In Machu Picchu, as in the whole Peruvian territory, you can eat delicious food. Peru has one of the best cuisines in the world. It is famous for dishes such as lomo saltado, ají de gallina, causa rellena and, of course, ceviche. On the trip to Machu Picchu you can try these delicious dishes in different restaurants. There are cheap options as well as excellent quality services.
Machu Picchu is located almost 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. Therefore, the only way to have lunch during the trip is to do it there. The town of Aguas Calientes is the right place to do it, because it has many good quality restaurants.
In Aguas Calientes there are more than 100 restaurants that offer mainly Peruvian food. However, it is also possible to taste Latin American, French, Chinese food, pizzas, coffees and more. Some of the best restaurants in Machu Picchu are: Indio Feliz, Tinkuy Buffet, Cala Tratoria, Café de París, Mapi Restaurant, Ylla Fusión and more.
Each restaurant in Machu Picchu has its own prices depending on the menu offered. For example, the buffet lunch at the prestigious Tinkuy Buffet restaurant costs 40 US dollars.
However, there are also places where you can eat cheap. For example, a menu at the town's food market costs 8 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 US dollars).
In Aguas Calientes there are many inexpensive restaurants where you can taste some of the typical Peruvian dishes such as: lomo saltado, fried trout, ceviche and more.
Aguas Calientes food market – The most economical option when visiting Machu Picchu is to eat at the food market. There a menu can cost only 8 soles (3 US dollars).
Address: Corner of the Main Square of Aguas Calientes.
Approximate cost: 3 $.
Café de Paris – Café de Paris is one of the most famous bakeries in Aguas Calientes. The coffees are cheap (from 2 dollars) as well as their delicious cakes.
Address: Plazoleta Wiñaywayna, Aguas Calientes (Cusco, Peru).
Approximate cost: 5 $.
Julian Restaurant – A small restaurant where delicious Peruvian dishes are prepared at a fair price. They are famous for their lomo saltado, ceviche, fried trout, alpaca loin and more.
Address: Avenida Pachacutec Nº 601, Aguas Calientes (Cusco).
Approximate cost: 15 $.
La Chuta – A bakery where you can taste delicious cakes, empanadas, pies as well as coffees, juices and more. Prices are reasonable. The place is comfortable, ideal for breakfast or dinner.
Address: Calle Yawar Huaca Nº 107, Aguas Calientes (Cusco).
Approximate cost: $5.
In Aguas Calientes there are restaurants of great quality and popularity. The best chefs in Cusco prepare typical Peruvian dishes as well as Latin, South American dishes and much more.
Tinkuy Buffet Restaurant Sanctuary Lodge – Exquisite and varied buffet located next to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. They serve Peruvian, South American and American food. It belongs to the prestigious Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel.
Address: Carretera Hiram Bingham Km. 7.5, Aguas Calientes (Cusco, Peru).
Approximate cost: $40.
El Indio Feliz – A famous restaurant in Aguas Calientes for its excellent dishes and its peculiar decoration. It has a varied menu of Peruvian, Latin and South American food.
Address: Calle Lloque Yupanqui 103, Aguas Calientes (Cusco, Peru).
Approximate cost: $30.
El Mapi Restaurant – One of the most popular buffets in Aguas Calientes is the one offered by Mapi, which belongs to the Inkaterra hotel chain. They prepare Peruvian and South American food. It also has a friendly bar.
Address: Avenida Pachacutec 109, Aguas Calientes (Cusco, Peru).
Approximate cost: $25.
Ylla Fusion – A restaurant famous for its dishes with combinations of Peruvian food (it also has options for vegetarians). It is characterized by good service and its beautiful views from its terrace.
Address: Plaza Manco Cápac Nº 104, Aguas Calientes (Cusco, Peru).
Approximate cost: $20.
Peru has one of the best cuisines in the world. They combine the traditions of Chinese, Spanish, Italian and other cuisines. Their dishes have great flavor and aroma. Currently, some of the best restaurants in the world are Peruvian.
Ceviche – Ceviche is the most popular dish in Peru. It is made of fish and lemon. Sweet potato, lettuce, onion and tomato sauce are also added. Its marinated flavor is achieved thanks to the lemon produced in Peru.
Lomo saltado – Lomo saltado is a popular Peruvian dish (whose origin is linked to Chinese cuisine) whose main ingredients are: potato, beef, rice, tomato and onion.
Causa rellena – Causa rellena (also known as causa limeña) is a Peruvian starter dish whose main ingredients are potato, chicken shreds, lemon, yellow chili, mayonnaise or avocado.
Grilled Alpaca – This dish uses alpaca meat, a South American camelid that inhabits the Andes Mountains. Although it is not traditionally consumed by Peruvians, it is widely eaten in tourist restaurants.
Fried Trucha – This typical dish from the Peruvian highlands uses trout, a fish from the salmonid family that is pleasant to the palate. It is usually eaten with potatoes (or rice) and a salad.
Pizzas – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) is full of pizzerias. Try at least one before leaving town. Most tourists choose to accompany the pizza with a glass of ‘Cusqueña’ beer.
Most restaurants are located in the town of Aguas Calientes, located just 10 kilometers from Machu Picchu. The train station that takes visitors to Machu Picchu is there, so it is a must-see place. Next to Machu Picchu there is only one restaurant belonging to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel.
It depends on the taste of the tourist. In Aguas Calientes there are very good restaurants with Peruvian, international, fusion food and more. There are also pizzerias and cafes. Some of the best services are: El Tinkuy restaurant, El Indio Feliz restaurant, Inti House restaurant, Mapi Restaurant and more.
The food stalls in the Aguas Calientes food market offer the cheapest menus on the trip to Machu Picchu. The price of the menu is 8 Peruvian soles (less than 3 US dollars).
In the town of Aguas Calientes there are dozens of restaurants specializing in Peruvian food such as: Indio Feliz, Chef House Peruvian Food, Julian Restaurant, Inti House Restaurant and more. There are dishes such as ceviche, fried trout, baked guinea pig, lomo saltado, grilled alpaca and stuffed causa.
Prices vary greatly depending on the restaurant and the quality of service it offers. An average quality service can cost between 30 and 35 soles per dish (8 to 10 US dollars).
In Aguas Calientes there are dozens of pizzerias. Some of the most famous are: the Cala Tratoria restaurant, the Full House restaurant, the Mapacho restaurant, the Palate Pizza & Burger Bar Machupicchu and the Inti House.
Ceviche is the flagship dish of Peru. On the trip to Machu Picchu you can enjoy a good trout ceviche in restaurants such as: Indio Feliz, Chef House Peruvian Food, Julian Restaurant, Tinkuy Restaurant, Mapi Restaurant and more.
