Must-see restaurants in Arequipa

Peru’s most famous chef, Gastón Acurio, owns this experimental place where the menu closely reflects Peru’s Inca-Spanish roots. River prawns are a…

The innovative, wonderfully plated contemporary Peruvian creations at Salamanto bolster Arequipa's reputation as a foodie destination. The five-dish…

An unmissable local favorite, this long-running picantería has old-world formal service but a casual atmosphere that turns boisterous even during the week…

Upscale but not ridiculously pricey, Zig Zag is a Peruvian restaurant with European inflections. It inhabits a two-story colonial house with an iron…

Culinary legends are made in this leading font of gastronomic innovation, an ideal place to try outnouveau renditions of Peruvian standards including…

Arequipa's picanterías (informal local restaurants) are traditionally communal, and you might be encouraged here to sit at long tables alongside strangers…

This pizza cafe stands out for its secluded small courtyard and veggie-friendly pizzas that include interesting bases like gluten-free maíz morado (purple…

With the spud as its star ingredient, Hatunpa's cuisine is surprisingly tasty. The trick? Potatoes originate in Peru and the arequipeños know how to…

All the essential components of a great cafe – food, setting, service, ambience – come together at Crepísimo, located inside Arequipa's French cultural…

Easily the best budget set lunches in Arequipa. Traditional Peruvian dishes, like causa limeña de pollo (chicken, avocado and potato stack) are served…

Like fish? Like intimate, secret-garden settings? Then grab a taxi (or walk) out to the pleasant Yanahuara district for the ultimate in ceviches or…

This small and to-the-point place serves only the best ceviche (raw seafood marinated in lime juice) and nothing else. Pull up a chair at a rickety table…

This locally famous restaurant has maze-like gardens, live folklórica and criollo (an upbeat coastal style) music, and does traditional Peruvian fare well…

Herby focaccia, delicious brownies, chocolate truffles, handmade pasta, wine and rustic real baguettes filled with arugula and sun-dried tomato are just…

Serving good Peruvian food in the Yanahuara district, this picantería (informal local restaurant) has live música folklórica every afternoon from 1pm to…

The indoor smoke from the wood-fired oven and cigarette-puffing diners and staff isn't exactly a sight for sore eyes, but it's worth it for arguably the…

A helping of epicurean delight can be found just next door to the austere Monasterio de Santa Catalina. The menu of Italian specialties was created with…

Not your standard sandwiches, the sánguches here are panini-like creations with wood-fire-roasted pulled pork, chicken or turkey and creamy sauces such as…

An elegant upper-crust alternative to the city center (located 2km away), with both Italian and Peruvian specialties, good wine and cocktails, and live…

The hike up the stairs to this rooftop eatery is well worth it for the view of the Plaza de Armas and mountains beyond. An enormous menu features…