5 Best Restaurants in Ayacucho, The Central Highlands
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Outside of a few international restaurants catering to visitors, Ayacucho stands by its Andean specialties. The city is famous for its filling, flavorful puca picante, served with rice and topped with a parsley sprig. The city's favorite drink is the hot, creamy, pisco-spiked ponche (flavored with milk, cinnamon, cloves, sesame, peanuts, walnuts, and sugar). The best time to sample this popular concoction is during Semana Santa. In the first week of November, ayacuchanos are busy baking sweet breads shaped like caballos (horses) and guaguas (babies) to place in baskets for the spirits at the family grave sites. You'll find inexpensive restaurants where you can grab a cheap almuerzo (lunch) along Jirón San Martín. Many restaurants are closed Sunday morning.
Carbon y Vino
La Casona
Dining in this Spanish-style home is like attending an intimate party in a fine hacienda. The sun bathes the leafy courtyard during lunch, while the clientele tucks into the best of ayacuchano cooking, including heaping plates of puca picante and fried trout.
The daily lunch special is a bargain and includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and drink.
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Pizzería Italiana
ViaVia Café
Perched above the Plaza de Armas, this wood-paneled restaurant offers an ample menu that includes both highlands specialties and backpacker favorites. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in the morning or an artisanal ice cream in the afternoon while taking in the view of the cathedral from the expansive terrace. At night, the bar serves up classic cocktails as well as pricier Belgian trappist brews.