Best coffee shops in Cusco, Peru
I knew Cusco would be beautiful, but I didn’t expect the coffee scene to be this good. Between wandering narrow cobblestone streets, adjusting to the altitude, and exploring the city, coffee shops quickly became part of my daily routine. And honestly? I don’t think I had a bad flat white the entire trip.
One thing I noticed almost immediately was how distinct Peruvian coffee tastes. A lot of the coffees I tried leaned slightly floral, smooth, and balanced without losing strength. Every café had its own vibe too; from rooftop brunch spots to tiny specialty coffee bars hidden inside art galleries.
Here are some of my favorite coffee shops in Cusco.
Flora
Flora was one of my first coffee stops in Cusco, and it set the bar high. I ordered a flat white and their strawberry bowl for brunch, and both were excellent.
The coffee was smooth with subtle floral notes, but still strong enough to wake me up after walking up Cusco’s hills. The real highlight though is the atmosphere. The café has gorgeous views from the upper level, especially on a clear day, and the whole space feels bright, aesthetic, and relaxed.
If you want a slower morning in Cusco, this is the spot.
xapiri grounds
This café was probably the hardest to find, but completely worth it. It’s tucked inside an art gallery, which makes the whole experience feel a little hidden and unexpected.
The staff was friendly and spoke English, which made things easy, especially early in the trip while I was still getting my bearings. Small warning though: the mugs don’t have handles and they get hot, so learn from my mistake.
The flat white here was one of my favorites in Cusco. Slightly stronger than Flora’s but still incredibly smooth. At this point in the trip, I started realizing Peruvian coffee consistently has this clean, floral profile that I loved.
bistro 18
I found Bistro 18 completely by accident while wandering around near Xapiri Grounds, and I’m glad I did.
Even if you don’t stop for coffee, the views from the eating area alone are worth visiting. It’s one of those places where you sit down intending to stay for 20 minutes and somehow end up there much longer.
The coffee wasn’t piping hot, but the flavor was still great. Again, I picked up those floral Peruvian coffee notes, and while Xapiri still held the top spot for me at this point, Bistro 18 was still a very solid flat white.
Three monkeys
Three Monkeys came with high expectations since it’s ranked among the top coffee shops in the world at #22, and thankfully, it delivered.
The café itself is beautiful and very aesthetic, but definitely expect crowds because this place stays busy. If you’re planning to go during peak hours, give yourself extra time.
I chose a bean grown at around 2400 meters altitude, and the flat white was incredible — smooth, strong, and probably the most memorable coffee I had in Cusco. You could really taste the quality of the beans here. I actually went here twice in one day.
This was the kind of coffee where you immediately understand why people talk about specialty coffee so passionately.
indie cafe
I came here one morning for a full breakfast. While they didn’t have a flat white, the latte was good and the yogurt bowl I ordered was fresh and delicious.
Something unique about this cafe was that it is also a concept store and had the cutest mugs, accessories, and small items for sale. I actually wish I went back to buy a mug or something.
Other coffee shops worth mentioning
Florence y Fortunata
Cercanía Pan y Café
L’Atelier Café Concept — especially worth visiting for the views
Barrio Café
Qosqo Maki
Cicciolina
Casa Ikchu
Buscando Nombre Specialty Coffee
Final Thoughts
Cusco completely exceeded my expectations when it came to coffee. I expected beautiful scenery and good food, but I didn’t realize how strong the café culture would be. Whether it was a specialty coffee shop hidden inside an art gallery or a rooftop café overlooking the city, every stop felt like part of the experience of being in Cusco.
After drinking flat whites all over the city, I’m convinced Peruvian coffee deserves way more attention globally.
