Take a trip to Peru, head to the Plaza for a Machu Picchu feast! 🇵🇪

Fried plantains, ceviche, arroz con the tastiest of meats, fish and sauces all served pachamanca style - that’s Peruvian food, down to a T. Pachamanca means family style and celebrates the communal feel of eating and celebrating food and life together as one big collective. And while the portions are easily set for one hungry foodie, the food and menu at Machu Picchu Restaurant at The Plaza stems from the culture of big food gatherings, just like they do in the historical haven in and around Machu Picchu, Peru. 🍽️

We really went for it here, the menu was way too wild to keep us back!

Heading to Peru doesn’t only mean you’ll need to follow the Inca Trail or head to the Andes mountains to have a good time, the food and culture in the South American land is absolutely stunning - and luckily for us Machu Picchu Restaurant brings Peruvian food straight to us! A quick trip to Sliema, more specifically The Plaza Shopping Complex, will take your tastebuds on a culinary voyage, out of our European borders, directly to flavour town with dishes such as the Arroz con Mariscos; a rice and flambéed seafood dish finished with cilantro to bring that fresh and vibrant South American kick. 🦐

Starting off with a classic always seems like the right thing to do!

But the dish we are all pretty familiar with here in Europe, is probably ceviche - a cold dish that sounds right on the money in the middle of this never ending heatwave! At Machu Picchu, they serve up their Ceviche Mixto & Clásico which offers its diners the variety of either a mix of raw seafood and mixed shellfish marinated in lime, onions, spices and peppers or a pairing of this tasty combo with a chicharron de pescado (fried fish morsels). Both plates come with a serving of glazed sweet potato and toasted corn for the perfect juxtaposition of texture and sweetness. 🍠

Doesn’t ceviche sound like the perfect choice in this heat?

Probably the showstopper of the entire restaurant, that must turn heads in The Plaza Food Court, is the Jalea Real a fried fish bonanza that puts even the most adventurous Chippy to shame! Imagine a sea bream (awrata), battered whole and taking a nice hot bath in a sizzling pot of oil - yeppers, a whole deep fried fish, served crispy and crunchy on the outside, juicy and flaky on the inside. 🐟

This beast comes with a variety of seafood, depending on what’s available on the market, our visit introduced us to deep fried vongole - a first that we will definitely be eager to try again! You’ll often find deep fried calamari and a few other fishy bites, like a Peruvian favourite: prawns! This dish is best shared by you and your mates, and goes down best with one of Machu Picchu’s classic Frozen Lemonade featuring fresh squeezed lime, ice, water and the absolutely delicious, and oh so moreish jarabe de goma - a sugar syrup with a subtle caramel flavour and thicker consistency than our general simple syrup. 🍋

Ever seen this much fried fish on one plate?

While you’re enjoying the cool vibes in the Plaza’s air-conditioned Food Hall, make sure you try Machu Picchu’s Pollo a la Plancha - a simply prepared dish that serves up some complex flavour profiles for the perfect balanced meal on a weekday afternoon! 🍗

Hello weekday staple, we’re coming for you!

Do keep some room for the Patacones con Aquacate! Probably the crunchiest thing you’ll eat all summer (bar the entirely deep fried fish dish, of course), and maybe even one of the tastiest, especially when paired with creamy avocado and fresh Creole salad. But what are these crunchy bites, you ask - only the most quintessential South American ingredient, turned into a chip and fried until it’s crispy AF - double smashed and double fried plantains sprinkled with salt and served wholeheartedly to anyone willing to try them. 🥑

The salty-sweet combo of this seemingly unripened banana that’s just done some overtime in the frier and rained on with the ultimate natural flavour enhancer (aka salt), is one of the best snacks you can get your hands on, and definitely a Machu Picchu classic that made its way to our shores with the Machu Picchu Restaurant. 🍌

Seriously, try these! They’re absolute life!

Last but not least on our Machu Picchu visit, we also tried the Lomo Saltado, the restaurant’s signature dish that takes chunks of steak all sauteed in a rich tomato, onion, peppers and soy sauce glaze served with rice and chips. This classic rendition gave us the true taste of Peru, at the perfect location: The Plaza! 🥩

Steak and fries is always a good idea!

If you’re looking to give your taste buds that out-of-Malta sensation, maybe pretend you’re flying far far away on a South American adventure, take a trip to Machu Picchu for a well-rounded, very versatile and culturally engaging taste of Peruvian cuisine. 🤤

Try out the Bandeja Pajsa or the the Causa Acevicada if you’re looking to go super authentic, stick with the Anticuchos and Yuquitas Fritas if you’re looking for a small nibble or go for the Leche de Tigre or the Cocktail de Camarones if you’re up for a wild-yet-delicious adventure! 🍤