Best restaurants in the Sacred Valley: where to eat well and differently?

Best restaurants in the Sacred Valley: where to eat well and differently?

When you travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the first thing you think of is ruins, landscapes, and mountains. But what many don’t know is that, among these towns steeped in history, there are restaurants that can surprise even the most discerning travelers. From family homes with ancient recipes to haute cuisine hidden in the middle of the valley, the experience goes far beyond just eating well.

What makes the food here so special? The answer lies in the fresh ingredients, the stories behind each dish, and the ingenuity of those who have transformed Andean tradition into an unforgettable experience. On this tour, you will discover places not featured in all the guidebooks and flavors you might not have expected to find in this corner of Cusco. And the best part is that you can also enjoy these restaurants while heading to the citadel of Machu Picchu, making your journey even more memorable.

Best restaurants in Urubamba

Mil: Andean haute cuisine at 3,500 meters above sea level

Renowned chef Virgilio Martínez, winner of the 2023 World Culinary Awards, is the creator of Mil, a unique restaurant located next to the archaeological terraces of Moray. Here, gastronomy becomes an immersive experience that connects visitors with the Andean ecosystems, local communities, and the region’s biodiversity. His own crops and the use of native ingredients guarantee freshness, authenticity, and a deep respect for the land. Each menu is a sensorial journey that transforms Andean cuisine with creativity and technique.

Recommended dishes:

  • 8-ecosystem tasting menu
  • Vegetarian menu
  • “Mil World Immersion” experience (3 hours with recommendations and itineraries)

Location: Moray, private access. 53 km northeast of Cusco (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes)

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:20 pm

Hawa de Tambo de Inka

Located within the exclusive Tambo del Inka Hotel in Urubamba is Hawa, a restaurant that reinterprets Andean cuisine with elegance and modernity. Its name in Quechua means “sky,” and its menu lives up to that promise: each dish is made with organic produce from its own garden and presented with great care. The ambiance combines luxury and warmth, while the attention to detail in the service invites you to linger over a high-quality gastronomic experience.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Crispy guinea pig with black quinoa and mashua puree
  • Alpaca loin in a chicha de jora reduction
  • Valley trout in a kiwicha crust
  • Tricolor quinoa risotto
  • Reinterpreted Pachamanca

Location: Av. Ferrocarril S/N, inside the Tambo del Inka Hotel, Urubamba

Hours: Daily from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm

Wayra Sol y Luna

In this space, contemporary Andean cuisine combines creativity and freshness. Under the direction of Chef Nacho Selis, the restaurant takes its name from the Quechua word “Wayra,” which means wind, a symbol of freedom and connection to the earth. Its menu highlights local products prepared with modern techniques, offering a unique gastronomic experience amidst a natural setting. Lunch can also be enjoyed on outdoor terraces, surrounded by gardens.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Five-, seven-, or ten-course menu
  • Trout carpaccio
  • Sweet squash and quesillo ravioli
  • Grilled jumbo shrimp
  • Lamb ribs
  • Crispy guinea pig confit

Location: Fundo Huicho, Lot A5 – Sacred Valley.

Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Tierra cocina artesanal

Chef Rely Alencastre leads this restaurant, which fuses Andean cuisine with contemporary touches, while maintaining the essence of the local cuisine. Each dish seeks to highlight traditional flavors, but with modern presentations and a friendly, unpretentious experience. The warm atmosphere makes it an ideal place to share with friends or family, enjoying fine dining in an artisanal style.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Trout Ceviche
  • Braised Osso Buco
  • Smoked Pork Belly
  • Beet Gnocchi
  • Wet Rice with Wood-Fired Duck
  • Vegetable Salad with Chocolate

Location: Av. Berriozábal 84 – Urubamba.

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

El huacatay

Under the direction of Chef Pío Vásquez de Velasco, this restaurant has become a benchmark for Andean-Mediterranean fusion in the Sacred Valley. Its menu combines fresh local produce with influences from Peruvian, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Each dish is designed to highlight intense flavors with a warm and friendly style, transforming the simple into a memorable experience.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Alpaca Carpaccio
  • Grilled Andean Trout
  • Thai Green Curry
  • Malaya in Pachamanquera Sauce
  • Calamari Sauce
  • Breaded Prawns with Orange and Mint Sauce

Location: Jr. Arica 620 – Urubamba (1 hour 30 minutes from Cusco by bus or taxi).

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Qanela bistro

Created by Yudi Calderón, this cozy bistro combines traditional recipes with an international flair that stands out for its simplicity and flavor. Its cuisine uses Andean ingredients sourced from local communities, ensuring freshness and authenticity. The space also supports a women’s cooperative by exhibiting and offering their textiles, giving it an additional cultural and social value. Everything is enjoyed in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, ideal for those seeking closeness rather than formality.

Recommended dishes:

  • Vegetarian options
  • Alpaca lomo saltado
  • Qanela salad
  • Sirloin medallions in three-mushroom sauce
  • Quinoa risotto with cheese and milk
  • Andean trout in caper sauce
  • Chicken breast stuffed with Camembert cheese and mashed potatoes
  • Quinoa soup

Location: Jirón Grau 540 – Urubamba.

Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday to Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. m.

Hacienda Huayoccari

Located between Pisac and Urubamba, about 60 km from Cusco, this private estate owned by the Lambarri Orihuela family is much more than a restaurant: it’s a space where history, art, and gastronomy meet. Its menu focuses on hearty, homemade Andean cuisine, served in a rustic setting surrounded by nature.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Chicken roulade in elderberry sauce
  • Pork chop with fava bean capchi
  • Trout and tuna causa
  • Sara lawa (corn soup)
  • Steamed trout with capers and butter
  • Sirloin steak with pisco
  • Mushroom kumquat
  • Ají de gallina
  • Lomo saltado

Location: Pisac – Urubamba Highway, between km 60 and 61 (Huayoccari).

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Best restaurants in Ollantaytambo

Alqa

Inside the Museum of Andean Popular Art is Alqa, a restaurant that functions as a true gastronomic laboratory. Its offerings capture traditional ingredients from Andean farmers and combine them with modern techniques, creating dishes full of purpose, creativity, and flavor. The atmosphere is cozy, perfect for those seeking a distinct culinary experience with cultural identity.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Altiplano Trout Tiradito
  • Guashua Duck
  • Unkucha Stuffed with Duck or Mushrooms
  • Waiq’a with Lima Beans, Mushrooms, and Oysters
  • Añu Pansy with Alpaca and Huacatay
  • Añu Flower in Alpaca Tart

Location: Calle Sipas S/N, inside the Museum of Andean Popular Art

Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Sunday from 12:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Amanto

Amanto is a simple yet characterful restaurant, where Andean cuisine merges with contemporary cuisine. Its dishes blend traditional recipes with modern techniques, achieving tasty and friendly preparations that highlight the value of local ingredients. It’s ideal for those who want to enjoy good food in a relaxed, uncomplicated atmosphere.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Causa Cevichada
  • Lomo Saltado Amanto
  • Alpaca Burger
  • Fettuccini with Mushroom Sauce
  • Alpaca Carpaccio
  • Shrimp in a Quinoa Crust

Location: Calle Horno, intersection with Calle Principal

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 9:00 pm

El albergue

Located inside the Ollantaytambo train station, El Albergue is part of a boutique hotel that combines charm, intimacy, and sustainability. Its culinary offering is based on the zero-mile philosophy: fresh ingredients from its own farm and local producers, ensuring authenticity and a strong commitment to the environment. The result is cuisine with a home-style flavor and an innovative touch that connects visitors with Andean tradition.

Recommended dishes:

  • Traditional Pachamanca
  • Alpaca steak
  • Homemade fettuccine with mushroom sauce
  • Artisanal desserts

Location: Ollantaytambo train station, inside the station gates

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

Inka Nato

With a warm, homey atmosphere, Inka Nato is a restaurant that focuses on Peruvian classics prepared with dedication and authentic flavor. It is popular with locals and travelers alike, eager to try traditional recipes in a welcoming setting. Here, each dish maintains a homey essence that makes for a simple yet memorable experience.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Ají de gallina
  • Lomo saltado
  • Trout ceviche
  • Artisanal wood-fired pizza
  • Alpaca burger

Location: Chaupi Street 148

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm

Hacienda Sara Pampa

Just 5 minutes from Pisac and 45 minutes from Cusco, Hacienda Sara Pampa is a family farm dedicated to growing giant white corn, one of the most emblematic products of the Sacred Valley, for three generations. Its culinary offering connects agricultural history with cuisine, offering three- to seven-course lunches that combine local flavors with colonial influences. Everything is enjoyed in a natural setting, surrounded by fields, ideal for a leisurely, leisurely meal.

Recommended dishes:

  • Four-course Farm Lunch
  • Seven-course Farm Chic Lunch

Location: Km 1.3 of the highway to Taray

Hours: Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Chuncho

Founded by the creators of El Albergue, Chuncho is a project that revives ancestral Andean cuisine with a contemporary twist. Its name in Quechua, which means “native” or “wild,” reflects the essence of the place: authenticity and respect for one’s own. Located two hours from Cusco, it offers multi-course menus that fuse traditional techniques with creative offerings, always using local ingredients. The result is a gastronomic experience that conveys identity and flavor in every dish.

Recommended Dishes:

  • 4-Course Chuncho Banquet
  • 4-Course Traditional Snack
  • Grilled Trout
  • Pickled Goose

Location: Corner of Chaupi Street

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Apu Veronica

With a privileged riverfront location and surrounded by mountains, Apu Verónica is a tourist restaurant that invites you to relax from the first moment. Its Andean cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh ingredients and generous portions, ideal for recharging your batteries after exploring the Ollantaytambo fortress. The warm and friendly service complements an experience designed to put travelers at ease.

Recommended dishes:

  • Stone-cooked meat
  • Grilled trout
  • Verónica burritos
  • Alpaca anticuchos

Location: Ventiderio Street

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:15 am to 10:00 pm

Mawic

Under the direction of Chef William, Mawic combines the best of Peruvian cuisine with modern techniques, creating dishes that balance tradition and modernity. Its dishes are made with local and organic ingredients, ensuring freshness and flavor in every bite. With a 4.8 rating on Tripadvisor, this restaurant stands out for its warm atmosphere, attentive service, and surprising yet friendly offerings.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Duck Confit
  • Mawic Pizza
  • Mawic Tasting Menu

Location: Av. Ferrocarril No. 119

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Best restaurants in Pisac

La ruta

Located in the heart of Pisac, La Ruta is a cozy restaurant highly appreciated by those who tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its menu combines Peruvian ingredients with modern techniques, creating tasty and honest dishes. The atmosphere invites you to enjoy at a leisurely pace, especially thanks to its terrace overlooking the main square, perfect for a leisurely lunch after exploring the Pisac market.

Recommended dishes:

  • Alpaca steak
  • Lomo saltado
  • Garlic trout
  • Ají de gallina
  • Rosemary chicken

Location: 153 San Francisco Street, second floor, across from Pisac Square

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

Qumas Peruvian Cusine Restaurant

In the center of Pisac lies Qumas, a restaurant that blends the best of Peruvian cuisine with international touches in a warm and relaxed space. Its attentive service makes every visit special, making it a recommended stop for those exploring the Sacred Valley and looking for good food. Here, the flavors stand out for their simplicity and excellent preparation, from Peruvian classics to lighter options.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Hearty Anticuchos
  • Hamburgers
  • Vegetable Soups
  • Lomo Saltado
  • Ají de Gallina
  • Garlic Trout
  • Ceviche

Location: Calle Amazonas 147, Pisac

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

SolSeed – School Café

In the heart of Pisac, SolSeed combines healthy food with a space designed for community. Its calm atmosphere invites you to enjoy leisurely, while its natural cuisine offers light, nutritious, and flavorful options. It’s ideal for those looking for a friendly, honest place with vegetarian and vegan options that feel homemade and fresh.

Recommended dishes:

  • Vegan burrito
  • Large salad
  • Soup of the day
  • Smoothies and natural juices

Location: Calle Pardo 360, Pisac

Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Cuchara de palo

Inside the Pisac Inn and facing the main plaza, Cuchara de Palo offers a complete gastronomic experience with local, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. Its menu blends Peruvian tradition with a contemporary twist, resulting in flavorful and beautifully presented dishes. The restaurant offers different atmospheres for every taste: a dining room with a fireplace, a patio surrounded by vegetation, a balcony overlooking the plaza, and an outdoor café. Everything is designed to allow you to enjoy your meal calmly and to the rhythm of Pisac.

Recommended dishes:

  • Ají de gallina with rice and black olives
  • Lamb seco with rustic purée
  • Alpaca fillet in wine sauce with quinotto
  • Cream of squash with quinoa crisps
  • Oriental-style sautéed quinoa

Location: Plaza Constitución 333, Pisac

Hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm

Antica Osteria Pisac

In the heart of Pisac, Antica Osteria brings the essence of Italian cuisine to the heart of the Sacred Valley. Its offerings focus on traditional recipes made with fresh, carefully selected ingredients. The space combines rustic elements with modern touches, offering a warm atmosphere complete with an indoor lounge and an outdoor terrace ideal for relaxing. It’s the perfect place for those looking for a change between Andean cuisine and Italian classics.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Neapolitan Pizza
  • Tagliatelle with Lamb Ragù
  • Meat Lasagna
  • Gnocchi with Pesto
  • Tiramisu
  • Selection of Italian and Peruvian wines

Location: Av. Federico Zamalloa, Pisac

Hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 5:00 a.m.

Apu Organico Nativo

Just one block from Pisac’s main square, Apu Orgánico Nativo is a vegan restaurant that focuses on organic and local ingredients. Its cuisine fuses Peruvian flavors with international offerings, creating nutritious, colorful, and tasty dishes. The welcoming atmosphere features indoor spaces and a terrace with mountain views, perfect for enjoying a healthy and relaxing meal in the Sacred Valley.

Recommended Dishes:

  • Daily Menu (soup, main course, dessert, and drink)
  • Andean Stew
  • Chickpea Burger
  • Spinach Omelette
  • Fresh Salads
  • Smoothies and Natural Juices
  • Vegan Cakes

Location: Calle Grau 534, Pisac

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to book in advance at restaurants in the Sacred Valley?
During high season (June to September), it’s advisable to book a few days in advance, especially at fine dining restaurants or those with limited capacity. During low season, most restaurants accept walk-ins.

What are the typical hours of operation at restaurants in the Sacred Valley?
Most are open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., although some offer early breakfasts and others, such as fine dining restaurants, operate with specific, shorter shifts.

Do restaurants typically use local produce in their preparations?
Yes, most rely on ingredients from the Sacred Valley itself, such as corn, quinoa, trout, aromatic herbs, and Andean tubers. This ensures freshness and an authentic flavor in every dish.

Are the restaurants easily accessible from Cusco?
Yes, most restaurants are located in accessible towns such as Urubamba, Pisac, or Ollantaytambo. You can get there by bus, tourist bus, or private taxi on 1- to 2-hour trips. If you prefer more comfortable experience, many travelers choice a tour private for the sacred valley, which also includes dining options.

Is it safe to eat at restaurants in the Sacred Valley?
Yes, tourist and recommended restaurants meet hygiene standards and are safe. As a precaution, it is suggested to drink only bottled water and avoid ice in lesser-known places.

Are there restaurants with views or special ambiances?
Yes, several offer terraces overlooking mountains and rivers, balconies overlooking main plazas, or outdoor dining areas surrounded by gardens. These details make the experience more memorable.

Do restaurants typically use local produce in their preparations?
Yes, most rely on ingredients from the Sacred Valley itself, such as corn, quinoa, trout, aromatic herbs, and Andean tubers. This ensures freshness and an authentic flavor in every dish.

Are the restaurants easily accessible from Cusco?
Yes, most restaurants are located in accessible towns such as Urubamba, Pisac, or Ollantaytambo. You can get there by bus, tourist bus, or private taxi on 1- to 2-hour trips.

Is it safe to eat at restaurants in the Sacred Valley?
Yes, tourist and recommended restaurants meet hygiene standards and are safe. As a precaution, it is suggested to drink only bottled water and avoid ice in lesser-known places.

Are there restaurants with views or special ambiances?
Yes, several offer terraces overlooking mountains and rivers, balconies overlooking main plazas, or outdoor dining areas surrounded by gardens. These details make the experience more memorable.

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