English and Spanish-speaking guide
Group tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Check the Dates
Book this guided food tour in Cusco to sample a variety of Peruvian delicacies while exploring the city’s most charming streets after dark. From savory grilled skewers to sweet donuts and warming traditional drinks, you will experience the diverse tastes that locals love. The tour begins at the Cusco Cathedral and concludes in the city center, making it an easy addition to any evening itinerary.
Highlights:
- Sample 4 distinct local food stalls featuring a variety of traditional Peruvian snacks and desserts.
- Taste iconic delicacies including anticuchos, picarones, and emolientes (traditional herbal teas).
- Experience local favorites like arroz con leche, mazamorra morada, and warming ponches.
- Learn about the cultural history and ingredients behind each dish from your expert guide.
- Discover where locals go to eat, away from the standard tourist restaurant scene.
About this tour:
This Cusco food tour is an immersive 1.5-hour evening walking excursion designed to introduce you to the vibrant and authentic flavors of the Imperial City’s street food scene. As the sun sets and the colonial architecture of the historic center is illuminated, you will follow a professional bilingual guide through charming cobblestone streets to discover where the locals go for their favorite traditional snacks.
The experience begins at the designated meeting point in front of the Cusco Cathedral, where you will meet your guide and fellow foodies. From here, you will embark on a curated stroll to 4 different food stalls, each selected for its authentic recipes and local popularity. You will have the opportunity to taste a variety of Peruvian delicacies, including anticuchos (marinated beef heart skewers), picarones (sweet potato and squash donuts), and emolientes (traditional herbal teas). The tour also features sweet treats like arroz con leche (rice pudding), mazamorra morada (purple corn pudding), and warming ponches, providing a complete overview of Cusco’s diverse street-side gastronomy.
Beyond the tastings, this tour offers a magical atmosphere as you navigate the city by night. Your guide will share insights into the ingredients and cultural history of each dish, explaining how traditional Andean flavors have evolved over centuries. The walk concludes in the heart of the city center, leaving you perfectly positioned to continue your evening exploration of Cusco’s nightlife or return to your hotel with a newfound appreciation for Peruvian street food.
Included:
- Personnel: Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
- Tastings: All food samples at 4 different stalls, including anticuchos, picarones, emolientes, arroz con leche, mazamorra morada, and ponches.
Essential Information:
- Meeting Point: Meet your guide in front of the Cusco Cathedral at the appointed time. View in Google Maps.
- Recommendations: Bring a camera for nighttime city views and come with an appetite for multiple street food tastings.
- Accessibility: This is a walking tour through cobblestone streets; comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.
Activity provider: Inspires Viagens
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Cusco food tour include?
This 1.5-hour evening excursion is a guided culinary journey that covers all tastings at four carefully selected local food stalls. You will receive professional bilingual guidance in English and Spanish as you navigate the historic center’s street food scene. The package includes iconic items such as anticuchos, picarones, and emolientes, along with traditional desserts like arroz con leche and mazamorra morada.
What is not covered by the tour price?
While all specific street food tastings mentioned in the itinerary are included, any additional food or drinks purchased outside of the four designated stops are not covered. The tour price does not include gratuities for your guide, which are at your discretion. Additionally, hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of this walking tour package, so you will need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.
Where and when does this Cusco food tour begin?
What will I experience during this food tour in Cusco?
You will experience a magical evening walk through the illuminated heart of the Imperial City, guided by the enticing aromas of traditional Peruvian street food. This tour allows you to step away from typical tourist restaurants and join the locals at their favorite neighborhood stalls to sample authentic recipes that have been perfected over generations. You will taste a balance of savory delights like grilled anticuchos and sweet treats such as freshly made picarones, all while learning about the unique ingredients and cultural significance of each dish.
The atmosphere of the tour is truly special, as the moonlit cobblestone streets and glowing colonial plazas provide a stunning backdrop for your gastronomic adventure. Your expert guide will share fascinating stories about how Andean flavors have evolved, giving you a deeper connection to the city’s living history. By the end of the 90-minute stroll, you will have gained a comprehensive introduction to Cusco’s street-side gastronomy and a local’s perspective on the city’s vibrant nightlife.