Budget Restaurants in Nasca

By Leslie Brown

The actual city of Nasca gets a lot of hit-and-runs. Tourists stop by on their way to peek at the ancient lines, stay a night in town and pick up their trail the next morning. Although the town has adjusted to the high influx of tourism, there isn’t an abundance of restaurants. That said, the available eateries do have character.

For an Italian or seafood dinner, go to one of the restaurants linked to the hotels. Plates are more expensive but come with the works. If you’re in the mood to sample traditional food in a relaxed environment, wander a little farther from your hotel to hit up one of the unique restaurants around town. At one locale, backpackers have left their signatures on the graffiti-filled walls. Another restaurant offers outdoor seating on a second-floor terrace. Well-priced vegetarian, Peruvian and seafood dishes are on the menu at most places. Plus, on the weekends live music and happenin’ vibes throng in a few of the restaurant-bars.

The daily lunch special runs from $1 to $10, with most diners charging $2-2.70. A slew of cheap eateries are on General Varela, north of Avenida Augusto B. Leguía. Tacna's two markets are other places to eat inexpensively, as well as to pick up supplies: Mercado 2 de Mayo (Avenida 2 de Mayo, between Pasaje Calderón de la Barca and Meléndez) and the Mercado Central (Avenida Bolognesi and Pallardelli). Both are open daily 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Empanadas are sold all over and make for a good snack or light meal for budget travelers ($0.35-0.70). They come in a variety of fillings, from cheese to ají de gallina. Many restaurants close early on Sundays or don't open at all.

The main market throbs with activity along Lima, between Grau and Arica (daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m.) Nearby is Supermarket Raulito (Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Grau, between Bolognesi and Lima). Another market, much larger and more rustic, is one block from the Plaza de Armas, on Callao. The cheapest diners in Nasca line the east and west sides of the main plaza. Nasca has no vegetarian-only restaurant, but many eateries do offer meatless dishes.