Café Cusco

I had the Colorado Skewers and they were amazing! The drinks are shareable for sure. My coconut dessert was perfect and light. The ambiance of the restaurant does not feel like you are in Missouri. It’s close to the hospital and an amazing experience. A must if you are in Springfield!

Wait: waited ~7mins to check in, told 15-20 wait, checked in again after 30 minutes, was told "we have no control when people will get up", 5 minutes later we were seated. Atmosphere: Loud yet inviting (wear earbuds lol), also quite dark (bathrooms were wayyy too dark (Dark paint & a dim light) - lovely stone sink! Outdoor seating - beautiful and adorable Decor: Authentic to the building architecture (brick wall, large beams, tin ceiling) with gorgeous glass work, flooring, & booths App: Yucca Fries - Slightly underdone/tough needed a few more minutes, sauces Delicious (especially the Basil Mayo!!) Drinks: Yerba Mate - DELICIOUS, LIGHT, & FRESH!!! Askinosie Hot Chocolate - thin and watery flavor ok, too much cinnamon taste like red hots Entrees: Arroz con Pollo- TONS of peas & cilantro like way too much of both but we ate some of it with lime because we were hungry - no other veggies like menu said it had Arroz con Mariscos- Enjoyable added lime - a LOT of peas (no calamari-subbed more shrimp) Chicken Saltado- salty (tomatoes were the best part) rice was super dry, hard, & lacked flavor Chicken Taco- **sent back** was cold, shell didn't hold, way too much juice spilled off plate onto lap & shoe when waitress put it down Kids Quesadilla - Good & fries were better Kids Chicken & Fries - *Really* good -both the chicken & fries Very unfortunate that they were out of the Colorado Skewers & Rabbit! We really wanted to try them! Waitress friendly - one of the kiddos made her a ty card <3 Price: $120+tip... Way too much for quality we got. Overall impression: would come back to try lunch, other items, or get the kids the chicken & fries again. Our party was 7 - 3 would come back but only for lunch or to try the rabbit. Issue seems to be in kitchen primarily basic foods were spot on.. And that was it. Total Time: 2 hours - way to long

Really charming little place. My boyfriend had the Colorado Skewers and it was fantastic, smokey, peppery, and tender chicken. I had the Pesto Peru and paid $3 extra for mushrooms and I got 5 slices in the whole dish... Not even a whole mushroom. But the flavor was nice. Our cocktails were fantastic, and service was good. However, we were terribly disappointed and almost left after we were seated completely outside of the dining room in an awkward 2 top table at the entry way. When you enter you get this beautiful view of the room and its exciting to see and then we didn't even get to be a part of it it... Everyone who walked in was a part of our dining experience and it really killed the atmosphere. We would have gladly waited for a proper table. I would definitely come back for a second chance.

This is an exceptional small restaurant. It has Peruvian food with an excellent atmosphere for both the casual meal, and to entertain out-of-town guest. It is a unique experience with an international feel. There is a lot of parking and it is conveniently located across from a coffee shop to continue your conversation after your meal. This restaurant is a gem of Springfield.

This restaurant is a hidden gem in Springfield and offers a unique flair of culinary tastes. Definitely recommend the Colorado Skewers and there is a lot of variety on the menu so there is something for everyone. Great service and atmosphere. Feels very cozy and inviting. Would definitely come back again!

So freaking good! If your gluten free this place is made for you! It has so many options as well as a big vegan menu! Everything was so delicious. We got the bean and quinoa soup, fried guacamole palta fritas, jackfruit fajitas and the sweet potato noodle stir fry and the fried guacamole was so so good! My fajitas with jackfruit had really good flavor and was pretty big!

Went here for a girls' dinner. The torta de Askinosie was hands down the BEST dessert I've ever had, and I know about desserts. It was so good that we visited the Askinosie Chocolate Factory (they give tours and free samples). Anyway, if you must order more than just cake, the mango trout was delicious. My friends had chicken skewers and pasta. They had spicy dishes; mine was mild and tasty. We had the cerveche, it was fine, and the fried guacamole, which I'd order again. The cocktails are worth trying. I ordered a pisco sour at the recommendation of our server. It did not disappoint. I also ordered a mojito, because #whychoose. Long story long, visit this place and get. the. torta (and a cocktail if you're old enough).

We eat here a few times a year, never had a bad plate of food. Gluten free and vegan options available, super friendly staff, great drinks, kid friendly. There is a changing station in the bathroom. Inside our outside seating, weather dependant.

A must stop ! Located in a beautiful historical downtown area . They offer 2 separate menus here , one regular and one entirely vegan . Robust flavor , portions weren't outta control . Prices were on the higher end but well worth it.

Our food was absolutely amazing. We got the Chicken Saltado and the Chicken Para Rayos and they were both so delicious. We also loved the ambiance here, the interior is decorated so beautifully and really gets you excited for good food! The intoxicating smell of the food when you walk in is also a bonus! We also got two cocktails that were perfectly crafted. Despite all of this we had some pretty bad service. We waited for over 20 minutes before our waiter showed up to the table in a slow restaurant. When he arrived, he did not apologize and instead bluntly asked what we wanted. Throughout our dining he did not check in with us at all and was not personable. We were disappointed at the level of service compared to the amazing restaurant we were sat in, but we will definitely return to try again as it was probably just a bad day.

Dogs are welcomed here which is really awesome. We had good service even though clearly there was one server covering inside and out. Was surprisingly attentive. The trout salad was phenomenal and check out the size of that fish!! I had the salsa verde salad and regretted it. The verde salsa was like a gross smoothie and smothered the entire salad. Really just ate the chicken. Mango was slimy and overly ripe but ‍ maybe that's how Peruvian people like them. Really liked this place though just a bad choice on my part.

It was SO nice finally eating a hot meal in Missouri after spending an entire week in Branson with no gluten-free options as someone with celiac disease. Almost the entire menu is gluten-free and they have a dedicated fryer. Thank GOD. My husband and I ordered: - Fried Guacamole / Palta Fritas. $9.99 (Appetizer) - Lomo Saltado. $18.99 (Main) - Amazon Fried Rice. $15.99 (Main) - Lúcuma Cheesecake. $10 (Dessert) - Bottle of hot sauce to take home. $10 While the fried rice was a tad oversalted and I didn't like the Cheerio crust on the cheesecake, the food was so good and the salsa... Omg. I could have taken a case home of that stuff. It is hot but complex and flavorful. The salsa alone is worth another visit. They have a menu with foods you might not see anywhere else in town such as deep fried rabbit with basil lime aioli, BBQ jackfruit with Peruvian panca peppers or blackened cobia on a bed of ahi amarillo mashed potatoes. The restaurant is in an old building from the 1800's with tables, booths and even a dining room upstairs. The bathrooms are individual rooms with a sink and changing table, so they are unisex. Service was great. Overall, I would definitely return. Visited December 2024

Love this restaurant! I had ordered takeout before and loved the food, so decided to eat inside. I loved that they had an entire vegan menu with several options. The decor was so cute, and the service was great. I can't wait to return and try another menu option.

Maybe a hidden gem in Springfield. We had never had Peruvian food before, but we are sold now. Perfect service by Rheanna! She made the evening fun and had great recommendations. Great ambiance, although a little small. We enjoyed the private booths. My wife loved the Margarita Cubano! We began with the Tequenos. A Peruvian take on fried cheese sticks. These were delicious and the marina like sauce was very good. We loved both entrees. My wife had the Checken Para Rayos and thought pretty good, although very rich cream sauce, but we felt like the Chicken Saltado was the better of the two with a unique and delicious flavor. It was also the lighter of the two. We had to try dessert and Rheanna recommended the cheesecake. I loved the Lucuma Cheesecake and definitely recommend it. Very different, but delicious.

So super tasty, with great service despite us being a group of 10. The restaurant vibe and ambiance is very beautiful--with stained glass, fun lighting fixtures, and intimate booth setups. Can be a good fit for all crowd types! The house made hot sauce at the table was so good. I regret not remembering to buy a bottle on our way out.

Food was delicious, service was great, but portions on the Chicken Kabob meal were a little disappointing compared to the noodle dishes.

Good food, good service, great ambiance...absolutely love this beautiful old 1890s era building

Another Springfield establishment worth your patronage. The atmosphere is casual and another great date night location. The service is prompt and attentive and knowledgeable. We started our meal with their Yucca Fries; fried and seasoned yucca root served with three delicious dipping sauces basil lime aioli, yellow pepper mayo and gulf sauce. Great starter app but save room for dessert. $10.99 with the price. For my main I ordered Chicken Saltado; tender juicy chicken sautéed with onion, tomato in aji amarillo, garlic and white wine. Tossed over rice then topped with cilantro and served with a side of garlic rice. This dish was OMG delish. The chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. Def recommend this dish. $15.99 it was priced right IMO. Finally for dessert when I see a one of a kind opportunity it's a sure bet I'll say yes please. Mazzamora Morada is a must try. I would dine at Cafe Cusco again just to order this amazing dessert. Served warm, not overly sweet but the favor is OMG HEAVENLY. $4.99, Is pay double that for this sweet treat. I will most definitely return to Cafe Cusco next time I visit Springfield.

Trevor was an awesome host. Try the vegan mushroom sandwich and spicy pasta. 10/10. Amazing atmosphere too. Worth checking out

Soooo good ahhhh!!!!! Love this restaurant. The food, service, ambiance, live music by Jazzon... it's hard to top a restaurant that cares this much and has this great of dishes.

Great find in Springfield, Historic C Street area. Everything was great starting with the Pisco Sour drink (unique, not too sweet), followed by seafood mixta and sashimi tuna. Next we had the pork and the blackfish and both were tasty. Finally had the chocolate torta. All great recommendations from our attentive server, Christina. Highly recommend this place if you are in the area.

Really, really great food. Menus are well marked for gluten free options and staff is super knowledgeable. We had chicken mojo, chicken verde, and the askinose chocolate torte. Everyone was happy. Don't miss the chocolate torte. One of the best gluten free desserts I've had. FYI... they have a lunch menu that is significantly less expensive than their dinner menu, and portions are great sizes.

Love the aesthetic of the place. So cute! Food was delicious. We ordered the Aji De Gallina and the chicken ocopa both on the lunch menu. We also got the caramel cheesecake. Had cinnamon in it. So so good.

Came here with my girlfriend after a long day, looking for something new to try. Cusco Cafe definitely delivered on the unique menu - we spotted Fryer Rabbit and Sweet Potato Noodles! Fryer Rabbit: Interesting choice, but fell a bit short. The rabbit itself was tough and heavily lime-flavored.While it had decent taste, I've had much better rabbit in the past. (Next time, I'll try the Lomo Saltado!) Sweet Potato Noodles with Shrimp: My girlfriend really liked this dish! The noodles themselves were surprisingly subtle on the sweet potato flavor, and the overall taste was excellent. Tres Leches: A bit of a miss. Way too much cinnamon on top completely overpowered the other flavors. We had to scrape some off to enjoy the actual cake, which was good underneath. Despite the mixed experience with the food, I have to give a shoutout to the ambiance and staff. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, and the service was friendly and attentive. This bumped them up to a 4-star experience overall. Would I come here again? Yes. It's definitely worth a try.

Their service was really good. Staff is super friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. It was an upscale place for sure. Definitely coming back

Pros: - Beautiful ambiance - Fast service. - Delicious!! (Seriously, you can't go wrong.) But the Colorado Skewers ($15) were my *absolute* favorite. The sauce, chicken, pico de gallo, and mashed potatoes went together sooo well. If you're not sure what to get, this is the one. The Jalea Mixta (fried calamari and shrimp) was a great appetizer, and even the side salad was tasty. The Olive Trout was good, but I don't remember eating many olives when I went to Peru. The Chicken Para Rayos was delicious too. The only cons are the (dubious) authenticity, and it was $75 for 3 of us + one appetizer, with no drinks or dessert. But they were kind enough to honor Yelp's 5% check-in discount.

Very nice for a lunch on a warm day. The spices were incredibly well balanced. Chicha Morada was especially refreshing.

All I can say is, wow! This place exceeded my expectations. Beautiful historic building very tastefully renovated. The food was amazing. Full of flavor! There was only one waitress there and she was so helpful and quick. If I ever come through the area again I will be coming here again!!

Food & service were outstanding. Ambiance is moody vintage cafe. Flavorful, colorful and aromatic dishes. They do have gluten free options as well. We visit every time we are in the area.

Passing thru on way from Dallas to St Louis and Cafe Cusco was within walking distance of the Airbnb. Having recently learned of Pisco and making my own Pisco sours at home, I wanted to see how theirs compare as well as combine them with some good Peruvian food. While the surrounding areas look a bit "suspect", this few block stretch seems to be creating a nice enclave. "The oldest tavern in Springfield" was a block away from the cafe which we checked out prior to dinner. The waitress described their food as "Peruvian fusion" and the website says "Peruvian inspired" which I assume means "modified so more folks from Springfield will like it". Not knowing authentic Peruvian food, I can't make that comparison; all I know is everything I had was really good and the atmosphere was fantastic. Service and suggestions from Jaqui were great! Loved the cinnamon on the Pisco sour. Adding that to my home recipe! Also learned from Jaqui that I've been pronouncing "Pisco" incorrectly! ;) Highly recommend.

Let me start off with saying WOW! This is paradise for all vegetarians and vegans!! I came here for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon, the place wasn't busy a first, but people slowly started occupying tables. There was a street festival across the street and I assume it's generally busier. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, I chose to sit inside due to the wind. The inside has a bar that makes absolutely amazing cocktails! Their menu is lengthy and they have a completely separate menu for vegans and vegetarians! So many great options to choose from! I started off by ordering a freshly made cocktail, pineapple hacienda and yucca mojo. The yucca mojo was a serving of fried seasoned yucca root tossed in mojo citrus pepper sauce. Absolutely delicious!My main course was their jackfruit escabeche that came with jackfruit sautéed in zesty escabeche sauce with Roma tomatoes, peppers, onion, capers, portobello, Kalamata olives and cilantro with a side of garlic rice. It deserves a review of its own for how well flavors blended together and the smell was mouth watering! Not only was it a perfectly made dish but it also tasted absolutely wonderful! Both dishes were very generous, definitely a great place if, like me, you like to eat a lot! Their service was fast and the staff friendly. Off the street parking is available. Overall an absolutely fantastic experience and I will definitely be coming back to try more items off their menu next time I'm in Springfield.

Such a comfy feel here! Love the booth that we sat in. The food is very good, we ordered something that our waitress recommended. It is a bit pricey for what we got I think but overall a good experience.

The jack fruit nachos are so yummy- words just can't describe how good they are. The verde chicken salad has just the right amount of heat- so refreshing! The waitress was delightful-such amazing service & recommendations!

Cafe Cusco is such a gem! The food and drinks were phenomenal! The seafood escabeche was wonderfully flavored. Also had the sangria morada and mazamorra morada and both were delicious. The wait staff was attentive and the ambience was pleasant. All in all a great place for dinner. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in town!

I have heard great things about Cafe Cusco and it has been on my list for awhile. Today I finally was able to dine here! The food did not disappoint at all from appetizers to the truly delicious drink. I'm ready to go back for more. We shared most of the food the main plate we shared was the arroz con pollo which was the only one we couldn't wait to eat. We were to hungry to wait for a photo but so worth trying!!! Service was good and the ambiance is another level on the inside. It's a small spot but the building is unique with a cute patio on the side of the building. The highlight is their tables inside such a unique experience in the booths. A must try! The food is very fairly priced & can't wait to try more yummy food!!

Excellent healthy food options and fun atmosphere. We especially appreciate all the gluten-free options!

4.5* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 5* 09/12/2022 Came here while on a business trip as it was a favorite of one of our hosts - and boy was I impressed. On two subsequent trips, we returned to the same location for at least one of our meals. I've been to Peru on a mission trip with my Mom and son and have grown to really love their food. I've started each of my meals here with a Pisco Sour (see picture) - they are always tasty and Cafe Cusco does a great job making them. While I've had their Ceviche on previous visits, I don't have a picture of it - but do highly recommend it. Lastly, for my meal on two of the trips, I've enjoyed their Spicy Pork Tacos (see pictures). I just absolutely love them - so much food, so juicy and oh so flavorful! This time they were infused with beets to make the shells red and on a previous visit, they were blue resulting from the use of blue corn. We came here first on the recommendation of a local host who recommends this place as his favorite...and it quickly became my favorite also! You absolutely have to try this place - all of the dishes I've tasted are full of flavor and delicious! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

The smells walking into the establishment were amazing and mouthwatering! We waited several minutes to be seated then several more minutes before our waitress came to take our order. She was super sweet and was also our bartender so it seems they were terribly understaffed! Husband and I both ordered rabbit and it was so dry and salty along with potatoes that were over seasoned. The El Captain drink was really good tho!

The food and decor were wonderful! We ordered the chicharron plate and black bean burger. Both were delicious and served promptly. The highlight however was the chocolate cake for dessert. The only downside was the waitress wasn't as attentive as we would like. Overall though, it was a great visit and we'll definitely come back.

This is our second time at Cafe Cusco. The food was really good again. I love the quinoa salad and the Aji De Gallina was amazing. The white aïoli served with the wings is a treat! Colorado skewers and pork tacos did not disappoint. Service both times was great also!

Food was amazing! Great location and cute place. Will definitely be back next time I'm in the area.

One of our favorite restaurants anywhere. Interesting and varied menu and love their hot sauce so much we buy it by the case.

The fries and the torta de askinoske (flourless chocolate cake) .. a gluten free person's dream. We went here after much recommendations it was an interesting spot but i thought it was a little too dark so I don't have great food pics. The service was ok but the fries were really the highlight for me. The menu was interesting and had lots of options for gf people. My pad was ok a bit too sweet for me but I said I will try it again sometime to see if it was fluke. My partner had the duck and enjoy it more than my dish ( i couldn't try his). I shall return

A very nice little restaurant downtown Springfield. The food was delicious and we really appreciated having vegan options! Reasonably priced and wait staff was friendly and helpful

I heard a lot about this place...and looked forward to going. Underwhelming is how I would describe. If someone wanted to go here, I'd go again. However, it's (not) a place I'm going to choose, to go to again. See that bottle of sauce: it's a different kind of taste...not sure what's in it. But it was decent and (I did) like it. The fried rice: It had a definite sweet note to it. It didn't have a crispy texture at all. But, it was good enough to order. I'd much rather however, have a Chinese or Thai fried rice dish. The pork and black beans. The black beans, were fixed really good and a good taste. The pork, tasted ok....maybe even good. However, it was cut so thin...they cooked to give it grill scald. So, it was well dried out, being so thin. The last dish with the seafood and vegetables. That dish was way sour in flavor. My wife eats sour stuff....that dish made her mouth pucker! Tue old building and interior.... Certainly liked it...and it's great to see the old places survive and be re-purposed. A cozy place with those enclosed booths. Conclusion: There's better places to choose from in Springfield.

Hot sauce on the table was nice. Server and atmosphere was great. Food was ok, served hot but kinda tasteless which was a surprise. I'd read reviews saying it was not too authentic.

Food, Service and Ambiance were amazing. The fried rabbit was Delicioso. Looking forward to coming back.

Neither my sister nor myself had ever had Peruvian food. Well that changed in Springfield! This restaurant is located in a beautiful old building. The building certainly adds to the charm, but the food is so good! The food is the star. I ordered the Blackfish, my sister ordered Chicken Para Rayos. Both were really good in presentation and flavor, but the chicken was the superior dish. We had leftover chicken and shrimp the next day.. I think it was better the next day.. yum! We ordered the chocolate dessert, which was special, especially with whipped cream. A memorable meal, for sure.

This was a wonderful restaurant and the atmosphere is very calm and relaxing. The food was delicious, this is a great go to spot for a special occasion or anything. The service was outstanding!

This was my second time eating at Cafe Cusco. This time we brought friends and absolutely everything was soooo delicious! Bailey was our server, and she was excellent. They were busy at 7 pm on a Saturday night but we had reservations and we sat immediately. We each ordered a different drink and let me tell you all of them were delicious! If you haven't had a Pisco Sour this is the place to try one! We ordered the Taquenos to start and they were perfect - so much better than a mozzarella stick! We each ordered different entrees so we could taste more of the menu and let me tell you I'm not aorry we did. The flavors in every dish were spot on! Go and enjoy!!

I was looking for something soup and seafood and glad I found this place on Yelp. Only 8 minutes drive from my hotel. Thanks to my waitress suggestion, I didn't over order. I wanted the soup and an entree but she told me it was a huge portion so I got the Jalea Mixta for appetizer and the Chupe Grande. The Jalea Mixta is an assortment of fried squid, shrimp and white fish. It comes with two different dipping sauces. The Chupe Grande comes with a side of rice and crackers. The Chupe Grande is a spicy seafood bisque with shrimp, crawfish, calamari, peas and topped with a sunny side up and queso fresco. A perfect meal for this cold weather! I even have leftovers!

Today was our first meal at Cafe Cusco Definitely Won't be the last! Wonderful wait staff! Delicious flavorful food! Scrumptious desert and tantalizing cocktails. Wonderful ambiance - decor, seating areas and music that favored the cuisine - all in a historical building right on C Street. If you haven't been, you're missing out on this gem of a dining experience. Don't just take my word - go and expect the same experience yourself!

I'm from Peru, I was very excited about this restaurant because I was surprised to find a restaurant here, I ordered three meals and two drinks, pilsen beer (very good and traditional from my city CALLAO), pisco sour (they don't use Peruvian pisco and they use Chilean pisco, I felt offended as a Peruvian), ceviche (the real ceviche doesn't use cucumber and the taste is not authentic), tuna tiradero (the fusion was good, but it's not an original dish from Peru), Amazon fried rice (it was good, but I repeat that food was not and did not have the taste of Peruvian food) the decoration of the place is very beautiful and I like every detail of the place, the service was very nice, as a Peruvian I recommend this place for the experience and the good service, but if you are looking for authentic Peruvian food, that is not the right place.

As a Peruvian I will give my humble opinion. The national dish of Perú is ceviche. I was looking forward to give it a try. The restaurant is beautiful and the atmosphere is great. Service was excellent Miami ceviche was horrible. Fish was overcooked. Leche de tigre was underwhelming. The whole experience looked more like a poorly made Mexican ceviche. I know it has more like a tropical twist with Mango but the fish was not tasty at all. Huancaina had too much cheese that masked the huancaina flavor. Tres leches was dry. Lucuma cheesecake was also underwhelming Pisco sour was decent.

Ahh-mazing!!! This place is a gem! I am wishing i had more meals or stomach to enjoy more of their menu. I knew I'd be happy because true South American cuisine always has fresh ingredients and full flavors. I spoke to the waitress and she worked with the kitchen to have smaller versions of their mushroom saltado and sweet potato noodle stir fry. Both are absolutely incredible. I am looking forward to the next time I'm in Springfield just so I can come here again.

What a great find tucked away on a corner in Historic Downtown Springfield. I saw the name and i thought it might be Peruvian food so I asked a group that was leaving what kind of food and they confirmed it was Peruvian and even said it was their favorite restaurant in Springfield. One look at the menu and they had me hooked. I had the Aji de Gallina, and my wife had the Chicken Aji verde which had a unique cilantro sauce. My Peruvian mother was smiling down from heaven. The atmosphere was authentic and the prices very reasonable. Can't wait to try something else there!

What a unique find! This place came highly recommended and it certainly lives up to the hype. The ambiance, service and food were all amazing. I had the wings and the trout and has very happy with my choices.