Incanto Cusco: Incanto is one of the most popular restaurants in the city serving Italian and Peruvian fusion dishes. It’s steps away from Plaza De Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and Templo de la Compañía de Jesús.
Incanto is a blend between Italian and Peruvian dishes. It serves some traditional Italian pastas with Peruvian influence proteins. I have never been a fan of fusion cuisines; I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to ethnic cuisines. There are a very few restaurants I’ve been to that does fusion cuisine correct; however, the majority of them don’t do it well. Incanto is one of the few restaurants that does it well. It’s solid. Incanto Cusco
Incanto is a large restaurant. The decor includes a large pizza oven in the middle of the restaurant with a bar across to it; it has white walls to match its white napkins. Patrons are given complimentary bread and olive oil as starters. Incanto has a fairly decent size wine list with drink specials listed above the menu at its bar. The drink specials could be seen at almost every angle in the restaurant. Incanto Cusco
I arrived after a long day at Machu Picchu. I had a big lunch in Agua Calientes (i.e., Machu Picchu), but I was still starving after the 3.5 hour train ride back to Cusco. I think it had a lot to do with the altitude. Incanto was on my list of places to eat while in Cusco; the restaurant has rave reviews on the internet. Therefore, I wanted to see whether the hype was true or not. Incanto Cusco
I step foot in Incanto at 10:30 PM. They invited me in even though they close at 11 PM. The waiters spoke English and dropped off the menu when I sat down. There was only four tables occupied, which was explainable by the early morning trips to Machu Picchu. The menu had a decent amount of items separated by traditional Italian, Peruvian, and the fusion dishes. Incanto Cusco
- Pepper Tender Loin – The tenderloin steak was served with a creamy pappardelle pasta. The steak laid in a three pepper sauce while the pasta was dressed with a creamy Alfredo-like sauce. The tender steak cut easily and it complemented the chewy pappardelle. The robust flavors made it a great entree. Incanto Cusco
Pepper Tender Loin - Spicy Prawns – The Spicy Prawns was from the Italian/Peruvian fusion menu section. The prawns were fried in a spicy Peruvian chili sauce. It came with an artisan tagliolini nero di seppia pasta (i.e., squid ink pasta). The prawns were coated red by the spicy sauce and the squid ink pasta was pitched black. The spicy sauce wasn’t overwhelming but it was used for extra flavor. The narrow pasta had great texture and soaked up the spicy sauce very well. Incanto Cusco
Spicy Prawns
Overall, I have to Peruvian and Italian go pretty well together. The dishes had amazing and robust flavors with a level of comfort. The prompt and welcoming service makes it a perfect spot for dinner after a long day in Machu Picchu. The decently decorated restaurant makes it worth a stop while heading to Machu Picchu. I definitely left Incanto happy. Incanto Cusco
Need other places to eat in Cusco? Check out our reviews for Cicciolina and La Feria. Incanto Cusco
Need things to in Cusco? Check out our list here or schedule a day trip to Machu Picchu here. Incanto Cusco
- Service - 7.5/107.5/10
- Presentation - 7/107/10
- Flavors - 8.5/108.5/10
- Decor - 7.5/107.5/10
- Ambiance - 7.5/107.5/10
Summary
Cusco’s Incanto is one of the most popular restaurants in the city serving Italian and Peruvian fusion dishes. I have to Peruvian and Italian go pretty well together. The dishes had amazing and robust flavors with a level of comfort. The prompt and welcoming service makes it a perfect spot for dinner after a long day in Machu Picchu.
