7 Best Restaurants in The North Coast and Northern Highlands, Peru

Café Andino

$ Fodor's choice

Equal parts funky and friendly, this café offers light snacks, hot and cold beverages, free Wi-Fi, and a seemingly endless supply of newspapers and books in English. Warm up by the fireplace on a cold night, or sit on the outdoor terrace with your laptop and sip a fresh-pressed cup of tea.

Taberna Calixto

$ Fodor's choice
Sandwiches are among the lesser-known glories of Peruvian cuisine, but if folks continue to throng this sunny patio café like they do now, it's only a matter of time before word gets out. Burgers here are among Peru's best, but even tastier is the sandwich de lechón al cilindro, made from pork slow-roasted inside a barrel. Added plus: the owners are northern hospitality incarnate.

Café Fusiones

$

A great hangout and meeting spot for travelers, this eclectic café with cheery yellow walls and wood-beamed ceilings works with local farming co-ops and has a commitment to organic principles and fair trade. The menu is small, but the quality is good. Try the juanes (an egg, rice, herb, and spice mixture, topped with chicken and tied into a bijao leaf), sandwiches, or any of the desserts.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Chilli Heaven

$

An eclectic mix of Indian curries, Mexican burritos, and Thai favorites makes this cozy dining room a magnet for tourists seeking international edibles. The spicy concoctions are belly warming; a big beer selection helps put out the flames. The restaurant also bottles its own hot sauces.

Hebrón

$

A friendly staff serves a wide range of Peruvian and international specialties from 7 am to midnight daily at this centrally located eatery. Pollo a la brasa, sandwiches, grilled meats, arroz con pato (duck with rice): it's all there. There's also an excellent breakfast menu, free Wi-Fi, big corner windows for people-watching, and a playground, Hebrónlandia, in the back. With all the kids' options on the menu, families could easily spend half a day here.

Paprika

$$
Situated in the Wyndham Costa del Sol Hotel, this graceful, white-tablecloth affair serves up better-than-average versions of Peruvian and international classics. The menu rotates, but the quality of the pastas, seafood, and desserts is reliably consistent. Try the anticuchos or arroz con pato.

Salas

$

On the Plaza de Armas, this is the place to get no-frills, typical food from the region. The menu includes authentic regional specialties such as cuy, perico (a lake fish), and Spanish-style tortillas. There's also an extensive selection of piscos, top-shelf liquors, and wines. Although the furnishings and staff look like they have been there since the restaurant opened in 1947, the food is fresh and delicious.

Peruvian Breakfast Lunch Dinner $
Av. Puga 637, Cajamarca, Cajamarca, Peru
076-362–867
Known For
  • cheap daily specials
  • lively, social atmosphere
  • local color and tradition
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted