I went to La Despensa because it’s the only place in Arequipa with a French pastry chef.

I don’t mean a pastry chef trained in France, but a pastry chef from France, (who presumably was also trained in France). While the menu of sandwiches, salads and pastas looked good, I was there for the desserts. I tried the pear tart, the pecan tart and the chocolate cake, because I had been told it was the best chocolate cake in Arequipa. All three were excellent and I wish I had been able to try more. This is at the top of my list for my next trip to Arequipa!

The interior is quite charming and I would have happily sat there all afternoon if there had been time.

La Despensa is in a row of restaurants on Calle Santa Catalina, (at 302 Calle Santa Catalina), but when I was there the sign was only in an interior courtyard. Besides the name painted o the window (which was partly obscured by bars) there was nothing on the street to show you where it is. Peek into the courtyard it shares with Dimas Restaurant and a CBD shop, and you’ll see the sign for La Despensa.