The most visited restaurants in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

In the Sacred Valley you can find important restaurants that offer the best of Peruvian cuisine. That is why in this blog we want to talk about one of the best cuisines in the world, Peruvian cuisine. We also want to talk about the culinary characteristics of Andean dishes and the most representative preparations of Peru. In general terms, we will also learn more about Peruvian preparations in general. Finally, we will mention some of the most representative restaurants of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which are excellent exhibitors of these preparations. Let’s get started!

Content

• Peruvian gastronomy
• Andean gastronomy
• Main dishes of Peruvian cuisine
• The restaurants of the Sacred Valley
  • The 14 Incas
  • Mil Centro
  • Amanto
  • Native Cocina Peruana
  • Tunupa

Peruvian gastronomy

Most Peruvian cuisine is the expression of the set of culinary techniques that formed and form part of tradition and everyday life. In the case of Peruvian cuisine, many experts mention that seasoning and flavor are due to three factors.

The first has to do with the ancient history of this territory and all the traditions inherited throughout its formation. The second has to do with the geographical conditions that offer exclusive varieties and products. Finally, the integration of various cultures into a single expression.

Although the culinary techniques were maintained for a long time, the fact that different migrations occurred since the arrival of the Spanish allowed the development of a gastronomy that adopted Spanish, African, Japanese, Chinese and Italian techniques.

In this sense, Peruvian cuisine has several techniques that consolidate it as an excellent mix of flavors that is recognized worldwide. Talking about this impact would be complicated, so for now we only want to focus on Andean cuisine.

Andean gastronomy

One thing that is undeniable about Andean cuisine is that the products used are rich in nutrients. That is why many people refer to it as ancient food. In addition, in most of these cases, you can still find techniques used in the time of the Incas.

The greatest virtue of Andean gastronomy is that it continues to use techniques from the past and also because it represents the following characteristics:

• Many of the ingredients that are prioritized are local, that is, corn, herbs, potatoes and other tubers.
• Many herbs are used, as if they were spices. Grains such as corn, wheat and barley are also used.
• As for protein sources, you can find alpaca preparations and fish such as trout and other fish from lakes and rivers.
• Nowadays, protein is also obtained from pork, cattle and sheep.
• In the case of desserts, there are records that milk was one of the ingredients that best enhanced Andean gastronomy in desserts.
• You can find chapana, cocadas and jellies.
• Among the most famous drinks, the presence of corn chicha stands out, which is often macerated.
• In the cooking technique, they use gentle and slow cooking temperatures.
• Among the most representative dishes of the Peruvian Andes we can mention: pachamanca, papa a la huancaína, spicy puca, olluquito, huatia, humitas, tamales, stuffed rocoto, adobos, spicy puca, olluquito, huatia, ocopa and cuy chactado.

Main dishes of Peruvian cuisine

Let’s learn more about Peruvian cuisine. In this very brief list of everything that can be found, we will talk about the most recognized dishes worldwide and those of which the most versions have been made. Likewise, we will only talk about their main characteristics and ingredients. Let’s go!

El Ceviche

It is a preparation based on lemon juice and fish. It is usually accompanied by sweet potato, corn or fresh corn, onion and lettuce. However, many variations can already be found.

Lomo Saltado

It is one of the favorites of Peruvians. It is a preparation of sautéed meat with onion, tomato and yellow chili pepper. Chili pepper is an ingredient native to Peru. This preparation is accompanied by French fries and rice in most cases.

Ají de Gallina

It is a dish that highlights the flavor of yellow chili pepper in combination with milk and cheese. A mixture of these and other ingredients is made until a cream is obtained. This cream is later accompanied by pieces of chicken. It is accompanied with rice and boiled potato. It is also usually decorated with olives and boiled egg.

Causa Limeña

It is a very exquisite preparation. The basic preparation is made with pressed potato mixed with a cream based on yellow chili and a little lemon juice. This mixture forms the layers. As for the filling, it is usually shredded chicken, tuna together with some fresh vegetables and bathed in mayonnaise.

Pachamanca

A sauce is prepared using different herbs from the Peruvian Andes. Among them, huacatay stands out. This herb is widely used in Andean cuisine. The sauce (a mixture of ground herbs, salt, pepper and more) is used to cover all the foods that will be used. It is usually made of potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, beans, pork, beef, chicken and guinea pig. The sauce is cooked between stones placed in a hole or pit of earth, previously heated with firewood.

Arroz con Pollo

It is a rice preparation that is combined with a herb cream to give it another flavor. The herb is based on cilantro, which gives it its particular green color, an essential herb for Peruvian cuisine. All the ingredients are cooked over low heat. Rice with chicken is usually accompanied by peas and carrots.

Arroz Chaufa

One of the dishes that best expresses the mixture of techniques obtained from two cultures. In the case of fried rice, rice is the protagonist. It is usually accompanied by a wide variety of foods. Among these, which highlight the flavor, is Peruvian ginger and the precise presence of yellow chili pepper. In some presentations in the Sacred Valley, rice is replaced with quinoa. It is one of the favorites of tourists.

Anticuchos

You can make anticuchos or grilled skewers of any ingredient. In the case of Peru, the anticucho of beef heart stands out. Also noteworthy is the concoction with Peruvian ingredients that gives it a particular flavor.

Cuy al Horno and Cuy Chactao

The main ingredient is guinea pig, an excellent source of protein. The oven-baked dish will stand out because various herbs from the Peruvian Andes are added. The chactado guinea pig, on the other hand, needs to be properly seasoned with lemon. After that, it is deep-fried. It is accompanied by potatoes, salad and sometimes baked noodles.

Pollo a la Brasa

One of the preparations that also manages to differentiate itself from the rest of the world due to the ingredients used in the dressing and when seasoning the whole chicken. Once this is achieved, it is slowly cooked on charcoal embers. The flavour is really good and it is accompanied with French fries and salad. Now you can also find many more accompaniments.

The restaurants of the Sacred Valley

Let’s learn more about some of the best-rated restaurants in the Sacred Valley. We have included these restaurants because, according to Tripadvisor users, they meet the quality, excellence and, above all, flavor requirements so that they at least have the opportunity to be visited.

Among the restaurants we located, the vast majority offer the dishes we mentioned above. These, especially in the restaurants that offer the buffet menu, where you can also find drinks and exquisite desserts that we do not specify due to space. Now, let’s see more of the restaurants in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The 14 Incas

It is a buffet restaurant located between Urubamba and the community of Yanahuara, right in the middle of the beautiful Sacred Valley. It has modern and recently opened facilities.

It offers a buffet menu, so you can try several things. Also, among the dishes to choose from, the presence of local cuisine and Peruvian dishes in general will stand out.

Among the menu, you can also find desserts of great variety and technique. Hot drinks with different infusions and natural herbs. Something that characterizes the place is its spaciousness, comfort and live music with local artists.

Mil Centro

Although it is not located within the Sacred Valley, it is very easy to get to this place from any destination in the valley. It is located in a community very close to the district of Maras.

Its location allows you to appreciate beautiful landscapes and also learn more about the communities with which it markets most of the products used to prepare the culinary experience.

It is known as a culinary experience because more than a lunch or menu, you try different dishes with reference to the 8 altitudinal levels that Peru has. With much more emphasis on the altitude at which the restaurant is located.

Amanto

A restaurant with an extensive menu, located a few meters from the Plaza de Armas in Ollantaytambo. The location makes it ideal for travelers who want to spend the night in this district before continuing their trip to Machu Picchu.

It is characterized by its pleasant service and also by the decoration that invites romantic moments for couples. Among the menu you can find national and international dishes with an incredible fusion.

Although the premises do not appear to be that large from the photos on the website, you can find spaces that are perfect for large groups of travelers. There are also comfortable spaces for small groups for a small family or couples.

Native Cocina Peruana

Restaurant located in Urubamba, it has a large space ideal for large groups or even extended families. The restaurant offers a la carte dishes with priority given to fast food dishes.

However, you can also find Peruvian dishes on the menu. Some quick meals also include local products among their ingredients. Alpaca and trout proteins are also included.

You can also find dishes that are uniquely Cusco. These include Cusco pork cracklings, fried trout, trout a la tile and more. There is also a bar with exquisite Peruvian cocktails.

Tunupa

It is a buffet restaurant located in Urubamba. It is one of the traditional establishments that continues to surprise visitors. Not only the culinary preparations are surprising, but also the establishment and its decoration.

The staff in charge of helping you is also very friendly. In addition, you can find live shows with local artists who sing various songs to the sound of quenas, Peruvian cajón and guitar.

In the preparation you can find a variety of main dishes, prepared with ingredients from the region and also international preparations, but with local proteins such as trout and alpaca. You can also taste desserts and hot drinks.