Food Tour in Cusco
The food scene in Cusco is best discovered on foot — walk between Plaza de Armas, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) and San Pedro Market to taste what makes this city's culinary identity distinct. Tuck into lesser-known corners like Mercado de Wanchaq for the dishes visitors rarely find. From morning market runs to late-night street food, every neighborhood here has its own flavor.
Cusco is one of the most historically layered cities in the Americas, where every walk reveals the intersection of Inca and Spanish colonial civilizations. The Plaza de Armas, once the heart of the Inca Empire, is now surrounded by colonial arcades and churches built on Inca foundations. The Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) — once covered in gold — now supports the Santo Domingo convent, and its precisely fitted Inca stonework is among the finest in the world. The narrow street of Hatun Rumiyuq features the famous twelve-angled stone, a masterpiece of Inca masonry. The San Pedro Market is the culinary heart of the city, with fresh juices, ceviche, and local specialties. The bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, perched above the center, offers artisan workshops, small galleries, and some of the best views over the terracotta rooftops. The nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, with their massive zigzag walls, are a short walk above the city.
Free Food Tour in Cusco with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro, also known as Roamee, offers a free food tour route in Cusco. The audio walking tour can include stops such as Plaza de Armas — the former Inca ceremonial plaza of Huacaypata now flanked by colonial arcades, the Cathedral with its Last Supper featuring guinea pig, and Jesuit church, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) — the Inca Empire's most sacred temple whose walls were once plated in gold, now partially beneath the colonial Santo Domingo church with perfectly fitted stonework, San Pedro Market — Cusco's central market since colonial times, where vendors sell fresh tropical juices, local cheeses, giant corn, and steaming plates of cuy (guinea pig), plus hidden gems like Mercado de Wanchaq — a local market less touristy than San Pedro, where Cusqueños shop for daily groceries and traditional medicines.
Use this page as a starting point for a Cusco walking tour, a free route, or the Roamee app for Cusco. Roamee Pro keeps the route flexible so you can follow the stops, skip ahead, or explore nearby streets at your own pace.
How to Plan This Food Tour
A strong Cusco food tour should connect recognizable anchors like Plaza de Armas, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) and San Pedro Market with a few slower discoveries around Mercado de Wanchaq. Use the major stops for orientation, then let the route bend toward the neighborhoods, viewpoints, markets, paths, or cultural details that match a food tour.
Roamee Pro treats the page as a starting brief rather than a fixed script: it can prioritize Inca history, archaeology, food, adjust the walking time, and keep narration focused on why each stop matters for this specific theme.
Top Food Tour Spots
- •Plaza de Armas — the former Inca ceremonial plaza of Huacaypata now flanked by colonial arcades, the Cathedral with its Last Supper featuring guinea pig, and Jesuit church
- •Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) — the Inca Empire's most sacred temple whose walls were once plated in gold, now partially beneath the colonial Santo Domingo church with perfectly fitted stonework
- •San Pedro Market — Cusco's central market since colonial times, where vendors sell fresh tropical juices, local cheeses, giant corn, and steaming plates of cuy (guinea pig)
Hidden Food Tour Gems
- •Mercado de Wanchaq — a local market less touristy than San Pedro, where Cusqueños shop for daily groceries and traditional medicines
Food Tour Perspective
While Cusco is best known for Inca history and archaeology, stops like Plaza de Armas and Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) sit alongside bakeries and cafes tucked into side streets — and quieter spots like Mercado de Wanchaq where the real locals eat. A food-focused walk connects the culinary landmarks with the places that reflect daily life, turning a sightseeing route into an edible discovery.
Walking Tip
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters (11,150 feet) — altitude sickness is real and affects most visitors. Take your first day very slowly, drink coca tea, and avoid strenuous walking until you acclimatize.
Best Time to Visit
May through October is the dry season with sunny days and cold nights, offering the best conditions for walking the city and visiting nearby ruins.
Ready for a food tour in Cusco?
Get a personalized walking route with narrated stories — no booking needed
Start Your Cusco Tour — FreeYour personal guide in 5 seconds