DESCRIPTION
Cusco’s Picanterías
Cusco’s Picanterías are traditional spaces that merge the ancient custom of chicherías with the regional cuisine of Cusco. They emerged during the colonial era as social, cultural, and culinary gathering places, where traditional meals were shared accompanied by handcrafted chicha de jora or frutillada. In the past, these establishments were recognized by hanging a reed pole adorned with rue or corn branches wrapped in red plastic, a symbol that chicha was being sold. By the 1980s, there were more than a hundred of them in the historic center, especially in the neighborhoods of San Pedro, San Blas, Santa Ana, and Santiago.
In 2015, Picanterías were declared a National Cultural Heritage Site for their historical, social, and gastronomic value.
They represent a living legacy of the ancient Inca chicherías, where fermented corn was combined with the coexistence of different social classes. Inside, you can still enjoy traditional music, the game of sapo, and typical dishes such as guinea pig pepián, roast suckling pig, chicharrón, or malaya frita, always accompanied by the essential chicha de jora or sweet strawberry ice cream. Among Cusco’s most iconic picanterías are Quinta Waly, famous for its mushroom capchi and strawberry ice cream; Quinta Eulalia, an icon in San Blas since 1941 for its stuffed rocoto (rocoto stuffed meat); Las Manuelitas, renowned for its roasted guinea pig; La Chomba, famous for its generous portions and festive atmosphere; and La Cusqueñísima, which revives ancestral recipes with a modern twist. Today, touring Cusco’s traditional picanterías has become a must-see tourist experience for those who want to experience local cuisine from its roots.
The Cusco Traditional Picanterías Tour invites you to discover these iconic spaces through a tour that includes a visit to the San Pedro Market, La Chomba restaurant, and Mamá Trini picanteria, where visitors can sample delicacies such as Chiri Uchu, Cusco Adobo, guinea pig chactado, quinoa soup, and pachamanca. Beyond the flavor, each dish tells a story that unites the past and present of Andean culture, making Cusco picanterías a symbol of identity and a living expression of Peru’s culinary heritage.
ITINERARY
🕓 Detailed Itinerary – Tour of Cusco’s Traditional Picanterías (Half Day)
Total Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Modality: Gastronomic – Cultural – Experiential
Departures: Daily (morning or afternoon)
🕘Pickup from your hotel and cultural welcome
We begin the tour with pickup from your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco. Our gastronomic guide will welcome you by explaining the history of the picanterías and their role in Cusco’s social life from the colonial era to the present day.
🛍️ Visit to San Pedro Market
First stop at the traditional San Pedro Market, designed by Gustave Eiffel in the 19th century. Here you will see the basic ingredients of Cusco cuisine: white corn, native potatoes, Andean herbs, dried chili peppers, cheeses, pork rinds, and traditional breads. The guide will explain the importance of chicha de jora in local celebrations and its cultural symbolism.
🍽️ Tasting at La Chomba Picantería
We’ll head to the legendary La Chomba Picantería, located on Tullumayo Avenue, known for its rustic atmosphere and hearty dishes. Here you’ll try the traditional fried malaya, golden trout, or roasted suckling pig, accompanied by a refreshing strawberry drink. The guide will share stories about the evolution of the Picanterías and how they became cultural centers of Cusco.
🍷 Visit to Mamá Trini Picantería
We’ll continue to Mamá Trini Picantería, famous for its Adobo Cusqueño and Chiri Uchu, a signature dish of Corpus Christi. Here you’ll have a hands-on conversation with the restaurant’s hosts, who will share the preparation techniques, the use of corn, and the rituals that accompany the making of chicha de jora.
Cultural Lunch with Traditional Music
During lunch, you’ll enjoy live Andean or Cusco Creole music. You’ll participate in a short demonstration of the sapo game, a popular custom in the old picanterías.
Closing Experience and Return to the Hotel
We’ll conclude the tour with a tasting of local desserts (mazamorra morada or rice pudding) and a brief talk about the cultural legacy of Cusco cuisine. Return to your hotel or meeting point.
INCLUDES
✅ Includes
🚐 Hotel pickup (Cusco Historic Center only)
The service begins with pickup from your accommodation located within Cusco’s historic center, ensuring comfort and punctuality. Our staff will pick you up at the scheduled time to begin the tour without incident. If your accommodation is outside this area, a nearby and accessible meeting point will be arranged.
👨🏻🍳 Professional food guide (Spanish / English)
Throughout the experience, you will be accompanied by a guide specialized in Cusco’s gastronomy and culture, fluent in Spanish and English. They will explain the historical origin of picanterías, Andean culinary traditions, local ingredients, and the symbolism behind each dish and drink.
🚌 Tourist transportation throughout the tour
Enjoy private and safe tourist transportation that will comfortably take you to every point of the itinerary: from the traditional market to the city’s most iconic picanterías. All vehicles meet the safety and cleanliness standards required for gastronomic tourism.
🛍️ Admission and guided tour of San Pedro Market
Visit one of Cusco’s most iconic markets, designed by Gustave Eiffel, where you’ll discover the authenticity of local commerce. During the guided tour, you’ll learn about the enormous diversity of Andean products: native potatoes, white corn, aromatic herbs, chili peppers, fruits, and fresh meats. Your guide will explain how these ingredients form the basis of regional cuisine.
🍽️ Tasting at two traditional picanterías (La Chomba and Mamá Trini)
You’ll have the opportunity to taste the authentic flavors of Cusco at two of its most iconic picanterías:
- La Chomba: famous for its rustic atmosphere and traditional dishes such as fried malaya, golden trout, and roasted suckling pig.
- Mamá Trini: renowned for its chiri uchu and Cusco adobo, made with recipes passed down from generation to generation.
- Each stop includes carefully selected tastings and an explanation of the origins of each dish.
🍷 Traditional lunch with a traditional drink (chicha de jora or frutillada)
Enjoy a full lunch prepared with local ingredients, accompanied by a traditional drink: the ancient chicha de jora, made with fermented corn, or the refreshing frutillada, a mixture of chicha and natural strawberry juice. Both are symbols of Cusco’s deep roots and its agricultural history.
👩🏽🍳 Hands-on conversation with local chefs and picanteria owners
Enjoy an intimate experience with the protagonists of traditional cuisine: the chefs and owners of the picanterias. They will share family stories, culinary secrets, and the cultural legacy they have preserved for decades. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about Cusco cuisine through the eyes of its guardians.
🎶 Live traditional music during lunch
During lunch, enjoy live Andean or Creole music, performed on traditional instruments such as the quena, guitar, and charango. This festive atmosphere evokes traditional gatherings in the old picanterias, where food, drink, and music formed a single celebration.
🎯 Toad game demonstration (subject to availability)
Participate in a small demonstration of the Toad game, a popular custom widely practiced in Cusco’s picanterias. This traditional game involves throwing coins or metal tokens onto a board with a bronze toad, representing luck and prosperity.
🍮 Typical Cusco Dessert
The experience culminates with a delicious local dessert, which may vary seasonally: mazamorra morada (purple mazamorra), arroz con leche (rice pudding), or queso con miel (cheese with honey). Each one is made with traditional ingredients and served in the same family style as the old picanterías (hot pot restaurants).
🤝 Personalized Assistance Throughout the Experience
From the beginning to the end of the tour, you will have personalized assistance to ensure a comfortable, safe, and enriching experience. Our team will take care of all the logistical details, providing you with attentive service and support throughout the tour.
NOT INCLUDED
❌ Not Included
💰 Voluntary tips for the guide or staff
Tips are not included in the tour fare. If you feel the guide, driver, or staff at the picanterias provided outstanding service, you may leave a tip as a token of appreciation, although it is not mandatory.
🚖 Pickup from hotels outside the historic center
Pickup service is offered exclusively for hotels located within the historic center of Cusco. If your accommodation is in remote areas such as Urubamba, San Blas Alto, or the outskirts of the city, a central meeting point or additional transfer will be arranged at an extra cost.
🍺 Additional drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
The tour includes a traditional drink (chicha de jora or frutillada) during lunch. Any additional drinks—such as sodas, craft beers, cocktails, or extra mineral water—must be paid directly at the establishments visited.
🛍️ Personal purchases or souvenirs at the San Pedro Market
During the market visit, you will have free time to explore or purchase local products (herbs, handicrafts, traditional sweets, or textiles), but personal purchases are not included in the tour cost.
🎟️ Admission to other tourist attractions not mentioned
The tour focuses on the culinary and cultural route of the Picanterias (hot pot restaurants). Any visits to museums, temples, or other tourist sites outside the established itinerary are not included.
📸 Professional photography and videography
The service does not include professional photography or videography. Participants are free to take their own personal photos or videos during the tour.
🧾 Personal or extra expenses not specified
Any other additional expenses not expressly mentioned in the tour description—such as laundry, phone calls, or consumption of food not included in the menu—will be borne by the traveler.
🩺 Travel Insurance or Medical Assistance
The tour does not include medical insurance or accident coverage. Travelers are recommended to have valid travel insurance that covers cultural and culinary activities within Peru.
RECOMMENDATIONS
💡 Recommendations
👕 Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
During the tour, you will visit traditional markets and picanterias, so it is recommended to wear light clothing in neutral colors and comfortable or closed-toe shoes. The streets of the historic center are cobblestone, and you will walk for short stretches between stops.
🧢 Protect your skin from the sun
Cusco is located at over 3,300 meters above sea level, which makes the sun more intense even on cloudy days. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle to stay hydrated during the tour.
💵 Bring cash in Peruvian soles
Cards are not always accepted at San Pedro Market and some traditional picanterías. We recommend bringing cash in soles for purchases, tips, or additional tastings.
🍴 Arrive with an appetite and an open mind
The tour includes generous tastings of typical dishes and traditional drinks. Avoid overeating breakfast or lunch before the tour, so you can enjoy every bite without rushing and with all your senses.
🌿 Inform your dietary restrictions
If you are vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies, please inform us when booking. Picanterías adapt their menus to visitors’ preferences, ensuring a safe and personalized experience.
🎒 Bring only what you need
Avoid carrying large backpacks or valuables. Ideally, bring a small backpack with the essentials: camera, sunscreen, money, and personal documents.
🎥 Capture the moments, but with respect
You may take photographs and videos during the visits, but it is recommended to ask permission before photographing the cooks or locals. Many picanterías still maintain a family-friendly and traditional atmosphere that deserves respect.
🎶 Enjoy the cultural atmosphere
Live music, playing the game of sapo, and conversations with the hosts are part of the tour’s charm. Participate, laugh, ask questions, and let yourself be swept away by the Cusco hospitality.
🌦️ Cusco has a variable climate
Even during the dry season, light rain may occur. Bring a raincoat or windbreaker, especially if you take the tour in the afternoon.
🚶♀️ Acclimatize before the tour
If you are new to Cusco, we recommend resting and acclimatizing for a day or two before participating. This way, you will fully enjoy the experience without discomfort from the altitude.
📅 Book in advance
The most traditional picanterías have limited space and high demand, especially on weekends and local holidays. Book in advance to secure your spot and avoid unnecessary waits.
💖 Experience the experience with all your senses
The picantería tour is not only a gastronomic tasting, but also a cultural connection with the identity of the Cusco people. Each dish tells a story; each flavor is a living memory of Andean Peru.
FAQs
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (detailed FAQs)
1. What exactly is a Cusco picantería?
A picantería is a traditional space that combines the sale of chicha de jora with the preparation of typical regional dishes. They emerged during the colonial era as social gathering places, where farmers, artisans, and merchants shared food, drinks, and music. Today, picanterías are symbols of Cusco’s cultural identity and were declared a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2015.
2. What type of food will you enjoy during the tour?
During the tour, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of traditional dishes such as Chiri Uchu, Cusco Adobo, roast suckling pig, chactado guinea pig, golden trout, or fried malaya, as well as side dishes such as uchucuta, fresh cheese, and Andean mote. All accompanied by traditional drinks such as chicha de jora or frutillada.
3. Are drinks or desserts included?
Yes. During lunch, you’ll enjoy a traditional drink (chicha or frutillada) and a Cusco dessert such as mazamorra morada, rice pudding, or cheese with honey, depending on the season.
4. Is it necessary to have knowledge of gastronomy to enjoy the tour?
No. This tour is designed for both Peruvian food lovers and travelers who want to discover the local culture through its flavors. The guide and hosts explain each preparation and its cultural context in a simple and engaging way.
5. Are there vegetarian or vegan options available?
Yes. Several picanterías offer vegetarian and vegan alternatives such as mushroom capchi, quinoa tortilla, pumpkin locro, or Andean salads. Advance notice is required at the time of booking.
6. How long does the entire experience last?
The tour lasts approximately 4 to 5 hours, including transfers, a visit to the San Pedro Market, tastings, and a cultural lunch.
7. In what language is the tour offered?
The tour is available in Spanish and English, with guides specialized in Andean gastronomy, history, and culture. For private groups, other languages can be offered by prior arrangement.
8. Where is the departure point?
The service includes pickup from hotels located in the historic center of Cusco. If your accommodation is outside this area, a central meeting point will be arranged for your convenience.
9. Is taking photos or videos allowed?
Yes, you are free to take photos throughout the tour, both in the market and in the picanterías (food stalls). It is recommended that you ask permission before photographing the cooks or local customers out of respect for local customs.
10. Can the tour be run at any time of year?
Yes, the tour operates year-round. However, during the month of June (Corpus Christi), the picanterías come alive with the preparation of the iconic Chiri Uchu, a festive dish offered only during these dates.