Cusco is the historic heart of the Inca Empire, a breathtaking Andean city perched at 3,400 meters above sea level in southeastern Peru. The city blends ancient Inca stonework with Spanish colonial architecture, creating a unique urban landscape that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. As the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco is one of South America's most visited and culturally rich destinations.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Cusco through its food.
Cusco Market and Street Food Walk
Explore Mercado San Pedro and surrounding streets with a local guide, tasting traditional dishes including anticuchos, chicharrón sandwiches, quinoa soup, and fresh juices while learning about Andean ingredients
Includes: San Pedro Market visit · Street anticuchos grilling · Chicha morada tasting · Local lunch almuerzo
Pisco and Peruvian Spirits Tour
A guided evening tour visiting 4 bars and tasting establishments to sample pisco sours, chilcanos, and craft pisco varieties while learning about Peru's national spirit and its regional production
Includes: Craft pisco distillery product tasting · Classic vs Macerado pisco · Pisco sour preparation demo · Chicha morada vs pisco history
Sacred Valley Food Discovery Tour
Travel to the Sacred Valley to visit Chinchero market, a local family for traditional bread baking, the Pisac Sunday market, and lunch at an organic Sacred Valley farm restaurant
Includes: Chinchero weaving and market · Traditional wood-oven bread baking · Pisac market tasting · Organic farm lunch with Valley views
Ceviche and Peruvian Coast Cuisine
Learn about Peru's diverse coastal cuisine traditions at 3 restaurants, tasting different ceviche styles, tiradito, and Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) influenced dishes
Includes: Classic ceviche vs. Nikkei ceviche comparison · Tiradito preparation · Leche de tigre tasting · Pisco sour pairing
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Cusco's food scene.
Street food tours
Market crawls through San Pedro and surrounds sampling anticuchos, tamales, empanadas, and market lunches
Market tours
Guided tours of San Pedro Market focusing on Andean ingredients, medicinal plants, and traditional food culture
Restaurant tours
Multi-restaurant progressive dinner tours featuring Cusco's best Novo-Andino restaurants
Specialty tours
Pisco, chocolate, and coffee-focused tours celebrating Peru's extraordinary agricultural products
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Cusco home with you.
Andean Kitchen Masterclass
Learn to cook 4 traditional Cusco dishes in a teaching kitchen: quinoa soup, causa Andina, lomo saltado, and mazamorra morada dessert. Starts with a market visit to select ingredients.
Ceviche and Peruvian Basics
Master Peru's most famous dish alongside the essential supporting cast: leche de tigre, tiradito, and causa. Learn proper technique for the perfect pisco sour as a bonus.
Pachamanca Earth Cooking Experience
Learn the ancient Andean pachamanca cooking method where meats and vegetables are cooked underground with hot stones in the traditional way. Held at a Sacred Valley farm.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop
At Choco Museo in Cusco, learn the complete journey from Peruvian cacao tree to finished chocolate bar, including tasting, tempering, and making your own chocolate creations.
DIY self-guided food tour
Follow this self-guided food route through Cusco for a full day of culinary exploration without a guide
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Stop 1 (7:30 AM): Mercado San Pedro - breakfast of chicharrón sandwich and fresh orange juice ($3)
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Stop 2 (9:00 AM): San Blas bakeries - fresh bread and Peruvian pastries from wood-fired ovens
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Stop 3 (11:00 AM): Choco Museo free tour - learn about Peruvian cacao and taste samples
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Stop 4 (12:30 PM): Market almuerzo at San Pedro stalls - full 3-course lunch ($3-4)
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Stop 5 (3:00 PM): Coffee at specialty café (Café Kafe Kafe or The Meeting Place) with Andean coffee
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Stop 6 (5:00 PM): Pachapapa in San Blas - classic cuy or lomo saltado dinner before dark
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Stop 7 (8:00 PM): Pisco sour at Fallen Angel or Pisco Republic - Peru's national cocktail
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Almuerzo (set lunch) is the best value meal - three courses including soup, main, and juice for $3-8
Altitude affects your sense of taste - some dishes may taste blander than expected the first day
Try chicha morada (purple corn drink) as a non-alcoholic alternative to pisco throughout the day
San Pedro Market breakfasts (7-10 AM) are the most authentic and cheapest food experience in Cusco
Cuy (guinea pig) is a genuine cultural experience - try it at Pachapapa or Chicha for the best preparation
Always try the aji amarillo (yellow chili) sauce - it's Peru's essential flavor profile