Puno's cooking is built on the ingredients of the high plateau and the lake: hundreds of potato varieties, freeze-dried chuno and tunta, quinoa and kiwicha, tender alpaca, and trout from the cold water of Titicaca. A guided food tour walks you through the central markets, bakeries and small family restaurants, tasting dishes and explaining their ingredients and traditions. Midday tours focus on market stalls and traditional lunch dishes, while evening tours visit street vendors and late-night snack spots. Along the way you meet vendors, learn to recognize the many kinds of potato and try warming drinks such as muna tea and coca tea. For travelers who are nervous about eating on their own, a food tour is also a reassuring and sociable introduction.
What you taste
Typical stops include a market where you sample fresh fruit, cheeses and breads, a stall serving quinoa soup or a hearty lunchtime caldo, and a restaurant making grilled or fried trout. You may try chairo, a thick soup of chuno, vegetables and meat, or pesque, a creamy quinoa dish, as well as roasted corn with cheese, fried pastries and sweet hot drinks.
Alpaca is served as grilled steaks or in stews, and guinea pig, called cuy, is a traditional celebratory dish that guides can offer to the curious. Vegetarian options exist, so mention dietary needs when you book.
Why go with a guide
Markets can feel overwhelming at first, and a guide explains what you are looking at, how to order and what is safe to eat. You learn about the Andean concepts of exchange and seasonal foods, and about preserving potatoes by freezing and drying. Good tours also support small businesses, which keeps the money in local hands. Group sizes are usually small, and tours take place on foot, with several short stops and plenty of tasting. Come hungry, since portions add up.
Practical details
Choose a midday tour for a market-led experience or an evening tour for street food and a livelier atmosphere. Drink bottled or treated water, ease into rich food at altitude and avoid heavy alcohol on your first day. Wear comfortable shoes, bring small soles for any extras and carry a light jacket for the evening.
If you have food allergies, discuss them with the operator ahead of time. A food tour is a very good way to start your time in Puno, and it also gives you a list of places to return to on your own for lunch and dinner during the rest of your stay.
Think of the tour as a map for the rest of your stay. Ask your guide for restaurant recommendations, favorite bakeries and the best time to visit the market, and write down the names of dishes you liked so that you can order them again. Bring a small bag for leftover treats, and a bottle of water to rinse down the richer flavors.
If you have a limited appetite at altitude, share plates and take your time, since the point is to taste, not to finish everything. Many guides also explain how to read a menu, which makes ordering on your own far easier afterward.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking food tour through markets, bakeries and small restaurants in central Puno, with tastings of highland and lake dishes.
Best time
Midday for a market tour or evening for street food, ideally early in your stay.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Come hungry, tell the operator about dietary needs, drink bottled water and wear comfortable shoes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and nervous eaters who want a guided introduction to highland cooking.
- Families
- Good for adventurous children, with plenty of mild dishes like soup and bread.
- Couples
- An evening street food tour is a relaxed, social option.
- Pair with
- A city tour, the viewpoints or an evening of live folk music.
- Time needed
- About three hours.
Good questions
What will I eat?+
Typical tastings include trout, quinoa soup, chuno-based dishes, alpaca, breads, cheeses, fruit and herbal teas.
Is it safe for sensitive stomachs?+
A guide helps you choose reliable stalls. Drink bottled water and ease into rich food.
Are there vegetarian options?+
Yes, but mention it when you book.
Is cuy on the menu?+
It is a traditional dish and guides can offer it, but it is optional.
When should I take it?+
Early in your stay, so you can return to your favorite places later.
