Hotel Katari is the best place for drinks in the evening and sunset photos of the cathedral and volcanoes.

Zig Zag is definitely in the top three restaurants of Arequipa. The excellent menu and service alone set it apart, so the beautiful architecture and Eiffel-built stairs are the cherry on top.

El Tío Darío has an impressive selection of seafood in a lovely garden setting, perfect for groups and those who want to eat outdoors.

El Charrua has an extensive menu of Peruvian, Uruguayan, Argentine and even American beef. They also have vegetarian and pescatarian options. The restaurant is in a historic building in Yanahuara, Arequipa.

Masamama uses a French sourdough starter for everything from bread to croissants to brownies. They currently don’t have indoor tables due to the pandemic but have two outdoor tables.

La Despensa has the best pastries in Arequipa, as well as a good selection of sandwiches, salads and pizzas.

La Trattoria del Monetario has good Italian dishes, a good selection of drinks and excellent service. The interior courtyard is charming and peaceful.

The new 13 Monjas offers a variety of homemade breads from a wood fired oven.

Casta Fior doesn’t shine for the menu or drinks but has some of the most creative and delicious desserts in Arequipa.

Bio Bio is a small restaurant that does a lot of takeout business. The food is simple but locally sourced and high quality.

Ocopa is one of the most popular picanterías in Arequipa. In a city that’s known for picanterías, this is definitely one to try.

La Quesería bills itself as a place for good cheese and it has a great atmosphere but the food is disappointing.

Atomic Waffles is a casual place with a great selection of both sweet and savory crêpes.

Chaqchao has slightly odd combination of micro-brew, desserts and chocolate making workshops, but does all three of those quite well.

Quilla Max has five different coffees from Quillabamba, from a medium roast to a dark French Vanilla. They also serve food and have a wide selection of pastries.

Prana is a vegan place near the center of Arequipa and the only restaurant in town where I was disappointed by my meal. It has a wide selection of microbrews and a great location, but don't plan on a meal there.