After spending the morning and early afternoon in Pisac and Ollantaytambo taking in some Sacred Valley sights, we had lunch at Alhambra Hacienda Restaurant. I’m guessing the place caters mostly to tourists but the food was good, the grounds were beautiful, and there were lots of animals wandering around to keep us entertained. There was an indoor section of the restaurant but the weather was so nice that we sat outside under a large gazebo. The area that held the buffet items was sort of inside and outside, in a covered courtyard that was definitely built in the Spanish style.
An overview of the restaurant grounds with grazing animals, the gazebo we ate inside, and the main part of the restaurant in the back
Our lunch was included with our tour and was served buffet style. We walked around looking at all of the offerings before loading up our plates. We started off with bowls of vegetable soup that was simple but flavorful, and perfect for dunking with crusty bread.
Vegetable soup and bread
We basically both got a few “feeler” plates so that we could taste as many different things as we could fit in our stomachs:
Beets, roast beef, bean salad, baked pasta, causa (a layered casserole with potato, tuna, and avocado), and giant cancha (fried corn kernals)
Bread, lima beans, orange chicken, refried beans, beef, trout, pork, more bean salad in the middle
We didn’t really linger over our meal because we were eager to get up close with the animals that were grazing in the field behind us.
Shaggy llamas
Alpacas and a vicuna (Josh really wanted to pet it but didn't have the guts)
There were also a pair of colorful parrots hanging out in a tree.
Pretty birds
While Josh was playing around with his wide angle lens, I walked around and took some flower pics.
Overall the food at Alhambra was pretty simple and rustic but very hearty. Some of the meats were a bit tough but everything tasted pretty good, even the orange chicken, surprisingly. There was dessert too but we weren’t in the mood for sweets. The atmosphere is casual and laid back, and we kind of felt like we were at a picnic or barbecue. I’m not sure if the restaurant is always a buffet, or if they serve a la carte meals as well. It is close to a few major hotels in the area, so it might be something worth checking out if you’re there.
Alhambra Hacienda Restaurant
Carretera Urubamba-Ollantaytambo Rd.
Urubamba, Peru
Tags: Buffet, Peru, Sacred Valley