Cusco is a friendly city for travelers on a budget. Empanadas are a great lunch on the go. Street vendors selling tamales, papa rellenas and anticuchos are easy to find. And right around the corner from Maximo Nivel, there’s a row of stalls specializing in pork sandwiches. Rocoto peppers give them a nice kick!
Every open-air market has several vendors who make fresh juices to order. My standard concoction is orange, ginger, and aloe vera with a bit of honey, but you can get pretty much anything you’d like with milk or water as the base. Juice ladies often offer simple sandwiches with egg, meat, Andean cheese or avocado.
Menus are another affordable option in Cusco. Sometimes, these simple establishments are even run out of locals’ homes. Meals are usually hearty, traditional cuisine that rotates every day. You’ll typically get a soup, entrée, and drink for around 5 soles. Keep your eyes peeled for fried trout!
Other common casual fare includes chaufa or pollo a la brasa. Chaufa is Peru’s take on fried rice—a blend of Asian and Latin American flavors. Pollo a la brasa is essentially rotisserie chicken, usually served with French fries and salad. These dishes are so popular you can buy them takeaway at the grocery store.
But if you were hoping for more of a sit-down experience, Cusco has plenty to offer that’s more formal but still affordable. With a population of almost 500,000 and a substantial tourism industry, Cusco doesn’t leave you wanting for choice, but let me help you make the right ones!
El Encuentro
A short walk from downtown, El Encuentro is a healthy and reasonably priced first stop. One of the few vegetarian restaurants in Cusco, it’s a great casual hangout. The owners are friendly, and you’ll often hear their children playing in the back.
The menu is extensive. You can choose from vegetarian takes on traditional Peruvian dishes, as well as several sandwiches, omelets, soups, salads, and pastas. They also have a large drink menu whether you’re after something fresh and fruity, a Cusqueña or a caffeine boost.
Their complementary salad bar is amazing, and it changes every day. But if the menu is starting to feel more like a Victorian novel than simple lunch fare, their rotating meal of the day is always a safe bet. Otherwise, check out the lentil burger or pumpkin soup.
Sunset House
Next stop is the Sunset House Hostel up in San Blas—a neighborhood you’ll want to explore even if you’re not there to dine. It’s beautiful, artsy, and very popular for a reason. Sunset is unique, however, because it’s not as expensive or overrun by tourists as many of its neighboring establishments.
Though it’s a hostel, you’re welcome to dine on their balcony even if you’re not staying there. And this hidden gem boasts one of my favorite views in the whole city. The woman who runs it is extremely friendly, and her kids will likely be eager to show you their latest art projects if you sit downstairs.
Not only are the food and atmosphere great here, but they also bake fresh bread. A feat at 11,000 feet above sea level! Like many casual restaurants in Cusco, Sunset offers a menu of the day. I’d also recommend the papa rellenas here, which come filled with beef, vegetables or ají de gallina and served on a bed of rice or quinoa.
UFO Asian Food
UFO is another great find, especially if you’re looking for flavors that are a bit more international. This Asian fusion restaurant also has a very friendly staff, and since its opening, the restaurant has upsized and relocated to San Blas. Good sign!
While many businesses went under during the pandemic, UFO quickly began delivering door to door. And I’m not sure whether I should be embarrassed or proud to admit that their staff came to know me by name. No choice is a bad choice here, but my go-to order is the yaki ramen with chicken.
If you eat in the restaurant, their dishes also come with a light cucumber salad. And though they don’t serve wine and beer, you’re welcome to BYOB. They’ll even open your bottle for you and bring out glasses. So, stop by your local tienda and pick up a bottle of Merlot on the way!
Rupha’s Diner
If you’re feeling a little homesick and your home happens to be America, make sure to stop by Rupha’s Diner. Don’t come here if you need to have a quiet conversation. They love to blast their music! Do come here, however, if you’re looking for quick comfort food at a great price.
You can’t go wrong with any of their burgers, especially because they’re served on fluffy brioche buns with real cheddar cheese (a rarity in Cusco). Their other signature dishes include wings, ribs, and a variety of sandwiches. I’d also recommend their mojitos, made with fresh mint.
La Nostra
And finally, don’t leave Cusco without dining in one of La Nostra’s booths. Located right down the street from Maximo behind the post office, distance definitely isn’t an excuse! This family-style pizzeria isn’t the cheapest place on this list, but it might very well be the best value.
Home of two-for-one cocktails all day every day, La Nostra is the perfect place to treat yourself on a budget. Their pizzas, pastas and salads are all very good and could easily feed two, so bring a friend and celebrate with Peru’s signature pisco sour. Salud!
No matter the occasion, price point or type of cuisine, Cusco has a lot of options. And while it’s by no means exhaustive, this list is a great place to start for any financially conscious traveler new to the city. Here to stay? I’m sure your own list will quickly overtake mine!