During my tour of the Sacred Valley, I had the opportunity to take lunch at Tunupa Restaurant outside Urubamba , Peru. The restaurant is located just off the main road between Pisac and Ollantaytambo at kilometer 77. The restaurant takes reservations at telephone (084) 984 630520 and (084) 201471. However, with a restaurant that seats more than 400 guests, reservations may not be necessary. The restaurant also has a location in Cuzco, Peru.
Tunupa Restaurant is located along the boiling Urubamba River. When our bus arrived at the restaurant, we pulled into a large parking lot and were steered to the right toward a long, flat building down a set of stairs. We were greeted by several parrots watching from perches on either side of the stairway leading into the restaurant. As we arrived into the entrance way, we were able to see through the back of the restaurant into the sprawling grounds that end at the rushing river.
We were seated at a set of tables in a semi-enclosed area facing the back of the restaurant. A live band featuring local music was playing in the grassy area just beyond where we were seated. Several merchants were located around the grounds with a variety of local crafts for sale. Llamas and Alpaca were milling around in large pens situated along the walkway leading down to the river. If there was ever a time for photos, this setting was prime.
The restaurant offers a buffet-style meal. It was included in the price of my tour ticket. However, the buffet normally runs around fifteen dollars US. That price does not include drinks. I had a Pisac Sour (the national drink), which was around four dollars. My wife had the Limonada, which was slightly cheaper. The buffet was located along the hallway that runs through the center portion of the restaurant. After placing our drink orders, we were invited to help ourselves to the buffet.
Entering from the back part of the restaurant, the salad bar was located to the left. The salad bar included a variety of greens and plenty of fresh toppings. There were also prepared salads that included another Peruvian staple, ceviche. The salad ingredients looked fresh. The entrees were located to the left and included a variety of meat dishes. I decided to give the alpaca a try and was not disappointed. The alpaca was served in gravy. The meat had the density of pork, with a very mild flavor. It was actually pretty good. I was expecting something gamier. After gorging myself on the salad and entrees, I visited the dessert bar, which had a wide range of selections that included the purple corn pudding that is also a local favorite. I don’t remember the name, but I found it to be tasty enough.
The fifteen dollar price tag for a buffet meal is probably what you would pay for a decent restaurant in the US. This meal might be a little bit high by local standards, but included live entertainment and a spectacular view of the river. The tables were all covered in linen. Although buffet-style eating is not generally associated with high-brow dining, this was an interesting blend of the two. The atmosphere was sophisticated, yet oddly casual. Catering to tourists, it is obviously not a coat-and-tie affair. But it definitely had an atmosphere of quality.
I can't say I wasn't at a least a little bit remorseful having tried my first (and only) alpaca...only to wander the ground out back and run into these beautiful creatures.
I would consider Tunupa Restaurant to be part of the Urubamba dining scene. Although it is a bit off the beaten path for Urubamba, that would be the closest location. The only other meal I had in Urubamba was at El Huacatay, which was another exceptional meal. El Huacatay was slightly cheaper and had a more intimate atmosphere, while Tunupa offered exceptional views with an obviously tourist-oriented flavor. The food at both restaurants was comparable. I would recommend dining at either location.
I was impressed with Tunupa Restaurant. Although it was more expensive than other dining options and obviously geared toward tourists, the restaurant had plenty of positive traits. Most importantly, the food was great. I liked the buffet setting. It allowed me to try the alpaca without fully committing to a meal I would not like. I was able to go back and get more once I decided I liked it. The buffet had a nice variety of quality food. The linen-covered tables, good service, scenic location and live entertainment added up to an atmosphere that was well worth fifteen dollars. I would highly recommend a visit to Tunupa Restaurant if you find yourself looking for a good meal near Urubamba.
All Photos are my own. They may be reproduced with prior permission.
