Our restaurant recommendations in Arequipa
Arequipa's cuisine is privileged and the restaurant offer is equally rich and varied. Most of them focus on the presentation of delicious classic and local dishes, with some contemporary twists, but the essence remains.
If you are looking for the most classic Arequipa cuisine, you should go to the "picanterias", traditional Arequipa restaurants, where you will find the most representative local dishes, including rocoto relleno, stews, soups and many other delicacies.
Since gastronomy should be an important part of your visit to this city, here are some of the most popular and recommended restaurants:
La Nueva Palomino: The authentic picantería for excellence. This is one of the oldest family restaurants, and one of the most famous, whose family recipe continues to captivate the palates of visitors.
The food here is well served and well seasoned. It's the right mix of experience, love of the land and the well-kept secrets of three generations of tough women. The unbeatable shrimp cauche, the ubiquitous stuffed rocoto or the irresistible ocopa al batán transmit a bit of the city's telluric environment in every bite.
Rocoto, relleno, pastel de papa, 'solterito', choclo con queso; with 'frutillada' (chicha de jora with strawberry) by La nueva Palomino.
CHICHA: Part of the conglomerate of restaurants by renowned chef Gaston Acurio, Chicha pays homage to local tradition and culture, offering a modern version of local Arequipa cuisine.
This restaurant celebrates the richness of Arequipa's food, paying homage to the cuisine of the region and highlighting the wisdom passed down from generation to generation.
Piqueo picantero: 'Solterito' de queso (cheese salad with onions, tomatoes, onions an green wantons) , Ocopa (potatoes covered with a green and local sauce), and Escribano arequipeño (salad with potatoes, tomatoes, red chili, parsley with salt and olive) - CHICHA restaurant
ZIG ZAG: Offering a delightful blend of traditional Peruvian flavors and European cuisine. The restaurant is known for its unique stone-cooked meats, where guests can enjoy perfectly grilled alpaca, beef, or chicken on volcanic stone slabs.
CIRQA: Presents a cuisine that captures the essence of the region and its typical dishes, inspired by the flavors of Arequipa's picanterias. CIRQA's menu, created by chef Maria Fé García, is based on simplicity and fidelity to traditional food.
Chupe de camarones (classic Arequipean shrimp soup) by CIRQA
Claustro (Trattoria del Monasterio): Located in the convent of Santa Catalina, this restaurant offers a proposal of Italian-Peruvian fusion cuisine. Delight your palate with the combination of flavors of classic Creole ingredients such as rocoto and yuca, together with the softness and refinement of Italian products. Pastas, carpaccio, lasagnas with a unique Peruvian touch create a powerful explosion of flavors.
Ravioles with Arequipean asado stew - CLAUSTRO restaurant
Paprika: Its menu is a celebration of regional recipes and ingredients, with a touch of cuisines from around the world. The specialties on the menu are inspired by traditional recipes and highlight Peruvian flavors with a modern and gourmet touch.
These restaurants are just a sample of the variety you can find in the city of volcanoes, and they have received recognition for their standard of quality and the advocacy of their diners.
Contact us for more information.