Aguas Calientes functions as the main settlement at the base of Machu Picchu and provides the principal point of access to the Inca City. After completing a visit to Machu Picchu, meals in the town allow direct exposure to Andean culinary practices that incorporate local ingredients and preparation methods developed over centuries. During organised tours to Machu Picchu, our local guides, who maintain extensive experience on all tourist routes in the Cusco region, deliver detailed explanations of the site and can indicate establishments in Aguas Calientes that align with visitor schedules. The agency supplies private transportation with its own vehicles for all transfers included in such itineraries.
Traditional Dishes of Andean Origin Available in the Area
Several preparations commonly offered in Aguas Calientes reflect established Andean food traditions. These include:
- Peruvian ceviche: Raw fish cured in lime juice, typically served with onions and chili.
- Chicharrón: Fried pork or alternative proteins, often accompanied by corn or potatoes.
- Lomo saltado: Stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, rice, and potatoes.
- Chupe de quinoa: Soup prepared with quinoa, vegetables, and sometimes meat or herbs.
- Cuy: Guinea pig, a traditional Andean protein usually roasted and served with potatoes and salad.
- Alpaca meat: Lean red meat prepared in steaks or stews, comparable in texture to certain game meats.
- Pisco sour: Beverage made with pisco, lime, syrup, and egg white, finished with bitters.
- Humitas dulces: Sweet corn cakes steamed in husks with milk, sugar, and raisins.
- Chirimoya: Andean fruit with a texture and flavor profile that includes notes of pineapple and custard.
As the Spanish chronicler Pedro Cieza de León observed in 1553 regarding the potato, a central element in many of these dishes: “It is the bread of this land, and it is a very good sustenance.”
Practical Considerations for Meals in Aguas Calientes
Prices are expressed in Peruvian soles. Smaller establishments commonly require cash payments in small denominations. Credit cards are accepted in many locations, though an additional fee may apply. Tap water is not recommended for consumption; filtered water is provided at tables in most establishments. Coca tea, a preparation derived from the coca leaf, is widely available and forms part of Andean practices for managing effects of elevation. Tipping is standard at 10 percent when service is not already included in the bill. No international chain restaurants operate in the town; all establishments source ingredients locally where possible.
Recommended Establishments
Indio Feliz Restaurant Bistro
Price range: $$ –$$$ Hours: Daily 12:00–22:00 Payment: Credit cards accepted Recommended dish: Fried trout with mushroom cream sauce
This establishment combines elements of French technique with Andean ingredients. The menu includes trout preparations, chicken seasoned with local spices, and desserts such as flambéed pineapple. Portions are substantial, and the setting features regional decorative elements.
The Tree House Restaurant
Price range: $$–$$$ Hours: Daily 12:30–21:30 Payment: American Express, Mastercard, Visa Recommended dish: Tenderloin
The menu integrates traditional Andean items with international methods, using ingredients from the surrounding area. Dishes such as Amazonian fish, alpaca tenderloin, and quinoa-stuffed peppers are prepared with attention to presentation.
Chullos Craft Beer & Homemade Food
Price range: $$ Hours: 10:00–22:00 Payment: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa Recommended dish: House craft beers
The menu focuses on Andean comfort preparations including alpaca burgers, roasted chicken, and quinoa salads. Craft beers incorporate local ingredients such as coca leaf or native fruits. The setting is informal and suited to post-visit meals.
Julian Restaurant
Price range: $$ Hours: Daily 07:00–22:00 Payment: American Express, Mastercard, Visa Recommended dish: Trout with passion fruit pisco sour
Regional specialties such as trout, ceviche, lomo saltado, and quinoa risotto are prepared with fresh ingredients. The location near the river supports a calm setting after activities in the area.
El Museo De La Papa
Price range: $$ Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00 Payment: Credit cards accepted Recommended dish: Potato-based preparations
The menu centers on potato dishes, including stews, soups, and fried varieties. A small display area presents information on the historical role of the potato in Andean agriculture.
Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant
Price range: $$–$$$ Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00 Payment: Credit cards accepted Recommended dish: Craft beers
The menu combines Andean ingredients with international options and features a selection of Peruvian craft beers. The setting includes views toward the river and surrounding terrain.
Cafe Inkaterra
Price range: $$ –$$$ Hours: Lunch 11:30–16:00; Dinner 18:00–22:00 Payment: American Express, Mastercard, Visa Recommended dish: Trout
Located within a hotel structure, the menu applies contemporary methods to Andean cuisine. The design provides views of the Vilcanota River. Reservations are advisable during periods of higher visitor numbers.
Incontri Del Pueblo Viejo
Price range: $$ Hours: Daily 11:00–22:00 Payment: Credit cards accepted Recommended dish: Wood-fired pizza
The menu includes Italian preparations adapted with local ingredients, such as pizzas, pasta, and salads. The setting is informal with mountain views.
Chef House Peruvian Food
Price range: $$ –$$$ Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00 Payment: Mastercard, Visa Recommended dish: Ceviche and hamburger variations
The menu presents traditional Peruvian dishes with modern adjustments, including alpaca, trout, and quinoa preparations.
Ponchos Food & Wines
Price range: $$–$$$ Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00 Payment: Visa Recommended dish: Alpaca steak with local wines
The menu features Andean classics such as alpaca steaks, quinoa risotto, and trout. A selection of wines is available.
Green House Organic Concept
Price range: $$–$$$ Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00 Payment: Credit cards accepted Recommended dish: Trout ceviche
The menu uses organic ingredients and includes options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Preparations adapt Peruvian classics with attention to sustainability.
Additional Establishments in the Area
- Tampu Restaurant: Operates within the Sanctuary Lodge and is restricted to hotel guests.
- Tinkuy Restaurant: Buffet service located in the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge near the Machu Picchu entrance.
- Apu Inti Restaurante Machupicchu: Features trout ceviche, alpaca steak, and quinoa dishes.
- El Mapi Restaurant: Buffet service within the Inkaterra Hotel offering a range of preparations.
These options in Aguas Calientes allow for meals that connect directly to the cultural and agricultural traditions of the Andean region following a visit to Machu Picchu. Each establishment maintains its own operational characteristics, and selection depends on schedule and preferences.