Mauka by Pía León

Mauka is the Cusco restaurant of Pía León, one of Peru's most celebrated chefs, set inside Palacio Nazarenas, a Belmond hotel in a former palace close to the Plaza de Armas. It was among the nominees for best restaurant in Cusco at the 2025 Premios Somos awards run by El Comercio, and it brings the cooking associated with her Lima restaurants into the old heart of the Inca capital.

The idea behind the menu is to honour the farmers of Peru and the variety of Andean landscapes, from mountains and the Amazon rainforest to lagoons, forests and valleys. The kitchen sources native crops, grains and seeds and pairs traditional ingredients with modern techniques, with an emphasis on local biodiversity and hyper-local produce. Dishes shown by the restaurant include smoked duck with brown grains and clover leaves, and a pink trout ceviche with tangerine, native chilli and onion. Other dishes noted by the World's 50 Best Discovery guide include an alpaca crudo topped with lemon verbena and chuño, the freeze-dried Andean potato, and a plate built around grains from the high plateau. Cocktails use aromatic herbs from the Sacred Valley.

Part of the pleasure is getting there. Guests walk through ancient Inca passageways into a dining room that pairs natural materials with a contemporary look, including lenga wood and volcanic stone. Local craftsmanship runs through the room, from the tableware and ceramics to textiles and furniture.

Mauka suits couples and food lovers looking for a special-occasion meal in the centre of town, and it is a good alternative to driving out to the Sacred Valley for a destination lunch. Reservations are made online through the restaurant's booking page, and booking ahead is sensible given its profile. Prices are at the upper end for Cusco, in keeping with a hotel restaurant of this kind.

The restaurant sits on the Plazoleta Nazarenas, a few minutes' walk from the Plaza de Armas and next to the Museo de Arte Precolombino, so you can pair dinner with an evening visit to the museum, which stays open late. San Blas, with its lanes and bars, is just uphill if you want a drink afterwards.