Stay A Little Bit Longer in Cusco on your Private Peru Vacation – Part 3

Thomas Adams — Fri, 24 May 2019 18:36:36 +0000

In the previous articles of this series on staying longer in Cusco on your private Peru vacation, I discussed about visiting museums and galleries and shopping. Now we’re onto food, everyone’s favorite subject!

Over recent decades, Peru has gained a well-earned reputation as a center of gastronomy. World-famous Peruvian chef, Gaston Acurio, has devoted himself to bringing renown to Peruvian cuisine with the result that Peru’s gastronomy is now on the radar in many cosmopolitan areas in the world. Cusco, as the most visited South American city, is home to a great many wonderful restaurants, cafés, and eateries of all kinds. A few of which, I’ll describe in this article. Prepare to indulge in some of the most delightful flavors and textures during your Cusco holiday!

Criollo is the name of the gastronomy that’s evolved in Peru over centuries. Influenced by indigenous, Spanish, African, Asian, and Western European culinary styles and ingredients, it’s a cuisine like no others in the world. Fresh, natural ingredients and the liberal use of local herbs and seasonings, such as huacatay, muña, and cilantro, as well as yellow ají peppers, are among its trademarks.

Here are a few restaurants with traditional and modern takes on Criollo food.

Greens Organic Restaurant

Located just off the Plaza de Armas, Greens serves a variety of dishes prepared from locally sourced, organic ingredients. Known for their friendly service and creative menu, this restaurant also offers vegan and vegetarian options. The smoked trout appetizer I had here was to die for!

Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse

This impeccable, elegantly decorated restaurant is located half a block from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. Chef Marcelo Batata serves up hot stone-grilled meats, sublime salads, and a variety of side-dishes using traditional Peruvian ingredients with an imaginative flare.

Chicha

Known for its delicious food and generous portions, Chicha is a Gaston Acurio restaurant located on Plaza Regocijo near Cusco’s main square, serving traditional Peruvian dishes with a gourmet twist. For meat lovers, there is Sancochado, cooked in broth with three types of meat and a hearty mixture of root and leaf vegetables. It is served with house-made sauces for dipping. Save room for dessert. I had the Chocolate Balloon. It was creamy, crunchy, and absolutely delicious! A take on the classic stuffed apple dessert.

Kion

There’s a large and vital Chinese population in Peru that immigrated here beginning in the late 19^th century. The cuisine they brought fused over time with Peruvian ingredients to create a unique Chinese-Peruvian type of gastronomy known as Chifa. Of the many Chifa restaurants in Cusco, Kion stands out for its masterful presentation of the diverse tastes and textures. Fresh and colorful ingredients are the hallmark of this type of cooking.

The abovementioned restaurants are in the upscale and touristic category. During your private Peru vacation, you might also find it fun to visit some of the local establishments and rub elbows with the Cusqueñans that frequent them.

Yola

For a taste of delicious Criollo food in a restaurant made popular by locals, try Yola, known for its generous portions of delicious traditional Peruvian food at very reasonable prices. Some of their most popular dishes include lomo saltado (stir-fried beef over rice), aji de gallina (shredded chicken served with a creamy yellow pepper sauce), and milanesa de pollo (lightly breaded fried chicken cutlet). Yum!

Pollo a la brasa (wood-fired chicken) is Peru’s universal go-to food, kind of what hamburgers are like in the States. A great local choice for this well-seasoned, crisp-skinned delight is Nesedy’s, with several locations around Cusco. The chicken is served with papas fritas (fried potatoes) and a variety of sauces. Ketchup is available if you ask for it, but it’s more common to find Cusqueñans dipping their fries in mayonnaise! Another great option is Don Belisario’s, which also has a few locations around town.

We hope you enjoy the options we’ve provided for both upscale and local Cusco eateries during your private Peru vacation!

Cusco: Beyond Machu Picchu

Abel Cisneros — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 23:54:20 +0000

Many travelers pass through Cusco en route to Machu Picchu, but this compelling city deserves more than a short stop-over. Cusco is one of the most vibrant cities in Latin America.

An Incan City at Heart

Enjoy Cusco’s Spectacular Scenery!

Cusco is situated in the heart of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of approximately 11,150 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level. Hundreds of years ago, Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire. This powerful civilization ruled a large part of South America before being displaced by the Spanish in the 16th Century.

Cusco fell on hard times after the Spanish conquest, but the discovery of Machu Picchu in the early 20th century signaled the beginning of a renaissance for the city which later received declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The innumerable delightful amount of churches and convents are testament to the city’s unique conservation, beginning with the churches throughout the central historic district and the Cathedral in particular as the most striking example. Between independent travelers and private tours, Machu Picchu and Cusco attract more than one million international visitors every year.

Cusco Beautiful Church – Iglesia de la Compañia (Church of the Company)

The city is proud of its Incan heritage, with modern Cusco blending ancient traditions with influences from its Spanish settlers. You can sense the city’s rich history as you wander through its old colonial streets building that were constructed using the foundation of Incan stonework and architecture. You’ll find numerous excellent museums all over the city, dedicated to the mixed cultural heritage that has made Cusco such a unique, fascinating place to visit.

Take a Tour of Cusco

The Four “Suyos” (Regions) of the Incan Empire

In 1950, a terrible earthquake struck Cusco, seriously damaging over half of the city’s buildings. Although numerous colonial churches and adobe houses were left in ruins, almost all of the city’s Inca sites remained intact.

Some notable Inca sites in the city include Koricancha, which was once the most important temple in the Incan Empire; as well as Sacsayhuaman, a citadel found on the northern outskirts of the city.

Private Family Travel to Sacsayhuaman Archeological Complex

A compact and open city, Cusco’s appeal is further enhanced by its walkability. It’s easy to stroll between various sites, soaking up the city’s infectious energy as you go. Cusco’s narrow colonial streets are a sea of noise, color and smells, making a stroll through the city an intense yet wonderful experience.

What You Can Find As You Wonder Through Cusco’s Streets

Cusco is also home to some of Peru’s finest restaurants and services. Although Lima is recognized as the country’s Mecca for foodies, Cusco is not far behind. Cusco’s restaurants are using traditional ingredients and techniques to create modern interpretations of classic Peruvian dishes. With Gaston Acurio’s Chicha leading to way, the city’s talented chefs are enticing more and more visitors to come to Cusco as much for its food as anything else.

Cusco also offers some of the top hotels in the country. Unique accommodations like Hotel Palacio Nazarenas and La Casona are redefining luxury travel in Peru, and are consistently voted among the best places to stay in South America. Cusco’s innovative hotels and attractive restaurants add a cosmopolitan flair to the city, while its rich customs and intriguing historical sites connect it to the past allowing the city to strike a perfect balance between history and traditional culture.

Palacio Nazarenas Hotel in Cusco

We can help you plan a rewarding stop in Cusco as part of your personalized trip to Peru. Meet one of our friendly travel designers and contact us today to get started!