ALQA Museo and Restaurant both were beyond beautiful. So well curated. So thoughtfully designed.
The staff and people we met during our lunch and tour were some of the best people. Those interactions have stuck with us and greatly shaped our entire trip to Peru. So special!
We are so excited to hang the prints we were lucky enough to find and purchase to bring home with us from the gift shop.
Thinking about this place often until we can return again someday hopefully soon!
- Tiler & Mara (CO, USA)
Ollantaytambo has a very knowledgeable expert in Andean folk art and she is a treasure! Let Johana educate you about the importance of these traditional art forms and their relevance to society today. Highly recommend this experience for anyone who wants to get below the surface and into the meaning and beauty of life in the Andes.
This was my favorite experience while in Peru. The museum itself is beautiful and the artifacts are super interesting. Best of all, however, the curator was so knowledgeable and passionate about the topic of traditional arts. For a very reasonable price you get a tour with an expert and leave with a much better understanding of the region’s art.
The food was also incredible. The duck dish was my favorite meal I’ve had in Peru.
If there were 10 stars, they would get them.
A magical place full of good energy and love for arts of the Andes.
The owner is passionate about here pieces in the museom and can talk with you about them for hours! Through this museum, we learned so much about Peruvian culture and society.. we felt in love.
After the guided tour, we set at the restaurant, and again, we were amazed! the tasting menu was about 5 kinds of potatoes. Every dish was exciting and perfect. Special and full of creativity.
The only thing for me was that i needed three more dishes like those to be full (would happily pay more for more dishes)
The service and design of the place and food were worth a michlene star or even two.
We are thankful for arriving there. And think it's a must if you are in the sacred valley.
My phone died after two pictures, but my heart woke up ❤️
We randomly search a place to go around ollantaytambo and found this gem from google maps, it’s a museum full of crafts and stories behind it. Rafael who have welcomed us told that each craft has deep meanings/stories from the couple, who are the owner of this museum. Rafael who was very hospitable, welcomed us and prepared a specialty coffee. He was very knowledgeable with all the products that he presented to us. Everyone was so friendly even the dogs. Visit them when you stay in Ollantaytambo! It’s definitely worth it, we enjoyed our stay here.
Found this place whilst having a free afternoon walk about. It is now my favourite place in Ollantaytambo. Very relaxing, friendly, with the best coffee I've had in Peru so far. Staff very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what they do. Nice music and just a lovely place to sit and chill and wander around. Have four more days here and plan to go back each one. Would highly recommend.
Visiting Alqa is one of the highlights of our time in Ollantaytambo. Antonio has created a unique menu that reflects the best of Peruvian products and Rafael's passion for the source and preparation of coffee (sweet smile and excellent English) made for an unforgettable experience. The garden provided a relaxed and pleasant afternoon where we chatted with new friends and locals who made us feel so welcome. We recommend this restaurant with our highest praise. Delicious.
The MOST underrated space in Ollantaytambo! For this little stopover tourist trap town, there is a little oasis hidden amongst the old Incan architecture dwellings, this place, a museum honoring & preserving & advocating on educating the community & the world about traditional indigenous Andean artistry & craftsmanship that is on its way to being lost if not recognized & appreciated. Joana is the owner with her husband Anton who have created such a beautiful place: a gorgeous cafe/bar, an exhibit, a museum store & a fairytale garden, especially when lit up at night. I paid for an English tour which happened to luckily be a solo tour & we went on a whirlwind of discussion on textiles for a little more than 2+ hours! We didn’t even get to finish the rest of the room let alone address the rest of the handmade textiles (everything in the exhibit is handmade)! Her knowledge, adventure, curiosity & passion moved me so much, it caused me tears of joy. I enjoyed ALQA so0o much, with every staff member who met me, Carlos & Rafael, & so0o very much highly highly recommend visiting this place, enjoying their cafe & supporting their cause!
what a lovely project preserving and celebrating Andino culture. primarily visited La Cafeteria del Museo and was pleasantly surprised by a juicy Catimor brewed with Kalita, originating from Yanatile nearby and a delicious añu tart. they seem to have a rather unusual menu that has been carefully considered to capture the true spirit of the Peruvian Andes. plates with altiplano mushrooms, tuber wines and local craft spirits take pride of place on the menu instead of the typical cuy, alpaca steaks and pisco sour offerings often catered towards tourists. it’s a little verdant gem tucked away in town and a worthy addition to Ollanta. i wasn’t able to visit the gallery this time around but appreciate the alternative perspective and look forward to watching this space! gracias Natalie, Carlos, Rolyn
