What to eat in Cusco’s Historic Center: a local food guide

Walking around Cusco’s Historic Center builds an appetite: the climbs, the high-altitude air and so much to see. I have worked with meat in this city for more than 25 years, and in this guide I share the Cusco flavors you should not leave without trying, where to find them downtown and what to order at our Matará location, a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas.

Your first day in Cusco: eat light

Cusco sits at about 3,400 meters above sea level and your body notices. On day one, my advice is to eat light and take it slow: a Quinoa Soup, grilled chicken breast, plenty of water and a coca tea. Save the big grill and heavier dishes for your second or third day, once you have acclimatized.

Flavors you have to try in Cusco

• Alpaca. For me, the best meat you can eat in Cusco. It is Andean, lean and has a mild flavor of its own, different from beef. Grilled rare or medium, it is a dish you will remember from your trip.
• Trout. Raised in the cold waters of the Andes, in Cusco it is eaten fried, grilled or as ceviche. A light and very local option.
• Choclo con queso. Andean corn with big kernels, served with a slice of fresh cheese. You find it at markets and street stalls.
• Roasted cuy (guinea pig). The Andean festive dish, prepared mostly in picanterías and in the towns around Cusco.
• Chiriuchu. The cold dish of Corpus Christi, in June: cuy, hen, charqui, chorizo, cheese, seaweed and toasted corn on one plate.
• Chicharrón and adobo. Cusco’s chicharrón is famous, and adobo, pork marinated in chicha de jora, is the traditional Sunday breakfast.
• To drink: chicha morada (purple corn drink), chicha de jora, frutillada in season and, of course, a Cusqueña, the beer named after the city.

Where to find them downtown

For breakfast, juices, choclo con queso and bread, the San Pedro Market is a must: it is a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Cuy, chiriuchu and adobo are best enjoyed in traditional picanterías and at festivals. And for grilled meats, alpaca and trout, we look forward to seeing you at Águeda Matará.

Águeda Matará: grill and alpaca steps from the Plaza

Our Historic Center location is at Calle Matará 446-B, a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas and the San Pedro Market. It has two floors: 70 guests on the first floor and up to 100 in total, so we also host tour groups. We are open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 21:30 and Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00, and we accept cash and cards.

Matará is, together with Ttio, one of our two locations serving the seafood grill. All our meat is Peruvian, from improved cattle raised in Puno, Anta and Sicuani, with Peruvian Angus in our premium cuts. Traveling with a group or an agency? Matará coordinates our events and groups.

What to order at Águeda on your first visit to Cusco

1. Alpaca Loin (240 g, S/.47). The dish you should not miss. If you prefer it with sauce, the Alpaca Loin in Pepper Sauce comes with Andean potatoes.
2. Grilled Trout (250 g, S/.38). Light and tasty, with the side of your choice. Perfect for day one.
3. Classic Lomo Saltado (S/.47). The Peruvian classic: tenderloin stir-fried in a wok with onion, tomato and fries.
4. Quinoa Soup (S/.24). With vegetables and beef, comforting after a day of walking.
5. To share: the Grill for Two (S/.89), with strip steak, pork chop, anticucho and sausages. For larger groups, see which grill to order for your group.

When dining in, main courses include our complimentary salad bar. To drink, try our house chicha morada or a Cusqueña.

Tips for eating in the Historic Center

• Lunch is the main meal. In Peru people have lunch between 1 and 3 pm, and it is the best time for a grill.
• Drink bottled water and stay well hydrated at altitude.
• Carry small change for the market and stalls; at restaurants like Águeda you can pay by card.
• Coming as a group? Book a table, especially on weekends.

To discover our other two locations, Collasuyo (Magisterio) and Ttio, read our guide to eating steak in Cusco, and to choose your cut, our steak cuts guide. Welcome to Cusco: see you at Matará.