Virgilio Martínez, owner of Central restaurant in Lima, shares what he considers the best restaurants in Cusco. Out of five, how many have you visited?
Even chefs need to take time off to be a tourist. Virgilio Martinez, chef and owner of the acclaimed Central restaurant in Lima, did some research in order to list what he considers the best restaurants in Cusco. Recipient of the Chef’s Choice Award in 2017, we think his opinion should be trusted, don’t you?
1. Chuncho
This rustic style restaurant, tucked in the Urubamba Valley, is one of Virgilio’s favorites. Here you can find a delicious kapchi of ollucos, made with carrots, beans and wild mushrooms. Served with quinoa turrets, this dish is a good example of the restaurant’s use of native ingredients.
Address: Chaupi Calle, Ollantaytambo
2. Chicha
Owned by Gastón Acurio, this restaurant has standout Andean stews, according to Virgilio. He also highlights the lamb leg with potatoes and beans (pierna de cordero con papas y habas) and roast chicken with potatoes and onion (pollo a la leña asado con papas y cebollita).
Address: Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco
3. La calle del medio
“Their trout ceviche is very good,” says Virgilio. This is one of his favorite dishes, along with pastel de choclo (a corn cake typically filled with ground meat), from this contemporary Peruvian restaurant. Overlooking Cusco’s main square, it’s also a great option to do some pisco tasting.
Address: Calle del Medio 113, Plaza de Armas, Cusco
4. La bodega 138
This is a popular Italian restaurant where pastas and salads abound. The Peruvian chef is fascinated by the salads of this place, especially la bodega: made with mushrooms, black and green olives, avocado, peppers, cherry tomatoes, aguaymanto, artichokes and asparagus, it’s a fresh way to experience regional flavors.
Address: Herrajes 138, Cusco
5. La quinta Eulalia
A classic picantería (traditional eatery), this Cusco restaurant has been serving up flavorful dishes since 1941. Here you can enjoy both a delicious guinea pig and cerdo al horno (baked pork) with rocoto relleno (stuffed pepper). Though the latter is a classic dish from Arequipa, La quinta Eulalia has created their own Cusco version.
Address: Choquechaca 384, Cusco
Source: El Comercio
This article has been updated since its original publication on August 9, 2019.
