Where to eat in Arequipa?

Arequipa is one of the best eating regions in Peru. The typical food of this city is acclaimed throughout the country. Dishes such as rocoto relleno, adobo, pastel de papa, chupe de camarones and more stand out. These and other Peruvian dishes can be enjoyed in the following restaurants in the ‘White City’. There are high quality and price options as well as economical options for all ‘pockets’.

Chicha by Gastón Acurio

This restaurant belongs to the prestigious Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio. It is located a few steps from the Main Square, in a large house next to the Santa Catalina convent. He is famous for experimenting with Arequipa dishes adding a gourmet touch. The place has a spacious dining room with sophisticated decoration.

The restaurant offers a varied menu where dishes stand out ciborium of tiger milk, matarani tiradito, ocopa, grilled octopus, marine airport, jelly, stuffed hot pepper, pork rinds, guinea pig, quinoa salad, trout a la frying pan, pachamanca to the pot and more. The restaurant also has a location in the city of Cusco.

• Where is it? Santa Catalina Street 210, Cercado de Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 30 to 75 Peruvian soles per plate.

Zig Zag

This cozy restaurant is located in front of Plaza San Francisco. Offers menus for lunch and dinner. It stands out for its wine cellar. In its premises there is an iron staircase designed by the French architect Gustave Eiffel. It also highlights its ashlar room, its balcony overlooking the square and its special wine room.

The restaurant stands out for its meats served ‘with volcanic stone (sillar)’. Its menu stands out for dishes such as: quinoa salad, Mediterranean carpaccio, alpandino antipasto, trout fillets with wikicha, classic trio of meats, rack of lamb from the highlands, organic farm duck breast, fillet of trout from Lake Arapa, fillet of paiche of the Amazon and more.

• Where is it? Zela Street 210, Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 40 to 120 Peruvian soles per plate.

La Trattoria del Monasterio

Inside the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Arequipa is this small but cozy restaurant specialized in desserts. The ashlar architecture that surrounds the premises invites reflection. It also offers the best in wines and spirits. The preparation is also the responsibility of the inhabitants of the monastery.

The menu is varied and stands out for dishes such as: piqueo Arequipa (potatoes stuffed with meat, rocoto stuffed with tenderloin, pork rinds), ocopa del monasterio, shrimp chupe, stew, spaghetti, fettuccine, pizzas, risottos, milanesa , lomo saltado and more. Pastries, coffees, beers and more are also offered.

• Where is it? Pasaje Santa Catalina s/n (Monastery of Santa Catalina), Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 40 to 120 Peruvian soles per plate.

La nueva Palomino

This restaurant offers the best of traditional Arequipa cuisine. It is one of the so-called ‘picanterías’ where recipes for dishes such as stuffed hot pepper, shrimp chupe, adobo and more are jealously maintained. It is located in the Yanahuara district, almost 3 kilometers from the main square of Arequipa.

The menu at La nueva Palomino is varied and includes classics such as: covered rice, criadilla maple, ocopa, fried cheese, stuffed hot pepper, single cheese, spicy, potato cake, Arequipa marinade and more. It also includes typical drinks such as chicha, piteado tea and more.

• Where is it? Leoncio Prado Street 122, Yanahuara – Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 20 to 100 Peruvian soles per plate.

La Lucila

La Lucila is a traditional Arequipa restaurant that has kept recipes alive for a long time. Its name comes from its founder, Mrs. Lucila Salas Valencia (who died in 2012 at the age of 95) who left a recognized culinary heritage in the ‘White City’. The restaurant is located in the Sachaca district, 5 kilometers from the city center.

This traditional Arequipa ‘picanteria’ offers the best of local cuisine: stuffed hot pepper, ocopa, shrimp chupe, potato cake, adobo, fried guinea pig and more. In addition, every day of the week it offers the ‘house specialty’ such as: charque, chairo, chochoca, white broth, black chuño soup and more.

• Where is it? San Miguel Street 147, Sachaca – Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 20 to 80 Peruvian soles per plate.

Laurita Cau Cau

This picanteria was founded by Mrs. Laura Salas, owner of the old picanteria ‘La Cau Cau’. Today this gastronomic space offers the best of Arequipa cuisine. As its slogan says, it is a ‘Seasoning with love’. It is located in the town of Huaranguillo, 5.4 kilometers from the center of the ‘White City’.

The restaurant offers dishes cooked over wood, as has been done for many years. It stands out for dishes such as stuffed rocoto, adobo, potato cake, shrimp chupe, jerky, chairo and more. The restaurant has received important distinctions for its work in keeping Arequipa’s gastronomic traditions alive.

• Where is it? Progreso avenue 319, Huaranguillo – Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 20 to 80 Peruvian soles per plate.

Crepisimo

Crepisimo is a different option to the spicy and seasoned traditional Arequipa dishes. Crepes, cakes, croissants, coffees and juices with a local flair are prepared at this French-style restaurant. It has a place with terraces and board games. It is located just 700 meters from Arequipa’s Main Square, on Santa Catalina Avenue.

This cafeteria stands out for its good and generous cakes as well as the excellent attention of its workers. If you go, do not forget to try their varieties of crepes made with Peruvian products such as aguaymanto, strawberry, lemon and more. There is also the best in coffees and other drinks. The prices are in relation to the quality of the service.

• Where is it? Santa Catalina Street 208, Cercado de Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 20 to 60 Peruvian soles per plate.

San Camillo Market

The historic and colorful market of San Camilo also offers the best of Arequipa’s gastronomy at a good price. It is located just 700 meters from the city’s Main Square. In the ‘Meals’ section you can enjoy acclaimed dishes such as stuffed red hot pepper, Arequipeño adobo, fried guinea pig, fried trout and more.

The facilities in the food section of the market are not spacious or comfortable. However, they allow us to learn more about the culture of the Arequipans. The same happens in other markets in the city such as: the Antiquilla market, the San Antonio market or the Palomar. The prices are cheap. If you go, don’t forget to buy local breads and fruits.

• Where is it? Piérola Street 407, Arequipa.
• Approximate price: From 8 to 30 Peruvian soles per plate.

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023