical performances. Limbus specializes in inventive drinks that feature tropical flavors and come in unique containers such as a glowing pyramid, a plastic skull, and a terrarium. Because of their spacious venue and the entertainment value of their specialty drinks, I would recommend this restaurant as an ideal place to bring a large group during a stay in Cusco. Our group of 12 people received complimentary samples of their beer selection both times we came to Limbus, and everything I tried on their drink menu was well-crafted. I ordered the Germany Burger (which comes with a fried onion ring and german sausage) on both visits, and it was my favorite American food I tried while going abroad. One note on the negative side is that their service is slow and that they forgot one of our orders on each visit.
2. Kion
Chifa is a cuisine made from the fusion of Chinese and Peruvian food, which is emblematic of cultural fusion in Peruvian society and commonplace in any Peruvian city. While the quality of Chifa varies upon the city and setting, Kion offers an phenomenal menu of fusion cuisine from a second-story venue neighboring the Plaza de Armas. Instead of feeling cramped like many other restaurants in Cusco, Kion creates an intimate atmosphere in their relatively small space with soft lighting and a curated assortment of Chinese art, furniture, and decorations. Their non-alcoholic drink menu included many citrus-flavored gems (the sparkling ginger lemonade was a standout in this category) and their Lo Mein was similar to a classic tallarín with elevated ingredients. Since this restaurant has an intimate atmosphere and a unique presence in Cusco, I would recommend going with a date or in a smaller group for an optimal experience at Kion.
1. Cicciolina
Cicciolina gained its reputation as one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city of Cusco by offering some of the most inventive and interesting dishes in the entire city. Their service is unmatched in timing (food is delivered notoriously slowly in Cusco), and their atmosphere reflects a classic fine dining experience. Cicciolina is a restaurant that rewards people who are adventurous, and they feature everything from cuy wontons to lamb pasta to octopus. At my table of four people, we split different appetizers, entrees, and desserts to branch out and try as many of their flavors as possible and none of them disappointed. Some of their menu's highlights included their salmon, scallops, tagliatelle with lamb, and gyozas with cuy. Although dining here isn't a cheap experience, I would recommend going at least once during a stay in Cusco to experience a culinary quality and variety that doesn't exist anywhere else in the city.
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