5 Best Restaurants in Ayacucho, The Central Highlands

Casa Grill

$$ Fodor's choice
Dining in this charmingly refitted family home is like dining at Grandpa's house—if Grandpa were an internationally trained grill expert who served only the most exquisite cuts of meat. That's because the steaks, fire-cooked pork, and whole salmon at the sumptuous parrilla (grill) are the best in Ayacucho, with delicious sauces to boot. Sit on the red-tile porch at night and look up at the chirimoya trees.

Carbon y Vino

$
Grilled meats and local fare like puca picante are the stars at this popular lunchtime spot, housed in a pretty old mansion with both front and back patios. During the week, the three-course fixed-price lunch is a steal at S/10.

La Casona

$

Dining in this Spanish-style home is like attending an intimate party in a fine hacienda. The sun bathes the leafy courtyard during lunch, while the clientele tucks into the best of ayacuchano cooking, including heaping plates of puca picante and fried trout.

The daily lunch special is a bargain and includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and drink.

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Pizzería Italiana

$
On cold Andean nights, this wood-oven pizzeria will have you hugging yourself in the glow of its crackling fires. There's no décor to speak of, just delicious, belly-warming pizzas and pastas in a cheerful communal setting of wooden benches and stone walls.
Italian Lunch Dinner $
Jr. Bellido 492, Ayacucho, Ayacucho, Peru
066-317–574
Known For
  • friendly owners
  • best pizzas in town
  • surprisingly good pastas

ViaVia Café

$

Perched above the Plaza de Armas, this wood-paneled restaurant offers an ample menu that includes both highlands specialties and backpacker favorites. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in the morning or an artisanal ice cream in the afternoon while taking in the view of the cathedral from the expansive terrace. At night, the bar serves up classic cocktails as well as pricier Belgian trappist brews.