The Best Places to Eat in Máncora, Peru
by Rebecca Hollman
updated Nov 24, 2018
Máncora, Peru
Máncora is an amazing beach town along the very northern coast of Peru – almost to the Ecuador border. I spent over a week in Máncora and could have easily spent 10 more. One of my favorite things about this town was the amount of food options and really good places to eat. As a vegetarian, food in Peru could sometimes be an issue. Máncora not only offers traditional Peruvian restaurants, but also sushi restaurants, Italian restaurants and pizzerias, Asian restaurants, breakfast places, and cafes. And, most every one of these places has vegetarian (and sometimes even vegan) options. Since Máncora is kind of a hippie town, the vegetarian options are plentiful. Check out the best places to eat in Máncora below (not listed in any particular order). All of my absolute personal favorites are starred!
Cafés
1. Green Eggs and Ham*- One of the few restaurants on the beach, this breakfast/lunch spot has a patio overlooking the beach and volleyball courts. Smoothies, milkshakes, all day breakfast, a wide variety of sandwiches for lunch, and really good wifi. Only one outlet at the bar so bring your computer charged if you plan to do work. Open early morning to around 4 pm.
2. Mandala- Although it is a café that serves coffee, pastries, smoothies, etc. it is only open at night. I don’t know why this is a common Peruvian thing but it is so be forewarned – restaurants (even cafes) open late in these parts. Hours are from 6 pm to 11 pm.
3. Café del Mundo*- Best tasting food at any of the cafes listed, although the options are more limited than some of the others. Also, probably the best coffee. They bring you coffee in your own French press or they can do really good espresso drinks. Good wifi and good amount of outlets/seating space.
4. Sweet Lady Café- Tiny little café that does really good frappuccinos. More snacks/small sandwiches/finger food than a full on lunch place. Good wifi but only a few small tables for seating.
5. Café Coral- Brand new café that just opened. Good coffee and amazing pie/cake/pastries.
6. Bananas Café- Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Has good combo breakfast options, lots of vegetarian sandwiches, and really good pizzas for dinner. Also has amazing frappuccinos and milkshakes. OK wifi, lots of good seating, and a really cute cat that lives there.
7. Black Sheep Café*- My favorite place in all of Máncora just because of how cheap the food was. You can get a sandwich for 4 soles, espresso drinks for 5-8 soles, pancakes for 5 soles, or a vegan burger with a drink for 10 soles. Really good quality and really good tasting food regardless of the price. OK wifi, slow service- but again this price can’t really be beat.
Lunch/Dinner Restaurants
1. Tokuyo*- A bit on the pricier side but the sushi and sushi bowls are so fresh and amazing. The owner used to own other restaurants around the world and so knows how to run a restaurant. He also likes to come out and talk to you personally.
2. Makakos Restobar- Good place for dinner and drinks. More of a high-scale bar vibe.
3. El Rincon (also a café during the day)- Has coffee and lunch during the day but then transforms into a pizza/pasta restaurant in the evening. Has really cute décor and a terrace for seating out on the street.
4. Antica Pizzeria*- High end pizza and pasta place. Pasta is made in-house and you get to create your own dish by picking the noodles and sauce. Hard to see from the street but it is above El Rincon.
5. Zanzibar Pizza- Cheap pizzas cooked in a clay oven. Really homey, down-to-earth feel.
6. Atelier Restobar*- Trendy place for cocktails and food. Has great décor inside, good drinks/smoothies/juices and also a short, but good menu of food options. The butternut squash gnocci is a must-try.
7. Chan Chan Pizza- This restaurant is hard to see from the street but once your inside it really gives you an authentic Italian vibe. Reasonably priced pasta and pizzas.
8. Angela’s Place Vegetarian- Only completely vegetarian place in Máncora. Slightly expensive but a vast menu of vegetarian options.
9. Buda- Only place in town that offers Asian cuisine- sushi, noodles, Thai food, etc.
10. La Sirena d’Juan- One of the most upscale restaurants in Máncora. Good food, but even better service and wait staff.
Obviously, I can’t mention all of the restaurants in the whole town and I’m sure I left off some restaurants that were good but I just never had the time to try. Also, these restaurants mentioned are all in the main tourist area of the town. There are heaps of good, authentic Peruvian restaurants run by locals farther to the right of the tourist area – more towards the real town of Máncora. If you’re facing the beach, and wander all the way down to the right where it starts turning residential, you will start to come across more authentic (and cheaper) restaurants.