9 Best Restaurants in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Peru

Walk through a dimly lit tunnel directly below the Mirador de San Blas to find this stylish bistro boasting some of the best views of Cusco—especially from the balcony terrace after sunset, when the city lights start flicking across the hills like fireflies. Besides the views, patrons come for the menu of burgers, Peruvian mains like cebiche and lomo saltado, and grilled meats. It’s also a great place for a sundowner, with disco music beats, a relaxed atmosphere, a great wine list, and a creative selection of cocktails that blend local tastes such as agave, hibiscus, and herbal infusions with international spirits.  

Just a block from Plaza de Armas, this hip coffee spot stands out for its facade etched with colorful murals. Proudly vegan, it dishes up meat-free versions of Peruvian mains, plus a plethora of salads, juices, and coffee. Upstairs it functions as a social coworking zone with fast Wi-Fi that can be accessed with a food or beverage purchase. 

Set on the ground floor of a local casa, this homey vegetarian café is a favorite stop for travelers in search of a satisfying espresso drink and some local knowledge. You'll find organic local coffee, all-day breakfasts, and even some well-prepared Indian fare (think vegan curry, paneer tikka masala, and butter chicken). The café's doors, completely plastered with flyers, also function as a bohemian message board, where you can discover many local activities, including shamanic breath work, yoga courses, and ayahuasca ceremonies. 

Facing the plaza with a great view of the cathedrals, this smart, intimate café serves vegetarian and vegan fare using organic ingredients, from breakfast platters with avocado toast and healthy waffles to caprese salads, hearty lasagnas, and a smattering of Thai staples such as pad Thai. There is, of course, great coffee poured from an imported Italian espresso machine.

This excellent restaurant on the plaza has a large dining hall with wooden tables and floors and a traditional but well-executed menu of cebiches, pastas, sandwiches, and Peruvian staples. There's also a daily set menu for S/25, and you can sip espressos, juices, and smoothies on the cozy balcony overlooking the square.

With striking wooden blue balcony overlooking Plaza de Armas and brown adobe walls decorated with murals of flowers, this jolly restaurant-cum-café is inside a traditional casona and embodies Pisac's recent wave of places catering to both hippie digital nomads and more and more tourists. The menu offers a wide selection of mains like alpaca steaks, spaghetti with pesto, pork burgers, and juices, smoothies, and coffee. Wi-Fi is strong and the upstairs lounge is handy for getting some work done while sipping an espresso.

You'll smell the coffee brewing from this cozy, dimly lit spot set amid the stone lanes of Ollantaytambo's old Inca town. Besides offering up excellent local brews from Vilcabamba, Latente cooks up simple brunch options like galletas de palta (avocado croquettes) and is a perfect spot for sitting down with a laptop or a book and meeting other travelers.

This riverside bar and grill on the way to the train station has a welcoming red wooden floor and serves a range of comfort classics, from burgers to lasagnas, plus a selection of craft beer. The well-stocked bar extends out onto the curb. Be sure to take advantage of the the three-for-two deal on pisco sours and cuba libres by showing proof of your Machu Picchu visit. 

Hip bakery and café on a corner of the Plaza Regocijo where travelers can find a taste of home comforts. Take a break from Andino food with sourdough bread, patisserie, healthy vegetarian breakfasts, coffee, and pastas. All ingredients are sourced from a farm in the Sacred Valley that employs local Indigenous people.