Carpe Diem Cucina Italiana — Restaurant in Distrito de Cusco

Disappointing Experience: Mediocre Food and Terrible Service

I recently visited the restaurant, expecting a satisfying dining experience. Unfortunately, I was met with disappointment due to the restaurant's mediocre food and abysmal service. I would strongly advise against wasting your money at this establishment when there are plenty of other great options available in the city.

One of the most glaring issues we encountered was the complete lack of beverage service. Not only did they forget to bring our drinks, but they also managed to forget the drinks for the neighboring table as well. It was frustrating to sit through an entire meal without any beverages to complement our food. When we received the bill, we were astounded to find the charges for the drinks we never received. It was absolutely ridiculous to be expected to pay for something that was never provided. We had to bring this to the attention of the staff and request the removal of the charges.

Additionally, when we asked for a takeaway bag to pack up our leftovers, we were informed that there was a fee of 2 soles for the bag. This was the first time in our many visits to Cusco that we were required to pay for a takeaway bag. While the monetary value was not significant, it was the principle of the matter that left us feeling extremely dissatisfied. The fact that we had to pay extra for a bag, especially after enduring such terrible service and not receiving our drinks, was simply unacceptable.

What made matters worse was the absence of any apology from the restaurant staff for their numerous mistakes and oversights. It is disheartening to encounter such a lack of accountability and customer service. As patrons, we expected at the very least a sincere apology for the inconvenience caused. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Given the abundance of excellent dining options available in Cusco, I strongly recommend exploring other establishments for a more enjoyable and satisfying experience. Do not waste your time and money on this particular restaurant, as they clearly do not prioritize customer satisfaction or provide the level of service one would expect. Cusco has numerous other restaurants with exceptional food, so choose wisely and ensure that your dining experience lives up to your...

Carpe Diem – A Little Slice of Italy in Cusco

Cusco is a city that straddles the ancient and the modern, a place where the ghosts of the Inca empire walk the same streets as backpackers in llama-print sweaters. You come here for the ruins, the altitude headaches, the coca tea, and maybe, if you’re lucky, a meal that surprises you.

Carpe Diem is one of those surprises. It’s the kind of place you’d walk right past if you weren’t paying attention. But step inside, and suddenly, you’re not in Cusco anymore—you’re in a little pocket of Italy where the pizza crust is crisp, blistered, and perfect, and the air carries the scent of wood-fired dough and melted cheese.

The pizza? It’s the real deal—none of that overly doughy, over-sauced nonsense. Just the right balance of crisp and chew, with toppings that actually complement the crust instead of smothering it. It’s the kind of pie you eat too quickly, then immediately start plotting your return.

And then there’s the tiramisu. Not just a dessert, but a show. They make it right in front of you at the table, layering mascarpone and espresso-soaked ladyfingers like some kind of edible art project. It’s rich but not heavy, sweet but not cloying—a proper ending to a meal that already feels like a minor victory.

The service? Warm, genuine, and effortlessly professional—the way it should be but so often isn’t. No pretense, no forced smiles, just people who seem to genuinely care whether you’re having a good time.

Carpe Diem isn’t trying to be a tourist trap or an Instagram gimmick. It’s just good food, done right, in a place that feels like it shouldn’t exist in the shadow of Machu Picchu. If you find yourself in Cusco and need a break from the usual quinoa bowls and alpaca steaks, go here. You...

We were greeted and promptly seated on the second floor, the place was buzzing with chatter and people enjoying their food. Complementary bread and oil went down a treat.

We ordered the Spaghetti Puttanesca which was superb 5/5 very flavourful and a good mixture of sauce.

The other was a Boscaiola , it appeared with a film on the sauce as if it had been sitting under a heat lamp a while, no biggie . However I found out quickly the sauce was very watery. Which was a bit disappointing but the flavour and everything else was still top shelf.

The salad we got as a side could have used some more balsamic as it was a bit lacking. About half way through the service what appeared to be a water truck arrived about 9 pm on a Saturday, which ran a noisy pump for about 20 mins directly in front of the store. Really took away from the experience, the staff didn’t try to cover close windows or close doors to stop the sound coming in.

The desert was superb we had the Tiramisu and the Chocolate Volcano. Both very well presented and tasty. From multiple points in the venue you are also able to watch the kitchen staff make the...