Aguas Calientes, also known as the city of Machu Picchu, is the town where all travelers arrive before exploring the famous Machu Picchu.
However, as Aguas Calientes is quite small, there are not many things to do. That is why finding a good restaurant is even more important, as you will probably want to eat something when you arrive in Aguas Calientes in the evening or after your tour to Machu Picchu.
In case you do one of the additional hikes, such as the walk to the Inti Punku sun gate or to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, you will be hungry anyway after the tour.
To simplify your decision where to go, we created a list of the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes so you can find some great places to eat.
What to eat in Aguas Calientes?
- Alpaca meat
- Lomo Saltado
- Trout
- Machu Picchu Pizza
The following recommendations for Peruvian food in Aguas Calientes are based on the dishes offered by the restaurants, the average prices, whether they need a reservation or not, and much more.
Where to eat during the trip to Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located almost 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. Therefore, the only way to have lunch during the trip is to have 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 mainly offer Peruvian food. However, it is also possible to try Latin America, France, China, pizza, coffee, and more.
Some of the best restaurants in Machu Picchu are: Happy Indian, Tinkuy Buffet, Cala Tratoria, Café de Paris, Mapi Restaurant, Ylla Fusión and more.
How much does a lunch cost in Machu Picchu?
Each restaurant in Machu Picchu has its own prices according to the menu offered. For example, the buffet lunch at the prestigious Tinkuy Buffet restaurant costs US $ 40.
However, there are also places to eat at low prices. For example, a menu at the city’s food market costs 8 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 US dollars).
Where to eat cheaply on the trip to Machu Picchu?
In Aguas Calientes there are many cheap restaurants where you can taste some of the typical dishes of Peru such as: sautéed tenderloin, fried trout, ceviche and more.
Aguas Calientes Food Market:
The cheapest 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, but where delicious Peruvian dishes are prepared at a fair price. They are famous for their sauteed tenderloin, ceviche, fried trout, alpaca tenderloin, and more.
Address: Avenida Pachacutec No. 601, Aguas Calientes (Cusco).
Approximate cost: $ 15.
La Chuta
A bakery where you can try delicious cakes, tarts, pastries, as well as coffees, juices, and more. The prices are reasonable. The place is comfortable, ideal for breakfast or dinner.
Address: Calle Yawar Huaca No. 107, Aguas Calientes (Cusco).
Approximate cost: $ 5.
What are the most famous restaurants in Machu Picchu, Perú?
In Machu Picchu, Perú there are restaurants of great quality and popularity. The best chefs in Cusco prepare typical Peruvian dishes, as well as Latin, South American 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: Hiram Bingham Highway 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.
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 an option 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.
Other Restaurants in Machu Picchu, Perú
Tampu Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu Restaurant
Enjoy the wonderful view and the majestic surroundings while savoring one of the many dishes of our Peruvian or international cuisine in an elegant and modern space.
With a maximum capacity for 72 people, the Restaurant Bar Tampu is characterized by the natural materials used in its design such as stone and wood, which are in harmony with the hotel’s ecological style.
Toto`s House Restaurant Machu Picchu
Toto’s house is a restaurant recognized among the most select in our capital, which is why we offer a first-class culinary variety and an unsurpassed service in terms of customer service, at toto, s house we care about the satisfaction of our customers, providing the best with a wide variety of gourmet and buffet dishes as well as drinks, wines and spirits, we also offer live shows with our best folk musicians and dance.
Tree House Restaurant in Machu Picchu
Discover our passion and our entire philosophy that moves traditional Peruvian cuisine into the modern era. Tree House is the result of a fusion of styles and cuisines. Italian, oriental, Latin American and Peruvian influences invade our kitchen always with a personal touch under the sustenance of the Andean and Peruvian flavors.
What to eat in Machu Picchu?
Perú has one of the best gastronomies in the world. They combine the traditions of Chinese, Spanish, Italian and more gastronomy. 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 Perú. It is made from 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 related to Chinese cuisine) whose main ingredients are: potatoes, beef, rice, tomatoes and onions.
Causa Rella: Causa Rellena (also known as Causa Lima) is a Peruvian starter whose main ingredients are potatoes, chicken threads, lemon, yellow pepper, mayonnaise or avocado.
Grilled Alpaca: This dish uses meat from alpaca, a South American camelid that lives in the Andes Mountains. Although it is not traditionally consumed by Peruvians, it is very widespread in tourist restaurants.
Fried trout: this typical dish from the mountains of Peru uses trout, a fish from the salmon family that is palatable. It is generally consumed with potatoes (or rice) and a salad.
Pizzas: Aguas Calientes (town of Machu Picchu) is full of pizzerias. Try at least one before you leave town. Most tourists decide to accompany the pizza with a glass of ‘Cusqueña’ beer.
Touring Cusco and Machu Picchu is discovering endless mysterious places, with hidden stories in corners that you may have never seen before stepping on this country. We recommend you to visit another impressive destinations in Cusco like the tour to rainbow mountain peru or the humantay lake tour from cusco, which only takes one day. But if you are gonna to stay more days in Perú, other archaeological places you can know will be the choquequirao trek peru, the salkantay trek to machu picchu, and the classic inca trail 4 days 3 nights.
