Cooking classes in Cusco: what to expect, typical dishes and how to choose

A cooking class is one of the most enjoyable activities for a rest day in Cusco, especially while you're still acclimatising to the altitude. In a few hours you learn classic Peruvian dishes, discover Andean ingredients you won't find at home and end up eating what you've cooked. You also take home recipes to repeat, one of the best souvenirs of a trip to Peru.

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What to expect

Most classes follow a similar format:

1. Meet in central Cusco and, in many classes, a guided visit to a local market such as San Pedro to see Andean fruit, potatoes, corn and herbs.
2. Arrive at the kitchen, where each participant has a workstation.
3. Make a cocktail or drink, often pisco sour or chicha morada.
4. Cook two or three dishes guided by a chef: starter, main and sometimes dessert.
5. Share the meal and receive the recipes.

Classes usually last three to four hours including the market visit.

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Dishes you'll usually cook

• Ceviche: fish cured in lime with chilli, onion and coriander. In Cusco it's made with river or coastal fish brought in daily.
• Lomo saltado: wok-tossed beef, onion and tomato, a legacy of chifa cooking, served with fries and rice.
• Causa limeña: yellow-potato mash with chilli, filled with chicken, tuna or vegetables.
• Ají de gallina: shredded chicken in a yellow-chilli cream.
• Dishes with quinoa, Andean trout or alpaca, depending on the class.
• Desserts such as mazamorra morada or picarones.

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Pisco sour and drinks

Many classes include making a pisco sour, the national cocktail, with pisco, lime, syrup, egg white and angostura bitters. Some add tastings of different piscos or non-alcoholic drinks such as chicha morada, made from purple corn. If you don't drink alcohol, say so in advance.

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Vegetarian options and allergies

Most schools adapt menus for vegetarians and increasingly for vegans: mushroom or mango ceviche, vegetable saltado, veggie causa or quinoa dishes. If you have allergies or intolerances, such as gluten or shellfish, mention it when booking.

• Vegan and vegetarian food in Cusco: Andean dishes, markets and useful phrases

How to choose a good class

• Small group: you actually cook rather than watch.
• Market visit included, if the cultural side interests you.
• Clear menu: check which dishes you'll cook and whether you can choose.
• Recent reviews on booking platforms and the cancellation policy.
• A time that suits you: morning classes with market, afternoon or evening classes.

We don't recommend specific schools; compare several and choose by menu and format.

Rough price

Price depends on length, number of dishes, whether the market and drinks are included, and group size. Private classes cost more. As a guide, a shared class is usually in a moderate range comparable to a good meal with drinks at a tourist restaurant; always check the current price when booking.

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Pair it with a food tour

If you love food, pair the class with a food tour around the centre and San Blas to taste more dishes and drinks at different places. You can also visit San Pedro market on your own for a cheap set lunch or a fruit juice.

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Practical tips

• Book one or two days ahead in high season.
• Arrive hungry: there's plenty to eat.
• Take notes or photograph the recipes.
• Some ingredients, like ají amarillo, are sold as paste in Cusco markets or in Latin shops abroad.

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Andean ingredients you'll discover

• Native potatoes: Peru grows thousands of varieties; you'll see purple and yellow potatoes and chuño, freeze-dried potato.
• Corn: from giant-kernel choclo to the purple corn used for chicha.
• Chillies: ají amarillo, rocoto and ají panca, the base of many sauces.
• Herbs: huacatay, muña and mint, with aromas unlike European herbs.
• Andean grains: quinoa, kiwicha and tarwi.
• Fruit: cherimoya, lucuma, granadilla, goldenberry and prickly pear.

At the market the chef often lets you taste fruit and explains everyday uses.

Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).