Restaurants in Aguas Calientes: Where to eat well and cheap

Aguas Calientes has more than 100 restaurants for a town of just over 5,000 residents. That ratio says it all: the town lives off tourism, and eating well here is part of the experience. The options range from market food stalls, where a set meal costs less than 3 dollars, to hotel restaurants with Andean fusion menus and river views. Between those two extremes, there is a wide middle range of places offering good Peruvian food at reasonable prices, without having to spend more than makes sense just because you are in the most touristy town in the country.

The food market: the cheapest option

On the second floor of the food market, located on the corner of the main square, you will find the most affordable food stalls in town. A daily set menu with a starter, main course, and drink costs between 8 and 15 soles, which is about 2 to 4 dollars. The dishes served are the same ones you would find in any traditional local eatery in Peru: sopa criolla, arroz con pollo, lomo saltado, fried trout, and seasonal stews. The presentation is simple, but the food is real and the portions are generous. It is the same option many local workers choose for their daily lunch, which says a lot about its quality and price.

Mid-range restaurants: good Peruvian food without overspending

The town’s mid-range restaurants offer the best balance between quality and price. Places in this category are mainly located along Pachacútec Avenue, which leads from the main square to the hot springs, and along Imperio de los Incas Avenue, which runs parallel to the train tracks. An à la carte dish at these restaurants costs between 30 and 50 soles, or about 8 to 14 dollars. Lunch menus can be even more affordable. Most places serve river trout, grilled alpaca, lomo saltado, trout ceviche, ají de gallina, and causa rellena. Some have terraces overlooking the Vilcanota River, which is the best dining view available in town.

Dishes you have to try in Aguas Calientes

Trout is the dish that best defines the cuisine of this part of Cusco. Trout are raised in Andean rivers, and the area’s cold climate produces a fish with firm texture and strong flavor. The fried version is the most common, but it is also served baked with local herbs or as ceviche with lime and yellow chili pepper. It is the town’s most representative dish and the one that differs most from what people usually eat in Cusco or Lima.

Grilled alpaca is another specialty unique to the Andean region. Alpaca meat has a stronger flavor than beef, less fat, and a distinctive texture that varies a lot depending on how it is cooked. When properly prepared, it is one of the best dishes you can eat on the whole trip. It is served as fillets, anticuchos, or stew depending on the restaurant.

Roasted or fried guinea pig appears on the menus of the town’s more local restaurants. It is a pre-Hispanic dish deeply rooted in Andean cuisine and surprises many travelers because of its presentation, which includes the whole animal. It is not for every palate, but it is one of the most authentic food experiences you can have in the area.

Lomo saltado, ají de gallina, and causa rellena appear on almost every menu and are a good reference point for travelers who prefer familiar flavors within classic Peruvian cuisine.

Pizzerias: plentiful and practical

Aguas Calientes has a surprising number of pizzerias for a town of its size. They are spread along Pachacútec Avenue and the side streets in the town center. Pizza has nothing local about it, but it serves a practical purpose: it is fast, reasonably priced at between 25 and 45 soles depending on size, and it is a convenient option when you just need to eat something easy before catching the train back. Many of these places also offer pasta, salads, and craft beers.

Cafés and bakeries: for breakfast and snacks in between

For breakfast, the most popular option is the cafés and bakeries in the town center. There are places with French influence that make croissants, pastries, and fresh sandwiches early in the morning. A full breakfast with coffee, bread, and eggs costs between 15 and 30 soles. For those heading to Machu Picchu on the first entry slot of the day, it is the most important meal of the day, and it is worth planning for it either the night before or by waking up early enough to have it ready before boarding the bus.

Restaurants with river views

One of the best features of Aguas Calientes is that the Vilcanota River runs through the town, and several restaurants have terraces or windows with direct views of the water and the cloud forest mountains around it. Those tables are especially pleasant at sunset, when the light softens between the hills. Prices at these restaurants usually fall in the mid-range, between 35 and 60 soles per dish, and the view justifies the extra cost compared to indoor places.

High-end restaurants: when they are worth it

The restaurants in the town’s higher-end hotels offer more refined dining experiences, with Andean fusion dishes, better-quality ingredients, and full table service. Prices per person at these places range from 50 to 100 dollars including drinks. They are a good option for travelers celebrating something special or simply wanting to end their Machu Picchu day with a memorable dinner. The lunch buffets offered by some of these restaurants can be a middle-ground option, with prices around 40 dollars including unlimited access to all the dishes.

What is inside Machu Picchu

Once inside the archaeological site, there are no restaurants or food stands. Large backpacks and foods other than small snacks like nuts or energy bars are not allowed. If you plan to spend more than three hours inside the citadel, it is a good idea to bring something to eat from Aguas Calientes before going up.

Practical tips for eating in Aguas Calientes

Prices in town are higher than in Cusco across all categories. The reason is the same as for handicrafts: everything arrives by train, which makes supply more expensive. Bringing some cash in soles from Cusco is useful because not all budget restaurants accept cards. During the high season, between June and August, the most popular restaurants fill up quickly at lunch and dinner time. If you have a fixed train schedule for your return, it is best to leave enough extra time for your meal. Tap water is not recommended for drinking, so always ask for bottled or boiled water.

Peru Sites coordinates your full stay in Aguas Calientes

At Peru Sites, we include the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes in our Machu Picchu packages and guide our clients on where to eat based on their budget and the time they have available that day. Travel with us on the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek, or on a direct tour to Machu Picchu.