Zig Zag Restaurant
Andean meats sizzling on volcanic stone, under a staircase built by Eiffel's studio.
- Address: Calle Zela 210, Arequipa (opposite Plaza San Francisco)
- District: Cercado
- Cuisine: Fusion (Alpandina: Alpine-Andean)
- Chef / group: Chef Michel Hediger (Swiss)
Zig Zag is Arequipa's best-known fusion restaurant, built around what its Swiss chef, Michel Hediger, calls Alpandina cuisine -- a mix of Andean ingredients with Alpine cooking techniques. The signature format is meat and fish served on a heated volcanic stone slab, letting diners finish cooking each piece to their own taste at the table: options range from a classic trio of beef, alpaca and chicken to an all-alpaca-and-lamb version. The dining room occupies a restored historic building in the heart of Arequipa's colonial center, facing Plaza San Francisco, with a striking cast-iron spiral staircase attributed to the workshop of French engineer Gustave Eiffel. It's a reliable choice for travelers wanting to try alpaca in an elevated but approachable setting.
Why we chose it
- Premios Summum 2025: ranked among the top 10 restaurants in Arequipa.
- TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2024, with a 4.7/5 rating and a strong local ranking.
- A distinctive fusion concept -- Alpine cooking technique applied to Andean ingredients -- rather than a standard Peruvian menu.
Highlights
- Ranked among the top 10 restaurants in Arequipa at the Premios Summum 2025
- TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2024; rated 4.7/5, among the top-ranked restaurants in Arequipa on the platform
- Signature volcanic-stone platters of beef, alpaca, chicken or lamb, finished tableside
- Historic building with a cast-iron staircase attributed to Gustave Eiffel's studio
Ideal for
- guests wanting to try alpaca in a polished, tourist-friendly setting
- a memorable dinner in Arequipa's historic center
- travelers who enjoy interactive, cook-at-the-table dining
Practical information
- Hours
- Lunch and dinner daily (check current schedule)
- Price
- $20-35 per person
- Reservations
- Recommended for dinner, especially in high season
- Payment
- Major credit cards accepted
- Tips
- Try the volcanic-stone trio platter to sample beef, alpaca and chicken (or lamb) in one order.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alpandina cuisine?
It's Zig Zag's own term for its cooking style: Andean ingredients (alpaca, native potatoes, Andean grains) prepared with Alpine-style techniques introduced by its Swiss chef, Michel Hediger.
Is the staircase really by Eiffel?
The cast-iron spiral staircase is attributed to the workshop of French engineer Gustave Eiffel, a detail the restaurant highlights as part of the building's history.
Has Zig Zag won any awards?
It ranked among the top 10 restaurants in Arequipa at the Premios Summum 2025, and won a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award in 2024.