Máncora can only really be described as the hedonist capital of Peru – it’s there purely for sun, sea, sand, and most importantly, surf. If you’re not into touristy places, for the love of God don’t go to Máncora, you will hate it. Those of you looking for a party all night, sunbathe all day kind of place, Máncora might as well be Mecca. There are things to do here for the adventurous types, but Máncora is normally filled with young thrill-seeking backpackers and surfers looking for a good time. And it’s probably thanks to them that there are so many restaurants popping up all over the place. Down the main street and strip along the beach (basically the only two roads in Máncora) there are a huge array of restaurants to choose from, and plenty of variation for you to choose from.
Máncora from above – photo courtesy of Stylewalker via Creative Commons
Beef House
I had been missing good steak ever since I’d left Argentina a few months before I got to Máncora, so hearing of a steak house on the main street, near Kokopelli Hostel, I had to go off and investigate. Beef House doesn’t only serve beef, but also chicken and fish dishes (including swordfish, which I took a bite of even though I knew I’d feel guilty afterwards). The portions are huge, the steaks are cooked well, and the atmosphere is classy. If you’re looking for cheap places to eat, don’t come here as you’ll be disappointed. It’s quite expensive for Peru, but if you not travelling on a budget or compare it to prices in the UK or USA, its pretty cheap.
Angela’s Place
For those of you who’ve been in Peru for a long period of time and are, quite frankly, sick to death of chicken and rice, Angela’s Place, located on the main street, is the perfect place to go. Vegetarian food can be hard to come by in South America, and during a lot of my time there I was crying out for something vaguely healthy to eat. Angela’s serves a range of different vegetarian dishes, from light bites to larger meals for dinner, but a personal favourite of mine is definitely the pizzas. Loaded with vegetables and cheese, on wholewheat dough, Angela’s pizzas are the perfect size for one person, and are only around £5 ($7) each. You can definitely find cheaper meals in South America, but they tend to come with a side serving of heart attack. For those of you who have been missing hummus and brown bread, like many people I met in South America, definitely go to Angela’s and stuff your face with the homemade hummus and rye bread starter.
Mara Sushi Bar
Anyone who knows mean will know that I don’t eat seafood, end of story. However, from what I heard from a lot of people, I couldn’t possibly miss off the sushi bars in Máncora from this list. There are a couple dotted about the place, but one of the most popular is Mara Sushi Bar. The fish is so fresh here that you can still see the blood running out if its mouth, which sounds a little gross to me but for sushi fans it’s a damn good sign.
Gotta love a bit of blatant South American plagiarism. The main high street in Máncora – photo courtesy of hood.jonathan via Creative Commons
Green Eggs and Ham
I’m a huge fan of great breakfasts, so when someone told me about Green Eggs and Ham, I got pretty excited. This breakfast cafe serves big portions of waffles, pancakes, eggs, hash browns, home fries, french toast, and more for 15 soles (£4 or $6), including a drink. You can add as many extras as you like for a few soles each to turn your breakfast into a complete feast. If you’re anything like me, and half the population of Máncora, you’ll be partying pretty much every night you’re there, so a good breakfast is essential. The restaurant is also open at night and serves typical Peruvian food, but I would say there are other places you can find for that which are better and cheaper, this is really just great for breakfast. The terrace also looks over the beach, which makes it a perfect spot to enjoy a lengthy breakfast whilst you watch the surfers take on the waves.
Menu del Dia Restaurants
You’ll have the pick of so many restaurants in Máncora that you’ll be overwhelmed. The above are just a few personal recommendations of mine, but you’ll definitely end up finding favourites of your own. Because Máncora is so full of tourists, a lot of the restaurants are very over-priced, so make sure you have a look around at a few places before you choose one, as a cheaper option for the same thing might be right around the corner. Anyone looking for a cheap meal should look out for restaurants with blackboards outside advertising the cheap Menu del Dia. These tend to be two courses for around 8 to 10 soles, (£2.50 or $4) and full of locals, which to me is always a great sign. The choices can sometimes be limited, especially if you’re a vegetarian, but the food is more often than not, delicious.