Curious Monkey Cusco- Eat the Streets, Walking Food Tour

Cusco tastes better after dark. Curious Monkey’s Eat the Streets tour pairs local food with evening walks through central Cusco, giving you a useful introduction to dishes, vendors, and customs you might overlook on your own. I like the small maximum of six people, and I like that guides such as Flor, Liz, Elizabeth, and Corinne bring personal stories to the food. The main caution is portion balance: some people find the tour sweet-heavy and not quite a full dinner.

This is also a smart choice early in your stay. You get food suggestions, advice about where to eat, and a gentle introduction to Cusco life at night. Just tell the company about dietary needs when booking. Nut allergies cannot be accommodated, and the food commonly includes wheat, sugar, dairy, meat, peanuts, and corn.

Key points to know before you book

• Eight or so tastings can add up quickly: Arrive hungry, but do not expect every bite to be savory.
• Small groups make the walk personal: The maximum is six people, useful for questions and conversation.
• Flor and Liz receive especially warm praise: Other guides named in the feedback include Elizabeth, Elisabeth, Joel, Luis, and Corinne.
• The route mixes stalls, family businesses, and restaurants: Expect street food, sweets, drinks, and some seated stops.
• The tour begins at 6 p.m.: It lasts about two to three hours and returns to the meeting point.
• The $75 price buys guidance as much as food: You are paying for access, explanation, and a tested route, not simply a cheap meal.

Starting at 6 p.m. on Arequipa Street

You meet at Curious Monkey Food Tours at Ca. Arequipa 401 in Cusco at 6 p.m. From there, the group winds through streets around the city center. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a ride from a distant neighborhood.

The timing makes sense. Cusco is cooler after sunset, and the evening setting lets you see ordinary food stalls and small eateries during their working hours. It is not a formal restaurant crawl. The appeal is moving from place to place, trying small portions, and learning how the food fits into local life.

The maximum group size is six. That matters more than it might on a standard sightseeing walk. A tiny group can stop without creating a traffic jam, and you can ask direct questions about ingredients, safe places to eat, markets, and local customs.

Wear shoes suited to walking on city streets and bring a layer for cool weather. The tour operates in all weather, so light rain is possible. One guide even walked a participant back to a hotel during a misty evening, but you should not treat that as a guaranteed hotel transfer.

What you may taste along the way

The food changes, and the company does not present a fixed menu in the information provided. Still, the tastings described include a useful range of Peruvian favorites.

Tamales are one of the better examples of what this tour does well. They offer a direct introduction to corn-based cooking and are more substantial than many small street snacks. Several people singled them out, along with coffee, as favorites.

You might also try causa, a chilled potato dish with a seasoned filling. Potatoes are central to Andean cooking, and a tasting like this gives you more context than simply ordering fries at a restaurant. The tour can also include anticuchos or chicken skewers, classic street foods that bring a savory counterpoint to the sweets.

Other possible tastings include chicha morada, a purple corn drink, and picarones, fried rings served as a sweet treat. Churros with a warm caramel-like filling appeared as another memorable stop. These details explain the mixed reaction to the menu: there is variety, but not every stop feels like dinner.

The food is generally served as a series of tastings rather than one large plate. That is ideal if you want to sample unfamiliar things without committing to a full order. It can be less satisfying if you are expecting a traditional three-course meal or a hearty entrée.

Family bakeries, coffee, and the sweet side of Cusco

The tour appears to place real value on small family-run businesses. One stop described in detail was an old family bakery serving churros. Another was a family coffee shop connected with a farm that grows coffee and cacao beans.

That kind of stop gives the evening a local face. You are not only checking off dishes. You are hearing where ingredients come from and how a small food business fits into Cusco. Coffee, tea, or cacao is included, which gives you a warm pause during the walk.

Still, you should plan your expectations around the word tasting. Sweet items can occupy a large part of the evening. If you prefer salty food, tell your guide at the start and ask how the evening’s choices are likely to be balanced.

One person found the tour too focused on desserts, while another felt the amount of food was so generous that finishing everything became difficult. Both reactions are useful. Come hungry, but pace yourself. You do not need to eat every bite simply because it is included.

Restaurant stops and a rooftop finish

The route can include restaurant visits as well as street vendors. One detailed account described a stop for papas, followed by the bakery and coffee shop, and then a second restaurant with a rooftop view of Cusco.

A rooftop drink can give the evening a pleasant finish. Pisco sour and dessert were included in that particular account, but you should not assume every night follows exactly the same order or menu. The company uses several food businesses, and availability can affect the route.

That flexibility has a benefit and a cost. The benefit is that the guides can use trusted suppliers and adapt when a dish sells out. The cost is that a particular favorite may not be available on your date. One person reported that two stops had run out of food, although the guide adjusted and kept the evening enjoyable.

This is a walking food tour, not a guaranteed restaurant reservation sequence. If you need a fixed menu, exact serving sizes, or a full dinner, this may not fit. If you enjoy trying what is available that night, the changing route is part of the appeal.

Guides who add the real value

The food matters, but the guides seem to shape the experience. Flor receives especially strong praise for her warmth, food knowledge, and ability to explain Cusco and the wider country. Liz and Elizabeth are also described as friendly, organized, and easy to talk with.

Other named guides include Elisabeth, Joel, Luis, and Corinne. The consistent strength is personal attention. Guides explain the foods, discuss preparation, answer questions about where to eat, and offer practical tips about shopping and street vendors.

That makes the tour useful beyond the two or three hours. You can ask where it is sensible to eat later, which dishes to look for, and how to approach unfamiliar stalls. One guide was praised for helping a participant understand local food culture and the wider food scene early in a Cusco visit.

I would book this near the start of your stay if you have flexibility. You may leave with a short list of places to revisit. One person returned to buy the tamales again, which is a good sign that the tour can lead you toward food you genuinely like rather than merely helping you collect samples.

How much food do you really get?

The strongest practical advice is simple: do not eat a large meal beforehand. The evening may include around eight tastings, plus drinks. Portions are not described in a fixed way, but several accounts call them plentiful or good-sized.

At the same time, do not book this expecting a complete dinner. The savory items may include tamales, causa, papas, and meat or chicken skewers, but sweets and drinks can take up a lot of space. For some people, that is exactly the fun. For others, it leaves the meal feeling incomplete.

I see the tour as a guided sampler with enough food to make dinner afterward optional, not as a formal replacement for dinner. If you are a light eater, share where possible or slow your pace. If you want a full savory meal, plan one after the tour, though you may find you have less appetite than expected.

The menu also reflects familiar Peruvian ingredients: corn, potatoes, cacao, coffee, meat, and sugar. That makes the tour useful for first-time visitors who want an introduction without spending an entire night in one restaurant.

Is $75 a fair price in Cusco?

At $75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat in Cusco. You could certainly buy individual snacks for less. The value comes from having a local guide lead you to selected places, explain what you are eating, provide several tastings, and keep the group very small.

Food, coffee or tea, local taxes, a guide, and pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included. The listed starting and ending point is in the center of Cusco, so the practical transport benefit is limited, but the central location keeps the evening simple.

I think the price is reasonable for people who value guidance and access more than bargain eating. It is less convincing if your main goal is to fill up cheaply. One person called the experience somewhat pricey for what was served, even while recommending it strongly. That is probably the fairest warning.

The tour earns its price when the guide is good and the stops are operating normally. Since the maximum is six, you are paying for a personal format rather than a large bus-group experience. If you are traveling solo, that small group can be especially helpful.

Dietary rules and practical limits

You must report allergies, food sensitivities, and dietary restrictions when booking. Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance. Nut allergies cannot be accommodated, so people with serious nut allergies should not book this activity.

The usual ingredients include wheat, sugar, dairy, meat, peanuts, and corn. Do not assume that a dish is safe simply because it looks familiar. Speak directly with the guide before tasting anything.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the tour involves walking through city streets and standing at food stops.

The company confirms bookings at the time of reservation. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check your plans carefully before paying. If the minimum number is not reached and the company cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want to try Peruvian foods without choosing every stall yourself
• Like small groups and plenty of conversation
• Enjoy sweets as much as savory snacks
• Want practical food advice for the rest of your Cusco stay
• Prefer local businesses and street-level experiences to a polished tasting menu
• Are visiting Cusco early and want an easy first evening activity

I would be more cautious if you need a full dinner, avoid many common ingredients, or dislike changing plans. The tour includes meat, dairy, wheat, peanuts, corn, and sugar in its usual food range. It also runs in all weather, and not every stop is guaranteed to have food available.

Should you book Curious Monkey Eat the Streets?

Book it if you want a friendly, small-group introduction to Cusco food and do not mind a menu that leans toward sweets. The guides are the main reason to go. Flor, Liz, Elizabeth, Joel, Elisabeth, Luis, and Corinne are all named in the feedback, with Flor and Liz receiving especially warm praise for their care and local insight.

Book it near the beginning of your visit, arrive hungry, wear suitable shoes, and tell the company about dietary needs in advance. Think of the $75 as payment for a guided food education with multiple tastings, not simply a cheap dinner.

If tamales, churros, coffee, pisco sour, street skewers, and local stories sound appealing, this is a strong pick. If you want a savory restaurant meal with a fixed menu, spend the money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the Cusco food tour begin?

The tour begins at Curious Monkey Food Tours, located at Ca. Arequipa 401, Cusco 08002, Peru.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately two to three hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six people.

Is food included in the price?

Yes. Food tastings, local taxes, a local guide, coffee or tea, and pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included.

Can vegetarians join?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it when booking.

Can the tour accommodate nut allergies?

No. Nut allergies cannot be accommodated. Common ingredients may include wheat, sugar, dairy, meat, peanuts, and corn.

What happens if the company cancels because too few people book?

You will be offered a different date or experience, or you can receive a full refund.