Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town, is the village where all travelers arrive before exploring the famous Machu Picchu.
However, as Aguas Calientes is quite small there aren’t many things to do. That’s why finding a good restaurant is even more important as you will most likely want to eat somewhere when arriving in Aguas Calientes or after you have done your Machu Picchu tour.
You will be especially hungry after you have done one of the additional hikes, such as the Sun Gate or a hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain.
In order to simplify your decision of where to go, we created a list of the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes so that you can find some great places to eat.
What to Eat In Aguas Calientes?
- Diverse Alpaca steak variations
- Lomo Saltado
- Trout
- Machu Picchu Pizza
The following traditional Peruvian food recommendations in Aguas Calientes are based on the dishes the restaurants offer, the average prices, whether you need a reservation or not and much more.
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Mapacho Craft Beer & Peruvian Cuisine
Interesting facts: Great view of the Urubamba River.
Average Price: $7-14
Kitchen: Peruvian, vegetarian, vegan
Best time to eat: Brunch, lunch & dinner (or just for drinks)
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Alpaca Steak, Aji de Gallina, Lomo Saltado
Atmosphere: Casual
Apu Inti Restaurante
Interesting facts: They use organic products from the Peruvian coast, mountains & jungle.
Average Price: $6-13
Kitchen: Peruvian, vegetarian, vegan
Best time to eat: Breakfast, brunch, lunch & dinner
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Alpaca Steak, Ceviche Trout, Salad Quinoa Fantasy
Atmosphere: Casual
El Mapi Restaurant
Interesting facts: Daily buffet lunch.
Average Price: $15
Kitchen: Peruvian
Best time to eat: Lunch
Reservation: Highly recommendable
Try this: Different soups, meats, salads, desserts
Atmosphere: Casual
La Boulangerie de Paris
Interesting facts: Everything is baked on site.
Average Price: $2-9
Kitchen: French, international, healthy
Best time to eat: Breakfast, snacks
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Almond croissant, chefs pizza with zucchini, red pepper, onions, olives and smoked ham, Croque Monsieur – french grilled sandwich with cheese, ham, bechamel sauce, Scones.
Atmosphere: Casual
The Tree House Restaurant
Interesting facts: Interior is made out of wood.
Average Price: $9-22
Kitchen: Peruvian, International, South American
Best time to eat: brunch, lunch, dinner
Reservation: Recommendable
Try this: Alpaca with blue cheese sauce, trucha crocante (crispy trout in quinoa flakes) served with blue cheese risotto.
Atmosphere: Casual
Mesa 7 Restaurante
Interesting facts: Amazing view of the river and the mountains.
Average Price: $6-12
Kitchen: Italian, Peruvian, South American
Best time to eat: Breakfast, brunch, lunch & dinner
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Trout, Machu Picchu Pizza, Alpaca with Quinoa
Atmosphere: Casual
Full House Peruvian Cuisine
Interesting facts: Fusion kitchen of jungle, coast and mountains. You can enjoy your meal at the balcony with a view of the river.
Average Price: $9-15
Kitchen: Peruvian, pizza, vegan
Best time to eat: Lunch & dinner (or just for drinks)
Reservation: Not required
Try this: Lomo Saltado, Alpaca with Tacu Tacu, Lomo Saltado, Pizza al Gusto (different toppings), Grilled Anticuchos (cow heart).
Atmosphere: Casual
Enjoy the Best Restaurants in Aguas Calientes
I hope that these recommendations are helpful for finding the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes during your trip to Machu Picchu.
All of these restaurant recommendations are based on our personal opinion and I want to state clearly that we are not affiliated to these restaurants in any way.
Did we forget a restaurant or a dish that we should definitely include in our list for Aguas Calientes? When heading back to Cusco after your Machu Picchu tour, you can check out our recommendations for restaurants in Cusco so that you can make the best out of your stay in the city of the Incas.
