Cuzco And The Sacred Valley, Peru
Potatoes, with thousands of varieties, corn, quinoa, and various meats like alpaca and guinea pig, form the foundation of many dishes. Aguas Calientes, as a tourist hub, presents a mix of traditional Peruvian dishes alongside international comfort food. Restaurants often focus on providing quick, efficient service for visitors heading to or from Machu Picchu.
Expect to find dishes featuring potatoes, various types of corn (including large-kernel corn), quinoa, and alpaca meat. Freshwater trout, sourced from the Urubamba River, is a local specialty. Chili peppers (aji), cilantro, and lime give depth and freshness to many dishes. Flavors generally lean towards savory, often with a subtle hint of spice.
Breakfast typically in hotels, often very early to accommodate travelers planning early Machu Picchu visits. Lunch (almuerzo) often the main meal. Many establishments offer a "menu del día" (set lunch menu) typically between 1 PM and 3 PM. Dinner (cena) later, often after 7 PM.
A tip of 10% is customary in nicer restaurants if a service charge is not already included in the bill.
Dining etiquette is generally casual. Enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere.
A staple in Aguas Calientes. Restaurants serve fresh trout from the Urubamba River, often whole, with rice and potatoes. Widely available in nearly all local restaurants.
Local river specialty.
A popular Peruvian stir-fry. It features marinated strips of sirloin, onions, tomatoes, and French fries, typically with rice. Most Peruvian restaurants have this hearty dish.
A hearty Peruvian stir-fry.
A creamy chicken stew. Cooks prepare it with shredded chicken in a sauce made from yellow chili pepper (aji amarillo), cream, cheese, and walnuts. It often comes with rice and a hard-boiled egg.
Creamy chicken stew with yellow chili.
Delicate shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche (caramelized condensed milk) and often dusted with powdered sugar.
Sweet potato and pumpkin fritters, often served with chancaca (a dark, sweet sugar cane syrup).
Aguas Calientes features unique dining atmospheres.
Numerous mid-range options line the main street (Avenida Pachacutec) and are found near the train station.
You find limited street food options due to local regulations.
Given the international tourist base, you find various international cuisine options, including Italian (pizza, pasta), American (burgers, fries), and some Asian fusion restaurants.
Options cater to diverse palates.
These restaurants provide an alternative for those seeking tastes from home or different global culinary experiences.
Widely available for convenience.
Increasingly available. Look for quinoa, vegetables, and potatoes.
Extremely limited or non-existent. Plan to self-cater or rely on vegetarian/fish options.
Awareness grows but is not universal. Carry a Translation card in Spanish.
Online resources like HappyCow. Hotel staff may give recommendations. Clear communication with staff at ordering is best.
These are not typically offered in Aguas Calientes itself. Such experiences are more common and comprehensive in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Plan for these in larger cities.
Farm visits and direct engagement with food producers are not applicable to Aguas Calientes, which lacks agricultural land. These opportunities exist in the wider Sacred Valley.
Beyond Aguas Calientes.
You find limited street food options in Aguas Calientes due to local regulations.
Aguas Calientes does not feature major food festivals as a main attraction. Larger food festivals and culinary events occur in major Peruvian cities.
Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available in Aguas Calientes.
Halal and kosher options are extremely limited or non-existent in Aguas Calientes.
Awareness of gluten-free and other allergies grows but is not universal.
Especially for specific religious diets like Halal or Kosher, self-catering might be necessary due to limited options.
Preparation goes a long way.
A translation card helps bridge any language barriers when explaining complex dietary needs.
Clarity in communication is .
Not common in Aguas Calientes, but readily available in Cusco and the Sacred Valley for culinary engagement.
Opportunities to visit food producers and farms are in the wider Sacred Valley, not within Aguas Calientes itself.
Major food festivals and culinary events mainly occur in larger Peruvian cities like Cusco or Lima, not in Aguas Calientes.
For an authentic, budget-friendly meal, seek out "Menu del Día" signs for a fixed-price lunch.
